Visit Your Dog's Ancestral Home - Dachshund

Origin: Germany

Story: While its exact origins in Germany are unknown, references to a long-bodied, short-legged, sausage-shaped dog with terrific persistence at tracking badgers can be found in art and literature throughout the centuries. For instance, a 1560 woodcut portrayed a dachshund-like dog. In modern Germany, the dachshund has been a star and even served a stint as the country's official mascot during the 1972 Olympics in Munich. (A side note: Though Dachshund means "badger dog," Germans more commonly call this breed Dackel.)

The trip: Perhaps no German city has celebrated the dachshund as much as Berlin, which ran an annual dachshund race until 2006. Stroll Potsdamer Platz, the city's central plaza, which is surrounded by many landmarks best viewed on foot, such as Renzo Piano's postmodern sculptural Arcades. From there, a 15-minute walk takes you to Pension ABC, a squeaky-clean, family-run inn that welcomes dogs at no charge (011-49/30-2694-9903, doubles from $89).

Hot tip: For your dog to visit Germany, all you need is proof that he or she has been vaccinated within the past 12 months (but also more than a month before departure) and an identifying tattoo or microchip.

Credit: msnbc.com; Photo: cedarcreekveterinaryclinic.com