The Dachshund originated in Germany about 600 years ago, bred to hunt badgers. Their long, short shape helped them maneuver around in badger dens, and their protruding, barrel-shaped chest supported the large lung capacity they needed for their job. There are three coat types for Dachshunds: short-coated, the original type; wire-coated, bred for brier-y landscapes; and the long-coated, bred for cold climates. Dachshunds also came in different sizes depending on their target game; larger Dachshunds used to be used to hunt wild boar in packs.