Dapple Dachshund : size, color, price, etc.
Every dachshund you meet is a masterpiece, Each one is unique and beautiful in their own way. Some have solid colored faces while others have dotted faces and spotted bellies.
Despite their good looks, these puppies are brave protectors and will fearlessly watch over their families.
They are the most beautiful guard dogs around.
In this article, we will discuss the stubborn nature of these beautiful dogs and how to take good care of them so that they become kind and loving companions…
Table of Contents
What is a Dapple Dachshund ? (Overview)
The Dapple Dachshund is a purebred Dachshund with a very specific coat pattern.
Their coat has a dark base (beige, chocolate, black) with lighter spots all over the body.
These beautiful dogs were originally used as hunting companions. These days, they have happily settled into their new role as companions and like nothing more than to lie in their owner’s lap after running around the yard during the day.
They have a determined attitude and love to succeed.
While these little dogs are fairly easy to care for, training can be a bit of a nightmare.
Be prepared to pamper these pups with lots of love and attention and get used to them being the center of attention.
These spectacular dogs have magnetic personalities and you’ll want to sit and watch your adorable comedian all day.
Overview: Purebred.
Purpose: A companion.
Weight: 11 to 32 pounds.
Height: 8-9 inches.
Temperament: Feisty, courageous and affectionate.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
Affectionate and loving with family members. Good watchdog and very protective. Make good house dogs. Minimal grooming requirements.
Funny and will always make you laugh.
Disadvantages:
Stubborn and difficult to train. May bark excessively if not trained. Dappled pattern makes them more susceptible to medical problems.
Expensive.
Appearance
These dogs have a goofy appearance that is anything but intimidating!
Their long muscular bodies rest on short, stubby legs. They will have large brown or blue eyes that are endearing and gentle beyond belief.
You will also notice that they have long, floppy ears. These floppy ears help them pick up scents, but they flip over all the time and make them even more goofy.
A Dachshund Dapple will have funny little legs that twist outward and are paddle shaped to help them dig. These goofballs are both comical and beautiful at the same time.
Dapple Dachshund Size
Dapple dachshunds can come in two different sizes:
Standard: typically weigh between 11 and 32 pounds. Miniature: weighs only 8 to 11 pounds.
Both varieties are only 8 to 9 inches tall.
Colors
A common misconception is that the color of a dapple dachshund’s fur is spotted.
However Dapple is a pattern and not a color.
This pattern is characterized by a dark colored base and lighter colored patches on top.
The most common color patterns are black and tan, or chocolate and tan. Some of these beauties also have red in their coats, but this is very rare. Cream, blue and silver are also possible colors that these dogs may have in their beautiful coats.
Coat
These puppies can have one of three coat varieties: smooth, wire-haired, or long-haired.
Smooth haired puppies look silky and shiny with a very short coat.
Wire-haired dachshunds have a rough, medium-length coat and can sometimes stick out in all directions.
Long-haired dachshunds are certainly the most glamorous. These models have a long, puffy coat that blows gently in the breeze.
Regardless of how much fur they have, they usually don’t shed much. You will still find their fur around your home, but you won’t be overwhelmed by it.
5 fun facts about Dapple Dachshunds
**They only need one spot on their fur to be labeled as a Dapple. **These beautiful dogs are exactly the same as other dachshunds, except they have a different coat pattern. **Dachshunds with this beautiful coloring are considered rare because their unique pattern is the result of a genetic mutation. **Dappled dachshunds have many nicknames, including the Doxie (meaning Badger Dog) and the Weiner Dog.
**Dachshund means Badger Dog in German. These brave dogs were bred in German over 600 years ago with the mission of chasing badgers from their dens for hunters to capture.
Dachshund Personality and Temperament
Dachshunds have the same feisty personality as any other dachshund.
Despite their small size, these puppies are bold and brave and will never back down from a fight. They are more than willing to protect their family from any kind of stranger and make good watchdogs with their loud barking.
Looking at one of these little dogs, you would never guess that these puppies have such a strong protective instinct. They form extremely close bonds with their family members and are loyal for life.
These dogs are true lovers with the people they love and trust.
Dapple Dachshunds bring a lot of energy to their little bodies and have a very playful side. They love to go for walks, play in the yard and play with any toy you give them.
These goofy dogs will always make you laugh with their silly personalities.
Although these dogs are very affectionate with their family members, they can sometimes be a bit harsh and moody.
With strangers and other animals, they are not so nice.
It’s hard to imagine such a loud bark coming from such a small creature. Their barking can get a little out of hand, so you’ll need to work on that from a young age.
Is The Dachshund a Good Family Dog?
They can be good family dogs if properly socialized.
These dogs tend to be a bit irritable with young children, so be sure to watch out for that.
Taking Care of a Dachshund
Exercise Requirements
Although Dachshunds are small and compact, they have lots of energy.
