Have you ever heard of Piebald Dachshund? Are you thinking of getting one? Maybe you’re unsure about all the different coat patterns that Dachshunds have? Are you wondering if piebald Dachshunds or piebald Doxies have any known issues throughout their lifetime? Want to learn all of this? Keep reading!
Let’s begin with the question What Is A Piebald Dachshund? A piebald Dachshund has a solid one-color or two-color base coat with big patches of the white pattern. It’s created by both parents having the recessive piebald gene. Dachshunds with large areas of white on their coat have a higher risk of developing some kind of health problem.
Before you get yourself one a piebald Dachshund into your home, there’s more you need to know about them! To get familiar with this breed, read on to find out what piebald Dachshunds look like, whether they have any health problems or issues, and the difference between dapples and piebalds.
Piebald Dachshunds
Piebald Dachshunds are Dachshunds with piebald markings. Some people think that piebald is a color, but it’s actually a coat pattern. So you should make a difference between these two.
If you didn’t know the piebald pattern a production by the recessive piebald gene. So, to produce a piebald puppy, both parents need to carry the recessive gene.
However, this doesn’t mean they need to have piebald markings though. Dachshunds with a solid color or dapple coats can still carry the gene.
We also have to say that Piebald dachshunds are considered by the American Kennel Club and other international regulators as purebred varieties.
Raising a Dachshund puppy
The little Dachshund is a cheeky and self-confident dog, and you should know that from the beginning. Consistent training is very important if you don’t want your Dachshund to manipulate you into doing what it wants!
Also, before you take them on the first walk without a leash, you should be able to control the dog’s strong hunting instinct. Otherwise, they will run off and you’ll be searching for them for hours.
It’s important to state that with power and violence you won’t get far with the stubborn Dachshund. The meaner you are, the less they’ll listen to you. You will get a better result when training them if you use rewards and positive reinforcement. That way you’re showing your dog that it’s worth obeying you because they will get something out of it.
Basically, it is best to show the puppy in a friendly but determined manner from the start what he is allowed to do and what is not.
What Does A Piebald Dachshund Look Like?
As we said at the beginning of this article, Piebald Dachshunds have a solid one-color or two-color base coat with big areas of white. The markings are often symmetrical on both sides of the Dachshund’s head and body. And just like any other Dachshund, they are short legged.
However, the exact pattern really depends on the individual Dachshund. On some, it can look more like the coat is white with big patches of the base color. For others, the white patches might cover the Dachshund’s chest and belly, while the rest of his coat is the base color (or colors).
These cute puppies have a white tip at the end of their tail, and white paws with white or partly white nails. He’ll have brown or dark eyes, not blue (only double dapples and dilutes have blue eyes).
You should know that most piebalds will have at least 80% of their coat covered with white fur. They can have white fur on their head as long as it’s less than 50% and doesn’t cover their ears or around their eyes.
But, on some piebald Dachshunds, the white patches are pure white. Others have small or large amounts of ticking (flecks of colour) throughout the white fur, giving it a more dappled look.
Can Piebald Dachshunds Have All White Bodies?
The fact is that a piebald Dachshund should never have an all-white body, even if he has spots on his head.
If you didn’t know you can get what is called an ‘extreme piebald’, where the Dachshund is entirely white apart from some colour on his head and tail. Meaning that this type of breeding is very cruel and not approved by Kennel Clubs.
Same as other pups, The piebald pattern can occur with any of the basic coat colors, including red, cream, black, and tan, black and cream, chocolate and tan, chocolate and cream, blue, or Isabella.
Keep in mind that dilute colours like blue and Isabella are cruel on the puppies and can lead to serious health issues and complications!
Do Piebald Dachshunds Have Health Issues?
As the other pups have health issues, it’s the same with this one. The piebald pattern itself does not link with any known health issues. But, dogs with large areas of white in their coat have a higher risk of health problems. Let’s take these two examples – congenital deafness and eyesight issues.
But, like all Dachshunds, piebalds are also at risk of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) and other back issues due to their long, low bodies.
The short legs of the dachshund can be fatal for the poor pup. They can lead to an early ossification of the legs and crooked limbs.
Due to their long back and the long spine in relation to the rest of the body, Dachshunds are also prone to a certain type of herniated disc, or the “dachshund paralysis”. If this happens the nerves in their spine can no longer control their hind legs. But, you can prevent this from happening.
You have to strengthen your dog’s back muscles through lots of exercise and healthy body weight. That’s the only way to protect your Dachshund from this breed-typical disease. Sadly, once the paralysis has set in, it cannot be reversed, but the symptoms can be relieved with medication, physiotherapy, or surgery.
In the end, this has nothing to do with the piebald gene and relates to the Dachshund breed in general.
What Is The Difference Between A Piebald And Dapple Dachshund?
It’s really important to be able to tell the difference between dapples and piebalds. We asked ourselves this question at the beginning of this article.
You should know that If two dapples are bred (including two dapple piebalds, or a dapple piebald and a dapple), this could produce a double dapple and the Dachshund may suffer badly with his health.
Using the language of genetics, the difference between a piebald Dachshund and a dapple is that the piebald markings are caused by a recessive gene. Whereas the dapple markings are caused by a dominant gene.
But, you should be aware that both parents must carry the piebald gene to produce a piebald puppy. Whereas only one parent needs to have the dapple gene to produce a dapple puppy.
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