The Changing Shape of the Dachshund

The Dachshund is one of 4 breeds featured in a short photo exposé on the changing shape of dogs by The BBC News, and states:  The original German Dachshund was larger than the modern variety with longer legs.  Today's short-legged breed tends to suffer from knee and also spinal problems because of its long back and short rib cage.
This follows a new report which recommends that responsibility for the health and welfare of pedigree dogs be devolved to an independent body outside of England's Kennel Club, the oldest of the world’s all-breed kennel clubs.  Read more about the report at BBC News.

While we agree that Dachshunds should be bred for health over conformation, we've certainly featured photos in the past of Dachshunds from around 1900, like this one, which look much more like today's Dachshund than the drawing in the insert of the BBC's photo.