History
Dapple dachshund is a visually appealing variety of the traditional dachshund breed, known for its unique mottled coat pattern. The history of the dapple dachshund is closely linked to the development of the dachshund itself, with the dapple coat pattern emerging as a natural genetic variation over time.
Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals underground. Their unique body structure is not random; during hunting underground, they need a long body, short and strong legs to dig.
A dapple pattern in dachshunds comes from a specific gene called the merle gene, which creates areas of lighter color mixed with base coat color (such as black, brown, or red). As they evolved, dapples appeared naturally among breeders who were looking for more visually distinct dogs.
Group
Hound
Height
8 to 9 inches at the shoulder
Weight
Dapple dachshunds weigh between 11 and 32 pounds
Coat length and texture
Coat comes in various lengths, can be smooth or wiry in texture, and have both long and short hairs.
Coat color
They come with various types of color, such as black and tan, chocolate and tan, red, blue and tan, isabella and tan, and cream and wild boar.
Exercise need
Dachshunds are energetic dogs; they need regular exercise. Regular exercise has many benefits in dachshunds, like weight management and reducing aggression. Their exercise needs vary with their age. If a puppy is under 1 year, they need a exercise 5 minutes per month of age. For example, if your puppy is age of 3 months then you should provide them 15 minutes of exercise per day. Adult dachshunds need more exercise. Generally, one healthy adult dachshund needs 30 to 60 minutes of exercise, including leash walk, light running, per day.
Intelligence
Dapple dachshunds are clever, curious, and independent thinkers; their intelligence comes with a stubborn streak. Their intelligence and stubborn nature made them both entertaining and challenging to train. Dachshunds are intelligent because of their breeding purpose; they were bred to hunt badgers and burrowing animals. During hunting time, they need to plan their hunting technique; for that reason, they are very intelligent dogs with little stubbornness.
Temperament of a dapple dachshund
Loyal and affectionate
Dapple dachshund are known to their loyalty to their owner. Despite their stubborn nature, they are very loyal and committed to their owner or close person. Their loyal and affectionate behaviour make them a perfect companion instead of just a pet.
Curious
Their curious nature also comes from history, genetics and hunting instinct. They have a strong sense of smell, their curiosity often increased when they found a unique smell in their environment, whether its food, new people or other animal.
Playful and energetic
Dachshunds are high-energy and playful in nature; their playful nature also helps to make us laugh when we are off. They do a wired things to make you laugh, like snatch you or invite you to play.
Vocal and alert
They are very alert dogs, which makes them a perfect watchdog for your house. They are a hunting dog that evolved as a hunter having a strong sense of danger around their home. When they feel threatened by their owner or home, they show alertness.
Territorial
Dachshunds can be territorial by nature because of their hunting instinct. They may bark when someone stranger or another dog appears around their home to show their territorial nature.
Origin
Germany
Fun facts about the dapple dachshund
Their unique coat comes from a gene
Dapple dachshunds’ unique coat comes from merle genes, which lighten the random places on their coat, which is very beautiful and appealing.
Dapple can have blue or odd colored eyes
Some dapple dachshunds can be born with one or both blue eyes, which makes them stand out more.
Breeding a double dapple is risky
Breeding two dapples creates a double dapple, which can cause serious birth defects in puppies, including blindness, deafness, and eye deformities.
They were originally bred to hunt
Like all dachshunds, they were also bred to hunt badgers and other small burrowing animals. Their long body and brave personality made them perfect underground hunters.
Dapple is available in every coat type
Dapple dachshunds are available in three different types of coat: smooth-haired, long-haired, and wire-haired.
They have the same personality as other dachshunds
They are just different in coat color, not different in temperament and personality; they are the same as any other type of dachshund.
Health problems in dapple dachshunds
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
Because of their long back and short legs, they can have a back-related issue like idvv. We need to avoid high-intensity exercise to keep them away from these diseases.
Deafness (Congenital)
Dapple dachshunds are unique and beautiful, but their merle gene puts them at higher risk of deafness. Especially when bred with a double dachshund.
Vision problem
Their merle gene can also cause vision problems in dapple dachshunds. Especially when breeding with double dapple.
Eye Defects
They can have various types of eye defects because of their merle gene, which can make their eye blueish in color and even cause eye defects.
Obesity
Dachshunds are active dogs naturally; they need a high physical and mental stimulation to manage their weight. If we do not provide them enough exercise, they will get overweight which can strain their fragile back.
Dapple dachshund price
The price of a dapple dachshund can depend on the country, dog age, sex, and unique pattern. Generally, dapple dachshunds cost between 1500 $ 3500 $.
Grooming
Dapple dachshund comes in three different types of coat (smooth haired, long haired, and wire haired). Their grooming need can depend on their coat type. Smooth-haired dapple may need a little grooming, while long haired and wire haired dapple need more grooming because of their long and rough coat.
Diet and nutrition
They need different types of macro and micronutrients for proper growth and development. Protein, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for their overall health.
Training difficulty
Dachshunds are a little hard to train, but with consistency and sticking to the training plan, we can train them well.
