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 the days since the video was posted, hundreds of internet users have taken to the comments section to laud the dachshund's determination. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025

At least, that’s what this small family made up of a couple, their two-year-old boy, and a friendly dachshund thought. —Marta Sader, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2025

Now Valerie is preparing to return home to Albury, New South Wales, where she will be reunited with Gardner and Fishlock’s other pets, Lucy the rescue cat, Mason the red heeler and their latest addition, Dorothy, a fellow dachshund. —Jack Guy, CNN Money, 7 May 2025

On the April 30 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, inspired by the incredible real-life story of Valerie, a missing dachshund who managed to survive on a rugged island for over 500 days, the couple shares the story of Lena's recent disappearance. —Kelli Bender, People.com, 30 Apr. 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.