5 Of The Oldest Dachshunds Of All Time

The dachshund is a dog with a unique shape, including an elongated body and short legs. Although they are mostly companion dogs these days, dachshunds were originally bred to hunt badgers. In fact, the translation of the breed’s name is “badger dog.” Like many smaller dogs, dachshunds can live for a long time. Today, we’re going to look at the five oldest dachshunds of all time.

We’ll talk about how long you can expect the average dachshund to live, how they compare to other dog breeds, and how the oldest dachshund measures up to the oldest dog ever!

What is the Average Lifespan of All Dogs?

The average dog lifespan is between 10 and 13 years. Various factors can influence the length of time that a dog lives. However, scientists have discovered that small dogs tend to live longer than large dogs. Small breeds typically live between 12 and 16 years while large breeds have a lifespan between 8 and 12 years.

Although scientists still have a lot to learn about how dogs age, it’s safe to say that smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger ones.

Dachshunds are small dogs, so it should come as no surprise that some of the oldest members of the breed reach well over 13 years of age.

What Was the Oldest Living Dog?

The oldest living dog was named Bluey, and this incredible dog lived for 29 years and 5 months! Bluey was an Australian cattle dog that was born in 1910 and survived until 1939. While we may lack extensive records of this dog’s life compared to the burden of evidence required to name a dog the oldest ever these days, Bluey’s age falls in line with other very old dogs.

For example, a beagle named Butch lived 28 years and Snookie the pug lived for 27 years and 284 days. The latter had more extensive records to reasonably prove its lifespan. However, some people claim that their dogs have lived much longer than Bluey and all the others.

People have said their dogs have lived for 36 years or more. Yet, these claims are presented without any evidence of the dog’s lifespan, so they can be easily dismissed.

Currently, the oldest living dog is a Chihuahua mix named Gino Wolf. According to Guinness World Records, this dog is 22 years old as verified on November 15, 2022.

How Long Do Dachshunds Normally Live?

The average dachshund lives between 12 and 14 years of age. These dogs weigh between 15 and 32 pounds as adults, and they typically measure about 9 inches tall. Although these dogs weigh more than Boston terriers, pugs, and other small dogs, they are still shorter than them.

This is due to the dachshund’s unique long body and very short legs. Remember, these dogs were originally bred to hunt badgers. By staying low to the ground, the dogs could pick up the scent of badgers and follow them into their burrows.

Now that we know the average age of these dogs, we can start to examine some of the ones that lived the longest!

The 5 Oldest Dachshunds Ever

Most dachshunds only live for 12 to 14 years. However, we have discovered at least five of them that pushed the boundaries and lived for 20 years or more! Take a look at the oldest dachshunds of all time.

5. Fudgie – 20 Years

Fudgie the short-haired dachshund lived for at least 20 years. However, the owner didn’t share any updates about the dog after 2013, leading many to believe that the dog passed away. This dog was born in Boston, Massachusetts but eventually traveled with his owner to Hong Kong.

4. Otto – 20 Years

Otto was a dachshund-terrier mix that was tentatively declared the oldest living dog in 2009. This dog lived from February 1989 until January 2010, just a month shy of 21 years of age. He passed away after the vet discovered he had stomach cancer.

3. Chanel – 21 Years

Chanel the wire-haired dachshund was considered one of the oldest dogs alive. In fact, Guinness World Records named Chanel the oldest living dog on her 21^st birthday. She lived for 21 years and a few months. Interestingly, Chanel shares the same age as Funny, the next dog on our list. They’re tied for the second-oldest dachshunds of all time.

2. Funny Fujimura – 21 years

Funny Fujimura was named the oldest dog alive in 2020. At that time, Funny was 21 years old, but no updates are available about this pup. Funny was a miniature dachshund born in Sakai, Japan back in 1999.

1. Rocky – 25 years

Rocky the dachshund lived 25 years, making him the oldest dachshund of all time. At least, that’s what his owner claims. According to a story that ran in the Mountain Democrat in 2011, Rocky reached the age of 25 before passing. His owner’s claim is supported by his veterinarian.

Yet, Rocky didn’t receive the title of the Oldest Living Dog from Guinness World Records.

Challenges To The Title Of The Oldest Dachshund

Interestingly, Rocky may not be the oldest dachshund of all time. Several people claim to have had older dachshunds. One of the most profound claims is that a dog named Wiley lived for 31 years. This dog was supposedly born in 1976 and survived until 2007.

However, the owner’s claims were never verified by a record-keeping group. Still, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that this is true, especially when you consider that the oldest recognized dog was almost 30.

If you want your pet dachshund to live a long, healthy, and full life, it’s important to take great care of them. That means taking them to the vet, making sure they get plenty of exercise, and choosing the right diet for them. Following a strict regimen can help your dog lead a rich life as your companion!

Summary Of 5 Of The Oldest Dachshunds Of All Time

What were the Original Breeds of Dachshunds?

There are currently three types of dachshunds, which all originated at different times, that can be found in two sizes, although a third size, known as rabbit, exists but isn’t recognized by the AKC. Both the standard and miniature sizes are available in smooth-haired, wire-haired, and long-coated varieties. These little hotdogs, or weiner dogs, as they are affectionately called, first originated in Germany, around the 15th century, where they were bred to hunt badgers. Their name is a literal translation, where ‘dachs’ means badger and ‘hund’ is hound, or dog.

The first type of doxie breed was the smooth-haired variety, which is thought to have ancestry in various breeds like pointers, terriers, and pinschers. It is also thought that they may have been mixed with bloodhounds, which accounts for their excellent scenting abilities, although there is no solid evidence.

While they got their start in the 15th century, it is believed their development began in the late 17th century. It is not entirely clear when the long-haired dachshund developed, although it is said to either be the offspring of the smooth-haired, or a mix resulting from being bred with the short-haired and other spaniels. The wire-haired doxie began in the 18th century.

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