Dachshund

The Dachshund is one of the most recognizable and beloved breeds in the world — its elongated silhouette and short legs have made it a global cultural icon. Developed in Germany since the Middle Ages (documented records from the 16th century), it was systematically improved throughout the 18th and 19th centuries as a hunting dog for badger, fox, and rabbit, both above and below ground. Its breeders' organization — the Deutsche Teckel Klub e.V., founded in 1888 — is one of the oldest breed clubs in the world. The Dachshund exists in three sizes, each with three coat varieties, totaling nine varieties that coexist under the same standard.

The Dachshund is, in the FCI standard's own words, "intelligent, lively, courageous to the point of recklessness, obedient." It is a dog with an extraordinarily complex personality for its size: curious, determined, entertaining, and deeply loyal to its owner. It has a hunting and scenting instinct that never leaves it — it will follow a trail with absolute concentration that can make recall very difficult. It is vocal — it has a much deeper and more powerful voice than one would expect for its size. It is generally sociable with people but can be reserved with strangers. Its stubbornness, inherited from the independence needed to work alone in burrows, can make training challenging.