How to Pronounce Dachshund

Correct Pronunciations

There are two common ways to pronounce "Dachshund":

Traditional German Pronunciation 🇩🇪:
"DAKS-hund" (/ˈdɑːks.hʊnt/) – The "ch" sounds like "k," and "hund" sounds like "hoont" (meaning "dog" in German).

Common English Pronunciation 🇺🇸🇬🇧:
"DAX-und" (/ˈdæk.sənd/) – The "ch" becomes a soft "x" sound, and "hund" sounds like "und" (rhyming with "fund").

How Do People Say "Dachshund"?

Pronunciation	Sounds Like	Used By
"DAKS-hund"	"Daks-hoont"	Closer to German pronunciation
"DAX-und"	"Dax-und"	Common in English-speaking countries
"DASH-hund"	"Dash-hund"	Incorrect but often heard in the U.S.

Best Option? If you want to be correct, say "DAX-und" (English) or "DAKS-hund" (closer to German).

Illustration of How to Pronounce Dachshund

Common Mistakes When Pronouncing "Dachshund"

"Dash-hound" – Incorrect, "ch" is not "sh," and it is not "hound."
"Dutch-hound" – Incorrect, "Dach" is not "Dutch."
"Dach-sand" – Incorrect, "hund" should not sound like "sand."

Correct: Say "DAX-und" or "DAKS-hund."

Tip: Dachshunds are also called "wiener dogs" or "sausage dogs" because of their long bodies! 🌭🐶

Why Is "Dachshund" Hard to Pronounce?

It’s a German word – The "ch" sound in "Dach" is pronounced like "k," not "sh."
The spelling is misleading – English speakers expect "Dach" to sound like "Dash" and "hund" to sound like "hound."
Different English adaptations – The pronunciation has changed in English-speaking countries, making the word sound very different from German.
Silent or softened letters – In the common English pronunciation, "hund" becomes "und," making it harder to recognize.

Fun Fact: "Dachshund" means "badger dog" in German ("Dachs" = badger, "Hund" = dog). The breed was originally used for hunting badgers! 🦡🐕

FAQs About "Dachshund" Pronunciation

What is the correct way to say "Dachshund"?

The best English pronunciation is "DAX-und."

How do Germans say "Dachshund"?

They say "DAKS-hund", with "hund" sounding like "hoont."

Why do people say "Dash-hound"?

Because it looks similar to "dash" and "hound," but this is incorrect.

Is "Dachshund" a German word?

Yes! It means "badger dog" in German: "Dachs" (badger) + "Hund" (dog)."

Can I just say "wiener dog"?

Yes! Many people call them "wiener dogs" or "sausage dogs" instead.