Are Dachshunds Still Used For Hunting?
When you think of a hunting dog, do you ever picture a Dachshund? The original purpose for creating the Dachshund dog breed was for hunting the pesky badger.
Back in the day, the badger was considered a major pest for eating people’s crops. Hunters needed to have a dog that was low to the ground and able to dig through small holes in order to get to their prey.
Don’t let their size fool you! Dachshunds are extremely intelligent dogs who are brave and tough in the face of danger. They had to be, in order to win a battle with a fierce badger.
The Dachshund Name:
The name Dachshund (pronounced: Dahks-hunt) means “badger dog.” In German, dachs means “badger,” hund means “dog.” Some other proper names in Germany are Dackel and Teckel.
England was one of the first countries to turn the Dachshund from a hunter into a favored pet. The Dachshund was brought to the United States in the 1870’s, but more as a pet instead of a hunter.
Are Dachshunds Still Used For Hunting Today?
Yes, Dachshunds are still among the Top Dog Breeds For hunting. Many hunters in Europe and the US still use the Dachshund dog to track and hunt.
Hunters often use a pack of dachshunds to hunt down their prey. This gives the hunter the advantage as these little long-dogs will hunt together, then split off to dig down into different entrances of the animal’s burrow.
Dachshund Falconry:
Dachshunds and Hawks (or Falcons) work together as a hunting team. How cool is that?
In the United States, Dachshunds are used to hunt alongside hawkers or falconers for small game, like rabbit and squirrel.
While hunting, the Dachshund will chase after the animal and the hawk follows up with the final catch – Team Work!
Check out the Teckel Club for more information and pictures.
Are Dachshunds Good for Hunting?
In the past, it was mainly the standard-sized Dachshund that was used for badger hunting. The Miniature Dachshund came along later and was used for smaller game like rabbit, squirrel, and prairie dogs.
Nowadays, hunters in the US and Europe are using Miniature and Standard Dachshunds for badger hunting. In the Western part of the United States, Dachshunds have also been used to track down wounded deer (Blood Tracking).
Hunters use a transmitter collar to help keep track of their hunting dachshunds while they are underground. When using this special tracking collar, the hunter has a more accurate location to dig down and help flush out the hunted animal.
Different Dachshund Coats:
Did you know that there is an actual purpose for the different Dachshund coats?
Short-Hair Dachshunds:
Dachshunds with the short-hair coat made it harder for their prey to bite down and hold on. This made it easier for the doxie to hunt and tumble with its prey.
Wire-Hair and Long-Hair Dachshunds:
Since Dachshunds are lower to the ground, the short hair doxies tended to get more scratched up by the sharp prickers and branches while hunting in the wooded areas.
The wire-hair and long-hair Dachshunds could keep their skin more protected from the sharp debris of the forest floor.
Why Are Dachshunds Good Hunters?
Do Dachshunds Hunt Foxes?
Yes, Dachshunds are used for fox hunting. A trained hunting Dachshund can chase a fox out from its underground den in no time. While the Miniature Dachshunds can be used to track and chase down a fox, the larger Standard Dachshund can be used to fight and defend if needed.
What Animals Can Dachshunds Hunt?
Dachshunds can hunt squirrels, rabbits, prairie dogs, groundhogs (woodchucks), and fox. They can also sniff out wounded deer.
Some hunters use Dachshunds to hunt opossums, raccoons, and pheasants. In the past, they were even used to track wild boar, Yikes!
Have you ever gone hunting with a Dachshund before? We would love to hear all about your adventures. Please tell us your story in the comments below.
Hi y’all, I have a long haired and a wire haired pair of female Dachshund Hound Pups…..miniature…. I had no clue about their hunting skills when they came into my world. I had heard they were bred to hunt but that’s it. I started when they were young, walking around wooded trails, and quickly realized what was happening! I trained them to hunt moles and mice, and now we’re sought after all around Nashville, Tennessee. We do daily hunts at Two Rivers Mansion. I’ve never seen better hunters! I used to hunt with Beagles, but not anymore!
YES! The coat trick works! I’ve had to use that trick with my hound pups. They get too involved in their hunt and forget about daddy!
Hi Chuck, Wow! that’s so awesome to hear that your Dachshunds get to use their natural hunting skills to get the job done. I’ll bet they love doing their job and probably sleep really well in the evenings. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Very very cool!
Hi y’all, I have a long haired and a wire haired pair of female Dachshund Hound Pups…..miniature…. I had no clue about their hunting skills when they came into my world. I had heard they were bred to hunt but that’s it. I started when they were young, walking around wooded trails, and quickly realized what was happening! I trained them to hunt moles and mice, and now we’re sought after all around Nashville, Tennessee. We do daily hunts at Two Rivers Mansion. I’ve never seen better hunters! I used to hunt with Beagles, but not anymore!
My Mums Daxhunds regularly catch blackbirds. They seem to be able to launch them selfs forward so quickly often catching the prey by surprise. They even do this to other dogs too, telling them they are top dogs. They do this by launching at the other dog and putting their teeth on the dog’s throat. I obviously discourage this and tell other dog owners to keep their distance, but it seems to be in the dog’s instincts. They have never hert another dog and doubt they will, but obviously best to be safe than sorry.
Oh, should have said my nabour has a Yorkshire terrier and they get on so well. The first thing the Yorkie did was roll over and the wave is pours to say your top dog, and the dachshund just waged is a tale and then they started playing. So think that’s the thing with Dahunds they insist on being top dog. If they are not problems.
Hi, I totally agree. They don’t view their small/short ‘size’ as less than any other dog. They insist on being the ‘top dog.’
Hello, dachshunds are excellent hunters, aren’t they? Yes, the lunging at other dogs can be an issue. Thank you for the tips.
I have 3 wire haired dachshund x yorkie mixes and they are all 3 excellent hunters. My oldest is 7yrs old and her 2 nieces just turned 1yr old. She has taught them to sniff out, dig up and kill moles & voles. She has also taught them how to catch & kill snakes. They all 3 are intelligent, loving and fantastic diggers. My goal is to start “scent training” with them soon. I love them so much & I can’t imagine life without a wire doxie.
Hi Suzy Marie, Wow! They sound like some seriously awesome Hunters. My female dachshund, Heidi, also loved to sniff out the moles. It was her favorite thing to do. Scent training would be great for them to learn. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. *Hugs* for your wire hair doxies.
I take our two wirehaired miniatures hunting every morning in woods near our home. They are on a long leash otherwise I won’t see them but for dust if they get the scent. Interestingly, most of the deer in the area let them come within 5m as they don’t see their size as a threat. When the ‘shriek’ (i.e. when they very near the scent source), most other dog owners think they are distressed and in pain – but it’s just their way of telling me ‘we’re near’.
If you ever lose your dachshund on a hunt, leave your coat on the ground and they will be there lying on your coat two days later. As a breed, they’re not for everyone and need love and exercise. Furthermore, ‘one dachshund is never enough’ as they thrive in a pack environment. There are difficult to train, stubborn but totally loyal – I wouldn’t have them any other way.
Hi there, Thank you so much for sharing this with us, how awesome! I bet they love going hunting with you. You are correct, just one dachshund is never enough and yes, they are very loyal. :)