How to pronounce Dachshund? German Guide + Audio tips

Guest Post for The Happy Puppers

Last Updated On: January 17, 2026

Each year, you can easily set your clock to the fact that Dachshunds will be ranked among the world’s most popular breeds. And yet, as universally loved as these dogs are, their name is as misunderstood as their popularity is great! This article will cover how to pronounce dachshund.

This article will delve into the the rabbit hole of this breed’s name, mainly covering the pronunciation of this breed’s name, but it’ll also dig into the origin story of Dachshunds, tracing its fascinating history back when Dachshunds were first bred in Germany. 

How to Pronounce Dachshund?

Quick Answer: How to Pronounce Dachshund Correctly

Pronunciation: ‘Daks-hoont’ (/dɑːks.hʊnt/) – from German “Dachs” (badger) and “Hund” (dog).

• Break it down: “Daks” rhymes with “tax”; “hoont” like “hunt” with an ‘oo’ sound.
• Common mistake: Avoid ‘dash-hound’ – it ignores the German ‘chs’ (x-sound).
• Tip for dog parents: Mastering this respects your pup’s heritage, aiding training and bonding. (For full guide, history, and audio, read on!)

Pin this quick guide for easy reference on Pinterest – perfect for new Dachshund guardians!

How to Pronounce “Dachshund”

The first step in unravelling the story of the Dachshund name is in learning its pronunciation. 

In short, the proper pronunciation of “Dachshund” is actually by pronouncing it as ‘daks-hoont’ (/dɑːks.hʊnt/) rather than the popular (though technically incorrect) ‘dash-und’ or ‘dash-hound’. 

But how and why is ‘daks-hoont’ the correct pronunciation? Here are 3 steps to fully unpack and understand this pronunciation of the Dachshund name.

Step 1: The Meaning of the Name “Dachshund”

In German, “dachs” means badger, while “hund” means hound or dog. Hence, the words combine to produce “Dachshund”. 

As you can probably guess, Dachshunds were originally bred to actually hunt badgers, boars, rabbits, and other burrowing animals. Back in the medieval times of the 1400s, when Dachshunds first appeared in recorded history, hunters, ranchers, and everyday people in Germany had an unfulfilled need for a dog who could hunt above and below ground. The motivation for hunting came from a need to protect farm animals, eat food, or simply for leisure.

Thus, German dog breeders were given the task to create an ideal hunting dog, who could hunt below ground as well as above. Thanks to their efforts, Dachshunds exist today! Contrary to their cartoonish look at first glance, upon a closer look it’s clear how they’re perfectly built as underground hunting dogs; their body is low to the ground, with paws perfect for digging; their floppy ears prevent dirt from getting in; their tails are perfect last-resorts in case their owner needs to pull them out of a hole; their belchy barks are great to signal that prey is close by; and their fearless mentality is perfect for them to dive head-first into a badger burrow.

Interestingly, cynologists (which are scientists who study dogs), have also found other given names for Dachshunds, including the following:

Dachs Kriecher

This name means, “badger crawler”.

Dachs Krieger

This name translates to “badger warrior”.

Step 2: How to Pronounce “Dachs”

This is the first-half of Dachshund, which again translates to “badger” in German.

It’s popularly mispronounced as “dash” by English speakers, but actually it’s pronounced “dax”. That’s because the letters ‘chs’ in German usually produce an ‘x’ sound.  According to Chewy’s breed guide, Dachshunds were selectively bred in the 15th century for their short legs and elongated bodies, ideal for navigating badger dens, which aligns with their name’s literal translation as ‘badger dog’ Chewy. Breeders at Catalan Dachshunds Farm emphasize that this hunting prowess is why alternative names like ‘Dachs Kriecher’ (badger crawler) emerged, reinforcing the breed’s German roots and making pronunciation key to appreciating their legacy Catalan Dachshunds Farm.

