Is a Dachshund a German Dog?

Still on the subject of Dogs and the First World War, here are two letters that appeared in the Eastbourne Gazette dated 20th February 1918. It seems that quite a storm had arisen over the origin of dachshund breed.

Both letters remain anonymous, but I like the second as it displays the general mistrust of anything remotely German!


Is a Dachshund a German Dog?

Sir,
I learn from the letter of your correspondent, W.A. Jackson, that I a pure bred dachshund am not a German dog. Mr, (Mrs. or Miss) Jackson, in answering the letter of “A Lover of Dogs” says that your correspondent spoke “most ignorantly” about the dachshund. He (or she) goes on to assert that dachshunds “are English; were bred in England, being taught to turn the old-fashioned spit, which accounts for the somewhat strange formation of feet! “This Sir, is “all my eye and Betty Martin.”

True, W.A. Jackson, by his (or her) own confession, is the owner of only a mongrel; and that, perhaps, excuses him (or her) from knowing so little of the breed called dachshunds. I will, therefore, briefly give him (or her) their true history.

The name “dachshund” is adopted from the German, signifying “badger-dog.” The dachshund has been common in Germany for many years, but was unknown in England until introduced from Germany by the Prince Consort towards the middle of the nineteenth century i.e. after the days when the spit was generally used for roasting in this country. Moreover, the dachshund is largely used in Germany for hunting, and is especially favoured by the Kaiser for covert shooting.

I, as a German of high birth, consider it an insult to be informed by W.A. Jackson that members of my family were once employed to turn the spit! True, the old English dog formerly known as the “Turn-spit” is a poor cousin of mine; but that fact has nothing to do with my crooked feet. They were caused in years long past by rickets!

No, Sir, I am a German and am proud of it. Auf wiedersehen! Bow-wow!

Yours,

A DACHSHUND,

Eastbourne.

Sir,
Your correspondent is right about the dachshund not being German in origin. They were, however, adopted by Germany to its own uses (a not unusual thing) and being now German dogs to all intents and purposes are naturally looked on as such.

Yours truly,

“Another lover of Dogs.”