Common Dachshund Colours
The Dachshund comes in many different shapes, sizes, coat types, and colours, which is why many dog lovers are such big fans of the sausage dog. They’re lovable, cute and sassy little sausage dogs that can make a brilliant addition to nearly any home, but what are the common colours of Dachshunds?
Dachshunds come in various colours, most of which are recognised as the standard by the Australian National Kennel Council and the American Kennel Club. A Dachshund’s coat colours are primarily categorised into four types:
- One-coloured
- Multi-coloured
- Colour pattern Dapple (Merle)
- Colour Pattern Brindle
What Colours Do Dachshunds Come In?
The Dachshund comes in an array of different colours, most of which are recognised by the Australian National Council and the American Kennel Club. Below we will list and reveal some of the more notable Dachshund colours.
Dachshund Colours
Dachshunds come in various colours, including:
- Cream
- Chocolate and cream
- Chocolate and tan
- Black and cream
- Black and tan
- Blue and cream
- Blue and tan
- Fawn and cream
- Fawn and tan
- Red
- Wild boar
- Wheaten
Now that we know most of the colour options, let’s take a closer look at some of the more common Dachshund colours:
Chocolate and Tan Dachshunds
The chocolate and tan Dachshund is one of the most sought-after coat colours. This coat colour consists of a plain chocolate colour across nearly the entirety of the body, with tan markings appearing on the eyebrows, paws, chest, and muzzle.
This coat colour is a nice change from the more common black and tan Dachshund colour and gives the Dachshund a very sophisticated but cute look, as their little tan eyebrows almost look like another pair of eyes.
Black and Tan Dachshunds
If you have ever seen the Dachshund breed in the media or in popularity, you will likely have seen a black and tan Dachshund, as it is one of the most common colours, and some would even say the signature coat colour of the breed.
Like the chocolate and tan Dachshund, the black and tan Dachshund coat is nearly entirely black, with tan markings once again on the eyebrows, paws, chest, and muzzle.
Double Dapple Dachshunds
Double-dapple Dachshunds are extremely rare, and for good reason. The double dapple pattern occurs when two dapple Dachshunds are bred together, but the resulting puppies can often be born deaf, blind, or both.
Breeding two dapple Dachshunds together is, therefore, often forbidden due to it being considered inhumane to bring dogs into the world that will likely have multiple health issues. There are still, however, some examples of the double dapple Dachshund around that are healthy, but it’s unlikely you’ll get one from a reputable breeder.
Brindle Dachshunds
The Brindle Dachshund coat colour is more of a coat pattern than a coat colour. This is one of the Dachshund coat patterns that the American Kennel Club does not recognise, but it is still a firm favourite among many enthusiasts of the Dachshund breed.
Brindle is often described as looking like the stripes of a tiger, as it is often a vague red shad with black stripes. Some black and tan Dachshunds can have a brindle pattern as well.
Cream Dachshunds
Cream dachshunds are a mid-golden brown with slight reddish hues all around the body. These adorable have two different bloodlines, one being American and the other being an authentic British lineage. The difference between these two is easily distinguishable by their coat length. While American creams come in both long- and short-haired dachshunds, the English cream dachshund only comes in a long-haired form. Usually, the English pups come with pedigree papers.
Sable Pattern Dachshunds
A sable dachshund is considered to be part of the multi-coloured category and has a distinctive look. Its deep red coat colour features black-tipped hairs and is fairly rare as it only occurs in long-haired dachshunds.
What Colours Does the Australian National Kennel Council Recognise in Dachshunds?
The Australian National Kennel Council has rather stringent guidelines relating to Dachshund coats. In accordance with the ANKC, Dachshund colours appear in four categories:
One-coloured Dachshund:
The only colour accepted by the ANKC in this category is a red dachshund.
Multi-coloured Dachshund:
As far as multi-coloured dachshunds go, the ANKC recognises the following colours deep black and tan, brown and tan, wild boar and brown wild boar.
Colour pattern Dapple (Merle) Dachshund:
A Dapple Dachshund recognised by the ANKC should always have a dark base colour (black, brown or red) with dark, irregular grey or beige spots.
Colour pattern Brindle Dachshund:
In order for a Brindle Dachshund to be recognised by the ANK, the dog will need to have red with dark brindle.
Other colours not mentioned in the above categories, such as the likes of the brindle, piebald dachshunds and the chocolate and cream Dachshund, do not meet the standard of the Australian National Kennel Council. Other colours, including the blue and tan Dachshund, as well as the highly desirable (and rare by some enthusiasts) Isabella coat colour, are also not recognised.
What Colour Dachshund Should I Choose?
There are a host of great Dachshund coat colours to choose from, and most prospective owners should be able to find one that they like. However, many Dachshund purists would likely suggest the black and tan coat colour, as a smooth-haired Dachshund with a black and tan coat colour is almost the breed’s signature look.
If you want something a little different, Longhaired Dachshunds with the dapple coat pattern can look adorable, as it tends to highlight their long and luscious coat and tiny features.
Prospective owners should steer clear of double dapple, blue and Isabella Dachshunds, as these coat colours and patterns have a risk of colour dilution, alopecia, skin cancer, or could end up being born blind or deaf.
Dachshund Puppy Coat vs. Adult Coat
Dachshund puppies will have a puppy coat for around their first 12 weeks of life, at which point they will begin to shed it off. Dachshund puppy fur is much softer and doesn’t tend to matt as easily; however, it does not protect from the elements nearly as effectively.
Final Thoughts on Dachshund Colours
The Dachshund breed comes in a huge variety of different colours and patterns, so you will be sure to find one you like. While, of course, the colour and coat type does play a role in which dog you’ll choose, future owners should be wary of coat colours that are prone to genetic diseases.
