If you're considering bringing home a wiener dog with spots, you'll want to know the basics first. These adorable dogs have a short, compact body and a short, smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors and patterns.
One of the most distinctive features of a wiener dog with spots is its unique coat pattern, which can range from small, rounded spots to larger, more irregular markings. The color of the spots can also vary, from black, white, and red to tan, brown, and blue.
Wiener dogs are relatively small in size, typically weighing between 8 and 18 pounds and standing between 6 and 10 inches tall at the shoulder. They're a great choice for city dwellers or those with limited space.
Recommended read: Pitbull Dog White with Brown Spots
Coat Colors and Patterns
Dachshunds can be solid-colored or bi-colored, with 12 main coat colors recognized. There are no more than two colors on a Dachshund outside of these main hues.
Patterns can make Dachshunds appear to be three or more colors, but they still have just one main self-color. Five distinct Dachshund patterns exist, and each can appear over any color variation.
Dapple Dachshunds have patches of a lighter color that seem to be randomly thrown in with their main self-color. This can give the dog a very mottled look, especially when mixed over certain base colors.
The 12 Colors
Dachshunds can either be solid-colored or bi-colored, which is a two-tone combination color.
There are 12 main Dachshund coat colors.
Some of these colors include chocolate, black, blue, and fawn.
These colors can be combined in different ways to create bi-colored Dachshunds.
Dachshunds with a solid color coat can be any of these 12 main colors.
These colors are the base coat, and any patterns that appear on top are not actually part of the dog's color.
The 5 Patterns
There are five distinct Dachshund patterns that can make them appear three or even more colors.
Dapple is one of these patterns, which gives Dachshunds a mottled look with patches of a lighter color over their main self-color.
Any color of Dachshund can be a dapple if it inherits the right gene, and one of the most popular dapples is the Red Dapple.
The merle and dapple gene are the same, but in Dachshunds, it's called dapple.
Dapple Dachshunds can come in over 30 different colors, including chocolate and tan, black and tan, blue and cream, and wild boar and red.
The pattern can give a Dachshund a very unique look when paired with their self-color.
Piebald is another pattern that can cause a Dachshund to appear multi-hued.
Brindle is a pattern that can give a Dachshund a striped appearance.
The pattern is overlaid on the main color, but each Dachshund still has just one main self-color or solid color.
The five distinct Dachshund patterns are dapple, piebald, brindle, and two others that aren't mentioned in the provided article sections.
You might like: Dachshund vs Wiener Dog
Breed Characteristics
Wiener dogs with spots are a delightful breed, and understanding their characteristics can help you decide if they're the right fit for you.
Their short stature, typically weighing between 8-18 pounds, makes them a great choice for apartment dwellers or families with small living spaces.
Wiener dogs are known for their playful and affectionate nature, often forming strong bonds with their owners.
Their short coats require minimal grooming, but regular nail trimming and ear cleaning are essential to prevent health issues.
Their short legs may make them look clumsy, but wiener dogs are surprisingly agile and can keep up with active families.
Full Grown Size
A standard full-grown Dapple Dachshund can be 8 to 9 inches tall and weigh between 16 to 32 pounds.
Miniature Dapple Dachshunds are significantly smaller, reaching a height of 5 to 6 inches and weighing 11 pounds or less.
The growth chart shows that a standard Dapple Dachshund reaches its adult size and weight around eight months of age.
Here's a breakdown of a standard Dapple Dachshund's growth chart:
Temperament and Personality
Dachshunds are known for their bold and confident personalities, which can sometimes be misinterpreted as stubbornness. They have a strong prey drive and are naturally suspicious of strangers, making them great watchdogs.
Their independent nature means they can be a bit protective of their family, but with early socialization, they can learn to be more trusting of new people. However, they'll always be wary of those they don't know.
One thing you can count on with a Dachshund is their love of barking - they have a loud and booming bark that's perfect for alerting you to potential threats. And with their history of hunting badgers, it's no surprise they love to dig and chase small prey.
Here's a quick rundown of their temperament and personality traits:
Fun Breed Facts
Dapples are the only type of Dachshund that can have blue eyes, all others only have brown eyes. This unique feature is related to the dapple gene, which also gives them spots on their coat.
See what others are reading: Watery Eyes in Chihuahuas
The dapple pattern can be seen in puppies and then disappear when they're adults. Red Dapples can have spots as puppies and not as adults, making it essential for breeders to carefully examine their Red Dachshunds for any spotting and take note of it.
A Dapple Dachshund does not need a body full of spots. It could just have one spot and it would count as Dapple. Some have very few spots scattered around their fur, while others could be littered with spots.
Black and Tan Dachshunds are often misidentified as Silver Dachshunds. However, they are actually just Black and Tans with the dilution of their black fur creating the 'silver' spotting or streaks.
The rarest coat type of Dachshund is the pure-black, which needs to inherit two copies of the black gene since it is recessive.
See what others are reading: Which of the following Organs Does a Dog Not Have?
Dapple Puppy
Dapple Dachshund puppies look like adorable little plush toys with their oversized heads and paws. They are just like full grown adults, but in miniature size and cuter.
The spotting of Dapple puppies is not always obvious at birth, but it will become clearer as they age, usually by month six. This is a normal part of their development.
Dapple Dachshund puppies have very fragile backs, so special care must be taken when bringing one home. Always be present during playtime to keep a close eye on your puppy.
Falls for dapple Dachshunds can especially hurt their long backs and cause intervertebral disc damage. Discourage your puppy from jumping too much.
You should also ask about how the breeder selects, breeds, and raises their dapple puppies. A reputable breeder will be transparent about their process and provide genetic proof of the parents.
To find a reputable breeder, ask for genetic testing of the parents to ensure they are not passing on two dapple genes to their puppies. Double dapple puppies are at a high risk of developing eye and ear abnormalities.
Here are some essential questions to ask a breeder:
- How do you select, breed, and raise your dapple puppies?
- What genetic testing have you done on the parents?
- Can you provide proof of the parents' genetic testing?
- What is the pedigree of the puppy?
- What is the history of the parents?
- Can you provide a health certificate for the puppy?
- Do you have kennel club papers?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a spotted Dachshund called?
A spotted Dachshund is called a dapple dachshund, characterized by a unique coat pattern with a single spot or multiple spots. This distinctive pattern is not a separate breed, but rather a variation of the standard dachshund.
What are spotty sausage dogs called?
Dapple dachshunds are a well-known colour variety of the breed, recognized in the first pedigree books of the German Dachshund Club since 1888. They are often referred to as spotty sausage dogs due to their distinctive coat pattern.
What is a white weenie dog with black spots?
A white weenie dog with black spots is a Piebald Dachshund, characterized by its unique coat pattern of dark patches on a white background. Learn more about this adorable and rare breed!
Are piebald dachshunds healthy?
While piebald dachshunds may carry a lower risk of health issues compared to Double Dapple, there is still a potential link between excessive white coat color and congenital deafness. Further research and consultation with a veterinarian can provide more insight into the health of piebald dachshunds.
Featured Images: pexels.com