The standard-sized dachshund was developed to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals. In fact, the name dachshund is of German origin and literally means "badger dog" from Dachs ("European badger") and Hund ("hound, dog").

Because of its short legs and long, narrow body, as well as its badger-hunting past, the dachshund is commonly known as the wiener dog, badger dog, or sausage dog.

During the 19th century, the dachshund quickly rose to prominence thanks to Queen Victoria, the first of many famous owners. Introduced to the breed by her husband, Prince Albert, Victoria owned a number of the dogs throughout her reign, several of which were immortalized in paintings and mentioned in her personal correspondence. She famously declared that "nothing will turn a man's home into a castle more quickly and effectively than a dachshund."

Thanks to their German heritage and Kaiser Wilhelm II's well-known love for the breed, dachshunds were often used to portray Germany in propaganda during World War I. Although often humorous, these ads led to a decline in the breed's popularity. To counteract this effect, the American Kennel Club tried rebranding dachshunds as "liberty pups", which was about as successful as the cabbage industry's attempts to rebrand sauerkraut as "liberty cabbage."

His name was Waldie, and he was the official face of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. The marathon route that year was even designed to be in the shape of a dog.

Hitler, a well-known dog lover, hoped the animals would learn to communicate with their SS masters, and supported a special dog school set up to teach them to talk. According to Nazi scientists, a dachshund named Kurwenal, could communicate by barking the alphabet--one bark for "A", two for "B", etc. Right before he passed away, Kurwenal reportedly barked, "I am not afraid of dying; dogs have souls and they are like the souls of men." While many were impressed with Kurwenal's philosophical observations, others suspected he was receiving cues from his owners.

During his presidency, three dachshunds were sent to Grover Cleveland by a Mr. Merritt, who was serving as U.S. Consul in Bremen, Germany.

Held each year in California, it is a racing event where dachshunds compete for the title of "fastest wiener in the west" and a cash prize. While the breed obviously isn't built for speed, this event has been held annually since 1996. Only genuine low to ground dachshunds are allowed to compete.

Of the 23 dogs to hold the Guinness World Record for oldest living dog, two have been Dachshunds and one a Dachshund mix. A Doxie named Chanel held the record until 2009, when she died at 21 years old. A 20-year-old Dachshund-Terrier cross named Otto then held it until 2010.

The film tells the story of Brutus, a Great Dane who believes he is a dachshund.