Dachshund Colors
Written by Angela (Parizo) Whyne on June 27, 1998.
© 1998 Angela Whyne. All rights reserved.
This page and its contents are protected by copyright. No part of this material may be copied, reproduced, republished, distributed, or used in any form without prior written permission from Angela Whyne.
Red
RED
Red is the most common and recognizable dachshund color. Shades can range from a light golden blonde to a rich, deep mahogany, but all are classified simply as red. A true red dachshund should have dark eyes, a black nose, and black nails.
For a red dachshund to produce black and tan offspring, it must carry the tan point gene. If a red dachshund does not carry this gene, it can only produce red puppies and will never produce black and tan coloration.
Dilute Red
DILUTE RED
Also known as an EE Red or chocolate-based red, this color is simply a red dachshund with liver pigmentation. Instead of black pigment, these dogs have a liver-colored (brown) nose and nails, matching the pigmentation seen in chocolate and tan dachshunds. Coat shades can range from light golden red to deep mahogany red.
Dilute reds may also be affected by Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA).
Clear Red
CLEAR RED
A Clear Red is a light red dachshund with black pigmentation, including a black nose and black nails. This color is sometimes referred to as Strawberry Blonde, Strawberry Cream, or Creamy Red, but genetically it is still considered a red dachshund. A Clear Red may or may not carry the cream gene, and its lighter appearance does not automatically make it a cream-colored dog.
American Cream
AMERICAN CREAM
American Cream dachshunds are typically born appearing white to pale blonde. As they mature, many develop a richer color that can resemble a Clear Red (see Clear Red description above). Despite their lighter coat color, they should have dark eyes, a black nose, and black nails.
In wirehaired dachshunds, a cream-colored appearance is referred to as Wheaten, not American Cream. For registration purposes, American Cream dachshunds should be registered as Red.
English Cream
ENGLISH CREAM
English Cream dachshunds may be born in a variety of shades. Some puppies are born very light, with a pale lemon-colored coat, while others may appear heavily shaded or "sooty," giving them an almost black appearance. As they mature, their coat develops into a soft cream color reminiscent of the rich, yellow cream found on top of non-homogenized milk.
English Creams can range in color from an off-white or ivory shade to a warm butter cream. The lighter the cream color, the more desirable it is generally considered. They should have dark eyes, a black nose, and black nails. Some English Creams may also display a black-tipped overlay known as sable.
Authentic English Cream lineage can be traced back to bloodlines originating in England.
Dilute Cream
DILUTE CREAM
Also known as an EE Cream, a Dilute Cream is a cream-colored dachshund with liver pigmentation rather than black pigmentation. These dogs have a liver-colored (brown) nose and nails, matching the pigmentation seen in chocolate and tan dachshunds. Coat color can range from very light cream to deeper cream shades, while still maintaining the soft appearance characteristic of cream-colored dogs.
Because of their dilute pigmentation, Dilute Creams may also be affected by Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA).
Wheaten
WHEATEN - (can appear only in wire hair)
Wheaten is the cream-colored coat variety found in wirehaired dachshunds. The color resembles the rich, yellow cream found on top of non-homogenized milk and can range from a soft off-white or ivory shade to a warm butter color. In general, lighter shades are considered more desirable.
A Wheaten dachshund should have dark eyes, a black nose, and black nails, creating a striking contrast against its light-colored coat. Unlike cream-colored smooth and longhaired dachshunds, the term Wheaten is used specifically for wirehaired dogs.
Wildboar
WILD BOAR - (Can appear only in wire and smooth hair)
Wild Boar is technically considered a color, but it is more accurately described as a pattern. It is often confused with sable, and both terms are sometimes incorrectly used to describe a few scattered black hairs over a red coat. A true Wild Boar dachshund has a heavy black overlay covering the base coat, giving the appearance of a black and tan dog from a distance. When the coat is parted, the underlying color beneath the black-tipped hairs is visible often a red color.
This unusual pattern creates a striking, layered appearance and can be difficult to identify in young puppies. True Wild Boar coloration generally cannot be accurately confirmed until a puppy is at least six months old. Many puppies that appear sable or Wild Boar at birth gradually lose their black overlay as they mature and ultimately develop into solid red dogs with no visible pattern.
