The Dapple Dachshund is a unique type of Dachshund that’s distinguished by its colorful, spotted, dapple-style fur coat.
Dapple Dachshunds are perhaps better known as spotted sausage dogs because, like all dogs in the Dachshund family, the dappled variety are longer than they are tall. These short-legged, long-bodied dogs were bred to be hunters (but don’t worry, they aren’t the fierce type!), and while they take a lot of training and grooming, the Dapple Dachshund is a wonderfully loving, quirky, and energetic family dog to have in the home.
In this article, we’ll explain what sets the Dapple Dachshund apart from other Dachshunds before running through our top 9 fascinating Dapple Dachshund facts!
What is the Dapple Dachshund?
The Dapple Dachshund isn’t a specific breed, but rather, it’s a type of Dachshund dog that has a specific pattern on its fur coat. Dapple Dachshunds are just like regular Dachshunds – they have short legs and long bodies, and they rightly deserve the nickname of ‘sausage dog’!
Dapple Dachshunds can also be either long-haired, wire-haired, or smooth-haired dogs (these are the three major classifications of Dachshund). Dapple Dachshunds are unique, though, because they have dappled coats.
This means that they have visible spots or round patches on their coats that are a different color from the rest of the coat. It’s an unusual pattern, and it occurs when one dappled Dachshund is bred with another un-dappled Dachshund (or when two Dapple Dachshunds produce a Double Dapple Dachshund, but we’ll explain later why this is dangerous).
Dapple Dachshund overview
Let’s take a quick look at the physical attributes and temperament that you can expect to see in a Dapple Dachshund before we get to the fun facts.
Height and weight
Dapple Dachshunds can be either standard size or miniature size. Standard Dapple Dachshunds are at least 9 inches in height and can weigh between 15 and 32 pounds.
The miniature Dapple Dachshund is much smaller and will weigh just 11 pounds and be 6 inches in height.
Temperament
Dapple Dachshunds, like all Dachshunds, are friendly, curious, and affectionate. They need a lot of attention, and a lot of Dapple Dachshund training is called for from a young age. It’s not a breed that’s recommended for first-time owners.
Grooming
Dapple Dachshunds need a lot of grooming to keep their fur coats in good shape. The Long Haired Dapple Dachshund needs the most grooming, as they have the longest coats. Regular Dapple Dachshund grooming, brushing, and trimming are a must.
Health issues
Dachshund back problems are the most common health issue that this breed is going to face – it’s a direct result of their long body shape and short legs.
Double Dapple Dachshunds – Double Dapple Dachshund puppies result from two Dapple Dachshunds breeding – commonly have a wide range of potentially dangerous genetic conditions that primarily affect their eyes and ears.
Top 9 Dapple Dachshund Facts
This is a unique type of Dachshund, so let’s take a look at the nine top facts you should know about the spotted sausage dog!
1. Dachshunds were bred as hunting dogs
Dachshunds are some of the cutest dogs known to humankind, so it’s difficult to visualize these tiny pups as hunters! But it’s true; Dachshunds were initially bred in Germany to be hunters!
Their short legs ensure that Dachshunds are always close to the ground, which makes sniffing out small animals like rabbits and badgers much easier.
Your Dapple Dachshund is likely to spend a lot of time digging around the garden, a throwback to their hunting past!
2. Dapple Dachshunds come in many colors
Dapple Dachshunds are some of the most colorful dogs out there, and not just because of their unique dapple pattern. Dachshund colors are various, and you’ll find everything from a brindle Dachshund to a fawn Dachshund.
Cream, red, brown, white, black, and tan, and all sorts of mixtures and combinations are all common to see.
3. Do Dachshunds shed?
In simple terms, yes. However, the amount of shedding is usually moderate, but this does depend on the coat. There three different types of coat: smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired.
