The Dachshund originated in Germany, where the breed was first called badger dogs. Foresters in Germany in the 1700’s and 1800’s worked on creating the breed; initially the dogs were bred to hunt for small prey, with the idea being that they would be both small and fearless and willing to dig into badger holes. The first type created was the smooth variety, which is a cross of the Braque and the Pinscher and may include the French Basset Hound. It is thought that the wirehaired type came to be by crossing the Dachshund with Spaniels and the longhaired was created by crossing the Dachshund with Terriers. Only in the 1800’s was the breed developed as a pet as opposed to a hunting dog. The breed became popular among the royal courts of Europe, including Queen Victoria’s court. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885. Because of the breed’s association with Germany, it struggled during World War I. Once the war ended, additional Dachshunds wound up in the United States, which helped the breed grow. While still seen as proper hunting dogs in some parts of Europe, the Dachshund is considered to be a great pet for a family in the United States and Great Britain. The other half of this hybrid mix is the French Bulldog. Originally from England, he made the way to France during the Industrial Revolution with the French lace makers, who were seeing their craft disappear with the installation of machinery. Once in France the “toy” Bulldog as it was then called, was bred with the Terrier and Pug and newly named the French Bulldog. This dapper canine, with his bat-eared beauty, became very popular, joining the ranks of the American Kennel Club in 1898.
