11. Dachshund
The tiny dachshund may be the toughest of all dogs relative to his size. Bred to hunt badgers both above and below ground, these tenacious dogs would latch on to the badger in its underground dwelling, then the hunter would pull the pair out by the dachshund’s tail. Dachshund literally translates from German as badger dog. As two sizes began to emerge in the breed, the larger dachshunds became wild boar and badger hunters, while the smaller version hunted hares and foxes.
A popular breed in the United States, dachsies round out the top ten most popular dogs at number ten. Eager and alert, they are ever ready for a hunt. The dachshund’s nose contains approximately 125 million scent receptors, so these little dogs excel at Earth dog trails, field trials, obedience and even agility. Their happy personalities make them delightful family pets.
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