Mini Dachshund Vanishes Without a Trace—What His Family Discovered the Next Day Surprised Everyone
Fred, the miniature Dachshund, had disappeared. His family was terrified and began their search immediately, frantically trying to locate their beloved dog. Hours passed and there was no sign of Fred, and his family was only growing more and more concerned. Soon it would be nightfall and Fred was still nowhere to be found.
Desperate to find the little dog, Fred’s family enlisted the help of friends and relatives to expand the hunt. How far could a little dog on short legs have gone? Could he be hiding somewhere? Or possibly stuck?
@alexandracorby Our minature dachshund went missing 😪 Fortunatley we were able to locate and save him ❤️. Never give up looking…🤧🥰 #dachshund #dogrescue #miniaturedachshund #lostdog #dogsoftiktok #dachshundlife #nevergiveup #helpdogs #savedog #savedogs ♬ Me Cry – NGOTUAN NGUYX
As the search stretched into the second day, Fred’s sleepless family had a hunch that he might still be missing because they were searching in the wrong place. They needed to go lower…they needed to search underground.
Dachshunds and miniature Dachshunds were bred to hunt burrowing game like badgers (Dachshund literally means “badger dog”) and rabbits. They have powerful front legs and paws that make them exceptional diggers, long bodies that help them worm their way into holes and burrows, and a keen sense of smell that allows them to track animals underground. A breed with high prey drive and a streak of stubborn attitude and determination, Dachshund owners know their dogs will stop at nothing to dig, chase, and seek out the source of interesting scents.
With all of this in mind, it should come as no surprise that Dachshunds occasionally get stuck underground.
Tearful Rescue with a Humorous Twist: Fred Shows Doxie-Tude
Drain cameras were brought in to search holes and animal burrows in the area and suddenly, they knew where Fred was! Deep in a hole underground, Fred had managed to get stuck after exploring it. Though relieved to have located their dog, Fred’s family knew he was still in danger and needed to be rescued.
Fred’s Dad got out a shovel and went to work, digging into the ground approximately where Fred was stuck to try to bring his dog to safety. It was hard work with lots of dirt to move, but after lots of sweat, he finally broke through. Ditching the shovel, Fred’s dad reached down to grab the little dog who, in classic Dachshund form, immediately nipped at his dad’s hand! Dachshund owners will know just how typical this is—goofy little dogs!
Moments later, Fred showed how truly grateful he was, snuggling up with his dad as a thank you. Looking no worse for wear, Fred was happy to see his family but did seem a little confused about what all the fuss was about.
How Does a Dachshund Get Stuck & Survive Underground?
Sometimes, Dachshunds can’t back their way out of a hole they’ve entered, have no room to turn around, or get wedged in an underground burrow. In especially dangerous circumstances, the tunnel the dog has dug can collapse behind them, trapping them with no access to air. Thankfully, most dogs stuck in holes—Fred—still have some fresh air flow and can survive for a short time without food or water.
Hunters who hunt with Dachshunds sometimes carry small shovels to help their dogs dig into burrows, but those shovels can also come in handy if their dog gets stuck.