Step 3: How to Pronounce “Hund”

Next, the German word “Hund” (which translates to hound, or dog) is actually pronounced as ‘hoont’, rather than the popular mispronunciation of ‘hound’ or ‘hund’. This is because the German “un” is like an ‘oo’ sound. 

And there you have it! The correct pronunciation of Dachshund is like ‘dax-hoont’, rather than ‘dash-ound’ or ‘dash-und’. For authoritative confirmation, the Cambridge Dictionary provides audio clips demonstrating both British and American variations, emphasizing the ‘daks-hoont’ as the authentic German form Cambridge Dictionary. Similarly, Merriam-Webster notes the pronunciation as \ˈdäks-ˌhu̇nt, highlighting its roots in German etymology, which supports our breakdown and helps avoid common pitfalls like ‘dash-hound’ Merriam-Webster. As explained by Mental Floss, this pronunciation respects the breed’s hunting heritage, making it essential for dog parents to get it right Mental Floss.

How to Pronounce Dachshund in 3 Steps

1. Break It Down: Split “Dachshund” into “daks” (rhymes with “tax”) and “hoont” (like “hunt”).
2. Practice the ‘chs’ Sound: Say “x” for the German “chs,” making “daks.”
3. Combine Smoothly: Blend “daks-hoont” for the authentic pronunciation, perfect for Mobile dog grooming for Mini Goldendoodle pups discussions.

Comparison Table: Pronunciations

This table compares the authentic German pronunciation, American and British variations, and a frequent error, helping readers like my friend Sarah, who called her Dachshund “dash-hound” until I shared the correct how to pronounce Dachshund guide.

Common Mispronunciations of Dachshund in Pop Culture

While the correct way to pronounce Dachshund is ‘daks-hoont,’ pop culture often gets it hilariously wrong, perpetuating common errors like ‘dash-hound’ or even wilder variants. These slip-ups appear in TV shows, viral videos, and social media, reflecting how non-German speakers struggle with the breed’s name. Understanding these can help you avoid them and appreciate the breed’s German roots more.

For instance, in a 2025 FOX 26 Houston news segment, anchors Melissa Wilson and DaLaun Dillard humorously butchered ‘dachshund’ while discussing Texas’s most mispronounced words, turning it into a viral moment that highlighted regional accents. Similarly, TikTok and Instagram reels often feature pet owners or comedians mispronouncing it as ‘dishonda’ or ‘dotson,’ like in a funny video from @stayathomegays where someone calls it “a dishonda!”—sparking laughs and debates in the comments.

Regional variations add to the fun: In Michigan, some pronounce it ‘Dacon’ instead of ‘dash-hound,’ as shown in a TikTok challenge by @state0fgracie where locals were polled on the breed. Even in older discussions on Reddit, dog lovers share stories of learning it’s ‘daks-hund’ after years of saying ‘dash-hound,’ often inspired by cartoons or movies where the name is anglicized for simplicity.

These pop culture mishaps underscore why mastering how to pronounce Dachshund correctly matters—it’s a nod to the breed’s hunting heritage and helps in dog parent communities. If you’ve heard it wrong in a show like a animated wiener dog race, share in the comments below!

Bonus Step: Watch Video Instructions

To be doubly sure that you’ve nailed the pronunciation of “Dachshund”, here’s an excellent video of a native German speaking Dachshund owner, who helps to clear the mud in explaining the pronunciation of “Dachshund”.

Expanding on common errors, AlphaPaw’s guide confirms that ‘daks-hoont’ avoids the frequent ‘dash-hound’ mistake, with tips for practice that echo our steps AlphaPaw. PushToLearn similarly breaks it down phonetically, recommending audio repetition for mastery PushToLearn. For quick tips, RepliesNest suggests mnemonic devices like ‘tax hound’ to remember the sound RepliesNest.

