Dachshunds 1873-5

Description

Records of dachshunds date back to the 15th century in Germany. Evidence of similar dogs exists in Ancient Egypt. Dachshund, or Teckel means “badger dog” in German. It is thought the breed arose from crossing the Schweisshund with the Bibarhund and through selective breeding shorter legged dogs evolved by the 18th Century that were bred to hunt and flush badgers and other ground diggers from their dens. Miniature dachshunds were prized by foresters to flush rabbits from burrows. In Britain the breed is divided into two (normal and miniature) whilst in Germany it is divided into three based on chest-size: Standard or Normalgrosssteckel; miniature Zwergteckel or dwarf and Kaninchenteckel or rabbit Dachshund. The breed was popular throughout Europe and America up to the First World War. Dachshunds were first introduced to the UK in 1840 when the Prince Albert was given several smooth-haired dogs by the Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar. The Prince kept his Dachshunds at Windsor Castle. With the outbreak of War, the breed fell out of favour thanks to the German connection. The breed subsequently regained their popularity in Europe and America and are today one of the most popular small dogs in the UK.