A double dapple dachshund has a unique appearance that differs from any other dachshund variety. The distinguished markings on its coat give the double dapple dachshund the “one of a kind” look. It does, undoubtfully, make the double dapple stand out from the rest of the dachshund family.
However, there is a controversy about the health afflictions that are common in this breed variety.
This article discusses in detail the physical appearance of the breed, as well as the genetics behind the double dapple coat pattern.
It also looks at the life expectancy and possible health problems associated with the double dapple dachshund breed.
What Is a Double Dapple Dachshund?
A double dapple dachshund is the offspring of two dapple dachshunds that have been mated together. Some people mistakenly believe the double dapple refers to the specific coat colour. In fact, it is a general name for a coat pattern that is caused by the merle gene.
The look of the double dapple markings is considered as one of the most attractive patterns in dachshunds. Therefore, the breeding of puppies with these markings still goes on. I am saying “still goes on” because the breeding of double dapple puppies is not acceptable by Kennel clubs almost anywhere in the world.
This objection comes from the fact that double dapple dachshund is prone to a range of hereditary health issues. If these dogs are mated in the future, these issues will be passed down the line with subsequent litters.
Furthermore, there is a problem with the so-called “hidden” double dapples. Some double dapples don’t present the obvious double dappling in their appearance. As a result, often some owners are unaware that their dachshund is, in fact, a double dapple. Therefore a litter of double dapple dachshund puppies may be produced unknowingly.
Genetics of dappling in dachshunds
The specific genes account for a dappling pattern in dogs. The dapple pattern is caused by the gene commonly known as merle. When two dachshunds are breed, they both add to each offspring’s gene pool.
The dapple (merle) gene is dominant over a non-dapple recessive gene. If both parents of a puppy are dappled, they both have a chance to give their dominant dapple gene to the offspring.
However, it is also possible for both parents to pass over their non-dapple genes, which results in a non-dapple puppy. You might be wondering,- how is it possible to pass over the recessive non-dapple gene instead of the dominant merle gene? The trick is that when the recessive gene from one parent meets up with the recessive gene from another parent, they win over the in the genetic pool.
In the situation when just one dachshund parent is a dapple, he may pass the dapple gene onto the offsprings, and some puppies in the liter will become single dapples.
Finally, when both dachshunds are dappled, they can both pass on the dapple gene to their offsprings. As a result, some puppies in a litter receive two copies of the dapple gene. On average, a quarter of the puppies in the litter will be double dapples.
The double dapple pattern can vary significantly in appearance, even between the puppies of the same litter.
The dapple pattern looks like a splash of colour over the base coat, which is easily recognizable. It can be more prominent or more diluted. Either way, it is usually easy to spot in a dachshund.
What Do Double Dapple Dachshunds Look Like?
Double dapple dachshunds will always have white markings, resembling a Collie type of coat. Most commonly, white colour will be present on their paws, nose and tail tip, or as a band around their neck.
Some double dapples will have blue eyes, but many will have either one or both dark eyes. If the white markings are present on the face, one or both eyes will be blue. This is because the same gene is responsible for the absence of pigment of the coat (white), and the lack of pigment of the eyes (blue).
The coat pattern type will vary significantly with the individual dog. However, it tends to take the shape of multi-colored patterning or spotting over the white patches. The double dapple pattern is more intricate than one of the single dapples, creating a kaleidoscope of colors. The double dappling will usually visually resemble two single dapple patterns overlapping on the dachshund coat.
Identifying a double dapple
Some double dapples are not easy to identify, even for breed experts. It gets even more confusing when few patterns are present at the same time, – you can have a dapple brindle piebald dachshund! It is important to remember that even one spot on a dachshund’s coat makes it a dapple.
Identifying a double dapple dachshund can also be a hard task when it comes to specific coat colors. The main concern is that cream, and red coloring can sometimes hide dappling. It means you may not be able to fully identify if your dachshund is a double dapple until red or cream color fades as they grow into an adolescent. Yet, once they do mature, it will soon become apparent.
As can be seen on the picture, red dachshund has a litter of dapple and double dapple puppies. In fact, the mother has a dapple gene, but the dappling pattern is usually hard to see on red and cream dachshunds.
You may also find double dapples that have a minimal dapple pattern, alongside some ambiguous dappling. It also gets more confusing if you discover that your dachshund has ticking, as some piebald dachshunds do. In rare cases, dachshunds can also have an auto-immune disorder such as vitiligo, which can be confused with a double dapple pattern.
You may, however, be able to instantly spot double dapple dachshund by one distinct feature, the specific look of the eyes. Sadly, quite a few of the double dapples will have problems with their eyes. Many of these issues are easy to spot.
