] Dachshunds come in many different colors and patterns. In fact there are nearly 300 varieties of dachshunds. Please remember one thing when looking at the bewildering array of colors and patterns available in dachshunds. NO COLOR OR PATTERN, OR COMBINATION OF PATTERNS, IS "RARE" OR " EXOTIC" ANYMORE.
Dachshunds are scent hound dog breeds who were bred to hunt badgers and other tunneling animals, rabbits, and foxes. Packs of Dachshunds were even used to trail wild boar. Today their versatility makes them excellent family companions, show dogs, and small-game hunters. In the United States dachshunds are either miniature 11 pounds and under as an adult or Standard between 16-32 pounds as an adult. If your dachshund weighs in between 11 and 16 pounds its sometimes called a tweenie. At home, the Dachshund's playful nature comes out. He loves to be close to you and "help" you do things like tie your shoes. Because of his intelligence, he often has his own ideas about what the rules are when it comes to playtime-and those rules may not be the same as yours or even other breeds of dogs.
Dachshunds are known for being lively and enjoy chasing other small animals, birds, and toys. The breed standard — a written description of how the Dachshund should look and act — probably describes their personality best, saying "the Dachshund is clever, lively, and courageous to the point of rashness, persevering in above and below ground work, with all the senses well-developed. Any display of shyness is a serious default. Dachshunds attract devoted followers who would never consider having any other breed. Indeed, Dachshunds are often kept in pairs, which is A-OK with them, since they seem to recognize and prefer being with other "wiener dogs".They're usually good with other family pets, too, though they can be jealous when they want attention and they can be possessive of their toys. You need to put a firm stop to the first signs of jealousy or possessiveness so that these don't become bad habits.
Though the Dachshund makes a great house dog, he does need his daily walks (on-leash! Dachshunds are chasers who will take off! -- and plenty of companionship. Loneliness will lead to excessive barking.
Patterns
Dapple- dapple dogs have lighter areas intermingled with darker areas of color and occur in all colors, sometimes the dappling shows as spots or splotches which may be all over the coat or only in small areas. Even if the dachshund has only one spot, they are designated as dapple. Dapple is a dominant gene. One parent must be a dapple to produce a dapple puppy.
Double Dapple- double dapples are produced by breeding two dapples together. The pattern usually has some areas of white such as on the nose, neck, paws or tail. These dogs are prone to congenital problems, especially if the color is in the eyes or ears sometimes resulting in blindness or deafness. This is why we advise, and educate every dachshund owner, the high risks of dapple to dapple breeding, and explain why it should NEVER happen. Reds and Creams can hide dappling, so be extra careful. If you have any questions about this, PLEASE ASK! I encourage you to ask.
Piebald- Piebald puppies are born when two dachshunds with the recessive piebald gene breed together. This does not mean both parents have to be piebalds the parents just have to carry for it. Piebald doxies have a white base coat covered with large spots that are a different, solid color. They may also have ticking; small spots of color in the white field. This may be a few little spots on the toes and muzzle, or heavy like a flea bitten mare. There is no dappling on a pie piebald. This pattern comes in various colors including: gray, black, and brown.
Dapple Piebald- This happens by breeding a dapple that carries the piebald gene to a piebald, or from breeding a solid color doxie that carries the piebald gene to a dapple carrying piebald. This pattern is often mistaken for a double dapple. Do your research to know the difference.
Brindle Piebald- This color is commonly seen on a red doxie. The base color (red) will have stripes of black in the color with the piebald pattern also showing.
Brindle- a brindle has stripes all over. They are more commonly seen with red.
Sable- Probably the most misunderstood of all patterns. Refers to black hairs mixing with other colors (usually red). Therefore, if you have a red doxie with any black hairs on it, you have a sable. A sable refers to a red with a black overlay . More easily seen in long haired doxies. If you part the hair you can see red down at the skin level, and as they grow longer, they turn darker and darker. This pattern can not truly be labeled until the pup reaches about 6 months of age. Many pups labeled sable lose there black overlay and become simply red with no pattern.
Colors
These colors can come in many different patters as well as the colors. Black and tan, Black and cream, Blue and cream, Fawn(Isabella) and cream, Blue and tan, Chocolate and cream, Chocolate and tan, cream, Fawn(Isabella) and tan, Red, solid black, solid chocolate, solid fawn
Coats
Long hair- Long haired dachshunds were bred with german spaniels to create the long, flowing hair. Their fur is soft and silky, and grows longest on their neck, chest, ears, and legs. The longest fur grows on their tails and fans out like a flag. To maintain the long coat in top condition, groom regularly and trim as required. The long haired dachshunds can come in any color including patterns.
Smooth- This coat is short, dense, shiny and feels soft like velvet, they are easy to take care for, with minimum shedding. Smooth dachshunds need little grooming. Keep baths to a minimum as dry skin often occurs. In colder weather you may need to dress your dachshund in warm clothing ( dog coat or sweater).
Wired- The wire haired dachshund has a double coat consisting of a soft short under coat with a course fur top coat. The under coat needs to be stripped three times a year to remove dead hair to allow regrowth. You may find it easier to have this grooming done by a professional. Eye brown and beard will need trimmed monthly. Wired haired dogs are also low shedders.
Potty Training your doxie
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If you want a dog who...
Comes in a variety of smallish sizes, coats, and colors
Is comical and entertaining
Is loyal to his family
Needs only moderate exercise
Makes a keen watchdog
Is good with other family pets, especially other Dachshunds
Usually lives a long life
A Dachshund may be right
for you.
If you don't want to deal with...
Stubbornness
Scrappiness toward strange dogs, especially larger dogs
Chasing and hunting instincts (chipmunks, birds, etc.)
Notorious housebreaking difficulties
Potential for excessive barking
Potential for digging holes
Excessive suspiciousness toward strangers when not socialized properly or made to behave
Worries about the serious spinal problems that afflict 1 out of every 4 Dachshunds and can result in paralysis
A Dachshund may not be right for you
See Some Examples of colors/coats/patterns. Not our dogs