Different Colors & Sizes of Dachshunds

Dachshunds originated in Germany during the 1600s. Enthusiastic hunters, the dog exhibits a long, low body. Its physic enabled it to dig and enter a badger's hole. Once within the confines of the badger's den, the fearless dachshund would fight the animal to the death. Today the dog has become a valued house companion. The American Kennel Club recognizes two body sizes: standard and miniature. The dog's coat appears either smooth, wire haired or long haired.

  1. Body Size

    • A wirehaired dachshund.

      The characteristic long body of the dachshund has earned it the affectionate moniker of wiener dog. The standard dachshund weighs from 16 to 32 lbs. The much smaller miniature dachshund weighs less than 11 lbs. when fully grown. Both sizes should display well muscled bodies with remarkably little excess skin. The hind paws of the dachshund should appear slightly smaller than the front paws. All four of the dog's feet should point forward and walk with a fluidity when the dog's small body is in motion.

    Wirehaired

    • The wirehaired dachshund has a coarse outer coat and a soft inner coat. The dog's beard and eyebrows should stand out in stark contrast against the other fur on the dog's face. The wirehaired coat color, known as wild boar, shows banding of red, brown and black on individual hairs. Dachshunds with wild-boar colors have tan eyebrows and beards. The dog can also appear in shades of red boar and chocolate-and-tan boar. Red boar and chocolate- and-tan boar dogs should always have black rimmed eyes, nails and nose. Dachshunds who have the coat color chocolate-and-tan boar can have dark skin-colored eye rims, nails and noses.

    Smooth Coated

    • A smooth-coated dappled dachshund.

      Smooth-coated dachshunds can appear in one solid shade or two colors. Solid-colored dachshund should be cream or red. The two-colored dachshund can come in shades of wild boar, black, fawn or chocolate with tan or cream shaded eyebrows, jawline, front chest wall and ears. Smooth-coated dachshunds can also have dappled or brindle coloration patterns. Dappled-colored dachshunds have a splotchy colored appearance that consists of two shades. Dachshunds may also appear sable. Sable hairs have a reddish base with each individual hair tipped in black. The nose, eyes and nails of a sable dachshund appear dark or black.

    Longhaired, Piebald and Double Dappled

    • The longhaired dachshund has a silky coat.

      The American Kennel Club states that the longhaired dachshund can appear in the same shades and colors as the smooth coated dachshund. The piebald-colored dachshund has not been recognized by the AKC but is often available in the pet trade. Mostly white, the piebald dachshund often has two or more fur colors. Double-dappled dachshund has a great deal of white fur and small spots of another color. The white dominates the dog's appearance. Double-dappled dachshunds are not recognized by the AKC.