The short history of dachshunds

Gunther Flutney, Port Chambers, Dunedin, asked: Could the dachshund dog breed have evolved naturally? Associate Professor Kirk L. Hamilton, a physiologist from the University of Otago, responded:

The first time I ever laid eyes on a dachshund my immediate reaction — with no disrespect — was to smile. As a scientist, I noticed the length of the dog relative to the size of its legs and I wondered why/ how gravity had not taken some evolutionary effect of the body form of this breed of dog.

Dachshunds have unusually long bodies with short legs, however, their body is perfect for their purpose in life. The dachshund originated from Germany and its literal translation is ‘‘Dachs’’ = badger and ‘‘Hund’’ = dog. This dog was bred to hunt badgers!

Archaeologists found bones suggesting that domestication dates back 15,000 years. Researchers identified that nearly 10,000 years ago, a single mutation occurred in the gene that codes for the growthpromoting protein named Fibroblast Growth Factor 4. This mutation led to dwarfism in dogs: normal head, chest and body length, but short legs. This lineage resulted in breeds like dachshund, corgi and the basset hound.

In the 18th19th centuries, German hunters and foresters bred dogs to hunt badgers. The body of a dachshund, including short legs for easy access into badger holes, legs slightly curved around the ribcage, strong compact feet for digging and to push soil behind, and long ears to prevent debris from entering its ears are all favourable traits for a digging machine! Also, dachshunds are wellknown for their tenacious, clever, and fearless nature, additional traits for hunting and catching badgers. Since those times of hunting badgers, dachshunds have become family pets.

With their body length and short legs though, it is not surprising that dachshunds (also corgis and basset hounds) are prone to back injuries. These dogs suffer from intervertebral disc disease (calcified or ruptured discs) and chondrodysplasia (abnormal growth of cartilage). Humans suffer with these diseases, too.

We all know that late Queen Elizabeth’s favourite canine companions were corgis. In other social circles another breed of dog might be the favourite of politicians, newspaper magnates, actors, painters, singers, and even other royals. The dogs owned by Presidents John F. Kennedy and Grover Cleveland, William Randolph Hearst, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, Doris Day, the former Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II, and finally Queen Victoria was the sausage dog, the dachshund.

So, the next time you are walking your fourlegged friend, and you see a dachshund, just smile and carry on.