The dachshund originated in Germany as a hunting dog. Though its origins can be traced as far back as the 15th century, the breed’s development really began in 17th century Germany.
Called dachshunds, which translates as “badger dogs,” these short hounds did just that—they hunted badgers. Their short legs, loose skin, big chests, determination, and independence were ideal for digging, entering tunnels, and of course, fighting badgers. Their flap-down ears help keep dirt and debris out when burrowing.
The Dachshund comes in three coat varieties and two sizes. The original Dachshunds were smooth coated and arose from crosses of the Bracke, a miniature French pointer, with the Pinscher. They’re all short with cute stubby legs, but Dachshunds actually come in three sizes: standard, miniature, and kaninchen (“rabbit” in German). A full grown standard Dachshund averages 15-28 lbs. while the miniature typically weighs less than 11 lbs. The kaninchen usually weighs around 8-10 lbs.
The word “icon” is terribly overworked, but the Dachshund—with his unmistakable long-backed body, little legs, 
and big personality—is truly an icon of purebred dogdom, Dachshunds aren’t built for distance running, leaping, or strenuous swimming, but otherwise these tireless hounds are game for anything. Smart and vigilant, with a big-dog bark, they make fine watchdogs. Bred to be an independent hunter of dangerous prey, they can be brave to the point of rashness, and a bit stubborn, but their endearing nature and unique look has won millions of hearts the world over.
Dachshunds, as with every BREED, have certain health issues that occur more frequently within their “genetic pool.
In this article we’ll mention some of the most common health issues that are very prone to Dachshunds
- Dachshund Stomach Issues: it is not uncommon for Dachshund’s to experience stomach issues. Some are merely sensitive to certain foods or abrupt food changes. Others can suffer from gastroenteritis, a term referring to stomach issues resulting in inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Dachshunds tend to be more prone to developing hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
- Liver Disease: Dachshunds are more likely than most breeds to have a liver disorder called portosystemic shunt (PSS). This is a hereditary condition in which the liver can’t effectively remove toxins from the bloodstream, Surgery is sometimes needed, but many times you can treat it with medication and a special diet.
- Cancer/ tumor : Dachshunds have a higher than average risk of developing cancers of the skin, fat cells, and anal sacs, this includes a particular risk of developing mast cell tumors and squamous cell carcinoma. Dachshunds have an increased risk of getting cancer.
- Eye Problems: Dachshunds are prone to several different eye problems. Some are extremely painful; others can cause blindness if not treated right away. Cataracts and glaucoma are common eye issues that Dachshunds may experience. Glaucoma is a very painful disease that can lead to blindness if not treated, while Cataracts are more common in older Dachshunds and can cause blindness, but surgery can restore sight in some cases.
- Intervertebral disk disease: conditions severe enough for hind-end paralysis are so common that Dachshunds are one of the breeds most likely to spend part of their lives in “canine wheelchairs”: wheeled carts that support the rear of the dogs. Because of their long, low-slung spines, normal canine behavior like jumping off the sofa may result in a slipped, pinched, herniated or ruptured disc
- Diabetes mellitus: which is caused by the failure of the pancreas to regulate blood sugar, diagnosed by the presence of the typical clinical signs (excess thirst, excess urination, excess appetite, and weight loss), a persistently high level of glucose in the blood, and the presence of glucose in the urine. Diabetes is the only common disease that will cause the blood glucose level to rise substantially in dogs.
Sources:
http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/dachshund#health
https://formydachshund.com/11-of-the-most-common-health-issues-in-dachshunds/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachshund
