The Harlequin Dachshund or Merle is a variety of Dachshund that is characterized by having spots on its coat, usually shades of brown, reddish, gray, black and white.
The Harlequin Dachshund, also called Merle Dachshund, is a variety of Dachshund that is characterized by having spots on its coat. These spots can be of various colors, especially shades of brown, chocolate, black, gray and white.
We can find harlequins with hard hair, short hair or even long hair:
This variety of coat in the dachshund is hereditary, that is to say, one of the parents has to have the harlequin/merle gene for a harlequin dachshund to be born. If both parents are Harlequins, the result is what is known as a Double Harlequin, which generally has white spots and blue eyes, although it can have one or both dark eyes.
As for their behavior, what can we say, Dachshunds have been a favorite breed of many people for a long time, and the Harlequin Dachshund was not going to be less. In fact, history tells us that dachshunds have been the spoiled dogs of European royalty, for their peculiar appearance and pleasant companionship.
Are you interested in knowing more about this curious variety of Dachshund? Then read on and find out all the details and characteristics of the Harlequin or Merle Dachshund.
Table of Contents
1- Physical characteristics of the Harlequin Dachshund
The Harlequin Dachshund, also known as the Merle or Dapple Dachshund, has particular physical characteristics that give shape to its well-known and peculiar appearance. Its elongated and small body, small head, long ears and shaggy tail are some of the features of this breed.
It has a short stature, long body with strong muscles, short but strong legs, which give it dexterity and agility, especially for dog competitions where the dachshund is very popular.
However, what makes the harlequin dachshund special is its particular spotted coat. Below we will take a look at the sizes and variety of the harlequin dachshund’s coat:
Dachshunds in general present three types of sizes:
*** Standard: from over 35 cm, with an average weight of 9 kg.
*** Miniature: up to 35 cm, with an average weight of 4.5 to 6 kg.
*** Kaninchen: up to 30 cm, with an average weight of 3.5 to 4.5 kg.
They also have three types of hair:
*** Wirehaired: their coarse coat is mixed, with the undercoat of hair they have all over their body.
*** Short hair: their coat is very close to the body.
*** Long coat: its hair is straight and long, protruding on the ears, on the neck and on the back of the body.
2- Colors of the Harlequin Dachshund
The Harlequin Dachshund has a great variety of colors, regardless of their characteristics:
**Unicolor: these are dogs that have only one color in their coat: red, yellow, red – yellow and may or may not have a black mottling.
**Bicolor: these puppies are black, brown or chocolate colored, with red or yellow spots around the eyes. The spots are not very large.
**Spotted: it has a dark base color, it can be red, gray or black, but they are not dominant, they are mixed with irregular beige or gray spots.
3- Harlequin Dachshund Care
*The Merle Dachshund is not a dog that needs a lot of care or maintenance, but it is necessary to know some tips so that they can live peacefully for a long time:
*Must exercise regularly: Dachshunds have a tendency to put on weight and this can cause serious back problems in the future, so it is recommended that they have daily exercise routines to prevent them from becoming overweight.
*They should not go up or down stairs, because of their small spine, this activity can cause damage and injuries, which can be worse as the dog gets older. To avoid this, try to use a teckel dog ramp.
*You must hold him properly, place your arm under his body, holding his back, in this way, his back will not be damaged.
*It should not gain weight, because it has short limbs and dimensions, overweight can cause problems when walking, running and breathing. It should be given only the necessary amount of food.
*Its feeding is of vital importance. Give him feed with quality ingredients containing a mixture of meat and vegetables. It is important not to give him too much food and to control his weight. Ideally, he should have two meals a day, in the morning and in the evening.
*It is advisable to bathe him once a month. If he tends to stain a lot you will have to bathe him once every two or three weeks.
*Brush him frequently with a special brush for dogs or a rubber mitten. Use a conditioner after brushing and bathing.
*Trim his nails once a month or when you hear them make a noise when they touch the floor.
*Take him to the vet periodically, the Dachshund can have many health problems, he tends to have diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, acanthosis, hypothyroidism and epilepsy. Therefore, it is important to have veterinary consultations to rule out any inconvenience, so it will have a good health.
