Information on Dachshund Skin & Hair

The dachshund is a breed of dog known for its short stature and distinct, elongated body, but the hair of the dachshund is also one of its most interesting attributes. Most of the listed coats, patterns and colors are those that are officially recognized by the American Kennel Club, so they meet an agreed-upon standard.

  1. Coat Types

    • There are three dachshund coat varieties. The smooth coat is made of short, shining hair. Long bristles appear on the dog's underside, and the tail tapers off to a point. The long-hair variety is rife with sleek and slightly wavy hair which is longer under the neck, on the forechest, the ears, the underside of the body, behind the legs and the tail, where it is longest. The wire hair dachshund is covered in a short, thick, rough outer coat with a soft, fine undercoat. Facial features include a beard and eyebrows, and the tail is thick and tapering.

    Light Colors

    • A red coat can refer to any variation from deep mahogany to a pale blond. Some red dachshunds, especially young puppies or the long-haired variety, have black shading in their coat. Cream dachshunds are a dilute form of red. They are usually born grayish black, and black hair may persist into adulthood. In wire hair dachshunds, this color is also known as wheaten.

    Dark Colors

    • Chocolate-colored dachshunds have dark eyes and can be tan, cream or solid. A dilute version of chocolate is Isabella, which has a silvery-fawn coat and grayish-green eyes. Black dachshunds have a shiny black coat and come in tan, cream or solid. Blue is a dilute version of black. All of these variations except black are recessive colors, so two recessive genes must be inherited from the parents.

    Patterns

    • There are five main patterns. Single dapper dachshunds are spotted with a lighter color. Double dapper dachshunds exhibit two different versions of spots. Piebald has large spots of color on a white background. Brindle is a pattern of dark stripes--resembling a zebra--scattered over the body. Sable consists of hair which at the root is the main color and at the tip are very dark, with face and feet the main color.

    Skin

    • Like all mammals, dachshunds have a pigmentation that is independent from the hair color. Pigments come in a single color all along the skin. Colors can vary. The skin may also develop a number of different ailments, including hypothyroid diseases and allergies.