Dachshunds are one of the most diverse breeds in terms of appearance. Around the world, they are recognized in a wide range of colors and coat patterns. While these features do not affect the breed’s personality or devotion as companions, they are an interesting part of the dachshund’s long history.
Some dachshunds come in a single, solid color with no additional markings:
Red – The most common shade, ranging from light golden to deep chestnut.
Cream – A pale, soft shade, especially common in longhairs.
Black – True solid black is rare.
Chocolate (Brown) – Ranges from light milk chocolate to dark espresso.
Wild Boar – A grizzled mixture of black, brown, and tan, especially common in wirehaired coats.
Bi-colored dachshunds have a dark base color with lighter markings:
Glossy black with tan points on the face, chest, and legs.
Brown base with tan points.
A diluted slate-gray with tan points.
A dilute of chocolate with a silvery beige appearance and tan points.
Some coats display subtle shading or cream tones:
Red with darker hairs mixed in, usually along the back.
Dark coats with cream points.
Cream with darker hairs giving a shaded effect.
The dapple pattern is created by lighter areas mixed into a darker coat:
Black and Tan Dapple
Chocolate and Tan Dapple
Blue and Tan Dapple
Red or Cream Dapple
A double dapple results when two dapples are bred together, producing additional white markings. This pattern requires caution due to associated health risks.
A very pale cream shade, often seen in European longhairs.
Lighter versions of black and chocolate, recognized in many countries.
A rare combination seen in some wirehairs.
Research has shown that breeding two dapples together (producing double dapple) can increase the risk of vision and hearing defects due to how pigment genes interact. Single dapples generally do not carry these risks, but double dapples are strongly discouraged by kennel clubs and veterinary studies.
Piebalds with large amounts of white (especially around the head and ears) have been reported in some studies to occasionally carry a higher risk of partial deafness. This is a similar genetic mechanism to what is seen in other white-marked breeds, though not every piebald dachshund is affected.
Studies in Europe and the U.S. have documented that dilute-coated dogs can be prone to a condition known as Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA). This can lead to thinning hair or skin issues over time, though not all dilute dachshunds are affected.
