What Do Dachshunds Hunt? Badgers, Foxes, Boar and More
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The dachshund is one of the most versatile and ancient hunting dogs in Europe. Behind its unusual "sausage dog" looks hides a formidable, courageous and tenacious hunter. But what exactly does the dachshund hunt? Here are all its hunting skills, from going to ground to working on wild boar.
Key takeaways: The dachshund mainly hunts underground (badger, fox and rabbit in their burrows), by going to ground (its historic specialty), in drives (wild boar, roe deer), as a blood tracking dog (finding wounded game), and small game (hare, pheasant, partridge). Its unique build lets it enter burrows, while its courage, exceptional nose and tenacity make it a valuable helper for every form of hunting. The breed was created in Germany to hunt badgers (Dachs = badger).
The dachshund's hunting origins
The dachshund is an ancient German breed selected specifically for underground hunting. Its very name reveals its original purpose.
Etymology and history
Dachs = badger in German
The name "dachshund" literally means "badger dog" in German. The word Dachs means badger, the animal the dachshund was specifically created and selected for. The shortened forms Dackel and Teckel come from this original name. This etymology reveals the dachshund's first job: driving the badger out of its burrow, a powerful and aggressive animal that calls for a dog of exceptional courage.
Selection for underground hunting
The dachshund's unique build is no aesthetic accident but the result of rigorous hunting-oriented selection carried out by German breeders over centuries.
- Long, low body: lets it slip through the narrow tunnels of burrows
- Short, powerful legs: stability in tunnels, and the ability to dig to widen passages
- Deep chest: large lung capacity to work underground for a long time without tiring
- Powerful jaws: an effective bite against cornered, aggressive animals (badger, fox)
- Well-developed nose: exceptional sense of smell to track in the darkness of burrows
- Carrying voice: a bark audible at the surface to show where the quarry is underground
Evolution toward versatility
Although created for going to ground, the dachshund quickly showed exceptional ability in other hunting disciplines, becoming a remarkably versatile hunter.
The dachshund's hunting qualities
The dachshund's hunting qualities make it an exceptional hunting helper, able to compete with specialized hunting dogs of much larger sizes.
Exceptional sense of smell
The dachshund has one of the most developed noses in the canine world, comparable to specialized blood tracking dogs.
Ultra-developed sense of smell
Nose to the ground: the natural position that is best for picking up scent
Tracking ability: follows a scent trail for hours without getting discouraged
Telling scents apart: distinguishes the trails of different animals and identifies wounded game
Cold-trail work: able to find a wounded animal 4 to 6 hours after the shot
Underground work: tracks in the total darkness of burrows relying on smell alone
Courage and bite
The dachshund's courage is legendary and out of proportion to its small size. Faced with dangerous animals like the badger or the wild boar, it never backs down.
- Fearlessness: takes on animals 3 to 4 times heavier than itself without hesitation
- Effective bite: a powerful, tenacious bite that does not let go easily
- Feisty temperament: controlled aggression toward game, absolute determination
- Fighting instinct: selected to stand up to the badger, one of the most aggressive animals in Europe
- Protecting the hunter: jealously defends its catch against other predators
Endurance and physical toughness
Despite its small size (20 lb / 9 kg maximum for the standard), the dachshund shows astonishing physical toughness.
Hunts without tiring for 4-6 hours on difficult terrain
Effective in forest, brush, brambles and rough ground
Never leaves its trail, follows through to the end
Withstands injuries, recovers quickly, German hardiness
Intelligence and independence
The dachshund is an intelligent, cunning dog able to make independent decisions in a hunting situation.
- Hunting intelligence: quickly understands hunting situations and anticipates the game's movements
- Independent decision-making: works alone underground without direction from the hunter
- Cunning and strategy: gets around obstacles and finds ways to corner the game
- Trainability: learns fast despite its stubborn streak
- Scent memory: remembers trails, burrows and areas the game frequents
Underground hunting and going to ground
Going to ground is the dachshund's historic discipline and specialty. It is the job the breed was created and selected for.
The badger: the dachshund's historic quarry
The badger (Dachs in German) is the quarry that gave the dachshund its name. It is a powerful, aggressive and dangerous animal that can weigh up to 33-44 lb (15-20 kg).
Hunting badger by going to ground
Technique: the dachshund enters the badger's burrow, locates it and barks to signal its position. The hunter then digs down from the surface to reach the animal.
Danger: the badger is one of the most aggressive and dangerous animals a dog can face. Its claws and bite are formidable.
Courage required: only a well-selected, courageous and determined dachshund can face a badger in the tight darkness of a burrow.
Today's use: badger hunting by going to ground is still practiced to control this species, which causes significant agricultural damage.
The fox: a major quarry for the modern dachshund
Since the fox is no longer trapped, gassed or poisoned, its population has exploded and the dachshund has become indispensable for controlling it.
