Trapped in tight tunnels, relying on its own wits, the Dachshund needed to be independent, bold, and not a little bit combative. The “keel,” or underside of the ribcage, needed to extend well beyond the elbow, protecting the internal organs from any sharp sticks or roots that protruded from the earth.Īnd since the dog had to face the badger head-on, with no room to turn around, its “business end” was of equal importance: The prominent bridge bone over the eyes offered protection, and a strong, well-hinged underjaw with surprisingly large teeth let the Dachshund give back as good as it got. The list of must-haves – and the nautical imagery – didn’t end there: The dog’s ribcage had to be long and well developed, providing ample room for the heart and lungs to give the dog the endurance it needed to battle for hours underground. A well-angled shoulder and upper arm allowed for the range of motion required for this digging, creating a prominent breastbone and forechest, known as the “prow.” Those legs had to be slightly curved around the ribcage, with tight, compact feet that pushed the soil behind the dog as it dug toward its quarry. The dogs obviously had to have short legs so they could easily fit in the badger holes.
DASH HOUND BREED SKIN
With their thick skin and skulls, and equally sharp teeth and claws, badgers were well prepared to fend off any intruder in their den.Ĭreating a dog for such a highly specific – to say nothing of dangerous – job required several rather dramatic modifications of the canine form. Understandably, badgers did not give up their pelts without a fight. While France and other European countries had their own versions of badger-hunting dogs, by the 18 th Century German foresters and hunters began to breed their type consistently, paving the way for the breed we know today. While Europeans had been using dogs to hunt those nocturnal, ground-burrowing carnivores since at least the Middle Ages, it wasn’t until the late 17 th Century that the Dachshund began to take form. But its name, which in German translates as “badger dog,” tells a completely different story. Don’t let the goofy wiener-dog costume fool you: Sandwiched between those fabric hot-dog buns is a clever hunter whose size belies its ferocity.Īt first glance, you can see why the Dachshund has earned the rather ignoble moniker of “wiener” or “sausage dog”: Long and low to the ground, this oddly proportioned hound might look comically cute.
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