9781422279342

nents. The Dachshund’s job was to chase the badger from its den and then corner it until the hunters arrived. Hunters realized that the Dachshund could also be used to hunt rabbits and foxes, if he was small enough to get down the holes leading to the animal’s burrow. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the smaller Teckels were selected and crossed with Rat Terriers, Toy Pinschers, and even Chihuahuas to establish a miniature variety. The goal was to keep the tenaci- ty of the large variety, while adding the quickness of the smaller breeds. The re- sult is a small, agile dog who even today excels at field work. Broadening horizons The first Dachshunds reached the U.K. in 1840 when Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, received a gift of a number of smooths from Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar. They were kept at Windsor Castle and took part in pheasant shoots. Queen Vic- toria kept several as pets, and did much to popularize Dachs- hunds. Although the breed originated in Germany, the British founded a national Dachshund club in 1881—seven years before its German counterpart. In Britain, they were exhibited at dog shows starting in 1866, where they were called German Badger Dogs. In Germany, however, they remained hunting hounds. Dachshunds were imported into the United States for several years before they were recognized by the AKC. A black and tan dog named Dash, owned by Dr. G.D. Stewart, in 1885 became the first Dachshund to be registered. The Dachshund Club of America was formed in 1895.

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