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Dachshund history
The dachshund was shaped to follow badgers underground. The long body that made it good at that work is also why its back needs care today.
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1885
The American Kennel Club formally registered its first dachshund, marking the early entry of the German breed into North American pedigree records and competitive bench shows.
United States. Confidence in this date: high.
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1888
The Deutscher Teckelklub was established in Germany to set formal breed standards, manage stud books and maintain performance testing for tracking and subterranean hunting work.
Germany. Confidence in this date: high.
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1972
Waldi the dachshund became the first official Olympic mascot at the Munich Summer Games, chosen to symbolise agility, tenacity and Bavarian sporting heritage in modern event design.
Germany. Confidence in this date: high.
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2015
The Dachshund Breed Council published findings from its DachsLife survey in the United Kingdom, gathering health data from thousands of dogs to better understand intervertebral disc disease risk factors.
United Kingdom. Confidence in this date: high.
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2021
The Federation Cynologique Internationale published a revised standard for the dachshund, shifting primary classification emphasis to chest measurement and health rather than a strict upper weight limit.
Belgium. Confidence in this date: high.
Why it matters: a long spine on short legs suits tunnels, and the same shape is linked to early disc degeneration. Read the back disease guide and the varieties. Terms such as FCI are in the glossary.
Sources
- FCI Standard No. 148: Dachshund, Federation Cynologique Internationale
- Dachshund breed standard, American Kennel Club
- Dachshund breed standards, The Kennel Club
- Inherited and acquired risk factors for IVDD in dachshunds (DachsLife), PMC / BMC
Dates are drawn from the sources and may differ slightly between kennel clubs.
Facts are cited and rewritten in our own words. All sources and how we use them.