- Fox proliferation: a sharp rise in the fox population since chemical methods were banned
- Predation on small game: the fox puts enormous pressure on pheasants, partridges and hares
- Demand for teams: dachshund go-to-ground teams are in high demand to control the fox
- Hunting with hounds: fox hunting with hounds has developed, with the dachshund flushing out the animal that has taken refuge in a burrow
- Effectiveness: the dachshund is the only dog able to pursue the fox underground until it bolts out
The wild rabbit
The rabbit is a quarry the dachshund is especially fond of and hunts with passion.
Going to ground after rabbit
Technique: the dachshund enters rabbit burrows (warrens), chases the rabbits and drives them out toward hunters waiting in position.
Passion: the dachshund loves this kind of hunting and shows special enthusiasm for rabbit.
Effectiveness: its build lets it reach every nook and cranny of complex warrens.
Safety: a less dangerous hunt than badger or fox, ideal for introducing young dachshunds.
The going-to-ground technique
| Step | What the dachshund does | What the hunter does |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Scouting | Sniffs burrow entrances, identifies the presence of game | Watches the dog's behavior, confirms the presence |
| 2. Entry | Enters the burrow, moves through the tunnels | Waits at the surface, listens for sound signals |
| 3. Locating | Finds the animal and barks continuously to signal its position | Listens, pinpoints the exact position underground from the barking |
| 4. Holding | Corners the animal and holds it in place through intimidation or fighting | Digs from the surface to reach the chamber |
| 5. Extraction | Helps with the capture or makes the animal bolt | Captures the animal with digging tongs |
Hunting big game
The dachshund is also an excellent helper for hunting big game, particularly wild boar.
Wild boar: the dachshund's modern specialty
The dachshund has established itself as an exceptional drive dog on wild boar, able to hold game at bay and push it out effectively.
Dachshund on wild boar
Driving: the dachshund excels at working the ground, methodically searching thickets and brush to dislodge boar and push them toward the shooters.
Holding at bay: the dachshund is able to face a boar and bark at it intensely to keep it in place until the hunter arrives.
Exceptional courage: does not hesitate to confront a 175-220 lb (80-100 kg) boar despite weighing only 11-20 lb (5-9 kg).
Powerful voice: a continuous, audible bark that lets you follow the progress of the drive.
Difficult terrain: effective in bramble patches and thick undergrowth that bigger dogs cannot get through.
Roe deer and red deer
The dachshund is also used to hunt roe deer and red deer, particularly for tracking and driving.
- Pack hunting: works in a pack to drive roe deer toward the posted shooters
- Slow pursuit: the dachshund pushes the game at a moderate pace, allowing a safer, more selective shot
- Voice: gives tongue on the trail (barks while following the scent), letting the hunter follow its progress
- Suitable size: passes under low branches and into the dense thickets where deer take refuge
- Versatility: can be used in drives or in stalking to track an animal that has been spotted
Advantages of the dachshund on big game
- Compact size: slips into bramble patches and thickets that are impenetrable for large dogs
- Tenacity: never leaves a trail, perseveres for hours
- Carrying voice: an audible bark that lets you follow the hunt even from a distance
- Courage: not afraid of wild boar despite the size gap
- Slow pursuit: pushes the game without panicking it, favoring clean shots
- Economy: cheaper to keep than a large hunting dog, with a smaller food bill
Hunting small game
The dachshund also excels at hunting small furred and feathered game.
The hare
The dachshund is an excellent dog for hare hunting, which it tracks with passion and efficiency.
Dachshund on hare
Tracking: follows the hare's trail with remarkable precision thanks to its well-developed nose.
Flushing: systematically searches hedges, crops and copses to get the hare moving.
Hunting with hounds: some hunting teams use packs of dachshunds to hunt hare in the traditional French style.
Going to ground: can flush a hare that has taken refuge in a fox or rabbit burrow.
Effectiveness: an ideal size for searching the hare's hiding places (low hedges, bramble patches).
Game birds
Although less specialized than pointing dogs, the dachshund is able to flush game birds.
- Pheasant: the dachshund searches the cover and flushes hidden pheasants
- Partridge: flushes coveys of partridge in fields and meadows
- Woodcock: searches damp woods and flushes woodcock for the shot
- Waterfowl: can work the edges of ponds to flush ducks and teal
- Retrieving: some dachshunds can be trained to retrieve downed game birds
Effectiveness on small game
| Game | Dachshund's ability | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | ★★★★★ Excellent | Going to ground, flushing, historic specialty |
| Hare | ★★★★☆ Very good | Tracking, flushing, hunting with hounds |
| Pheasant | ★★★★☆ Very good | Flushing from cover, getting birds airborne |
| Partridge | ★★★☆☆ Good | Systematic searching, flushing coveys |
| Woodcock | ★★★☆☆ Good | Searching damp woods, flushing |
Blood tracking work
The dachshund is recognized as one of the best blood tracking dogs, specialized in finding wounded game.
What is a blood tracking dog?
