Why Are Dachshunds Long?

Richard Thomas
Over 15 years handling, testing, and restoring pocket, fixed-blade, and Damascus steel knives across hunting and everyday-carry disciplines.

Why Is the Dachshund’s Body So Long?

Dachshunds have a long body because they were selectively bred to be that way.

The hot-dog-on-paws body shape (or sausage dog) is certainly very different from that of many other dog breeds 🐶

To understand the elongated shape of the affectionate and sociable dachshund, we need to go back in time.

It turns out this breed was selected for this shape, because it helped it accomplish an important task it had been bred for… guess what it is 😜?

Let’s also remember that with this lively and dynamic breed, its varieties come in 3 coat types, each with 3 sizes:

Coat: wire-haired, long-haired, smooth-haired.
Sizes (from smallest to largest): the kaninchen dachshund (or miniature), the dwarf dachshund, the standard dachshund.

A Look at the Dachshund’s Physique

The dachshund (group 4 according to the French Kennel Club) is a dog breed considered “chondrodysplastic”.

This word may seem a bit complicated, but if we break it down into several parts, we’ll see it’s not so hard to understand.

“Chondro” means cartilage.
“Dysplasia” means abnormal growth.

Also known as dwarfism, chondrodysplasia refers to abnormal cartilage development in the long bones, resulting in shorter-than-average limbs.

Although being chondrodystrophic might seem like a bad deal, this trait is required in certain breeds such as the dachshund, and it’s ultimately a trait that makes them so cherished by their fans 😊.

It’s because of its short paws that the dachshund is long and low. The breed standard of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale for the dachshund indeed describes a dog “close to the ground with short legs,” with a muscular body, ideal for hunting above and below ground.

Dog breeds such as the corgi, the basset hound, and the Pekingese are also known to be chondrodysplastic.

However, in other dog breeds, chondrodysplasia is synonymous with problems, as it indicates a halt in cartilage development, which can have disabling consequences.

The Doxie, an Ideal Length for Burrows

As you already know, badgers live in burrows.

To hunt this game, foresters needed a hunting dog with the right conformation to track them down.

Short, sturdy, paddle-shaped paws capable of digging through earth, and a long body allowing the dog to enter the badger’s burrow, were sought-after traits.

Being a small dog with short paws also gave it an additional advantage: it was better able to follow scents easily, as it could easily keep its muzzle almost at ground level while running!

With a body close to the ground, keen senses, and a courageous temperament, the dachshund proved itself in badger hunting, but not only that. These small dogs were also used to hunt other game, including rabbits, foxes, and even wild boar or deer.

An Image from the Past

The dachshund’s silhouette isn’t the only thing that reminds us of its past as a badger hunter. These dogs still display behaviors today that hark back to their past.

Doxies are avid diggers who love to dig whenever the chance arises. Watch out for the holes they dig in your vegetable patch or flower garden.

And when it’s time to sleep, be careful where you lie down with your companion dog: dachshunds love digging “tunnels” in their blankets and beds to burrow into 😊

Moreover, dachshunds are lively, tenacious, and courageous to the point of recklessness, a quality that has helped them become valuable hunters.

Their deep barking (check out our blog article) harks back to their hunting days and allows their owners to locate them when they’re at the bottom of a hole.

Sometimes, they can even act fiery toward unfamiliar dogs, even ones ten times bigger than they are! This can prove dangerous, and steps must be taken to keep this little firecracker out of trouble.

Watch Out for Dachshunds’ Backs

-> Above: A 3D illustration of a degenerated intervertebral disc in a dog’s spine.

While the length of the back is a sought-after trait in this breed of pup, this characteristic is also its main weakness.

Intervertebral disc disease occurs when the cushioning discs located between the vertebrae of the neck or back swell and rupture, causing pressure on the nerves, pain, and even paralysis.

Indeed, dachshunds are 10 to 12 times more likely to suffer from intervertebral disc disease than other companion dogs, so give them a ramp from a young puppy age to climb onto your furniture and stairs, and also learn how to properly carry them. 😊

Conclusion

As we’ve seen, dachshunds have a long body for good reasons.

Their long back helps them dig into burrows to hunt badgers. However, their strength also happens to be their weakness.

But first, let’s debunk a common myth: the dachshund doesn’t have extra vertebrae. Like other dogs, it has the same number of vertebrae.

Now you know everything about your favorite pet’s special and cute back, and for more technical questions, your veterinarian is a qualified expert who can fully enlighten you 😊

The DoxieLife team
💚 – Last updated on 10/01/26