One is tall and one is long. The Weimaraner is around 27 inches tall and, as H. L. Mencken said "A dachshund is a half-dog high and a dog-and-a-half long." These breeds both come from Germany and were originally used for hunting. But the Dachshund was bred for skills specific to badger hunting and, indeed, the name means "Badger Hound." Its paws are unusually large and paddle-shaped for efficient digging. It has skin that is loose enough not to tear while tunneling in tight burrows to chase prey. The dachshund has a deep chest to allow enough lung capacity to keep going when hunting. Its snout is long with an increased nose area that absorbs odours. The Weimaraner was a general hunter and his finesse in the field has been overshadowed by his elegant looks and trainability in other endeavors.

Both breeds have been seen in movies and books. The Weimaraner was made famous by William Wegman who photographs the Gray Ghosts for ads and books and deftly uses their skills in skits on children’s shows such as Seasame Street. Dachshunds were made famous in the 1966 movie "The Ugly Dachshund" in which they played opposite a Great Dane. As often happens when a specific breed appears on the big screen, there was a rush to buy and adopt Dachshunds. Many owners were surprised when they found that these dogs are not easily trainable, especially in housetraining, and can be somewhat devilish little creatures.

To make up for his training flaws, the Dachshund is extremely "game," or ready to work. He will go after his prey with unmitigated enthusiasm and often an owner has to drag him back up from the hole he’s chased his prey down. He is courageous to the point of rashness and lively and clever. The Weimaraner is also considered highly intelligent. He is a very malleable dog but can also be stubborn so training may take some extra time. They, too, can be mischievous and many owners resort to tactics such as putting baby guards on the cabinets to keep them from nosing inside. The Weimaraner of today is much more comfortable in front of a camera than mucking through the woods looking for prey.

The Weimaraner and Dachshund share some similarities. Both are considered too intense for young children, both make good companions in an older household, and both come in the long hair and short hair variety. Dachshunds also come in a wire hair variety and have a smaller cousin called the Miniature Dachshund. Weimaraner owners will attest to their dogs’ need for exercise and a focused Weimaraner is happiest. Dachshund owners will find that their dog doesn’t need a huge amount of activity but they relish a game where they can use their hunting skills.

So, whether you own a Weimaraner or a Dachshund or are considering adopting one, there are a few things to keep in mind. The affectionately called Sausage Dog is lively and mischievous and fun-loving. He makes an excellent apartment dog but needs to be cordoned off or put in a crate when you’re out. The Weimaraner is intelligent, alert and stunning to look at. Like the Dachshund, he requires a lot of people time. And remember not to leave any cabinets with food open and hide your sneakers just in case they look tempting.