Dachshunds Take Over Museum: An Exhibition Opens in Germany Where Even Four-Legged Visitors Are Welcome

The exhibition titled "Dachshund: An Icon Off the Leash" opened on October 31 at the Kunsthalle art museum. It is dedicated to how small dogs with short legs and long bodies have inspired artists, photographers, and sculptors for centuries. Among the authors of the presented works are Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and David Hockney. All three were fans of dachshunds, and some kept these dogs at home. A total of about 120 works are gathered at the exhibition, including paintings, graphics, photographs, video installations, and unusual collectibles. Museum director Christoph Grunenberg believes this is possibly the first exhibition in the world dedicated specifically to dachshunds in art, rather than dogs in general. One of the most unusual exhibits is a bronze sculpture by German artist Thorsten Brinkmann. It depicts a handbag that has dog paws instead of the usual base. Thus, the author plays on the reputation of dachshunds as small dogs that are convenient to carry around. Another work by Brinkmann is a bright installation called Toxie Love, which greets visitors in the first hall. The exhibition also includes numerous toy dachshunds and items from the Dachshund Museum collection in Regensburg. The organizers paid special attention to the dogs themselves. On Thursdays and Saturdays, during certain hours, owners can bring their pets into three of the eight exhibition halls. However, there are restrictions: the height of the dog at the withers must not exceed 30 centimeters, and a ticket for a specific time must be booked in advance online. A special waiting area called the Dachshund Lounge is provided for four-legged guests. According to the museum's management, the idea is to perceive dogs not just as companions of humans but as independent visitors. They are allowed to explore the space, observe what is happening, and get acquainted with surrounding scents. One of the first four-legged guests was a 13-year-old dachshund named Marcello, owned by Finnish photographer Elina Broterus. The dog has been a model for his owner for many years, and his photographs are also featured in the exhibition. The exhibition also tells the story of the breed's popularity. Dachshunds were admired not only by artists but also by monarchs. Among the famous lovers of these dogs were British Queen Victoria and German Emperor Wilhelm II. Over time, the dachshund transformed from a hunting dog into a recognizable cultural symbol that appeared in works of art, advertising, and popular culture. In particular, it was a dachshund named Waldi that became the mascot of the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. The exhibition in Bremen will run until March 28, 2027. The organizers hope that the unusual format will attract not only art lovers but also animal enthusiasts who previously rarely visited art galleries.