Thinking of adopting a dachshund, but don’t know anything about the different colors that we are bred to have? Worry not! I can help.
Dachshunds are available in different colors and coat types. Our color and coat are both controlled by our genes. Our base coloration is single-colored, tan pointed, or wild boar (only found in wirehaired dogs). It is common to spot us in red, cream, black and tan, chocolate and tan, blue and tan, chocolate and cream, and wild boar-colored hair. The dominant genes in dachshunds are red and black and tan, whereas chocolate and tan and cream are recessive.
The Different Coat Types Are:
Smooth
Smooth-haired dachshunds have a small and dense coat that needs light grooming in order to be kept clean.
Longhaired
Long-haired dachshunds have a smooth and silky coat. We also have short featherings on our legs and feet.
Wirehaired
Wirehaired dachshunds have a hard and short outer coat and a softer undercoat. They also have excessive hair growth over the beard and eyebrow area.
Our grooming needs vary with our coat types. Smooth-coated dachshunds can easily be wiped with a wet towel to keep them clean. Long-haired dachshunds need to be brushed on a more frequent basis to remove dust and dirt particles from our coat. Wirehaired dachshunds need to be brushed once or twice a week and they need a beard and eyebrow trimming when necessary.
Patterns
We also have different patterns, namely: brindle, dapple, double dapple, sable, and piebald.
Brindle
Brindles have darker strips of hair over their base color, patterned like that of zebras. One of the parents must have the brindle pattern in order to produce a dappled dachshund pup.
Dapple
Lighter color patches are present in dapples. If there are dapple patches on the face, then you can either detect blue speckles in the eye or completely blue eyes.
Even when we have a tiny area covered with patches, we are still dapples. If a dog was born a dapple, one of his parents must have the dapple pattern as well.
Double Dapple
When two dapples are bred, they give birth to a double dappled pup. These puppies have white areas on them, along with dappled patches. Double dapples can have blue eyes and white tail tips, and largely white areas on the belly, feet, and sides. Two dapples often produce deaf and disabled pups, making it imperative that only experienced breeders try to breed them.
Sable
Sables have a uniform dark overlay on them. To determine if a dog is a sable, you must compare the base hair with the tip. If the tip color is darker, then it could be a sable. The face and feet are usually the same color. When breeding, one dog must be a sable in order for the pup to be sable.
Piebald
Piebalds come with a white spotting pattern. They have dark-colored eyes. Both parents must be piebald in order to give birth to a piebald pup.
Red Dachshunds
Red dachshunds like me are often confused with being brown. It is an illusion caused by the many variations of the color red that we are available in. From dark red, overlaid with black to light red, the shades vary. The red ranges from copper to deep rust color. Red dapples have patches of lighter red on them, making them look smooth-haired once they become mature, and the patches become hard to spot.
Dominant Gene
Red is a dominant color in dachshunds. If we have even one copy of a red gene, then we are going to be red-colored. The only exception is when we have two genes of cream as the cream overpowers the red in us.
Red Dilutes
Red dachshunds have a black nose and nails. However, if our nose and nails are liver-colored, then we might be red dilutes. A red dilute refers to a dog who might not have a red parent dachshund.
Cream Dachshunds
When younger, cream dachshunds might seem grey or black-colored. But gradually, the color lightens, and they become cream. Cream dogs do not have a light nose or light eyes. They also may not have a red tint to them.
Recessive Gene
Cream is a recessive gene, unlike red, which is a dominant one. For a cream-colored dachshund to be born, both parents have to transfer one cream gene to the offspring. If we have only one cream gene, then it will not be a dominant color on our body.
Black & Tan Dachshunds
Dogs that appear completely black are black and tan except that the markings are hidden.
Dominant Gene
Black and tan is a dominant gene in dachshunds. A black and tan dapple dachshund is often called a silver dachshund by many. However, it is a misjudgment of our color. We are not silver-colored; we have an area of silver-colored patches.
Black & Tan Dilutes
When a dog has two dilute genes, then the base color back and tan/cream changes into blue and tan/cream.
Chocolate & Tan
Chocolate and tan dogs have beautiful hazel eyes and a brown nose and nails. Chocolate and tan dapples have areas of yellow-colored hair on them and look amazing. Chocolate and tan brindles have tan-colored brindle stripes.
Recessive Gene
Chocolate and tan is a recessive dog gene. Hence, it must be carried by both parents in order to be inherited by the puppy.
Chocolate & Tan Dilutes
Chocolate and tan/cream changes to Isabella (fawn) and tan/cream.
Dilute Dachshunds
Wirehaired dilute dachshunds are prone to suffering from Colour Dilution Alopecia, which leads to thin hair that falls out quickly. It also makes us vulnerable to various skin infections, dermatitis, and skin cancer.
Double Dapple
Double dapple dogs are often born with a total or partial ear or eye disability. It is best not to get a double dachshund as they might not be the healthiest of dogs. When people stop buying a double dachshund out of a fascination for their blue eyes, breeders will finally stop breeding them.
Red and cream dapples often do not have patches on their skin. If they mate with a dapple by mistake, then they will produce a disabled double dapple. It is essential to get a dachshund examined for the merle gene before mating them with another dapple.
Conclusion
Studies show that the color of the English Cocker Spaniel reflects a dog’s personality. It is believed by many breeders that wirehaired dachshunds are the outgoing ones of the three coat types and that long-haired dachshunds are docile. However, there has been no such study conducted on the relationship between a dachshund’s color, coat, pattern, and temperament. All of us are independent and determined dogs. Our color determines how we look and how healthy we truly are. It is possible to predict the color of dachshund puppies born out of mating two dachshunds by studying their DNA and analyzing their pedigree.
See Also My Other Related Posts:
See Also My Other Related Posts:
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To go out with your dachshund, but not choke him to death check out my article about harnesses: Finding The Best Harness for Dachshund When you are ready to get one check the options available on the market Choosing The Right Harness For Your Dachshund.
