Dapple Dachshunds or Dachshunds remain as one of the most famous and iconic dog breeds in the world, and their unusual body shape is one to thank for it. A lot of people know what a Dachshund is, but do they know what are the things you need to learn if you have one? These cute pattern-covered pooches are not just for aesthetics.
If you’re someone who is planning to buy or adopt a Dapple Dachshund but doesn’t know where to start, then you’re in the right place! Walk yourself thoroughly on how to properly take care of Dapple Dachshunds by going through this guide, and maybe, you might find out things you didn’t know about these cute wiener dogs before.
What is a Dapple Dachshund
Dapple Dachshunds or Doxies are Dachshunds with coats covered in a dappling pattern. Dapple puppies are born from a mix of Dachshund and a Dapple Dachshund. Dachshunds are also known as the “wiener dog”, and they are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world because of their cute and unusual shape. They come in two sizes, miniature to standard-sized, and they have elongated bodies; hence they got the “wiener dog” nickname.
Before things got serious, did you know that the dog came first before the hotdog? To make it make sense, hotdogs are originally called Dachshund sausage because it resembles the dog’s body, and it was only shortened to hotdog sometime later.
Another interesting fact about the Dachshund breed is that it was the first mascot of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, and the Olympics back then designed their marathon route to a shape of a Dachshund. Maybe it’s one of the reasons why Dachshunds remain as one of the most iconic dogs in the world.
Appearance of Dapple Dachshund
There are two sizes for the Dapple Dachshund breed—the standard size and miniature. The standard-sized Doxies can weigh up to 35 pounds, whereas the miniature can only weigh up to 11 pounds and below. Dapple Dachshunds are famously known for their short legs, long narrow bodies, flap-down ears, and pointy snouts.
The dappling patterns of colour on a Dapple Dachshund’s coat are the reason behind their name. Dapple Dachshunds have all the colours of dog coats, which are chocolate and tan, chocolate, chocolate and cream, black, cream, red, black and cream, and many other colour combinations. Their coats also come in three different types, and these are wirehaired, longhaired, and smooth.
History of Dapple Dachshund
Dachshunds came from Germany, and they were originally hunting dogs. Since they were bred to hunt badgers, they got their name from it. Their short legs keep them closer to the ground to track scents, and their long bodies help them crawl into burrows which are an advantage for hunting.
Moreover, they became hunting dogs because their short legs help them dig deep into the ground and enter tunnels, and their flap-down ears help keep the debris away from their face when burrowing.
It is also known that a Dachshund’s origins go as far back as the 15th century, but their development started in the 17th century in Germany, and it’s how their breed developed into two sizes. According to what history says, the standard size hunt badgers and wild boars while the smaller size hunt hare and foxes.
Dachshunds were later brought to America when the breed got recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), and their popularity rose during the 1930s to 1940s.
Dapple Dachshund Lifespan
A Dapple Dachshund has an average life span of 12 to 14 years.
Dapple Dachshund Price
The price of a Dapple Dachshund puppy may range from $200 to $1000, and the cost-related factors are the quality of the puppy and its characteristics. If the parents of a Doxie puppy both have papers, then the price for the puppy may reach up to a premium. The price may also vary depending on the buyer’s location.
Dapple Dachshund Temperament
Pet owners know how big a personality small-sized dogs have, and Dapple Dachshund fits into this category. They are protective of their owners, and their loyal nature makes them even more lovable. Since this breed can get protective, to avoid feeling agitated and aggressive to other dogs and strangers, it’s important to get them into early socialization training.
Despite their small build, Dapple Dachshunds love to dig, hunt, and play chasing games. A warning though, even if Dachshunds are naturally playful, it’s advisable to have an adult nearby whenever they play with children, as these little guys have short patience. They tend to bite, when they get mishandled, regardless if it’s intentional or not.
Doxies are quick to react in protecting their owners once they sense an attack coming, so if you’re playing roughhousing with a friend make sure that your pooch isn’t around where it can see you. The different coat types of this breed also entail different behaviours.
Long-haired varieties are often quiet and have less-terrier-like personality, while wire-haired doxies tend to be bolder. Even when they have a stubborn personality, the miniature ones are highly likely to shy away from a stranger.
Dapple Dachshund Exercise
Dachshunds are naturally active, so it’s vital to get them to exercise to utilize all those excess energies. Taking them out on daily walks are enough to maintain their shape. You can also take them out to parks every weekend when you’re not busy, as this will help them get used to the presence of other people and pets.
To avoid obesity, regular exercise is a must for Dapple Dachshunds but keep in mind that they can easily get back injuries. If you want to play with them, make sure that the activity is not straining their backs. When you take them out, it’s better to use a harness instead of a collar to avoid putting pressure on their back and neck.
Dapple Dachshund Grooming
The grooming needs of a dachshund will depend on their coats. The long-haired ones need regular brushing, although this doesn’t mean you should have a professional groomer do it since you can do it yourself. Varieties with smooth coats have a higher shedding rate.
Forgiving baths, smaller breeds don’t need daily baths since they don’t often stay outdoors, and Dapple Dachshunds only need to be given a bath every three months. For their nails, regular trimmings are a must to prevent them from acquiring paw problems. To maintain oral health, you can brush a Dachshunds teeth at least three times a week.
Dapple Dachshund Training
Socialization training from an early age is important for any dog breeds otherwise, they may get timid or aggressive towards strangers and other pets. Despite their sizes, Dapple Dachshunds are quite hard to train because of their strong independent personalities, but it’s nothing sort of what a pet owner can’t handle. You’re going to need extra patience with these little guys, and the will to train them regularly and consistently.
Train your puppy to socialize. Dachshunds are naturally timid around strangers and other dogs, so getting them exposed to other dogs can help build up their personality. It’s also advisable to start their potty training while they’re still a puppy, or it will be difficult to train them where to poop or pee. Pick a location inside the house where your puppy can poop or pee, and place some potty pads on the area, then take them there regularly every time you notice that they’re about to do their business.
Compliments and rewards are vital parts of training dogs, so compliment your puppy every time it does a great job and give it some dog treats afterwards. In this way, they will know that if they follow what the owner says, they can get dog treats in return.
If you want to train the pooch with some fun tricks, research more about it but never forget to always compliment and reward your puppy for every good thing it does. Note also that consistency is the key, not just on the dog’s part but also on the owner’s part.
Dapple Dachshund Health Issues
The common conditions that a Dachshund has a risk of acquiring are obesity, blindness, and diabetes. The major health risk in a Dachshund’s life is intervertebral disk disease, which can cause problems to the spinal cord, and may even develop into a life-threatening condition.
Watch also what your Dapple Dachshund is eating. Make sure you know the list of foods that dogs are not allowed to eat to reduce their risks of getting extreme diseases.
Dapple Dachshunds are fun to have around because of their playful and loyal nature, and even with this idea in mind, you still have to know their limits to prevent reducing their quality of life due to negligence or ignorance.
This guide is here to help you learn the capabilities and limits of your pooch, to understand why they act the way they act, and to know how to keep them strong and healthy all the time. If you’ve fully understood what a Dapple Dachshund is and what their needs are, then you’re ready to get one for your own.
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