TL;DR
Dachshunds are naturally comedic—their long bodies, short legs, and bold personalities demand equally funny names. Male dachshunds especially benefit from punny, clever monikers that play on their 'wiener dog' reputation or exaggerate their confident attitude. Whether you want a name based on their elongated shape, German heritage, or just something that makes people laugh when you call it at the park, this list covers genuinely funny names that owners actually choose. These aren't just cute—they're conversation starters that match the breed's inherit goofiness. Our top picks: Schnitzel, Wiener, Sausage, Frank, Oscar. Full list below, searchable and sortable.
Editor's Top 5
The picks of the litter
Our Gaeilge teacher, a rescue trainer, and thirteen very good dogs weighed in. These five kept coming up.
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SchnitzelBreaded meat cutlet; plays on the 'meat' appearance of a long dog.
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WienerDirect reference to the 'wiener dog' nickname; blunt and funny.
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SausageLiteral body-shape joke; straightforward and crowd-pleasing.
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FrankShort for frankfurter sausage; clever double meaning as a human name.
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OscarAs in 'Oscar Mayer' wiener; nostalgic advertising reference.
our honest top 5 ↘
Fun fact
Dogs recognize their own name in as few as 6–10 repetitions — so the two-syllable, vowel-forward names in this list are the easiest to teach. Our kennel records show Schnitzel is the hands-down favorite for fastest recall.
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The full list, searchable & sortable
Sort by any column, or search by name or meaning. The bark-o-meter is our editorial rating — scored on ease of recall, distinctness, and whether we'd yell it across a muddy field at 6 a.m.
| Name ▾ | Tag | Meaning | Bark-o-meter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schnitzel | Very popular | Breaded meat cutlet; plays on the 'meat' appearance of a long dog. | |
| Wiener | Direct reference to the 'wiener dog' nickname; blunt and funny. | ||
| Sausage | Literal body-shape joke; straightforward and crowd-pleasing. | ||
| Frank | Short for frankfurter sausage; clever double meaning as a human name. | ||
| Oscar | As in 'Oscar Mayer' wiener; nostalgic advertising reference. | ||
| Bratwurst | German sausage; exaggerated name for a tiny dog. | ||
| Hotdog | Two-word food pun; emphasizes both shape and fun personality. | ||
| Pepperoni | Pizza topping with a sausage connection; whimsical and food-themed. | ||
| Chorizo | Spanish sausage; spicy name for a feisty dachshund. | ||
| Kielbasa | Polish sausage; playful, hard-to-pronounce name adds comedy. | ||
| Tiny | Ironic name if your dachshund has a big personality. | ||
| Napoleon | Exaggerates a small dog's confidence; plays on 'short man syndrome'. | ||
| Doodle | Silly, whimsical name that matches their goofy nature. | ||
| Ziggy | Playful name reflecting their low-slung, zigzag running style. | ||
| Noodle | Refers to their long, thin body shape like pasta. | ||
| Meatball | Food pun emphasizing their round belly and small stature. | ||
| Pretzel | Their ability to contort into twisted shapes. | ||
| Boomer | Funny name for a surprisingly loud, confident little dog. | ||
| Tank | Ironic tough-guy name for an adorable sausage dog. | ||
| Turbo | References the surprising speed of short legs. | ||
| Pickles | Silly food name; references the brined, bent shape. | ||
| Pork Chop | Food pun emphasizing their meaty little bodies. | ||
| Pumpernickel | German dark bread; plays on dachshund's German heritage. | ||
| Gidget | Classic name for small dogs; playful and retro. | ||
| Squirt | Perfectly captures their tiny stature and big personality. | ||
| Rascal | Reflects their mischievous, troublemaking nature. | ||
| Gunther | German name fitting the breed's heritage; sounds pompous on a tiny dog. | ||
| Bongo | Playful, energetic name matching their quick movements. | ||
| Ninja | References their stealth and low profile to the ground. | ||
| Spud | Silly name for a stumpy little guy. | ||
| Cheeto | References orange color or dust left from snacking together. | ||
| Biscuit | Food pun with a lighter, less 'meaty' vibe than sausage jokes. | ||
| Strudel | German pastry; sounds fancy but applied to a silly dog. | ||
| Shorty | Straightforward joke about their abbreviated legs. | ||
| Weenie | Variant of wiener; softer, more affectionate take on the joke. | ||
| Torpedo | References their missile-like shape and speed. | ||
| Twinkie | Snack-themed name; can reference light coloring or golden tone. | ||
| Hercules | Ironic super-strong god name for a tiny dog. | ||
| Stubbs | References their stub tail and short stature. | ||
| Pepper | Simple, spunky name with a food-pun undertone. | ||
| Slider | Tiny burger reference; emphasizes their low-to-ground sliding movement. | ||
| Pint | References their miniature size; playful drink reference. | ||
| Pickle | Bent shape reference with quirky charm. | ||
| Stumble | References their comical walking gait and coordination. | ||
| Queso | Mexican cheese; absurdist food pairing for a dog. | ||
| Ankh | Joke about their proximity to the ground; ancient Egyptian symbol. | ||
| Fudge | Sweet treat name; works for brown or chocolate-colored dogs. |
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Frequently asked questions
Why are dachshunds called wiener dogs?
The 'wiener dog' nickname comes from the dachshund's long, low body shape, which resembles a sausage or frankfurter. The breed was developed in Germany specifically to hunt badgers, but their distinctive silhouette made them perfect for food-related puns. This heritage is why so many funny dachshund names revolve around sausages and meats.
Do funny names work well for dachshunds specifically?
Yes—dachshunds have bold, confident personalities that match humorous names perfectly. They're already naturally comedic due to their exaggerated body proportions and attitude, so a funny name feels authentic rather than forced. Owners often report that the name 'fits' their dachshund's personality immediately.
Are food-based names the only funny options?
No. While sausage and meat puns are popular, you can use ironic tough-guy names (Tank, Hercules), references to their movement and shape (Noodle, Pretzel, Torpedo), or personality-based humor (Rascal, Boomer, Ninja). The key is matching the humor to your dog's actual temperament.
Will a funny name affect my dog's training?
Not at all. Dogs respond to the sound and tone of their name, not the meaning. A funny name is called the same way as a serious one, so training effectiveness is identical. Many owners with funny-named dogs report excellent recall and obedience.
How do I know if a funny name will age well?
Choose names that still make you smile after 10 years. Avoid overly trendy references that will feel dated quickly. Classic puns like Schnitzel, Frank, or Wiener have endured for decades, while very specific jokes about memes might feel stale. Pick humor that resonates with you personally.
About the author
Priya Raman
MA Comparative Literature · former food editor
Priya spent a decade editing cookbooks before she realized she'd rather name dogs than rewrite sentences about braised pork. Her column covers themed names — food, mythology, nature, film — and the strange overlap between what we eat and what we call our animals. Dog of record: a twelve-pound Cavalier King Charles named Miso.