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dachshund - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)

A dachshund is a breed, or type, of dog. The name means "badger dog" in German. This is because the dogs were bred to hunt badgers. The dachshund’s short legs and long, thin body allowed it to follow the badgers into their burrows if necessary.

dachshund - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

The dachsund is a breed of hound dog known for its very short legs and long, sausage-shaped body; coat is usually short, smooth, and glossy, but longhaired and wirehaired varieties are possible; can be either solid red, brown, or yellow, any two of these colors mixed together, or any three of these colors mixed together; ears are short and broad and flop down side of skull; tail tapers to a thin point in shorthaired and wirehaired varieties but is longer and quite feathered in longhaired varieties; thick, muscular neck is prominent feature; eyes are almond-shaped and very dark and sparkling; adult stands 5-9 in. (13-23 cm) tall at shoulders and weighs 5-20 lbs (2-9 kg); very lively and clever demeanor; developed in Germany as far back as 15th century to hunt and follow badgers (Dachs in German means "badger") into their holes if necessary; can also track rabbits and other small game; will chase snakes for fun; Gergweis, Germany, is considered the dachshund capital of the world.

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