Alice White
Regardless of the type of wool, coat colors are prescribed in the standard for all types of dachshunds, but there are also unusual colors that, although not recognized by the standard, still have a place to be.
Many do not even imagine that dachshunds are not only red and black with tan, but also spotted, striped, gray, white. The colors and shades are so varied that it is easy to get confused in them.
Dachshund Colors
It should be noted that dogs of this breed are one-color, two-color, marble, and brindle. Not all monochromatic colors are recognized as a standard.
Red Coat Color
Red coat color, while all shades of red are recognized – from fawn (sand) to rich red, which is quite rare. Black hair is allowed, which is usually present on the back (a strip along the spine), the tips of the ears, or on the whole body. It is considered to be a red color with black hair all over the body as a deer. However, pure red (dark shades) is a fiery red color, without black hair is more appreciated. The nose and nails are black, brown, but the second option is not desirable.
Two-tone Dachshunds
Two-tone dachshunds are distinguished by black or brown hair with small cream, yellowish-brown tan marks on the inner surface of the ears, above the eyes, on the lateral parts of the muzzle, lower jaw (chin), front of the chest, limbs, legs, lower part of the tail (under the tail ). A strong spread of markings is undesirable. There may be small patches of white hair in the chest, throat area.
Black and Tan Coat Color
Black and tan is the classic color of dachshunds, such dogs are quite common. The main color is black, the shades and the degree of distribution of the markings are different – from cream to brown. There are markings above the eyes, on the lower and lateral parts of the muzzle, chest, front and hind legs, and under the tail. The nose and claws are black.
The Brown-tan or Coffee Color of Dachshunds
The brown-tan or coffee color of dachshunds is notable for the fact that the main color of the coat is brown (coffee) of various shades, tan marks of a light shade of brown. Dogs with tan markings of a contrasting shade are more appreciated when they are clearly distinguishable. Small white markings are acceptable. Nose, claws brown or black.
Regardless of whether one-color solid color or two-color color, there may be white areas on the front of the chest, paws. Marks are not considered a defect if they are small (no more than 2 cm) and are single.
The Boar Coat Color
The boar color is recognized as a standard only in wire-haired dachshunds, but in Russia smooth-haired dachshunds with a boar, color can participate in exhibitions and apply for awards. Any shades are acceptable – from light to dark.
Dachshunds of Marbled Color
Dachshunds of marbled color are not so common but interesting for unusual patterns of various colors. The main color is dark, usually black, reddish, gray. On the whole body of the body there are chaotically located, gray, beige specks of small size and irregular shape. The distribution of the main and color and spots throughout the body is uniform, that is, no color should prevail and there should not be a dominance of one color in front or behind. The nose and claws are black, brown, regardless of the main color of the coat. In some dachshunds with a marbled coat, the main color of which is red, the pattern becomes less distinguishable with age, especially in dogs with a weak contrast of the main color and spots. In other dogs, over time, the main (dark) color predominates, the spots become smaller. In dachshunds with such hair, large white spots are allowed on the chest, ears, upper part of the head, paws. Dogs are distinguished by blue eyes, some have varying degrees of heterochromia.
Brindle-colored Dachshunds
Brindle-colored dachshunds are rare, but arouse interest and attract attention. The main color is most often red, but it is also fawn with dark, almost black stripes. In dachshunds with brown (chocolate) hair, the stripes almost merge with the main color. The nose and claws are black, brown.
Non-standard Dachshund Colors
Double Marble Coat Color
Double marble is not recognized by the standard – no less interesting and elegant color. Such dachshunds have large white spots or white predominates, and other spots of different sizes and shades of dark (gray, black, brown) seem to overlap each other, their number may be different. There are dogs, the body of which is abundantly covered with spots that drown out the main color, but sometimes, on the contrary, only a few small spots on the entire body. Possible white, red markings on the face, chest, paws, tail. Statistically, most double marble dachshunds are born with blue eyes or varying degrees of heterochromia. Dogs of this color are at risk of being born deaf or blind in both or one ear and eye.
White-spotted Dachshunds
White-spotted dachshunds are distinguished by the fact that the main color of the coat is white, but there are large, clearly pronounced spots of dark color – black, chocolate, red. There may be red (light and dark shades) markings above the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle. The nose and nails are black.
Sable Coat Color
The sable color is very rare and is often confused with red. Most often, sable coat color is found in long-haired dachshunds. The hair is not uniform in color, lighter at the root, and red towards the tip. Black hair can be on the ears, muzzle, chest (closer to the neck), back (along the spine), on the sides of the body. The sable color can only be accurately determined in puppies over 6 months of age. The nails and nose are black.
Chocolate with Tan Coat Color
Chocolate with a tan – the main color is chocolate (looks appetizing), and the tan is a little lighter (sand, cream, red) on the main coat. There are markings above the eyes, on the muzzle, chest, paws, and under the tail. The extent of the spread of the markings is different. The eyes are blue, gray, brown. The nose and nails are brown. In fact, this color is brown and tan, but some distinguish it as a separate type.
Isabel or Beige-brown Coat Color
Isabel (beige-brown) color with spots of a darker shade or without spots, but with brown markings above the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, limbs, paws, under the tail, and/or with white areas on the chest, paws. The eyes are gray, the nose and nails are brown, sometimes with a gray tint.
Tan or Cream Coat Color
Tan or cream color with lighter areas on the chest, eyebrows, paws. There are dogs whose main coat color is cream, but there is black hair on the ears, back, all over the body. The nose and claws are brown, black.
Dachshunds with Black Hair Without Marks and Spots
There are dachshunds with black hair without marks and spots. Eyes, nose, claws are black. But in most cases, such dachshunds include not only pure black but also dogs with dark tan marks that merge with the main color.
White Dachshunds
There are absolutely white dachshunds, but very rarely. The nose and nails are black.
Gray-tan Coat Color
Gray-tan is characterized by the fact that the main color of the wool is gray with a bluish tint, there are tan, beige, cream, light brown. Marks are present above the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, chest, front and hind legs. The eyes are gray, the nose and nails are gray.
Grey Coat Color
There are dachshunds with grey and grey spotted coat colors. The nose and claws are gray.
There are many colors of dachshunds, and many will probably say that it is completely unfair to single out and officially recognize a few of them. After all, dachshunds of a non-standard color are no less beautiful, cute, and smart. However, for their owners, such dogs are always unique.
