A boom in the rabbit population in Germany prompted the development of the Miniature Dachshund. Varieties in coat length are likely a result of breeding smooths with longer coats together — and possibly including some spaniel — to produce longhaired dogs and adding terrier to smooth Dachshunds to create the wirehaired variety. Versatility was strongly encouraged & Dachshunds are the only breed designed to engage in tracking, flushing, retrieving, and going to ground — but they are especially designed for the later.

Dachshunds arrived from Germany to the US, and were first recognized by the American Kennel Club. The Dachshund Club of America was the 8th breed club recognized by the AKC.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary loved his Dachshunds, Wadl and Hexl, who were described as “biting, snarling little brutes with jaws measuring half the length of their smooth bodies.” Queen Victoria especially loved Dachshunds. But anti-German sentiment prompted Dachshund fanciers in the United States to call their dogs “Liberty Hounds” to protect them from being attacked and sometimes killed. 

Dachshunds remain extremely popular as pets and performance dogs in the United States. They are eligible to compete in the largest number of events sponsored by the American Kennel Club. Dachshunds do especially well in Barn Hunt and EarthDog which require the dog to identify rats under straw and in underground tunnels, respectively.