9781422279342

Tracing back in time Dogs with long bodies and short legs have been bred for centu- ries. There is even evidence from ancient Egypt of this type of hunt- ing dog. But we need to fast forward to the 18th century to find the origins of the Dachshund that we know today. The name Dachshund means “badger hound” in German—and Germany is the breed’s native home. Dogs were needed to work underground to pursue badgers, and so larger hunting dogs and hounds were selectively bred to smaller terriers to produce a small, long-bodied hunter who could give chase through tunnels. Known as the Dackel or Teckel (a name still used for working dogs), these small dogs hunted by scent, working their way through thick undergrowth to find wild boar and badger. They hunted in packs and were completely fearless; dogs were prepared to dig their way into a badger’s den and confront this most formidable of oppo- DACHSHUND

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There is evidence that low-to-ground dogs were used to hunt beaver and badger.

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G. Riedel, the miniaturist painter

game and a gun. This painting is

breed, is The Vision of St. Eustace