Dachshunds are spunky, friendly dogs of the hound group, meaning they were at one time bred as hunters. In fact, in German, the breed name means badger dog, referring to its ability to sniff and seek badgers. They still have an acute sense of smell and excellent stamina.
History
Illustrations from medieval and early renaissance times show elongated dogs with short legs hunting badgers. Surely, these were precursors to today’s dachshunds, badger dogs from Germany. They were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and grew in popularity in the years after, even as badger hunting all but disappeared. The other qualities of dachshunds, their playful energy and friendliness, ensured their continued success. They rose to the sixth most popular dog at one point and now rank thirteenth.