Dachshunds are known for their unusual sausage-like build but despite their amusing appearance, not many people know that they were bred for a more savage purpose. They are natural hunters, bred and trained to scent, chase and flush out badgers, rabbit and prairie dogs. Their name actually is from German origin and literally means “badger dog”. I learned this the hard way. Our family has a dachshund named Whoopee. When she was small, she had this funny way of walking, dragging her wobbly hind legs. But as soon as the strength in her legs grew, we would often see her chase down cockroaches and mice. I would often wake up, and in our bedroom door, there would be the carcass of a small mouse. And not far from it would be Whoopee looking at me proud of her catch. Dead cockroaches littered the floor of our house as none could escape her rampage. Things always started small, and soon, Whoopee was hunting bigger prey, rats as huge as small cats. Funny how Whoopee would be so afraid of the dark and other small things, but when faced with a fierce rat almost as huge as her, she would never back out. So far, she has vanquished three giant rats, a small kitten and innumerable mice and cockroaches. As Queen Victoria said, “Nothing will turn a man’s home into a castle more quickly and effectively than a dachshund.” She’s turned not only our house into a castle, but a battleground as well. That’s our Whoopee, the Rat Killer!
Featured at AngInK's Thinkie Tank:
