National Dachshund Day is June 21st! The day is getting more and more recognition throughout the world too, including in Germany – the dachshund breed’s homeland. Dachshunds have all sorts of nicknames in the English language–often known as Hot dogs, sausage dogs, Weiner dogs, or Doxies, are quite popular, and they really do make charming little pets.
Why June 21st?
Choosing June 21st as National Dachshund Day wasn’t random. June 21 can seem a bit arbitrary at first. Is this the date the first dachshund dog was bred? After all, some people do speculate that Doxies were first a crossbreed between miniature French pointers and pinschers. Or, is June 21 significant for the Dachshund breed in some other way – a dachshund winning a dog show or something of that sort? That date (give or take a day) is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The longest day in the year and it is the perfect time to celebrate the dachshund’s l-o-n-g body.
Is National Dachshund Day A Federal Holiday?
We hate to break it to you, but no country observes National Dachshund Day as a federal holiday. Dachshunds are just spunky enough that if they would write, they’d start an international petition to change that!
It’s still a fun day to pamper your dog and treat them like a king or queen.
How Do You Celebrate National Dachshund Day?
Doxies are one of the most popular pet breeds in the world. So, it’s only logical to wonder when is National Dachshund Day and how to celebrate it. It’s one thing to figure out when is National Dachshund Day, but the next step is to figure out how to celebrate it. If you were to ask your Dachshund, the answer would be “With treats, of course!” And that’s certainly a way to go. You may be tempted to make those treats hot dogs or sausages but we’d advise against giving your wiener dog more than one or two bites. Processed food is just not good for dogs.
There are many ways that people can celebrate National Dachshund Day, including attending dog parades, dressing up their wiener dogs in costumes, and even showing off their dachshunds by taking them for a walk.
How to celebrate National Dachshund Day with your favorite Dachshund
1. Build your Dachshund a digging pit.
Any Dachshund pet parent with a garden will know how much Dachshunds love to dig. This instinctual behavior stems from your Dachshund wanting to dig up badger burrows. Fill a hole with loose soil or sand and mark it with bricks so your Dachshund knows where to dig. You can even bury toys in their digging pit so your Dachshund can go on a treasure hunt!
Just make sure your pup knows where they’re supposed to dig. This is a great way to spoil your Dachshund as they’ll be able to dig all day long. Plus, they won’t wreck your garden. Win-win!
2. Train your Dachshund to speak with buttons
It’s no secret that Dachshunds are very vocal and have one of the loudest barks of any small dog breeds — that’s why they make great guard dogs! You’d be easily fooled into thinking a Dachshund was a pup several times their size based on their bark.
Try button training if you’re searching for a way to get your Dachshund to stop barking. Do a quick search on the web, and you’ll come across adorable videos of pups using buttons with recorded messages to talk to their pet parents.
Dachshunds are stubborn yet intelligent, so your pup will pick how to use these buttons with a little persistence. Once trained, your Dachshund will love using these buttons to communicate, and it should (hopefully) cut back on their loud barking!
3. Host a longest Dachshund competition
National Dachshund Day is right at the start of summer, so why not plan a unique Dachshund-themed party? If you know other pet parents with Dachshunds, or you’re part of a local Dachshund group, invite some other pups over for a “Longest Dachshund” competition.
You can set out some dog treats and even let your pups cool off in a dog-friendly paddling pool. While the pups play, you can take advantage of the weather and enjoy a barbecue with the pet parents.
Then, when you’re ready, gather up your pups and break out the measuring tape to see whose Dachshund is the longest. You can even prepare a tiny trophy or award for the longest Dachshund!
4. Bake homemade tasty treats for your Dachshund
Dachshunds are super food motivated, so nothing says “I love you” like some tasty homemade treats for your fur baby. There are tons of creative canine-friendly treat recipes that your Dachshund will enjoy, from simple peanut butter snacks to mutt-friendly muffins.
As National Dachshund Day is in the summer, you could even consider making frozen treats for your dog to help them cool off. These recipes are usually simple and usually involve freezing some dog-safe yogurt and fruit in an ice cube tray. (Try to opt for an all-natural yogurt with no added sugar.)
Your Dachshund is sure to enjoy chowing down on whatever you make, and these treats will be super helpful for softening up your stubborn pup during training sessions.
5. Curl up with your Dachshund for a Dachshund-themed movie marathon
Dachshunds are very social fur babies who get upset when they don’t get to spend much time with their favorite people. So, there’s no better way to spoil your Dachshund than gathering the family, turning on your favorite movie, and cuddling up with your canine compadre.
You could even pick out a selection of films starring Weiner Dogs. There are plenty of cartoon capers out there starring Dachshunds, like the Toy Story series and The Secret Life of Pets. Or, stick to a genre and round up some side-splitting comedies or heart-warming romance flicks.
Whatever movies you choose, your Dachshund will feel spoiled just cuddling and spending time with their pet parents!
Conclusion
World Dachshund Day is a celebration of all things Dachshund.
Dachshund fans and their dachshunds join together at various fun events around the world.
The day has been created to raise awareness of the breed and help preserve its future.
In addition to the unique level of fun that only a large gathering of dachshunds can provide, it also helps owners work together to help reduce the number of dachshunds requiring rehoming through education and improved legislation.
Prospective owners are encouraged to attend a local event and learn if being owned by a dachshund is right for them.
