Lets start off with the correct pronunciation of the breed.

Many people get this wrong.

Dachshund is pronounced "Doxhoond"

 

The Dachshund, meaning "badger dog" in German, is a lively breed with a friendly personality and keen sense of smell. Known for their long and low bodies, they are eager hunters that excel in both above- and below-ground work. One of the most popular breeds according to AKC® Registration Statistics.

 

Dachshunds were first bred in the early 1600s in Germany. The goal was to create a fearless, elongated dog that could dig the earth from a badger burrow and fight to the death with the vicious badgers.

​

The breed became popular in the U.S. during the early 1900’s, but fell out of favor during World War I. After the war, a few U.S. breeders slowly rebuilt the gene pool by importing German stock, and the breed began to increase in 

popularity again.

 

Right Breed for You?

Dachshunds are lovable, playful companions, and an ideal pet for many homes, including those with children with appropriate supervision. They require moderate exercise, and can adapt to most living environments. Depending on 

their coat type, Dachshunds may need regular grooming.  They can be stubborn.

 

Dachshunds need lots of socialization when they are puppies into early adulthood.   There is not such thing as too much socialization.  Start as young as you can with grooming, bathing, and trimming of the feet.  Play with their mouth, this will make it much easier to brush and check their teeth as they age.  Play with and handle their feet, this will make a 

tremendous difference in how your dachshund reacts to getting their nails trimmed in the future.

 

Reputable Breeder

A reputable breeder will be willing to answer any and all questions.  They will allow you to see the parents, if owned by them.   They should stand behind what they are selling and offer a health guarantee contract. Reputable breeders will require spay/neuter contracts on any and all pets 

they sell and offer limited AKC registration papers.

​

A good breeder never cross breeds patterns!!!   This is only done on purpose for the purpose of selling "unique" or "rare" colors to make money and not for the health or improvement of the breed.  In many cases this results in health issues.   Example: Brindle to dapple, dapple to piebald.  

​

 

Dachshund Size & Coats

Dachshunds are available in  2 sizes: Standard & Mini.

Standards are 15 lbs and up at 12 mos.  

Miniatures are 11 lbs and under at 12 mos.

 

There are 3 coat varieties Smooth, Long & Wire.

 

Each variety has different grooming requirements and 

have their own unique temperaments.

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​Smooth coats are the easiest to groom, simple wash and go but are the most susceptible to getting alopecia (hair loss).  They also are the most tenacious and temperamental of the 3 varieties.   They require more socialization at a young age.   They can become very protective of their owner

​

Long coats require some brushing and trimming of the feet hair for pet and for show require some what of an artistic eye to trim and scissor the hair to accentuate the positive traits.  The longs are the most laid back and happy go lucky temperaments.  They are the best of the 3 varieties for young children.

​

Wire coats can be the most time consuming as they need to be hand stripped either with your hand or with the use of a strupping knife.   Pets can be clipped but to get the correct texture of the coat they should be stripped and this needs to be done on a regular basis.  The wires are considered the clowns of the breed.   They are not as laid back as the long hairs but not quite as tenacious as the smooths.  Although to do seem to be always on the go and alert or just plain old busy.

​

​

Dachshund Colors

Now lets talk Color  First off let me start by saying there is NO RARE color.  Any color/pattern can be obtained simply by breeding dogs together that carry or have the desired traits.   Although there are many color/pattern combinations, many that are labeled rare are simply undesired by breed clubs, AKC and most reputable breeders. The Dachshund breed are available in  numerous color and pattern variations. Lets start with the most common.  If you would like to see examples of certain colors I would be happy to provide them.

​

Red - This can be any shade from a light strawberry blonde to a dark chestnut color.

​

Cream - Is exactly what it sounds like a solid cream colored body.  This color can range in shades slightly but nothing as 

dramatic as the reds.   Some creams are so light they are almost an off white color and others a rich creamy shade.  

