What Can A Dachshund Kill? Are They Great Hunters?

Introduction

What can a Dachshund kill? When you take this question into consideration, you will get an answer with a wide range of options. Generally, these long-bodied dogs are bred to hunt badgers because, in German, the word “dachshund” means “badger dog.”

Dachshunds are pointed out to be attracted to small and fast-running animals. That’s why they also hunt squirrels, rabbits, rats, and even foxes.

What Can A Dachshund Kill
What Can A Dachshund Kill?

Their hunting instinct will start working effectively when they are in the natural world. Dachshunds can become quite scary when they target their prey, unlike the appearance of adorably short legs and a long body. They can easily find prey, even underground, and enjoy the hunting results with their intelligence and agility.

The following article will help you deeply understand Dachshund’s hunting ability and the method to catch the prey successfully. Let’s get started!

How Do Dachshunds Hunt Prey?

Dachshunds Trace The Smell Of Their Prey
Dachshunds Trace The Smell Of Their Prey

When Dachshunds want to hunt prey, they will first track down the smell and carefully follow it. Dachshunds are famous for their incredible tracking traits, so it is not a big deal for them to differentiate the smell of their prey from other smells in the air.

After detecting the smell and knowing where their prey hides, Dachshunds will either wait for the prey coming from the ground or directly dig down underground. 

Normally, they will try to catch the prey by digging multiple underground holes and covering all the entrances. With this strategy, the prey will have nowhere to hide, and Dachshunds can easily attack it.

When the holes are big enough, they will catch the prey by pulling it out of the burrow. If they want to kill it, they will do that task on the ground and with more Dachshunds to avoid losing the game.

Reasons Why Dachshunds Are Good Hunters

Excellent Sense Of Smell

Dachshunds, also known as scent hounds, are good at tracking and detecting the smell of their prey. 

You will be surprised to find out that Dachshund’s nose contains about 125 million scent receptors. This trait allows the dog breed to hunt well both on the surface and underground. You will find surprised that Dachshunds are the worst breed. Dachshunds Are Looking For Prey By Detecting The Smell

Dachshunds Are Looking For Prey By Detecting The Smell

Intelligence And Bravery

Scientists have acknowledged the fact that Dachshunds are intelligent dogs with an independent and playful spirit by nature. They are born to be great hunters, so there’s no doubt about their talent for hunting prey.

However, some people worry that this dog breed is stubborn and does things according to their style, raising the question, “Are Dachshunds hard to potty train?”. The answer is that training Dachshunds is not as hard as you thought. Dachshunds are intelligent and fast learners, and they will imitate your actions right away after being taught.

Dachshunds Are Intelligent Dog Breed
Dachshunds Are Intelligent Dog Breed

Through proper training and dedication, you can teach the dogs some little tricks for better hunting performances. If you want to train them easily, you could wear a collar for their comfort. Moreover, you could consider Best Shock Collar For Dachshund – Top 10 Collars Suitable For Your Dog.

Another good trait of this breed is that they are very courageous and rarely show fear when hunting. Dachshunds are so consistent in catching their prey that they can bravely dig their way deep down under the ground to trace the prey.

They can even surround and fight back with prey that is bigger than them in size. Their aggressive level makes them fearless and ready for any hunting opportunity. 

Impressive Performance

With a long body, Dachshunds can easily go into small holes or the deepest part under the ground to track down their prey. They are also less prone to injuries while running through bushes, thanks to their tiny body.

Dachshunds are good at keeping balance because they have a low center of gravity. They have no difficulty hunting in sloppy or wet areas because they can use their short legs to burrow underground to trace the prey. 

They also have the ability to dig down to the ground for hours without getting tired.

Dachshunds Wait For The Right Moment To Catch Prey
Dachshunds Wait For The Right Moment To Catch Prey

Risks For Dachshunds While Hunting

Like any other dog, Dachshunds are likely to suffer from common illnesses such as heart disease, kidney disease, or cancer. These viruses can be found in harmful pests in the woods or cultivated fields. When Dachshunds hunt their prey and go through such surfaces, they may come into contact with dangerous viruses and get sick.

In addition, hunting prey requires running, chasing, and fighting against enemies. It can cause a blood scene if Dachshunds are inferior to their prey in terms of number or size.

When you think about the tiny body of Dachshunds, you will question their condition when hunting. However, you don’t need to worry about this issue because dachshunds hunt dogs by nature, and hunting is like a small game to them. 

Some Difficulties For Dachshunds While Hunting
Some Difficulties For Dachshunds While Hunting

Conclusion

So, what can a Dachshund kill? After reading the article, we hope you will get a proper answer to this question. It can hunt a wide range of small animals, making it the perfect hunting companion. Having a Dachshund can satisfy your needs for a lovely pet in the house and a brilliant hunter simultaneously.