A blood tracking dog is a dog specialized in searching for and tracking animals wounded by a hunting shot. This discipline is essential to limit animal suffering and avoid losing game.
Blood tracking with the dachshund
Principle: after a shot at big game (roe deer, red deer, wild boar), the wounded animal flees. The dachshund has to pick up its trail hours later and locate it.
Ability: the dachshund can track a wounded animal 4 to 6 hours after the shot on a "cold" trail.
Method: follows the scent trail left by blood, droppings and the animal's body odor.
Perseverance: never leaves a trail, even after miles of tracking.
Qualification: official blood tracking trials on wounded big game.
Why the dachshund excels at blood tracking
- Exceptional nose: can detect tiny scent traces several hours later
- Absolute tenacity: never gives up a trail, even over several miles
- Concentration: stays focused on the track without being distracted by other smells
- Endurance: able to track for several hours without tiring
- Size: easily passes under low branches and into the thickets where the wounded animal takes refuge
- Intelligence: understands the wounded animal's tricks (doubling back, crossing water)
Official blood tracking trial
This difficult trial is meant for well-trained dachshunds. It consists of finding, on difficult terrain, the trail of wounded game (roe deer, fallow deer, wild boar, chamois) 4 hours after the shot.
Artificial trail: 0.6 mi (1 km) long with several turns, laid with a quarter liter (about 1 cup) of game blood. At the start, a pool of blood mixed with hair. At the end, a hidden hoofed animal.
Challenge: the dog has to follow the trail without going wrong despite crossings, difficult passages and the time elapsed.
The dachshund's success: the dachshund gets excellent results in these trials thanks to its legendary perseverance.
Training the dachshund for blood tracking
Training a dachshund for blood tracking takes patience, method and progression.
- Starting age: introduction possible from 6-8 months on short, fresh trails
- Progression: gradually increase the trail length and the time elapsed
- Equipment: preserved (frozen) game blood and pieces of game to link scent with reward
- Long line: work on a long line to control and guide the dog
- Patience: 1-2 years of training to reach competition level
- Reward: positive association between a successful track and a reward (game, petting, play)
Differences between dachshund varieties
The different dachshund varieties (size and coat) show slightly different hunting abilities.
By size
| Size | Weight | Hunting abilities |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 15-20 lb (7-9 kg) | Versatile, excellent at going to ground (badger, fox), works on wild boar, blood tracking dog. The sturdiest and most powerful |
| Miniature | 9-13 lb (4-6 kg) | Excellent at going to ground (rabbit, fox), small game. Used less on big game but very effective at searching dense thickets |
| Kaninchen | 7-9 lb (3-4 kg) | Rabbit specialist (Kaninchen = rabbit in German), enters the smallest burrows. Used less for other game |
By coat type
The coat type also influences the dachshund's hunting abilities and temperament.
Smooth (short) coat
Temperament: the liveliest, most energetic and most stubborn
Abilities: excellent at going to ground, a very strong bite, high controlled aggression
Use: badger, fox, wild boar, blood tracking
Pros: easy-care coat, holds up well to brambles
Cons: sensitive to cold, a temperament that is harder to manage
Wirehaired
Temperament: the hardiest, focused on pure hunting
Abilities: excellent working ability, very enduring, resilient
Use: all forms of hunting, particularly big game and going to ground
Pros: protective coat (brambles, bad weather), maximum sturdiness
Cons: coat upkeep (hand-stripping required)
Long coat
Temperament: the calmest, most composed and gentlest
Abilities: good abilities but used less for intensive hunting
Use: blood tracking dog, small game, occasional hunting
Pros: an easier temperament, less aggressive toward other dogs
Cons: the coat catches on brambles, daily grooming needed
Choosing a dachshund for your type of hunting
- Intensive going to ground (badger, fox): Standard smooth or wirehaired
- Wild boar drives: Standard wirehaired (maximum hardiness)
- Specialized blood tracking dog: Standard smooth or long-haired (concentration, perseverance)
- Going to ground after rabbit: Miniature or Kaninchen smooth
- Versatile small game: Standard or Miniature, any coat
- Occasional hunting + companionship: Miniature long-haired (balanced temperament)
FAQ – What does the dachshund hunt?
The dachshund is a hunting dog of exceptional versatility, able to shine in practically every hunting discipline. From the burrow where it faces the badger with out-of-proportion courage, to the wild boar drives where it stands up to animals ten times heavier, to the meticulous work of a blood tracking dog following a wounded roe deer hours after the shot, the dachshund shows every day that size doesn't make the hunter. Its exceptional nose, unshakable tenacity, remarkable endurance and cunning intelligence make it as capable as specialized hunting dogs of much larger size. Whether standard, miniature or Kaninchen, smooth, wirehaired or long-haired, every dachshund carries within it the legacy of several centuries of German hunting selection. Small in size but immense in heart and ability, the dachshund fully deserves its status as a great all-round hunter.
Information & advice – Teckel Paris