“Dachshund” is a German word meaning “badger dog,” and is pronounced dacks-hoont. The breed’s German history goes back 400-600 years. They were originally used for, as their name suggests, the hunting of badgers though they were often used for hunting prey of all sizes.
Badgers are notorious for being mean and dangerous animals that create a big problem for many farmers. So hunters and foresters designed the dachshund's appearance to be much like the badger's, sturdy and short-legged. They gave them cleverness, courage, perseverance, strength, and a surprisingly loud bark. Several breeds are suspected of being ancestors of the dachshund; among them are the Schweisshund, the Dachsbracke, the Basset Hound, and the Beagle.
The original dachshunds were long-bodied, short-legged, and had a fine smooth coat that came in all colors. Later on, wire coats and long-haired varieties were developed for hunting in cold climates, wetlands, and dense undergrowth. They also came in different sizes. Today, only two sizes are recognized by most registries (especially in the States): Standard (16-32 pounds) and Miniatures (11 pounds and under) however you’ll see terms like Tweeny (11-16 pounds) and The Kaninchen or Rabbit Size (5.5-8.8 pounds).
The dachshund has always been a popular breed though they did lose some popularity during WWII due to their German origin. Today, while some are still used for hunting, the Dachshund is a popular companion for many people. They go by nicknames such as Wiener Dog, Sausage Dog, Dachs, Dackel, Teckel, and Doxie. Regardless of the nickname used it's safe to say we are addicted to the breed here at RockinDachs.