Last Updated on May 10, 2022 by Marco
Dachshunds are an incredibly popular and beloved pet breed but what were dachshunds bred to do originally and why does that matter today? Are their infamous back problems due to their initial breeding? What other health problems stem from that? Also, how do the dachshund’s origins and profession affect their personality as household pets?
What Were Dachshunds Bred To Do Originally?
Dachshunds were first bred as a scent hound hunting breed in Germany some 6 centuries ago. Their main targets were the badgers that plagued the German forests. That’s also where the dachshund’s name comes from – dachs-hund means badger hound in German. They were also used to hunt foxes and rabbits.
The dachshund used its powerful sense of smell to track such animals through the thick forests. Then, these dogs’ short legs proved excellent for them to jump into the badger or fox burrows, fight them underground, and flush them out. That’s also why the dachshund has a big and strong (for its size) chest and large paddle-like front paws – for both digging and fighting foes directly ahead of it.
Were Miniature Dachshunds Bred As Hounds Too At First?
Most miniature dog breeds were first created specifically as pets. Sometime in the 19th century, European and American folks decided not only to focus on dogs as pets but to over fixated on the smallest breeds possible as especially cute pet options. This led a lot of breeders to develop miniature versions of most larger breeds.
The miniature dachshund isn’t one of those cases, however. Mini Doxies were first developed as hunters, just as their larger dachshund brethren. The purpose of miniature dachshunds was to get inside the extra-small rabbit burrows standard dachshunds were too big for.
Still, it wasn’t long before pet owners discovered how adorable miniature dachshunds were and the breed quickly transitioned into a mostly indoor pet.
Learn more about: What Does Dachshund Mean In German?
Which Breeds Were Dachshunds Bred From?
While we know what were dachshunds bred to do, there isn’t a complete agreement on this. Many cite breeds like the Bloodhound and the Basset hound as the main ancestors of the dachshund, together with a wide range of miniature pointers and pinschers. The German breeders of the 15th century didn’t exactly write down all the breeds they used, unfortunately.
However, one thing is clear – dachshunds weren’t just a mix of other breeds. Instead, they were also selected for the chondrodysplasia gene, i.e. dwarfism. That’s because the German breeders specifically wanted a short-legged breed even if they had to deal with some of the dwarfism-accompanying health problems.
How Much Is The Dachshund’s Behavior As A Pet Influenced By Its Original Role As A Hound?
A lot of it, without a doubt. Dachshunds are a quintessential scent hound breed even if many people associate Bloodhounds and Bassets more with this archetype. Like those two, dachshunds are incredibly scent-driven, willful, and single-minded once they spot something they perceive as prey.
This makes them a bit harder to train than the shepherd and gun dog breeds, however, it doesn’t make dachshunds any less smart – just with a different temperament. Obedience training and socialization are still important, of course, but a dachshund can easily be a perfect social and interactive pet with the right upbringing.
How Much Is The Dachshund’s Health Today Affected By The Way It Was Bred?
Dachshunds are infamous for their back and joint problems, namely their predisposition for Intervertebral Disc Disorder (IVDD), Hip Dysplasia, and other such issues. While most of the dwarfism-related health problems dachshunds originally had were bred out of the breed, you will still need to watch out for stuff such as IVDD.
So, What Were Dachshunds Bred To Do and Should That Matter To Pet Owners Today?
Doxies may not look like fierce hunters to most people but that’s exactly what they were bred to be and what many of them still are in Europe. Bred specifically to be the most effective hunting dog possible against badgers, foxes, and rabbits in the thick forests of Germany, dachshunds still retain their sharp noses, their love for digging, and their headstrong attitude.
None of this makes them any less awesome as pets, however. As they were bred to live and work alongside people, dachshunds are also smart, social, and lovable animals. They can get along with other animals too, just make sure not to get any pet rabbits to live with them.
FAQs
What was the original purpose of the dachshund?
Dachshunds were originally bred as a hunting breed – a scent hound, to be exact. Their long bodies and short legs were – and still are – perfect for tracking the scent of animals through the thick German forests and then jumping into their deep and narrow underground burrows. The prey Doxies specialized in were foxes, rabbits, and badgers.
In fact, the dachs-hund name means precisely “badger hunter” in German. And dachshunds are indeed still used as scent hounds all across Europe even though American hunters prefer other scent hound breeds.
What were dachshunds bred to fight?
Dachshunds were bred to just track and flush out foxes, rabbits, and badgers – they were bred to engage them in fight too. Badgers, in particular, are the most ferocious and strongest of the three traditional dachshund prey animals. With their incredibly thick skin and fiery temperament, badgers – the European cousin of the North American wolverine – are known to stand up even to bears.
So, dachshunds were bred for the challenging task of battling these feisty animals deep underground, in their own burrows. That’s why the dachshund isn’t just short and compact but also has an extra-wide chest for its size as well as notably large front paws and an elongated muzzle.
Why were miniature dachshunds bred?
You’d be forgiven to think that miniature dachshunds were originally bred as fancy pets for the European aristocracy. After all, that’s how many other miniature breeds came about. The mini Doxie was first bred as a hunter too – it was bred as small as possible to fit in the extra small rabbit holes that the standard dachshunds were too big for.
It wasn’t long before the aforementioned European nobility saw how cute mini Doxies are and started adopting them as pets, of course.
What two dogs make a dachshund?
It isn’t 100% clear on which hound breeds were used to develop the dachshund 6 centuries ago in Germany. Many believe that the smooth (short) haired dachshund was developed from the miniature French pointer and a pinscher. Other dachshund varieties are said to come from Bloodhounds, Basset hounds, other pointers and terriers, and more possible scent hound breeds, some coming from as far away as ancient Egypt.
Jordan is an animal–lover who specializes in dachshunds. He has owned and cared for dachshunds since he was a child, and his passion for these unique dogs has only grown with time. Jordan is an avid researcher and learner, and spends a large portion of his free time studying the history, behaviour, and health of dachshunds. He has a knack for training and socializing his own dogs, and loves introducing them to new experiences. When not caring for his own pets, Jordan likes to volunteer at local animal rescue shelters, helping to find homes for abandoned dachshunds. He is a true animal advocate, and dedicates his time to ensure that all animals receive the love, respect, and care they deserve.