Usually, these dogs will have malformed eyes, eyes pointing in different directions (wall eyes), or lack of skin pigment around the eye area. Likewise, one eye may look healthy, while the other will look defective. We will discuss double dachshunds eye issues in more detail further in the article.
Double Dapple Dachshund Life Expectancy
Double dapple dachshunds don’t necessarily have a shorter life span than the other dogs of dachshund family.
However, if they suffer from the genetic health problems mentioned above, it can significantly affect their lifespan. Although the complete or partial blindness or deafness isn’t itself life-threatening, it can potentially become a cause of the serious injury.
Double dapples that are generally healthy will have a life expectancy of around anything from 12 to 15 years. In rare cases, the double dapples, just as other dachshund varieties, can live as long as to 16-17 years.
The best way to help your dachshund live longer?
Watch our video to find out!
Double Dapple Dachshund Health Problems
For unclear reasons, the combination of two dapple genes in dachshunds can be lethal. Consequently, double dapple dachshund can suffer from a possible array of health problems.
You may well find that these health conditions are widely discussed among the breed specialists. This is because double dappling, as it’s often referred to, can lead to an increased risk of conformation issues, as well as various other health problems.
Conformation refers to the dachshund overall structure and appearance. In a double dapple breed, some conformations can cause missing eyes, malformed eyes or abnormally small eyes. Other conformation-relate problems comprise missing ears or deformed ears.
More significant health issues include complete blindness and deafness or partial blindness and deafness. There is also a higher risk of congenital eye defects.
It is important to say that not every double dapple dachshund will be afflicted with such problems. The rate of genetically related health issues in double dapples is 25%. Nevertheless, experts believe that the high rate of their occurrence suggest two dappled dachshunds should not be crossed with one another.
This is because the genes of such a combination are primarily responsible for so many of these afflictions. Therefore, great care can be and should be taken to avoid such health issues beforehand.
Apart from genetic problems, it’s worth highlighting the general health conditions that affect dachshund breed. They include IVDD, hypothyroidism, obesity, urinary tract infections, and cancer. If you would like to find out more, read our detailed article on Dachshund Health.
However, it’s also essential to highlight the fact that a double dapple dachshund can be born with no deformities at all.
In fact, many double dapple dachshunds have happy lives without having any genetically related health issues.
Is Breeding of Double Dapples an Acceptable Practice?
Most of the Kennel clubs in Europe do not accept double dapple dachshund as a breed standard because of the genetic health problems, associated with this variety.
However, the American Kennel Club does permit the breeding of the double dapples, referring to them as just dapples. It also states that: “Partial or wholly blue (wall) eyes are as acceptable as dark eyes. A large area of white on the chest of a dapple is permissible.”
In case you are seeking for advice on the mater of double dapple dachshunds, it’s best to get it from breed experts such as veterinarians, kennel clubs and breeders.
Most breed experts advise against anyone breeding two dapple dogs together; they also encourage potential buyers not to seek out the double dapple puppies. The ethical breeders and kennel clubs try to reduce demand for the double dapple dachshund in general, raising awareness about the potential genetic problems in double dapples.
In fact, the double dapple pattern in a dachshund is not considered acceptable by the British Kennel Club or the Dachshund Breed council. Double dapple dachshunds cannot be registered as pedigree dachshunds with the British Kennel Club as a result.
What is your query about?
What does double dapple dachshund look like?
A double dapple dachshund is built like any dachshund; the difference in appearance comes from their coat pattern. Double dapple dachshunds have white markings along with the darker splashes of colour. Double dapples will also often have blue eyes, sometimes malformed as a result of the genetic health problems. Usually, the colour pattern is similar to what you would see in a beagle or border collie.
Is a double dapple dachshund rare?
Yes, the double dapple coat pattern is considered rare. However, it is not encouraged for breeding due to double dachshunds’ hereditary health issues.
What is a double dapple dachshund life expectancy?
The average life expectancy of a double dapple dachshund is 12-16 years. Sadly, double dapples often have health issues caused by genetic factors. These issues are not usually life-threatening, but can severely reduce the quality of life.
How to tell it is a double dapple dachshund?
Double dapple dachshunds will always have white markings. If the puppy you are looking at doesn’t have white markings, it is not double dapple. As well as that, they will have multi-coloured spots on their coat. Double dapple will also often have one or both blue eyes. It might also have malformed eyes or ears as a result of hereditary health issues.
How to spot a double dapple dachshund?
Double dapple dachshunds are easy to spot thanks to their white markings and unusual blue eye colour.
