10 interesting facts about Dachshunds

The dachshund is known by a number of different names including the wiener dog, badger dog, or most commonly, the sausage dog. These sweet natured dogs are short-legged, long-bodied, and are a hound-type dog breed.

Their coats can be smooth-haired, wire-haired, or long-haired and thought to have originated in Egypt due to the fact that there are early Egyptian carvings which look similar to a short legged hunting dog.

For the Daschund fans, here are 10 fun facts about these gorgeous creatures:

• Dachshunds were originally bred as working dogs as they were good badger hunters.
  

• Dachshunds can be difficult to house train.
  

• A Dachshund called Waldi was the official mascot for the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972.
  

• Dachshunds were bred with a curved tail so the tip could be seen whilst the dog was in long grass and also so that it could be easily pulled out of a tunnel if the dog got stuck whilst hunting.

• There is a Dachshund called Crusoe who has his own FB page and YouTube channel with over 84 million views. He has become a social media sensation.
  

• Celebrities who have owned Dachshunds are Adele, Clint Eastwood, David Bowie and Jack Black.
  

• Dachshund is German for badger dog.
  

• Dachshunds love their food but obesity can be a health risk as it can put a strain on their short legs and long backs.
  

• Dachshunds were bred to have long floppy ears to stop grass and other debris getting lodged in the ear canal whilst the dog was hunting.