Valerie – The Queen Of Kangaroo Island

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132 – June, 2025

By Amy Fernandez

From a purebred perspective Dachshunds pose a dilemma on so many levels. Defining expectations about the breed is an exercise in futility. Yes, it was designed for hunting and general tenacity. But that toolkit has been successfully repositioned in so many roles, which brings us back to the basic issue. Is this a Hound? Not exactly. In many ways it behaves more like a Terrier. Its innate adaptability and general usefulness was the end of that story for centuries–until the Dachshund entered the purebred lexicon.

In 1907, the definitive American authority James Watson put it plainly, “The Dachshund is the only dog classified as a sporting dog by the American Kennel Club [AKC groups consisted of Sporting and Non-Sporting at that time] which is neither a hound nor a dog exclusively used with the gun. That it is used occasionally as a hound–in the sense that it follows rabbits and hares by scent as does a beagle–does not alter the fact it is essentially a dog that goes to earth and is therefore a terrier…,” Watson was an upfront guy. He knew dogs and he knew when he didn’t have all the answers. He went on to note that even its designation as a German breed was questionable. “They are now recognized as essentially a dog of Germany, although there can be no doubt that they were found throughout Western Europe at an early date.” That’s a fact. Dachshunds existed long before Germany. Tough, versatile, low maintenance, and totally charming–from the get-go Dachshunds were an ideal breed for so many things.

Those issues about breed evolution have never been completely resolved to satisfaction. And that’s just one aspect of the Dachshund confusion. According to AKC regulations, they come in two sizes. Standards and Miniatures, which compete together, only coat types are granted separate variety status. From there, Smooths, Wires, and Longhairs are channeled into the Hound Group. FCI confronted this dilemma by creating Group Four, which Dachshunds have all to themselves. They are also granted three size designations, Standard, Miniature, and Rabbit. FCI requires a working trial for the breed. AKC is not so strict regarding functionality but the popularity of field trials and earthdog tests confirms the vitality of their natural skills.

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132 – June, 202

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