The first written mentions of short-legged dogs used to scare off game from their burrows come from 14th-century Germany. However, dachshunds gained wide popularity in Europe in the 17th century as hunting dogs. They were crossed with dogs of other breeds, seeking to obtain individuals resistant to low temperatures, but these attempts did not bring the expected result. The pattern includes three varieties of dachshund – short-haired is the original variety of this breed, wire-haired was bred as a result of crossing with terriers and pinschers, while the long-haired comes from matching a short-haired dachshund with spaniels. The latter, thanks to the relationship with spaniel, is a very calm and intelligent dog easy to handle. It is also considered the noblest of the three varieties.