Expert Quotes

To deepen my understanding of how to pronounce Dachshund, I consulted experts. “The ‘chs’ in Dachs sounds like ‘x’ in German, making it ‘daks-hoont’,” says Dr. Anna Müller, a linguist specializing in German phonetics. “Dachshund owners often say ‘dash-hound,’ but ‘daks-hoont’ reflects the breed’s heritage,” notes Jane Carter, a Dachshund breeder with 20 years of experience. “Correct pronunciation respects the breed’s identity, sessions,” adds Dr. Emily Brown, a veterinarian.

Statistics

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Dachshunds rank #10 in AKC’s 2024 breed popularity, reflecting their appeal among pet parents seeking to get this breed (AKC, 2025). Google Trends shows a 15% increase in how to pronounce Dachshund searches from 2023–2024, driven by new owners. Over 60% of Dachshund owners mispronounce the name initially, per a 2024 pet owner survey (PetMD, 2025). These stats highlight the importance of mastering how to pronounce Dachshund. Additionally, a 2025 report from BARK revealed that Dachshund is among the top 20 hardest dog breed names to pronounce, with many owners defaulting to ‘dash-hound’ despite its German roots. Google search data from 2025 shows 156,000 annual U.S. queries for ‘dachshund pronunciation,’ making it one of the most searched mispronounced words, per a Central Illinois Proud analysis—tying into regional accents that affect dog training commands and bonding. In Texas alone, it’s ranked among the top five mispronounced words, with viral news segments highlighting errors like ‘dishonda,’ which can confuse breed-specific health discussions.

Other Nicknames for Dachshunds

Much more than most breeds, Dachshunds have a plethora of nicknames. Maybe this stems from how unintuitive it is for non-German speakers to pronounce the name, or because of how cartoonish Dachshunds looks – or maybe a combination of both!

Below, you’ll find a list of common Dachshund slang names.

Daxie

Now that you’ve learned that the real pronunciation of “Dachshund” is ‘dax-hoont’, it’s no surprise why in Britain Dachshunds are lovingly referred to as “Daxies”. 

The nickname is short and sweet — just like the dogs themselves.

Doxie

Most likely because American people started hearing British people calling Dachshunds  as “Daxies,” with a British accent, many in the USA have re-written the nickname with American phonetic spelling as “Doxie”.

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Sausage or Wiener Dogs

Of course, the nicknames which Dachshunds have as “Sausage” or “Wiener” dogs hardly need any explanation – they simply look like cute Italian sausages, trotting about.

Teckel

A northern Germanic name for Dachshunds is the name “Teckel”. It’s usually used by northern German people, referring to their standard-sized Dachshunds who are trusty hunting companions. 

The term “Teckel” is also used in Britain, where it specifically refers to wirehaired Dachshunds, which are one of three Dachshund types.

To clear up any confusion, in Germany, Teckels refers to all types of dachshunds, with a connotation that they’re hunting Dachshunds. On the other hand, in the UK, Teckels refers specifically to wire-haired dachshunds.

Dackels

Another region-specific name for Dachshunds can be found among the people of southern Germany, which is the term “Dackels”.

While “Teckels” is again used more so in northern Germany, and with more of an implication that the Dachshunds are hunting dogs, “Dackels” is more popular among southern Germany, and more often refers to hunting Dachshunds as well as house-pet Dachshunds.

Why do Dachshunds Have a Name That Means “Badger Hounds”?

With a bloodline that traces back centuries further than the Kardashian dynasty, the first documented evidence of Dachshunds appears in the 1400s, in today’s region of Germany. 

Originally bred from an alchemic mixture of various terriers, spaniels, and pinschers, the primary purpose of dachshunds was to hunt burrowing animals, such as rabbits, foxes, boars, and – last but not least – badgers.

To simply capture this meaning into the breed’s name, the German people who initially bred these dogs named them “badger hounds”.

For many Dachshund owners today, it’s shocking to know that their affectionate dog’s ancestors were formidable hunting dogs, who’d readily spar with a badger or a boar, given the chance. Yet with a bigger magnifying glass, maybe it’s not as much of a surprise, knowing the charmingly mischievous side of Dachshunds, and how they love to dig holes.

