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

Miniature dachshunds are known for their long bodies and short legs, a combination that makes jumping both a talent and a potential hazard. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025

On the street, three dachshunds in pink down jackets were sniffing around in a tree pit. —Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025

Leclerc is a dog dad, too, with a one-year-old dachshund named Leo. —Nick Remsen, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025

Finalists The first finalist this week is Lefty, a dachshund fondly remembered by his owner Cathy. —William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 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.