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

Here are the facts: A 4-year-old dachshund named Duke was hit by a car and killed on July 4, 2023, while being walked by Nan DeBlase. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 June 2025

After 529 days on the run, Valerie the dachshund is safe and sound. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025

Burke regularly shares videos of her two cream miniature dachshunds, Bjorn and Lucia on social media. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025

Efforts are now underway to rescue the dachshund, but that has proved difficult. —Victor Mather, New York Times, 28 Mar. 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.