The last few years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club has seen dog ownership soar to record levels.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thought needed when choosing your perfect pup. Those with active lifestyles might want to consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One dog that often appears at the top of people’s canine wishlists is the Dachshund – they were the UK’s fifth most popular pet in 2020 (only bested by the Labrador Retriever, French Bulldog, English Bulldog and Cocker Spaniel) and have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
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9. A first mention
The first written reference to the Dachshund breed appears in German books written in the early 18th century which mention Dachs Kriecher (badger crawler) or Dachs Krieger (badger warrior) dogs. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
10. Don't mention the war
Due to their association with Germany, during World War One many American Dachshund owners chose to call their dogs 'liberty hounds' in an attempt to reduce the stigma of having an 'enemy dog'. Photo: Canva/Getty Images