We all know daschunds are hunting dogs first bred in Germany. But did you know the doxie would never have come into existence without its nemesis the badger?
The word "dachshund" literally means "badger dog" in German (Have you ever seen a badger? There he is ----> ).
Badgers are fierce little suckers who can fight off much larger animals--like wolves, coyotes and bears. Oh my! They live in burrows, can run as fast as 20 mph for short stretches, and will fight to the death to protect themselves and their young.
Daschunds were bred to go down badger holes and block off the critters' escape until a hunter comes to complete the task. Can you imagine taking on a cornered badger in a small hole? Daschunds had to be tough just to keep up!
Doxie history may have started with the badger, but it doesn't end there. Here are some interesting and fun--and some not so fun--facts about the love of your life:
Doxies in History
Traditional history tells us doxies were first bred in Germany in the 19th Century. But some whisper that doxies existed way before that. There are rumors of doxie artifacts dating back to Ancient Egypt. Is the daschund really an Egyptian breed thousands of years old? You be the judge.
Sadly, World War I was a terrible time for daschunds and the people who love them. They became a proxy for Germans, and in the United States and England, many doxies were stoned and killed. Luckily, by the time World War II came around, the breed had become such a part of American culture that history did not repeat itself.
Who doesn't love a doxie? That cuddly-sausage body, those lovingly-inquisitive eyes, that soft fur . . . Doxies are smart enough to use all their charms to garner admirers through the ages. Daschund-lovers in history include the famous and the infamous:
Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, Napoleon, and John Wayne
They were all die-hard doxie fans! (credit) And here you thought you were the only one . . . !
Doxie Spirit
Daschunds have been used to hunt not only badgers, but foxes and wild boar as well! No, they don't go paw-to-paw with the wild beasts. Doxies are guard dogs rather than attack dogs--they flush out their prey and bark their heads off until someone (else) comes to take on the intruder.
Ever seen a doxie jump out of an airplane? Meet Brutus the skydiving Doxie. Brutus holds the world record for the Highest Skydiving Dog. Now, before you start shaking in fear for Brutus' life, you should know he does not jump alone. Brutus' daddy, Ron Sirull, straps Brutus to his chest and takes the leap. Apparently, Brutus enjoys himself--he has taken at least 100 jumps.
Doxie Habits
Why are doxies obsessed with rolling on earthworms, dead bugs, or any . . . ummm, how shall we put this? . . . fecal matter they can find? Because of their hunting instinct. By doing this, they are trying to "lose their scent" so that their prey cannot smell them.
Picture this: You're snuggled comfortably with your honey under a warm pile of comforters and blankets when, all of a sudden, you feel the unmistakable wet muzzle of your doxie grazing against you as she tunnels her way down to your feet. The doxie response to any pile of blankets is to dig himself a spot! That too is a holdover habit from the good 'ole hunting days. Remember, doxies were bred to go down badger holes, and your toasty warm covered body looks just like a badger hole to him!
Doxie Delights
Like many of us with "unique" names, daschunds suffer the indignity of hearing their names mangled in the pronunciation. In this video, doxies finally takes a stand!