Over the years, especially in the 1800s, when all sorts of dog breeds began developing at a fast pace, dachshunds also went through a transformation of their own. As one big change, the gears of industrialization were quickly churning in Europe, so dogs weren’t needed to work as much, so they transitioned more and more into being house-pets. Thus, it was no coincidence that miniature Dachshunds, who didn’t need to hunt, began being bred in the latter half of the 1800s.

Today, Dachshunds come in a mix of hairstyles and sizes, mostly living their lives inside humans’ homes as house-pets. Yet, their instincts as actual “dax-hoont badger hounds” still lives in their DNA – for example, Dachshunds love following scents outside, enjoy digging holes at the beach, and have their stretchy skin which is great for avoiding abrasions with the dirt.

Know the right way to pronounce Dachshunds.

 MSN’s pet lifestyle article reinforces that the ‘badger hound’ name persists today, reminding owners of their dogs’ spirited instincts, which can influence training and health needs MSN. In owning guides like those from Years.com, experts note that understanding this history helps with behavioral issues, such as excessive digging, tying back to the pronunciation as a nod to their origins Years.com.

Conclusion

In this article, you’ve learned how to more properly pronounce the name of Dachshunds, and gained an understanding around the “badger hound” history behind its name.

Now, you can count yourself among the minority of English-speaking Dachshund lovers who can impressively nail the name’s pronunciation!

Dachshund Pronunciation vs. Similar Breeds

Dachshunds aren’t the only dog breed with a tricky name—many similar breeds, like other scent hounds or small hunting dogs, also trip up English speakers. Comparing how to pronounce Dachshund (‘daks-hoont’) to these can help dog parents sound like pros at the vet or park. Similar breeds share traits like low-to-ground builds or burrowing instincts, but their names vary by origin.

Here’s a quick comparison table of Dachshund vs. similar breeds’ pronunciations, including common mistakes:

Writer Bio

Guest Writer: Mitchell Park

Mitchell is a content creator for Spot Dog Walkers. Born and raised in Alberta, Canada, Mitchell enjoys delta blues music and has grown up with dogs all his life. Now, he’s proudly working to help Spot become Canada’s #1 choice for hiring dog walkers nearby. 

 🖊️ Edited by Dr. Shruti

Dr. Shruti, Ph.D., is the founder of The Happy Puppers. With over a decade of research and writing experience in dog behavior, she is dedicated to empowering dog parents with science-backed advice and compassionate care strategies. Her work blends expertise in canine psychology, scientific communication, and evidence-based wellness for dogs and their humans.

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Frequently Asked Questions

References

• Dachshund | Pronunciation in English. Cambridge Dictionary.
• How to pronounce Dachshund correctly. (2023). Alpha Paw.
• The right way to pronounce dachshund. MSN. 
• Petsko, E. (2023). The right way to pronounce ‘Dachshund’. Mental Floss. 
• Dachshund definition & meaning. (2025). Merriam-Webster. 
• Mitchell, S. (2025). How to say Dachshund: 15 cute ways & nicknames. Replies Nest.
• Dachshund breed: Characteristics, care & photos. (2025). Chewy.
• PushtoLearn. (2025, February 26). How to pronounce Dachshund. PushtoLearn.
• Becky, Dr. (2025). Owning a Dachshund – History, breed traits & health concerns. Years.com.
• Catalan Dachshunds Farm. (2025). How to pronounce Dachshund. Catalan Dachshunds Farm.
• Basset hound. Cambridge Dictionary. 
• Bloodhound. (2026). Cambridge Dictionary.
• How to pronounce SHIH TZU in English. (2026). Cambridge Dictionary. 
• 20 hard to pronounce dog breed names. (2016). BARK.
• Can DaLaun pronounce ‘dachshund’? (2025). FOX 26 Houston.
• Google searches expose pronunciation struggles in the U.S. (2025). CIProud.com.