LOOKS OF DACHSHUNDS
Dachshunds are known for their typical
elongated bodies, short legs, floppy ears,
long tails, long noses, and mischievous
expressions. This overall appearance
matches their obvious intellect and charm,
as well as their ability to manipulate their
owners into lavishing their love on them.
However, at the same time, their bright
eyes speak of trust and reliance on people
for affection and attention.
Only two official size varieties of Dachs-
hunds are recognized in America—
Standards and Miniatures. Other size
terms such as tweenie, dwarf, toy,
teacup or micro-mini Dachshund are
not officially recognized categories.
Those terms simply are used for
marketing (sale) purposes by cheap
breeders.
The Standards at the age of 12 months
have a height of 8-11 inches (20-27cm.)
and a weight over 11 pounds (4.9kg.).
The Miniatures at the age of 12 months
have a height up to 5-7 inches (13-18
cm.) and a weight of 11 pounds (4.9
kg.) or less. At Hoodpuppies we only
have Miniature Dachshunds varying
in weight from 6-10 lbs.
Dachshunds come in three coat
varieties. The original Dachshunds
had smooth coats. Later, Spaniels
were bred with smooth Dachshunds
to produce the longhaired Dachshund.
Even later, smoothhaired Dachshunds
were mixed with wirehaired Terriers
and Pinschers to produce the wire-
haired Dachshund. At Hoodpuppies
we only have smooth-haired Miniature
Dachshunds. We love how these coats
are of such low maintenance. No
sheddingJ.
There is a difference between Dachs-
hund coat colors and Dachshund coat
patterns. Examples of colors are: red,
black & tan, blue & tan, chocolate &
tan, fawn & tan (Isabella), wheaten,
wild boar, and cream. Examples of
patterns are: dapple, piebald, brindle,
and sable. Most patterns can occur
in all colors but may not be visible.
Patterns may not be mixed. Thus
dappled piebalds are not desirable.
(Such mixing of patterns would be
indicative of back yard breeding and
puppy mills.) Likewise, double dapples
no longer are desirable as this type of
breeding can result in a lethal gene, as
well as deafness and reduced eyesight.
The (healthy) single dapple gene is a
dilution gene. This means that the gene
lightens whatever the coat color other-
wise would have been. The lightening
is not spread evenly over the coat, but
rather leaves patches of undiluted color
scattered over the dog's body. Also, the
lightening seems to work primarily on
the dark pigment (i.e. black, chocolate,
etc.) in the coat; any tan on the face
stays even.
Piebald have a white body with
patches of one or two solid colors,
like chocolate & tan or black & tan
on white. The patches may range
from a few spots to covering over
50 percent of the dog’s body. In
addition, ticking may occur
throughout the white areas or the
dog may be solid white (extreme
piebald). Piebald is a safe way of
breeding a white dachshund color;
it is not lethal like the double dapple
gene—it is a completely different
sub breed. At Hoodpuppies we only
have solid piebalds! (Dapple piebalds
often have one or two blue eyes but a
solid piebald or brindle piebald will
never have blue eyes.) It is not
possible to have blue eyes on a
dachshund if the dog does not have
a dapple pattern.
At Hoodpuppies we do not birth
double dapples, dappled piebalds,
etc., nor do we knowingly sell to
puppy mills, back yard breeders, or
pet stores.
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