Dachshunds come in different colors and different patterns.
Colors:
One Colored Dachshunds- Red & Cream **True creams are different than light reds. Some breeders will try and sell a light red as a cream for a lot more money so you have to be careful. Request pedigrees to determine which are true creams and which are just light reds.
Two Colored Dachshunds- Black & Tan, Chocolate & Tan Blue & Tan, Black & Cream, Isabella & Tan are the most common
Patterns:
There are five different patterns that dachshunds can have: dapple, double dapple, piebald, brindle and sable.
A dachshund showing two different patterns is cause for alarm!! Do not buy a puppy that has both piebald and dapple showing. This is the product of a puppy mill or backyard breeder. No reputable breeder combines patterns!
Dapple:
This is the single dapple pattern which is shown when a dog has lighter-colored areas contrasting with a darker base. Can have blue eyes.
Double Dapple:
This is when the dapple pattern occurs over the body in addition to varying amounts of white. Can have blue eyes
Piebald:
a white-spotting pattern superimposed over any self color; there is no variation in the color of the solid spots or patches as there is in dapple Dachshunds. True piebalds never have blue eyes, always have white tail tips, and never have shading within their body spots.
Brindle:
Not an extremely common pattern. A brindle dachshunds looks like a tiger and has stripes over the dogs coloring. On red dogs the stripes are black; on chocolate dogs the stripes are chocolate. One parent must be brindle to produce a brindle puppy
Sable:
This is an extremely uncommon pattern!! Many people say they have a sable but they don't. A red dachshund with black overlay is not sable!! A sable is so dark it should look like a black & tan from far away. The hairs on the dachshunds body are really two different colors. The self color occurs closest to the body and the tips of the hairs are the darker color. One of the puppies parents must be sable to get this pattern.
There is no such thing as a rare color or pattern. Breeders that advertise having dachshunds of "special" or "rare" colors are cause for concern. A breeder should not charge $1500 for a dog because it is the "rare red piebald." These breeders take advantage of buyers who haven't researched the breed and will gullibly buy a dog without checking the accuracy of the breeders statement. A puppy should never be sold at a higher price just because of its color or pattern. A puppies pedigree is extremely important in determining the puppies price. A piebald with an entire Champion pedigree should cost more than a piebald with no Champions in his/her line.
**Don't fall victim to the backyard breeders out there who:
-breed incorrectly
-mix patterns
-advertise "rare" or "special" colors & patterns
-sell a dog for over a thousand dollars because they say it is a rare color or pattern
Remember to look at the puppies pedigree because this is the most important thing when determining if a puppy is overpriced. There are very good breeders out there that sell good show quality dachshunds, no matter what their color or pattern, for a reasonable price of $600-$1000. However, sometimes it is necessary to pay more for an extremely well bred dachshund. Look at the breeding!! Don't pay $1200 for a dachshund of poor breeding.
I know I sound a bit snippy when it comes to this but I hate it when breeders take advantage of people!!
A good rule to go by is: If a dachshund puppy is under $400 or over $1500 look very carefully at the pedigree! Ask questions! Do some research on the breeder! Don't assume that a high priced dachshund puppy is going to be this awesome, well-bred, champion quality dachshund because back-yard breeders and puppy mills are out to make money and they will sell their dogs for very high prices!
Don't misunderstand me though, I am not saying that a breeder who sells there puppies for an extremely low or extremely high amount is bad- I am just saying to take a closer look!
Here are some pictures of the different colors and patterns:
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This is a red dachshund with black overlay. This is not a sable dachshund. When registered this dachshund should be listed as a red with no pattern. |
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This is also a red dachshund and should be registered with red no pattern. Heidi has no black overlay. |
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This is a chocolate & tan dapple dachshund. Note the one blue eye and the small white patch in the chest. Both of which are acceptable in the AKC standard. |
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This is a double dapple dachshund. You have to be very careful about who you buy a DD from. A good breeder can breed sound, healthy DD dachshunds. However, because DD have the potential to carry lethal genes causing blindness, deafness and even death, a backyard breeder may breed and sell unsound double dapple puppies. This is a DD from Pat Taylor at Brandachs. If you want an extremely well bred DD she is the person to talk to! |
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This is a piebald dachshund from Criscross dachshunds. Note the difference between double dapples and piebalds. These two patterns should never be on the same dog and no reputable breeder will breed these two patterns together. Piebald can have "spotting" or "ticking" on them. |
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This is a correct Blue & Tan Sable bred by Pat at Brandachs. She is not Black & Tan. It is hard to tell in the picture but this is a true sable. If you see a dog that looks red but is labeled a sable, it is probably not a sable. This is not a common pattern and is not seen very often today. |
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Black & Tan Dapple |
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Black & Tan No pattern |
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Chocolate & Tan No pattern |
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This is a correct English Cream from Garlin Kennels. Note the light cream color, black nose and dark eyes. |