These puppies love to run around the yard and play fetch with their favorite humans.
They will play any game you are willing to play (especially fetch).
When walking your puppy, it is very important that they are always on a leash. They have a strong prey drive, so if they see a rabbit or squirrel, they will take off in an instant. Their short legs can’t take them long distances, so they prefer 1-2 short walks a day to allow them to explore their world.
Keep in mind that in a fenced backyard, the fence should extend far into the ground as these little balls of energy can dig under fences.
Number of walks per day: 1-2.
Total exercise required per day: 60 minutes.
Grooming and Rejection
The amount of grooming they need will depend mainly on the type of coat they have.
If your dapple dachshund has a silky or toasty coat, their grooming routine will be fairly simple. They will need to be brushed 2 to 3 times a week but will not need much more than that.
The long coat will need a little more maintenance.
These glamour puppies will need to be brushed 4 times a week to avoid tangles and matting.
All three coat varieties of this breed shed moderately but not excessively.
They do not accumulate much dirt or debris in their fur, so bathing is not a major concern unless they start to smell.
Nail clipping and tooth brushing are also very important to your puppy’s health.
Food and Diet
This is a small breed of dog, so they don’t need much food.
These small puppies have a high likelihood of becoming obese, so it’s important to closely monitor their diet and weight.
Check with your veterinarian often to make sure they are maintaining a healthy weight and adjust the amount of food you feed them as needed.
They usually only need one cup of food per day spread over 2 meals.
When selecting a food, it is best to use a food formulated for small breeds of dogs that is low in fat and calories and contains a good amount of protein. It is important to choose a nutritious food that will not go directly to their hips.
Known health problems
Unfortunately, they can have more health complications than the average dachshund.
While their unique spots are undoubtedly beautiful, they can create many health problems for your pup.
The Dapple pattern can often lead to vision loss, hearing loss, missing eyes or skin cancer.
Double Dapple Dachshunds are at an even greater risk. It is extremely important that if you purchase one of these dogs from a breeder, you make sure that your puppy is not a Double Dapple Dachshund.
The small size of these dogs can also be problematic.
They can develop intervertebral disc disease during their lifetime. This is a condition caused by the dachshunds elongated body and can lead to pain and potentially paralysis in the future.
You should use handrails around the house that minimize jumping on sofas/ beds. This can help reduce the pressure on their delicate spines.
How Long Does a Dachshund Live?
These feisty dogs often live from 12 to 16 years.
How Much Does a Dachshund Cost?
Prices for these precious dogs can range from $400 to $1500.
These beautiful puppies are often much more expensive than the typical dachshund because breeders consider these dogs to be rare.
How to Train Dappled Dachshunds
Training a Dachshund is where owners run into the most problems.
It can be frustrating to train these stubborn puppies. You will need a lot of patience and forgiveness.
These puppies are independent thinkers and like to show off their extreme intelligence, especially when digging under your fence.
They need to know quickly that you are in charge.
Because these dogs like to do their own thing rather than be told what to do, it is important that you make training a game for them. They need to feel that they are having fun and that they have a choice in what they do.
Positive reinforcement is especially important when training these dogs because of their sensitivity. If you raise your voice at one of these puppies, they will become very angry with you and have no desire to do what you ask.
Be patient and remember to reward them with lots of treats and praise.
Dachshund Dapple are extremely intelligent and will quickly become destructive if not kept busy. Puzzle toys and sand pits (for them to dig in) are great ways to mentally stimulate your puppy and keep his big brain active.
Socialization is vital for these puppies as they are not naturally friendly with strangers and other animals. Their protective instincts make them wary of newcomers. You need to introduce them to a variety of people and animals at a young age so they realize that new people are not a threat to their beloved family.
Quick Summary Table of The Breeds
Characteristics of the breed
Height: 8-9 inches.
Weight: 11-32lb.
Life span: 12-16 years.
Coat: Smooth, wirehaired or longhaired.
Color: Black and tan, red and tan, or chocolate and tan.
Do they throw: Moderately.
Temperament: Feisty, confident, protective, loyal and affectionate.
Intelligence: Very intelligent.
Socialization: Needs to be socialized early to avoid becoming aggressive or territorial.
Destructive Behavior: Will dig or chew if bored or left alone for too long.
Social skills: Affectionate and loving with family but wary of strangers.
Good with children: Best with older children (10 years and older).
Activity Levels: Very active.
Summary
The dachshund has a strong personality and can be a challenge for first-time dog owners.
These stubborn puppies are difficult to train and can be a bit moody at times. Despite their sensitive nature with patient training, these beautiful dogs can become loyal and loving companions.
Other than some mental stimulation and moderate exercise, these puppies are low maintenance.
If you are willing to put in the time and effort, you will have a loving companion for many years to come that will enrich your life with many smiles and laughter.
