The first European mention of “jamnikach” (Polish for Dachshunds) may have been a fourteenth century medieval German manuscript that read, “Dogs with short legs come a lot easier underground than others and are more useful for hunting badgers.” Another source, however, suggests that Dachshunds originated in Germany in 1600’s. Still another expert says that everyone is wrong: The Dachshund is a far more ancient breed because a short-legged hunting dog resembling the Dachshund was portrayed on a monument of Thutmose III along with a hieroglyphic inscription reading, “tekal” or “tekar.”

We leave it to the cynologists to sort out. What most agree upon is that the smooth coat came first, then the long haired, and finally in 1890, five years after the breed was recognized by the AKC,  Wirehaired Dachshunds were officially recognized as the third coat variation.

These separate coat types weren’t created by German fanciers on a whim, they had very specific reasons for each of the coat types, and all of them had to do with different hunting activities. Smooth coated Dachshunds were ideal for tunneling because there was no excess coat to get caught up in underground roots. A Long Haired Dachshund, however, could stand up to cold conditions during hunting seasons. The Wirehaired Dachshund’s coat gave it more protection in briars and brambles, and to this day, it’s said that this coat version is still the most popular with German Foresters and Sportsmen.

Image: “Jamnikow” (Dachshund) by Żuk Art