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Have you heard of the Red Dapple Dachshund? If not, then you’re in for a treat! These are a special type of Dachshund that’s different from standard Dachshunds.
If you’re considering the adoption of a Red Apple Dachshund, there are some things you’ll want to know about this dog breed. We’ve put together information that can help you learn more about the breed and whether they’re the right dog for your family. Let’s get started!
What is a Red Dapple Dachshund?
The Red Dapple Dachshund is a member of the Dachshund dog breed that has a different pattern to his coat. This is the main difference between a regular Dachshund or a Red Dapple Doxie. These dogs have the same mutation as merle-colored Shepherds. While they have a red color and a dappled coat pattern, these dogs are purebred Doxies all the way!
These dogs have the same personality as a standard Dachshund. They’re full of energy and have a zest for life. They’re also highly intelligent and courageous dogs. The dogs were originally bred to hunt badgers and other animals. So, you know they have stamina, determination, and courage!
Red Dapple Dachshunds usually stand between 8 to 9 inches (standard) or 5 to 6 inches (miniature) and weigh between 16 to 32 lbs (for the standard), while the miniature usually weighs about 11 lbs less. They have a life expectancy between 12 to 15 years.
Red Dapple Dachshund Appearance
Dachshunds have long bodies that are close to the ground. These dogs come in two varieties, including the standard and miniature. Red apple Dachshunds are considered small dogs and are famous for their large, floppy ears. The dogs also have soulful, brown eyes. And they have the typical slightly upturned Doxie tail.
While it’s true that most of these dogs have brown eyes, some may have light blue eyes. But this is only the case if they have a dappled pattern on their faces.
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Ask a Vet Live NowRed Dapple Doxie Coat & Fur
Red Dapple Dachshunds have three different fur types: short fur, wire fur, and long fur. Most people prefer short-haired coats as they are smooth and easy to take care of.
These beautiful dogs also have three different colors in their fur. A Red Dapple Doxie may be black and tan, chocolate and tan, or red. The Red Dapple Dachshund is the rarest of all.
The dapple coat is caused by a merle pattern that causes the coat to have lighter areas on a dark coat. The dogs may also have spots that vary from dog to dog. Some dogs may have only one spot, while others have three or more.
What Makes a Dachshund a Dapple?
That’s a great question! The dappled effect of the Doxie’s coat is caused by the merle gene. Dachshunds that inherit only one copy of this gene will be dapple.
Doxies are considered dapple when they have a dapple or spotted patches of dilute colors against a foundation coat color. And it only takes one spot of diluted color to determine if the Dachshund is dappled. And to be a Red Dapple Dachshund, the dog must have red-colored fur.
What’s more, the dappled pattern is different for each dog. Some have only slight dappling, while others have more.
Then there are two kinds of dapple Dachshunds: single dapple and double dapple Dachshunds. The main difference between these two dapple variations is that the single dapple dogs are usually healthier than the double dapple Doxies.
If both parents carry the gene that causes the double-dappled coat, the resulting puppies may be born blind, with malformed eyes, or even missing eyes. The puppies may also be deaf, have misshapen and/or missing ears.
Personality & Temperament
The Red Dapple Doxie is a highly intelligent dog that’s very friendly. While they were originally bred as hunting dogs, they have become known as great guard dogs!
Red Dapples are very loyal to their families; however, they can also have an independent, stubborn mindset. This means the dogs can be challenging to train. So, these are not the best dogs for inexperienced pet parents. Instead, the Red Apple Doxie does best with a pet parent who understands the breed and how to work with these dogs.
Red Dapple Doxie Health Issues
Red Dapple Dachshunds are usually healthy dogs; however, they can develop the following the health issues:
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
- Progressive retinal apathy (PRA)
- Epilepsy
- Bloat
- Cushing’s Disease
- Caine Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
- Deafness
Food Requirements for Red Dapple Dachshunds
As with other types of Doxies, the Red Dapple also has a tendency to become obese. Their short legs and long spine don’t deal well with excess weight. When a Red Dapple Doxie becomes overweight, he’s more prone to ruptured discs, hip pain, and more.
Red Dapple Doxies require high-quality dog food that keeps calories and carbs low. You may also want to ask the vet if glucosamine and fish oil would help your fur baby’s joints. These supplements can help slow down joint deterioration.
Exercise Requirements
Red Dapple Doxies have a ton of energy and love being active! They require a moderate amount of exercise every day to stay healthy and avoid gaining weight. It’s a good idea to aim for 50 minutes of exercise daily, divided between a morning and evening walk.
However, these dogs are not built for extreme exercise or running. They can easily injure their backs and joints. So, make sure your fur baby has exercise that’s fit for his stage of life and age.
Training a Red Dapple Dachshund
Red Dapple Doxies are usually independent and stubborn, which means they can be challenging to train. They like to be the dominant ones in the house! For this reason, the dogs do best with a pet parent who understands how to manage and train this feisty little dogs.
Red Dapple Dachshunds respond best to positive reinforcement training methods. So, have plenty of praise and a few treats ready when your dog does great!
Summing It Up
So, there you go! The Red Dapple Dachshund is a wonderful small dog that has a red, dappled coat. These are rare Doxies! Just like other Dachshunds, they’re intelligent, loving, feisty companions who love to have fun!
If you choose to adopt a Red Dapple Doxie, we’re pretty sure you’ll have a loving, fun companion for years to come!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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