der
Dackel
🐶 What exactly is a Dackel?
Der Dackel (also known as Teckel or Dachshund in English) is a well-known German dog breed. Its characteristics are short legs and a long body, which has also earned it the nickname „Wursthund“ (sausage dog).
Originally, Dackel were bred for hunting, especially to drive badgers (hence the name „Dachshund“ - badger dog) and foxes out of their burrows.
Figuratively, „Dackel“ can sometimes be used slightly disparagingly for a person considered somewhat clumsy or subservient, but this is rather colloquial and not very common.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Large animals → mostly masculine.
-el → mostly masculine.
1. Caution: many exceptions. 2. there are many -el words, we don't list them all.
📊 Grammar in Detail: Der Dackel
The word „Dackel“ is a masculine noun and takes the article der.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Dackel |
| Genitive | des | Dackels |
| Dative | dem | Dackel |
| Accusative | den | Dackel |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Dackel |
| Genitive | der | Dackel |
| Dative | den | Dackeln |
| Accusative | die | Dackel |
Example Sentences:
- Der Dackel meiner Nachbarin ist sehr freundlich. (My neighbor's dachshund is very friendly.)
- Hast du den kleinen Dackel dort gesehen? (Did you see the little dachshund over there?)
- Die kurzen Beine des Dackels sind sein Markenzeichen. (The dachshund's short legs are its trademark.)
- Wir geben dem Dackel jeden Tag sein Futter. (We give the dachshund its food every day.)
- Viele Dackel haben ein starkes Selbstbewusstsein. (Many dachshunds have strong self-confidence.)
🗣️ How to use „Dackel“?
„Dackel“ is almost exclusively used to refer to the dog breed. It's a common word in German-speaking regions.
- As a pet: „Wir haben uns einen Rauhaardackel angeschafft.“ (We got a wire-haired dachshund.)
- In hunting: „Der Dackel eignet sich gut für die Baujagd.“ (The dachshund is well-suited for burrow hunting.)
- Description: „Sein sturer Dackelblick ist unwiderstehlich.“ (Its stubborn dachshund gaze is irresistible.)
- Colloquially (rare): Sometimes you might hear expressions like „treuer Dackel“ (loyal dachshund) for someone very loyal, or (derogatory) „alter Dackel“ (old dachshund) for an older, perhaps somewhat quirky man. Use with caution! ⚠️
Compared to „Teckel“, „Dackel“ is the more common and colloquial term. „Dachshund“ is often used in more formal contexts or internationally.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Imagine a dashing dude (masculine = der) walking his Dackel. Both start with D, and he's a 'der' type of guy.
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of the English word 'dig'. The Dackel was bred to dig badgers out of their burrows.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Teckel: A more official and also common name for the breed.
- Dachshund: Internationally known name, often used in kennel clubs (literally: badger-dog).
- Wursthund (colloquial, humorous): Sausage dog, due to its body shape.
Antonyms (opposite in the context of dog breeds):
There are no direct antonyms, but one could name dog breeds with contrasting features:
- Dogge (Great Dane): Very large, long legs (opposite of small, short legs).
- Windhund (Greyhound): Very slender and built for speed (opposite of stocky).
Similar but Misleading Words:
- Deckel (der): The lid of a pot or bottle. Sounds similar but is unrelated.
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt ein Dackel den anderen: „Glaubst du an ein Leben nach dem Spaziergang?“
English: One dachshund asks another: "Do you believe in life after the walk?"
🎶 Dachshund Poem
German:
Der Dackel, kurz von Bein,
Zieht krumm und stolz allein.
Ein langer Rücken, kesser Blick,
Bringt Herrchen oft ins Ungeschick.
Doch treu ist er und voller Mut,
Ein echter Freund, tut einfach gut.
English Translation:
The dachshund, short of leg,
Waddles proudly, doesn't beg.
A long back, a cheeky gaze,
Often gets master in a daze.
But loyal he is and full of bravery,
A true friend, simply lovely.
❓ Who am I? A Riddle
German:
Ich hab Beine, kurz und klein,
Kriech' gern in den Bau hinein.
Mein Rücken ist erstaunlich lang,
Manch einer nennt mich „Wurst“ zum Klang.
Ich bin ein Hund, ganz klar,
Bekannt in Deutschland, Jahr für Jahr.
Wer bin ich?
... Der Dackel
English Translation:
I have legs, short and small,
Into burrows, I love to crawl.
My back is surprisingly long,
Some call me "sausage" in song.
I am a dog, that's clear,
Known in Germany, year after year.
Who am I?
... The Dachshund (Der Dackel)
💡 More about the Dackel
- Origin: Der Dackel originated in Germany and has been known there since the Middle Ages.
- Name Meaning: As mentioned, the name derives from its original use in hunting badgers („Dachs“ = badger -> „Dachshund“ = badger dog).
- Varieties: Dachshunds come in different sizes (Standard, Miniature - Zwerg, Rabbit - Kaninchen) and coat types (Smooth-haired - Kurzhaar, Wire-haired - Rauhaar, Long-haired - Langhaar).
- Olympic Mascot: A dachshund named „Waldi“ was the mascot for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Dackel?
The word "Dackel" is always masculine. Therefore, the correct usage is der Dackel (in the nominative singular), des Dackels (genitive singular), dem Dackel (dative singular), den Dackel (accusative singular), and die Dackel (nominative/accusative plural).