If you’re reading this, we’re guessing you’re a dachshund lover—maybe even a dachshund expert. You could probably recite your dachshund's height and weight without blinking, and maybe even describe their exact hair texture, coat pattern—spots, stripes, and all!—and eye color from memory. But although you may be an expert on your dachshund, chances are you haven’t seen every single “look” the breed can sport. That’s because, when you do the math on all the different sizes, coat types, and color patterns out there, it adds up to over 500 unique versions of the dachshund! Let’s break it all down. (If you want a visual aid, we're proud of all of the different versions you'll find in our coffee table book.)
Size
According to the American Kennel Club, the dachshund belongs to the hound group, and can be organized into one of two types by size: standard dachshund or miniature dachshund. Standard dachshunds measure between 8 and 9 inches tall, and typically weigh between 16 and 32 pounds, whereas miniature dachshunds top out at 6 inches tall and weigh just 11 pounds (or less!).
What do you call a dachshund that weighs between 12 and 16lbs? Although it's not an official classification, it can happen—think, a large mini or a small standard—and the dachshund community has adorably termed them “tweenies.”
There’s another, more official “bonus” category of dachshund, too: the kaninchen, or “rabbit” dachshund, an even smaller type of miniature dachshund. (“Kaninchen” is German for “rabbit”—this name likely came from the fact that these tiny dachshunds were originally bred to hunt rabbits.)
You probably won’t hear about the kaninchen dachshund in the United States or the United Kingdom, however. Although the World Canine Federation (the “Fédération Cynologique Internationale”) recognizes the kaninchen dachshund as its own type, neither the American Kennel Club nor any UK kennel clubs do: rather, any dachshund under 6 inches tall and 11lbs is considered “miniature” in the two countries. Per the World Canine Federation, however, any dachshund that weighs less than 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs) and has a chest measurement of 30 centimeters around (11.8 inches) or less is classified as a kaninchen.
Coat
Whether standard or miniature (or kaninchen!), dachshunds can also be categorized by coat type. There are three varieties: smooth, wirehaired, and longhaired. According to the AKC, smooth dachshunds have short, shining coats, wirehaired dachshunds have short, thick, rough outer coats with softer undercoats (plus distinctive beards and eyebrows!), and longhaired dachshunds have sleek, slightly wavy hair that’s longest at the tail (If you have a longhaired dachshund, we highly recommend this deshedding comb).
Color & Pattern
You probably already know that dachshunds can come in a range of colors, including tan, red, black, cream, and chocolate. The AKC also recognizes some more unique shades, like Isabella (a fawn or silver shade), blue (essentially a dilution of black and tan), and Wild Boar (a mixture of grey, brown, and black).
And did you know that your dachshund’s stylish coat pattern likely also fits into one of several categories? Recognized coat patterns include the aptly named “dappled,” “sable,” “brindled,” and “piebald” dachshunds. Dappled dachshunds are known for their adorable mottled, speckled coats. Sable dachshunds have coats with a red base and black overlay. Brindled dachshunds have dark stripes, while piebald dachshunds have a white base coat with patches of grey, black, or brown.
Eye Color
What about eye color? Most darker-colored dachshunds have darker-colored eyes (brown or black), but dachshunds with lighter-colored coats can also sport amber, green, or light brown eyes. Dappled dachshunds can even sometimes even have blue eyes! Another unique feature of the dappled pattern is that it will occasionally result in a dachshund with two different-colored eyes: typically blue and brown.
With so many shades, sizes, and coat types to choose from, there’s a literal rainbow of dachshunds out there waiting to be discovered. One thing’s for sure, though: no matter what your dachshund looks like, we’re betting they're completely adorable.
Products Referenced:
A Book for Dachshund People
Curious, quick-witted, loyal, daring — dachshunds have been stealing our hearts with their big personalities for hundreds of years. This eye-catching book features pages upon pages of portraits in celebration of that special bond, captured by three professional pet photographers at Witzig’s kickoff events in NYC, LA, and Houston. This is a must-have coffee table book for anyone that describes themselves as a “dachshund person.”
De-Shedding Comb for Longhaired Dachshunds
Though not big shedders overall, longhaired dachshunds’ glorious manes do still benefit from regular care. So keep your doxie comfy (and your home fur-free) with this clever comb, designed to make the process as pain-free as possible! The long and short teeth strip loose hairs and help to break up any mats in their dense undercoats, leaving your longhaired dachshund cool.
