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dachshund

a dog breed with a long body and short legs, originally bred to hunt badgers

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Where does the word "dachshund" come from? It comes from German Dachs, passing through German before entering English (1800s).

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Where does the word "dachshund" come from? It comes from German Dachs, passing through German before entering English (1800s).

Dachshund’s story begins in German: Dachs meant “badger.” Within German, it grew into Dachshund by 1700s. Combining "Dachs" with "Hund" (dog), bred to hunt badgers. It reached English by 1800s as dachshund. German 'badger dog', bred to follow badgers into their burrows. Today, dachshund means a dog breed with a long body and short legs, originally bred to hunt badgers.

  1. Stage 1 · German · medieval Dachs "badger", meaning "badger".
  2. Stage 2 · German · 1700s Dachshund "a badger dog", combining "Dachs" with "Hund" (dog), bred to hunt badgers.
  3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s dachshund "a long-bodied, short-legged dog breed", German 'badger dog', bred to follow badgers into their burrows.

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