Dachshunds are long little doggies packed with personality. Whether they’re miniature or standard sized; smooth, wirehaired, or longhaired; or any of the half dozen-plus colors they can come in, they’re popular family dogs and hold a big place in many dog lovers’ hearts. Read on to learn more about them!

Enter to win and we'll feed a shelter pet!

The Animal Rescue Site has partnered with 5 incredible brands to offer one HUGE prize!

Their Name is Short and to the Point

Though they’re known colloquially as “wiener dogs”, the dachshund’s name is actually “badger dog” in German. That’s because they were originally bred to hunt badgers and to be of the right stature to get into their burrows. Dachs means badger and hund means dog in German. They were also referred to as “dachs krieger” in the past, which means badger warrior.

They’re Wiener Dogs in More Ways Than One

You may think that the nickname wiener dog is inspired by hot dogs, but it may in fact be the other way around. It’s believed that hot dogs may once have been called “dachshund sausages”, though that’s one of, surprisingly, many theories about the hot dog’s origins. Who would have thought that barbecue staple has such a mythical past?!

They’re Not Aware They’re Not Heavyweights

Due to their hunting background, and the fact that they were sent out on their own to contend with feisty animals like badgers, dachshunds can be quite feisty themselves. They’re known for big personalities, big barks, and, often, their lack of awareness that they can’t actually take on much larger dogs. They have no problem trying to communicate that they’re top dog to bigger animals.

They Can Be a Bit of a Pain

With that independence and fierceness, dachshunds are known to be a bit on the stubborn side, which can make for some interesting training sessions. In fact, author E.B. White said of his dog Fred, “Being the owner of dachshunds, to me a book on dog discipline becomes a volume of inspired humor. Every sentence is a riot… I would rather train a striped zebra to balance an Indian club than induce a dachshund to heed my slightest command. When I address Fred, I never have to raise either my voice or my hopes. He even disobeys me when I instruct him in something he wants to do.”

They Have Famous Friends

In addition to Mr. White, who wrote books including Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little, dachshunds have been the companions of many notable people. That includes President John F. Kennedy, Pablo Picasso, Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, and Queen Victoria. In fact, dachshunds were seen in some of the Queen’s portraits, and she was quoted as saying, “Nothing will turn a man’s home into a castle more quickly and effectively than a dachshund.”

They’ve Been to the Olympics

The first time there was an official Olympics mascot, in 1972 in Munich, it was a dachshund. A dachshund named Waldi was created for the games. He had a light blue head and tail, along with a striped body with at least three of the six Olympic colors. The marathon route was also in the shape of a dachshund, with the dog’s head to the west and the route starting at the neck.

They Can Live a Long Time

Maybe the dachshund’s background of Olympic greatness has impacted its longevity. The breed has an average life expectancy of 12 to 16 years. However, some have been known to reach their 20s. In fact, there have been times when the oldest dog in the world has been a dachshund, including a 20-year-old named Scolly in 2013.

They Can Sniff Out the Truth

Dogs can have up to 300 million scent receptors, with some breeds known for their particularly strong sniffers. Dachshunds, with their prominent noses, are among them. This stems from their hunting history when they had to sniff out animals as they pursued them. These days, they may not be hunting, but they’ll love a good scent game and use their noses to learn a lot when they’re out and about.

Birds Aren’t the Only Ones that Build Nests

Some animals build nests for their young. Dachshunds build nests because they love to burrow and dig. It’s unnecessary for them to be outside to make this happen. They’ll dig into blankets or laundry, snuggling into that perfect little cocoon. This “nest” building can lean to the destructive side, though, if they don’t get enough stimulation, exercise, and attention.

They Like a Good Snack

In addition to enjoying vegging out under the covers, dachshunds also like to eat. Many of these dogs are food motivated, which can be dangerous to indulge too much, as the breed is prone to obesity. This is partly due to their stature making exercising difficult and that back problems are common for them, but humans need to make sure to regulate those treats and scraps off the table to keep their dachshund at a healthy weight… even if he gives sad puppy dog eyes.