Click the dachshund to flip through our short-legged pups gallery. Photo: flygraphix/Flickr
Dogs like dachshunds, basset hounds and corgis are famous for their stumpy little legs. Now researchers at the National Human Genome Research Institute in Maryland have figured out where the low-slung dogs get their stubby stems from, reports National Geographic News.
The researchers discovered that 19 short-legged dog breeds all share a single genetic mutation, which suggests that most short-legged dogs descended from a single stunted ancestor. It's possible that the gene could have arisen as many as 30,000 years ago, long before humans started breeding dogs for physical traits.
The researchers say the study, published in the journal Science, is proof that one little change to a gene can have a big impact. "There may just be a small number of major genetic changes that create all the different shapes and sizes of dogs," study co-author Heidi Parker said.
The short-legged gene is found in breeds from Shih Tzus and Scottish Terriers to Basset Hounds and Pekingese. For a (short) look at these squat pups, check out our gallery of stubby-legged dogs. Just remember, they're not short -- they're vertically challenged!
Short and stubby doesn't get any cuter than this.
Dogs with Short Legs
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Short and stubby doesn't get any cuter than this.
Photodisc
Shih-tzu
"I'm ready for my close-up."
AP
Scottish Terrier
The grass is always greener...when you're only 11 inches off the ground.
Paul J.Richards, AFP/Getty
West Highland Terrier
"Whee, I can fly!"
Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images
Havanese
Cousin Itt called. He wants his hairdo back.
Morgan Riehl, AOL
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
"Hellooo, anybody up there? I'm down here!"
Getty Images/Stringer
Pekingese
Ewok, floor mop, or ancient imperial pooch?
David Rogowski, AOL
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
"Tell me everything! I'm all ears."
Morgan Riehl, AOL
Dachshund
You'd be perplexed, too, if you people referred to you as, "hot dog".
Getty Images
Basset Hound
Get this guy a biscuit! Somebody clearly knows how to work the sad puppy-dog eyes.
jupiterimages
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Short-legged dogs rule!
My heart belongs to my standard poodly dogs, but I had a shorty named Sheila years ago who was a real sweety!
I have a Welsh Pembroke Corgi, and he is the smartest dog I have ever had. He always looks happy. What a companion! I also had a Basset Hound who also was very smart and lovable. They both were very loyal to their master (me). Short legged dogs do RULE!!!!
Hi Jane I am blessed with My Wonderful Corgi & Basset mix-Not only short leggs but a long body- Love him(Rocky) My best friend -
I have a full bred red and white Pembroke Welsh Corgi and she is just a sweetheart. My brother's dog is mix between corgi and malamute and she turned out looking like a miniature malamute! Awesome dogs. I recommend corgis to everyone looking into getting a companion.
HI THERE I ADOPTED A PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI IN MAY OF 09 HES CUTE BUT LOUD I NEVER HAD A BARKER UNTILL NOW BETWEEN 12AM TO 5AM HE BARKS ALOT BUT I LOVE HIM HES NAME IS PHRENCHIE 8 YEARSOLD
Short leg dogs..
My shih tzu..has short front legs and the hind legs are about twice the height of the front legs.
To see him running from the front is hysterical..but if he wants to get an object you hold in front of him at a height..he can LEAP up using the back legs to push and he reminds me of a
mini kangaroo for how high he can jump.
Someone said who comments often here, that dogs have NO expression..they have no face muscles..I did not say that my dog laughs when i cough..he does open his eyes very wide and he will have the sadness look in them until i reassure him I AM OKAY.
He can think whatever he wants. and the breeder who sold him to us..only breeds shih tzus in her home..so she never has many to sell.
I have 3 tiny dachshunds that I love dearly. The oldest is the talker and sadly enough being alone with my girls so long I understand what she wants. Daisy Mae more or less raised her 2 sisters that are much younger than her. The middle one is Henretta and the most loving and sweetest dog you ever want to meet. I confess I cry at sad movies and when I do my little Henretta stands up to my face and kisses all my tears away. The youngest is Sarah Louise and a perfect little lady. She runs to the fence with the others to see what they are barking at, but she never barks. She can bark, but just doesn't.
I have 4 Corgis, and wouldn't trade them for all the tall dogs in the world.
I've always thought that both Corgis were cute and would like to have one some day. I saw a "Fluffy" on Animal Planet, and I thought, "That's the dog I would like to have." I know you can't show them or breed them, but that doesn't matter to someone who wants one for a pet only. Some day my situation will allow me to get my "Fluffy."
I have a Fluffy named Cutie, and he is a cutie. He is the love of my life.
I have a minature daschund and chihuahua/terrier mix. I love them both equally, but after having the minature daschund I don't know that I would ever want another kind of dog. I also recommend having 2 around the same size for company for each other if you work. I know my two love each other. They look for each other when one is out of the room. Especially Lili the min daschund. We had Stacie when we got Lili at 6 weeks and she has to be with her Sissy always. Also she has a stuffed animal, we call her baby, that she sucks on while she falls a sleep. It is so precious. They both are. I call them my 4 legged babies.
Well, let me be the first to comment on the lowly Pekingese. The "Lion Dog", as it were, date back thousands of years to the earliest of the Chinese dynasties. The Emperors so loved these dogs that they were often carried about in the sleeves of their clothing. They are not only short-legged, but very bow-legged as well. In the U.S. the Peke's were very popular throughout the 50's and 60's, however, they are not as numerous today as they once were. Mai Ling, my 3 year old Peke, rules my current castle. She may be short-legged, but she is long on love!
my shelter-acquired corgi of 20 yrs ago "converted" me to a lover of squatty-body dogs. (also, they can't "counter-cruise" in the kitchen). I now have an 8-9 yr old short-legged mix, shelter-acquired. Genetic test says Scottie blood, but otherwise unknown.
I have a Walsh Corgi. Great little dog. Very subborn! Very smart. Her name is Cujo. Always funny when I answer the door and say, "Get back, Cujo!" People jump off the front step until the see the little bugger. If only I can get her to stop leaving my shoes near the front door, Funniest thing is when she tries to herd the cats. Frustrates her to no end.
I own 2 Pembroke Cogi's These are the sweetess little people loving dogs and are so smart. I have raised & showed Poodles,Boxers,Daschunds and owned Dobermans, Dalmations and several other breeds. I loved them all but these little dogs are everything you could want in a companion dog.
I LOVE short-legged dogs. I own a Pekingese-Pug and he's the cutest and sweetest little dog I've ever had. Definitely knows how to work the room. He pretty much gets what he wants because he' so darn cute I can't quite tell him off! I also own a (normal) Pug and I think little dogs are the best!!
I agree short legs rock.I have aDauchsund\min-Pin mix He thinks he is big( and is trying to court my sons Rottie).He has to sleep snuggled into a ball on my daughters stomach,
I figured it out if your a dog lover you are probably a compassionate person and have a good heart, I have a basset hound and she's my baby,she's 4 yrs old, her name is ruby mae. She follows me all around the house she really is a great friend since I'm home now due to a disability and she keeps me company and I love her to death but I feel bad that I can't take her for walks due to my health,but maybe one day.
hiiwhantadogsontherebey