The Red Daschund is a unique and striking breed that has captured the hearts of many dog enthusiasts.
They are a variation of the Standard Daschund, which originated in Germany in the 16th century.
This breed is known for its short stature, typically ranging from 16 to 32 pounds and standing between 8 and 11 inches tall.
The Red Daschund's short, smooth coat requires minimal grooming, making it a great choice for busy owners.
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General Information
Red Dachshunds are a popular breed, and for good reason - they're small, energetic, and loving companions. They typically weigh between 11 and 32 pounds.
Their lifespan is relatively long, ranging from 12 to 16 years, making them a long-term friend. With proper care, they can thrive in apartments or homes with small yards.
Red Dachshunds are a part of the hound breed group and come in a variety of coat lengths, including long, short, and wiry. They're also known for their high intelligence, which can sometimes make them a bit stubborn.
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History
The dachshund's history is a fascinating one. This breed of dog has been around for over 600 years, originating in Germany.
The dachshund's original purpose was to hunt, and they were quite skilled at it. Their long, slender bodies and clever, courageous personalities made them formidable opponents for badgers, foxes, and hares.
In fact, packs of larger dachshunds were even used to hunt wild boar. Their hunting days may be behind them, but they still have a strong prey drive.
The dachshund's transition from hunting dog to household pet began in the 1800s. This smaller version of the breed still had a large personality, and they quickly won over the hearts of people, including royalty like Queen Victoria.
The breed made its debut in America at the end of the 19th century and quickly became a favorite among households. However, their popularity declined during the world wars, as they were often seen as a direct representation of Germany.
Despite this decline, the dachshund's popularity resurged in the 1950s and they have remained a beloved breed ever since. Today, they are mostly kept as pets in the U.S., but they are still used for hunting in Europe.
Physical Characteristics
Red dachshunds are known for their short and stout form, bred to burrow into dens of prey. They stand much longer than they do tall.
Their short, shiny coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns, including solid red or cream. Dapple dachshunds, in particular, have evenly distributed light and dark colors.
The color of their eyes varies based on coat color and pattern. Solid- and bicolor-coated dachshunds typically have dark eyes.
Red dachshunds can also have a wiry texture to their coat, with a prominent beard and eyebrows. This is characteristic of wirehaired dachshunds.
Longhaired red dachshunds have sleek, shiny hair that's longer on the ears and under the neck, body, and behind the legs.
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Temperament
Red dachshunds are known for their bold and playful personalities, which can be a surprise to those who meet them. They were originally bred to hunt badgers, not exactly the most timid task.
Their loud, deep howl can be a warning sign to guests, but they're not suited for guard dog work. Dachshunds can be very vocal and highly predatory.
Despite their reputation as being stubborn and mischievous, red dachshunds can take to obedience training quite well with patience and consistency. They need a decent amount of social attention every day to stay happy and healthy.
Red dachshunds are natural diggers and burrowers, so be prepared for them to dig holes in the backyard or burrow into blankets in bed. They can be great with kids if taught properly, but it's essential to supervise interactions between children and dogs.
Living Needs
Red dachshunds are adaptable dogs that can thrive in nearly any home, but they do require some special considerations.
They're energetic, but also happy to spend their days lounging around the house as long as their owner is nearby.
Twice-daily walks of up to half a mile each should be sufficient to keep them happy and healthy.
However, their small size means they're not built for jumping, so owners need to be mindful of stairs and furniture.
In fact, too much jumping can seriously injure their hips and back, so it's best to provide ramps or steps to help them get around.
Dachshunds are also loud dogs, especially when left alone for too long, so be prepared for some barking.
They were bred to bark, after all, and their piercing yips can be quite loud.
If you're bringing a red dachshund into your home, make sure to fully fence in your yard to prevent them from digging and escaping.
And don't forget to keep an eye on them while they're outside, not just for their safety but also for the sake of your landscaping.
Housebreaking can be a challenge with dachshunds, as they're notoriously slow to learn and may take up to a year to understand the concept.
But with patience and consistency, they can learn to use a piddle pad indoors for those times when it's too cold or they're feeling lazy.
Despite their independent personalities, red dachshunds are great with children and make wonderful family pets.
Just remember to provide extra training and socialization to help them feel calm around strangers.
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Health
Red dachshunds are generally healthy with a lifespan of 12-16 years, but they can be prone to certain diseases if not properly cared for.
Their long bodies can lead to serious health issues if not fed and exercised correctly, so it's essential to stick to a strict diet and ensure regular exercise.
Dachshunds are also prone to obesity, which can cause serious back problems due to their long body.
Their floppy ears are also prone to infection, so regular ear evaluations with your vet are crucial.
Never allow your red dachshund to jump on or off furniture or in or out of cars, as this can lead to slipped discs in this breed.
Purchasing a red dachshund from a reputable breeder who introduces you to the dog's parents and siblings is vital to ensure you're getting a healthy pup.
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Health
Dachshunds can live up to 16 years with proper care, but they're prone to certain diseases if not fed and exercised correctly.
Their long body can lead to serious health issues if not properly managed.
A thorough cardiac, patella, and eye exam is recommended by the Dachshund Club of America to ensure the health of the breed.
Obesity is a common concern in dachshunds, which can lead to serious back problems.
