dachshund

noun

dachs·​hund ˈdäks-ˌhu̇nt  -ˌhu̇nd 

ˈdäk-sənt;

 especially British  ˈdak-sənd

: any of a breed of long-bodied, short-legged dogs of German origin that occur in short-haired, long-haired, and wirehaired varieties

Illustration of dachshund

Examples of dachshund in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In yet another post showing the dog — which appears to be a miniature dachshund — dozing on a rug by a fireplace, Evans revealed that her name is Lala. —Erin Clack, People.com, 19 July 2025

Louis with Cooper the dachshund, throwing his ball. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025

The city of Frankfort, Indiana, hosts its own hot dog festival, which includes a hot dog eating contest and a dachshund race. —Jenny Porter Tilley, IndyStar, 16 July 2025

But this woody vine can escape the arbor and head up a tree faster than a squirrel with a dachshund on its trail. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

German, from Dachs badger + Hund dog

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

dachshund

noun

dachs·​hund ˈdäks-ˌhu̇nt  ˈdäk-sənt 

: any of a breed of dogs of German origin with a long body, very short legs, and long drooping ears

Etymology

from German Dachshund "dachshund," literally, "badger dog," from Dachs "badger" and Hund dog

Word Origin

The dachshund is a dog with short legs and a long history. The breed was developed in Germany more than a thousand years ago to hunt burrowing animals such as badgers. With its short legs and long, powerful body, the dachshund could follow a badger right down into its hole. It could even fight with the badger underground. The German name for the breed was Dachshund, a compound of Dachs, meaning "badger," and Hund, "dog." This German name was borrowed directly into English.