Is the Dachshund Really a Hound? Think Again – YouDidWhatWithYourWiener.com

Like many of you, I used to think that Dachshunds are scent hounds. The American Kennel Club (AKC) categorizes them as hounds, there’s “hound” in their name, and they certainly enjoy tracking scents like one.

Then, my perspective changed! I discovered that some people argue that the kennel club is mistaken, and that Dachshunds are actually terriers.

Initially, I found this idea hard to accept, as I was convinced they belonged in the hound category. I was confident in my belief!

However, as I delved deeper into the topic, I started to consider that the Dachshund may indeed be categorized as a terrier. What led me to this conclusion?

Hounds vs. Terriers

The AKC classifies dog breeds based on their original purposes. Let’s examine the distinction between scent hounds and terriers in that context.

Note: In Great Britain, they are categorized as scent hounds, while the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), responsible for breed classification outside the US and Great Britain, places them in their own unique Group 4 category, separate from terriers (Group 3) and scent hounds (Group 6).

According to the AKC, scent hounds are dogs that hunt by tracking animals using their sense of smell, in contrast to sight hounds that rely on vision.

Scent hounds detect scents in the air, on the ground, and even across water. While hunting, these hounds utilize their long ears and large nasal cavities to pick up scents that lead them to their prey from great distances.

That certainly sounds like a Dachshund, right? However, let’s consider the definition of a terrier.

Terriers, often referred to as “earthdogs” (as “terra” means “earth” in Latin), were bred small and agile enough to pursue prey into underground dens, equipped with strong jaws and forequarters capable of subduing small animals like woodchucks, gophers, or badgers. They are known for their intelligence, independence, and a loud, persistent bark that helps handlers locate them from above ground.

Moreover, terriers are described as small, highly energetic, and fearless.

Oops, that description also fits Dachshunds quite well, perhaps even better than the scent hound characteristics! Beyond their keen sense of smell, long ears, and snouts, their behavior aligns very closely with terrier traits.

While Dachshunds do use their sense of smell to track prey, their distinctive strength is their ability to go underground and swiftly take down vermin, showcasing their terrier-like qualities.

The History of the Breed

The origins of the Dachshund are somewhat mysterious, as historical records about the breed’s development are sparse. This leaves us piecing together its genetic lineage as best we can.

According to William Loeffler in The American Book of the Dog (1891), regarding Dachshunds: “The origin of the Dachshund is in doubt; our best authorities disagree on the breed’s beginnings.”

What we do know is that the Dachshund was developed by German breeders, incorporating elements of German, French, and English hounds and terriers.

It is believed that the initial breeds used to create the smooth-coated Dachshund (the original version) include:

• German Shorthaired Pointer (sporting group – AKC – Group 7 Pointing – FCI)
• German Pinscher (working group – AKC – Group 2 Pinscher type – FCI)
• Bracke (scent hounds in all classifications – Group 6 – FCI)
• Bruno Jura Hound (Group 6 scent hound – FCI – rarely found in the US and not recognized by the AKC)
• Bracken Hound (scent hounds in all classifications – Group 6 – FCI)
• Various terriers

As you can see, the suspected breeds that formed the short-haired Dachshund are predominantly classified as scent hounds today.

However, it’s important to note that current breed classifications do not always accurately represent the original purpose for which a dog was created (despite a commendable effort to reflect this).

One well-researched history of the Dachshund is documented by Eridox Dachshunds, the creator of Wienepedia. The breeder meticulously examined historical documents in both English and German.

Her confident conclusion is that the Dachshund can function as both a terrier and a hound, although traditionally, it has often been recognized primarily as a terrier.

Interestingly, she notes that there have always been two distinct structural types of Dachshunds (though these types have been significantly blended over the last century): the hound type (with crooked front legs) and the terrier type (with straighter front legs).

So Which Is It – Hound or Terrier?

In 1906, a breed expert stated: “That it [the Dachshund] 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 that it is essentially a dog that goes to earth and is therefore a terrier.” (source)

In the United States, the AKC’s classification is final.

While it is undeniable that Dachshunds exhibit qualities of both scent hounds and terriers, in terms of breed registration, conformation shows, and the competitive sports they participate in, Dachshunds are recognized as scent hounds.

Final Thoughts

Around 1920, canine historian Edward Ash remarked: “A Dachshund is, in fact, a terrier with very crooked legs, but possessing in a very great degree both the appearance and fine nose of the beagle.” (source)

In my opinion, the Dachshund embodies traits of both a hound and a terrier.

This breed was developed using dogs from both categories, and their purpose combines the qualities of both breeds, while their appearance tends to resemble hounds more in modern times.

Dachshunds are the only scent hounds that the AKC allows to participate in both above-ground and below-ground field trials for hunting.

I wholeheartedly believe that Dachshunds possess the personality traits of both scent hounds and terriers!

While I acknowledge that they are technically classified as scent hounds in the US, I believe it is essential to consider their terrier roots when providing enrichment and addressing behavioral issues.