Creams also vary at birth, some start out cream and get darker whiles others start out very dark and get lighter.   

When looking for a cream be sure it is a cream.

​

Black & Tan - Is exactly what it sounds like.  A black body with tan points on the feet, muzzle, underside of ears, eyebrows, and butterfly patter on the chest.

​

Black & Cream - Same as black and tan only the tan points are cream colored.

​

Chocolate & Tan - Is just like a black and tan only instead of black you have chocolate.   Many people confuse chocolate for red.  Chocolate should be a dark  rich brown color with tan points.   The negative thing with chocolate is they sun burn, meaning that if they are allowed to lay in the sun too much their fur will start to change colors and fade and become rusty looking and feeling.

​

Chocolate & Cream - Same as chocolate and tan except the tan points are cream colored.
 

Blue & Tan - Is a diluted black and tan, instead of black you have a blueish color similar to that of a Wiemeriner.   This color is very susceptible to alopecia and rarely ever seen in the show ring but in no way is a "rare" color.  

​

Blue & Cream - Same as blue and tan only tan points are cream.

​

Isabella (Fawn) and Tan - Is a diluted chocolate & tan.  Many people describe it as a lilac color. This color is also very rarely ever seen in a show ring but in no way is it a "rare" color.

​

Isabella (Fawn) and Cream - Same as Isabella (fawn) and tan only tan points are cream.

​

Wild Boar - This is a color you see mostly in wire hairs but can also be seen in smooths.  This is a dark tipped with a lighter colored undercoat that cannot be seen unless you are looking at the undercoat.

​

​

​

Dachshund Patterns

Any color/pattern can be obtained simply by breeding dogs together that carry or have the desired traits.   Although there are many color/pattern combinations, many that are labeled rare are simply undesired by breed clubs, AKC and most reputable breeders. The Dachshund breed are available in  numerous color and pattern variations. f you would like to see examples of certain colors I would be happy to provide them.

​

Dapple (Merle) - Can be compared to that of the Merle collie or the Australian shepherd.  Any of the above listed colors can come in the dapple pattern. It is expressed as lighter-colored areas contrasting with the darker base color,   The correctly patterned dapple should be evenly colored with no one shade dominating.   In the and tan colors the tan points remain a solid tan color.  Dapples are the only pattern that may have wahl eye which is partial or whole colored blue eyes.  Either one or both eyes.   This is an unwanted trait among show exhibitors but in no way a disqualification.

​

Double Dapple - This color is a color of much discussion among breeders and clubs.  It is simply the single dapple with large patches of white throughout the body.  It can only be achieved by breeding two dapples together.  Not all the puppies will necesarliy be double dapples.  It is a very striking, beautiful color but does come with genetic issues of possible blindness and deafness.   If you are going to get one of these patterned puppies, remember they are not allowed in the AKC confirmation ring anymore and be sure to go to a breeder that knows what they are doing.  Double Dapple may also have the wahl eye.  Nose and nails preferably solid black although sometimes the dappling runs into the nose causing a spotted nose.

​

Piebald - This pattern has been the discussion of much controversy in the last few years.   Basically this is a solid white dog with or without tan points that has patches of a solid color.  Do not confuse this with a double dapple.  The patches on the double dapple will not be solid colored, where as the piebald will be solid colored patches.   Some piebald also may have ticking of color (freckling).    Ticking is undesirable among show exhibitors.   As of right now the Piebald can still be shown in AKC  confirmation events but the judges have been given the choice to excuse from the ring do to pattern.  There are still many judges that will choose a piebald but If you choose to show a piebald be prepared to be excused often.  Nose & nails preferably black although it is common for them to be lacking color.

​

Brindle - Is tiger striped.   The most common color is red.  Red and Creams show the stripes throughout the body. The and tan colors only show brindle stripes in the tan points.  Nose & nail preferably black.
 

Sable - This is a pattern that is often mislabeled.  A true sable should look black and tan from a distance.

​