Dachshund

The dachshund (UK /ˈdæksənd/ or US /ˈdɑːkshʊnt/ DAHKS-huunt or US /ˈdɑːksənt//dɑːkshaʊnd/ DAHKS-hound is a short-legged, long-bodied, hound-type dog breed.

The standard size dachshund was developed to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals, while the miniature dachshund was bred to hunt smaller prey such as rabbits. In the United States, they have also been used to track wounded deer and hunt prairie dogs.

Dachshunds also participate in conformation shows, field trials and many other events organized through pure bred dog organizations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC). According to the AKC, the dachshund remains one of the top 10 dog breeds in the United States.

Etymology

The name "dachshund" is of German origin and literally means "badger dog", from Dachs ("badger") and Hund ("hound, dog"). The pronunciation varies widely in English: variations of the first and second syllables include /ˈdɑːks-/, /ˈdæks-/ and /-hʊnt/, /-hʊnd/, /-ənd/. Although "dachshund" is a German word, in modern German they are more commonly known by the name Dackel or, among hunters, Teckel. The German word is pronounced [ˈdakshʊnt].

Dachshund (gene)

dachshund is a gene involved in the development of the arthropod compound eye which also plays a role in leg development. In Drosophila, dachshund (dac) is a gene needed for embryonic leg development. It is activated by the Distal-less (Dll) gene. Dachshund homologue (DACH1) regulates tumorigenesis in humans as a part of the Retinal Determination Gene Network (RDGN) complex, with cancer patients showing altered DACH1 expression.

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