Proper diet and daily exercise are essential to prevent obesity and back problems.
Never allow your dachshund to jump on or off furniture or in or out of cars, as this can cause slipped discs.
Their floppy ears are prone to infection, so regular ear evaluations with your vet are a must.
By being aware of these common concerns and taking preventative measures, you can help your dachshund live a long and healthy life.
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None
Red Dachshunds are actually a specific color, not a mix of red and another color. They can have a range of red hues, but if they appear brown, it's just a Red Dachshund with less red pigment.
Their distinctive black nose and nails are a key identifier of a true Red Dachshund. If they don't have these features, they might be a dilute Red or carry the chocolate gene.
Wild Boar
The Wild Boar coloration in Dachshunds is a unique variation that can be easily mistaken for a pattern. It's actually a color variation that only appears in wirehaired and occasionally smooth Dachshunds.
From a distance, a Wild Boar Dachshund may appear to be Black and Tan, but up close, you'll notice the banded hairs with shades of gray, brown, and black.
This coloration is often confused with a red Dachshund with black hairs on its neck and back, but that's not accurate.
Coat and Patterns
Red Dachshunds are a delight to behold, and their unique coat and patterns make them even more special. Red Dachshunds can have a variety of coat types, including smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired.
The smooth-coated Red Dachshund has very short hair that's close to the body, shining in the sunlight. Its hair doesn't need trimming since it doesn't grow out, but regular brushing is still necessary to remove dead skin and hair.
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The longhaired Red Dachshund, on the other hand, has gorgeous flowing locks that demand more attention when brushing and caring. The fur of the longhaired type tends to be finer and can be prone to matting if neglected.
There are also five distinct Dachshund patterns, and each one can appear over any color variation, allowing for as diverse of Dachshunds as you can imagine. The brindle pattern, for example, causes something similar to tiger stripes in dogs, and it can happen in conjunction with all coats and base colors.
Here are the three main types of Dachshund coats:
- Smooth-coated Dachshunds
- Longhaired Dachshunds
- Wirehaired Dachshunds
As for patterns, Red Dachshunds can have a variety of patterns, including brindle, sable, and more. The brindle pattern is a dominant trait, and only one of the parents needs to be brindle to make brindle pups.
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Coat Colors and Patterns
The Dachshund coat is truly a work of art. Patterns can get pretty fancy, with different colors, markings, and even more patterns on top of that.
Dachshunds with extra fur markings are usually called Overlay, Ticking, or Striped. These markings can make Dachshunds appear to be three or even more colors.
The most common Dachshund pattern coats include the following. However, it's worth noting that Dachshunds can carry the pattern gene and have pups with patterns, even if there's no visible pattern on their coat.
There are five distinct Dachshund patterns, and each one can appear over any color variation. This allows for as diverse of Dachshunds as you can imagine.
Patterns can make Dachshunds appear to be three or even more colors. You might have a Black and Cream Dapple, a Red Piebald, or a Cream Brindle.
Dachshunds have one main self-color, though it can be a combination of two colors, such as black and tan. Other Dachshunds have just a solid color, such as cream.
The brindle pattern causes something similar to tiger stripes in dogs. Brindle can happen in conjunction with all coats and base colors.
The sable pattern is only seen in longhaired Dachshunds. Every individual's hair is banded at the base near the skin, with red and black coloring at the tip.
The Coat Types
There are three main types of Dachshund coats: smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired.
The smooth-coated Dachshund has sleek and short fur that requires minimal grooming, but still needs regular care to prevent matting.
Longhaired Dachshunds have gorgeous flowing locks that demand more attention when brushing and caring, as their fur can be prone to matting if neglected.
Wirehaired Dachshunds have a coarse outer coat with a thick and dense undercoat, giving them a rugged appearance and requiring regular grooming for stripping or plucking the fur.
Here's a quick rundown of each coat type:
The smooth-coated Dachshund's short hair is close to the body and appears to shine in the sunlight, while the wirehaired Dachshund's coat is tough and requires a thick, rough brush for proper grooming.
Longhaired Dachshunds are prone to matting if their fur is neglected, so regular brushing is essential to prevent this.
The wirehaired Dachshund's coat is hardly shed at all, making it a low-maintenance option for some owners.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long do red dachshunds live?
Red Dachshunds typically live for 12-15 years, similar to their overall breed average. With proper care, they can enjoy a long and healthy life.
Are red sable dachshunds rare?
No, red sable dachshunds are not rare, but they are a unique and less common coat color compared to others
Sources
- breed club's standards (dachshundclubofamerica.org)
- rescue group (dachshundclubofamerica.org)
- breeder (dachshundclubofamerica.org)
- Dachshund Club of America (dachshundclubofamerica.org)
- American Kennel Club (akc.org)
- Dackelmuseum Kleine Residenz (dackelmuseum.de)
- Crusoe the Celebrity (celebritydachshund.com)
- Dachshund colors, coats and patterns (merrywinds.com)
- The 17 Fascinating Dachshund Colors And Patterns (breedatlas.net)
- Dachshund Dog Breed Information and Pictures (dogbreedinfo.com)
- A post shared by Briley & Baxter (@two_cuddly_dachshunds) (instagram.com)
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