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Dachshunds in World War History: From Mascots to Enemy Symbols

See the real story – guest starring your dog.

If you share your life with a dachshund, you might wonder how this small hunting dog got caught up in two world wars. Dachshunds were used as mascots, messenger dogs, and even red cross dogs during World War I, but their German name and origin also made them a target of anti-German feeling in Britain and the United States. The breed's popularity collapsed during both wars, then slowly recovered once the fighting ended. Here is what the record shows about your dog's wartime history.

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The story in 5 parts

A short version first. The full story, with every detail, is further down.

Part 1

Why dachshunds became linked to Germany

The dachshund was developed in Germany to hunt badgers, and its name is a German compound word meaning badger dog.

Part 2

Dachshunds in World War I

During World War I, dachshunds were used as messenger dogs, trained to carry messages to and from the front lines because they were small enough to move through the trenches.

Part 3

The liberty hound name change

To protect their dogs from hostility, owners in the United States started calling dachshunds liberty hounds, distancing the breed from its German name.

Part 4

Dachshunds in World War II

During World War II, dachshunds were used by the military to sniff out landmines and other explosives.

Part 5

How the breed recovered

After World War II ended, attitudes toward dachshunds began to shift for the better.

Read the full story

Part 1

Why dachshunds became linked to Germany

The dachshund was developed in Germany to hunt badgers, and its name is a German compound word meaning badger dog. That German identity, written into the breed's very name, made it impossible to separate from its homeland once war broke out. Kaiser Wilhelm II was known to be a fan of the breed and kept several dachshunds as pets.

Part 2

Dachshunds in World War I

During World War I, dachshunds were used as messenger dogs, trained to carry messages to and from the front lines because they were small enough to move through the trenches. They were also used as red cross dogs, trained to find wounded soldiers on the battlefield and bring back medical supplies, with their small size helping them cross difficult ground. Some military units used dachshunds as mascots, and the breed's image appeared on propaganda posters at the time. At the same time, anti-German sentiment meant that dachshunds were routinely kicked or stoned to death in the streets of England, and owners who took their dogs out in public risked being assaulted and labeled as German sympathizers. The numbers tell the story: in 1913, 217 dachshunds were registered in Britain, but by 1919 none were registered at all. In the United States the breed went from being one of the ten most popular breeds in 1913 to only 12 survivors reported in 1919. One breeder in Chicago is said to have shot every dachshund in his kennel after being harassed by people who suspected him of German sympathies.

Part 3

The liberty hound name change

To protect their dogs from hostility, owners in the United States started calling dachshunds liberty hounds, distancing the breed from its German name. The American Kennel Club went further in 1919 and officially changed the breed's registered name to Badger Dog, before changing it back in 1923. By 1923, only 23 dachshunds were registered with the AKC that year, showing just how far the breed's numbers had fallen. Recovery still took time: the breed did not climb back to 28th most popular until 1930, and did not reach 6th most popular until 1940.

Part 4

Dachshunds in World War II

During World War II, dachshunds were used by the military to sniff out landmines and other explosives. In the Netherlands, a dachshund named Lump, belonging to the gardener at the estate of Huis Doorn where the former German Emperor Wilhelm II had lived in exile, became a symbol of resistance after being smuggled out and hidden during the German occupation. Dachshunds were also used in sniffing out landmines and other explosives during this war, with their keen sense of smell and small size suited to the task. In the United States, dachshunds appeared in advertisements that promoted the sale of war bonds, dressed in military uniforms with slogans encouraging people to buy bonds. Even so, hostility toward owners returned in Britain and America, and some families were advised to avoid showing their dachshunds in public to prevent abuse. Breeding numbers dropped again too, as many kennels shut down or scaled back during the war years due to rationing and falling demand.

Part 5

How the breed recovered

After World War II ended, attitudes toward dachshunds began to shift for the better. Soldiers returning from Europe had met dachshunds as family pets in German towns, and many were charmed by the dogs, which helped change public opinion back home. Some soldiers even adopted dachshunds from local families or brought dogs home with them, introducing the breed to new households.

Things you might not know

  • The dachshund was developed in Germany to hunt badgers, and its name is a German compound word meaning badger dog.
  • Kaiser Wilhelm II was known to be a fan of the breed and kept several dachshunds as pets.
  • The American Kennel Club went further in 1919 and officially changed the breed's registered name to Badger Dog, before changing it back in 1923.

Year by year

  1. 1913In 1913, 217 dachshunds were registered in Britain, but by 1919 none were registered at all.
  2. 1919In 1913, 217 dachshunds were registered in Britain, but by 1919 none were registered at all.
  3. 1919In the United States the breed went from being one of the ten most popular breeds in 1913 to only 12 survivors reported in 1919.
  4. 1919The American Kennel Club went further in 1919 and officially changed the breed's registered name to Badger Dog, before changing it back in 1923.
  5. 1923The American Kennel Club went further in 1919 and officially changed the breed's registered name to Badger Dog, before changing it back in 1923.
  6. 1923By 1923, only 23 dachshunds were registered with the AKC that year, showing just how far the breed's numbers had fallen.
  7. 1930The breed did not climb back to 28th most popular until 1930, and did not reach 6th most popular until 1940.
  8. 1940The breed did not climb back to 28th most popular until 1930, and did not reach 6th most popular until 1940.

Questions people ask

Why were dachshunds called liberty hounds?

Owners in the United States started calling their dachshunds liberty hounds during the world wars to distance the dogs from their German name and origin, hoping to avoid harassment.

Did dachshunds serve in World War I?

Dachshunds were used as messenger dogs that carried messages through the trenches during World War I.

What happened to dachshund numbers during the wars?

Dachshund registrations collapsed during World War I. In Britain, 217 dachshunds were registered in 1913 but none in 1919, and in the United States the breed fell from the top ten to just 12 survivors in the same period. By 1923 only 23 dachshunds were registered with the AKC in America.

Did the American Kennel Club change the dachshund's name?

Yes, the AKC officially changed the breed's registered name to Badger Dog in 1919 and changed it back to Dachshund in 1923.

How did dachshunds help in World War II?

Dachshunds were used to sniff out landmines and other explosives during World War II, and their small size and strong sense of smell suited this work. One dachshund named Lump also became a symbol of resistance in the occupied Netherlands.

How did the dachshund's reputation recover after the wars?

Soldiers returning from Europe after World War II had met dachshunds as family pets and brought some home, which helped soften public opinion toward the breed. Over the following decades, the breed climbed back to being one of the most popular in America.

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Sources

  1. The History of Dachshunds in World War. Hound Cove, Jan 12, 2024.
  2. The Fascinating History of the Dachshund: Origins, Wars & Legacy. dachshund-central.
  3. Dachshund | VCA Animal Hospitals. greenbelt.
  4. 10 Dog Breeds That Were More Popular 100 Years Ago & 10 That Were Neglected - HistorySnob. HistorySnob.
  5. The History Of The Dachshund. Patti's Dachshund Farm, Sep 10, 2015.
  6. Dachshunds in War: How a Beloved Breed Became Political. dachshundloversshop.com.
  7. Anti Dachshund Propaganda | www.easypetmd.com. www.easypetmd.com.

Written by TimeWalkies EditorialLast updated How we research