Black/Tan
BLACK & TAN
Black & Tan is the second most common and recognizable dachshund color. These dogs have a glossy black base coat with distinctive tan points located above the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, chest, feet, lower legs, and beneath the tail. A true Black & Tan should have dark eyes, a black nose, and black nails.
The Black & Tan pattern is produced by a recessive gene, meaning that two Black & Tan parents will typically produce Black & Tan puppies. However, if both parents carry the chinchilla factor, they may also produce a recessive red puppy. This classic color combination is prized for its striking contrast and timeless dachshund appearance.
Black/Cream
BLACK & CREAM
A Black & Cream dachshund has a black base coat with cream-colored points in the traditional tan-point locations. These cream markings appear above the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, chest, feet, lower legs, and beneath the tail. The cream points can range from a light ivory shade to a rich buttery cream, creating a softer contrast than the classic Black & Tan pattern.
A true Black & Cream should have dark eyes, a black nose, and black nails. This elegant color combination is especially popular in longhaired dachshunds, where the flowing coat beautifully highlights the contrast between the black body color and the cream markings.
Solid Black
SOLID BLACK
A Solid Black dachshund has a completely black coat with no tan or cream points. These dogs should have dark eyes, a black nose, and black nails, creating a sleek and striking appearance.
Solid Black is a distinct color and is not simply the result of repeatedly breeding Black & Tan dachshunds together. Genetically, it occurs when the black color gene is present without the expression of tan points. Solid Black dachshunds tend to breed true and are generally considered dominant over the Black & Tan pattern, making this color less common but highly sought after by many enthusiasts.
Blue/Tan
BLUE & TAN
A Blue & Tan dachshund has a diluted black coat that appears slate gray, steel blue, or gunmetal in color, paired with traditional tan points. The tan markings are found above the eyes, on the muzzle, chest, feet, lower legs, and beneath the tail. A true Blue & Tan should have no black pigmentation, as the dilution gene lightens all black pigment to blue-gray.
These dogs typically have gray or hazel eyes, a blue-gray nose, and blue-gray nails. The distinctive coloring is often compared to that of a Blue Doberman.
Blue is a recessive color, which means both parents must either display the dilution gene or carry it in order to produce Blue & Tan puppies. Because of the dilution gene, Blue & Tan dachshunds may also be affected by Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA), a condition that can impact coat quality and hair growth.
Solid Blue
SOLID BLUE
A Solid Blue dachshund has a uniform blue-gray coat with no tan or cream points. The color is often described as slate gray, steel blue, or gunmetal gray and should be consistent throughout the coat. A true Solid Blue will have blue-gray eyes, a blue-gray nose, and blue-gray nails.
Like all blue-colored dachshunds, the coat color results from the dilution of black pigment. Solid Blue dogs lack the tan point pattern, giving them a sleek, single-color appearance. In dachshunds, solid colors generally appear to be dominant over tan-pointed patterns.
Because of the dilution gene responsible for the blue coloration, Solid Blue dachshunds may also be affected by Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA), a condition that can impact coat quality and hair growth.
Chocolate/Tan
CHOCOLATE & TAN
A Chocolate & Tan dachshund has a rich brown coat that can range from light milk chocolate to deep dark chocolate, accented with traditional tan points. These tan markings appear above the eyes, on the muzzle, chest, feet, lower legs, and beneath the tail.
A true Chocolate & Tan will have liver-colored pigmentation, meaning the nose and nails will range from light brown to dark brown and will never be black. Eye color is typically light to medium brown, although some dogs may have hazel or green eyes.
Chocolate is a recessive color, so both parents must either express the chocolate gene or carry it in order to produce Chocolate & Tan puppies. Because chocolate pigmentation is considered a dilute form of color, some Chocolate & Tan dachshunds may also be affected by Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA).
Chocolate/Cream
CHOCOLATE & CREAM
A Chocolate & Cream dachshund has a rich chocolate-colored coat accented with cream points in the traditional tan-point locations. These cream markings appear above the eyes, on the muzzle, chest, feet, lower legs, and beneath the tail. The contrast between the warm chocolate coat and soft cream markings creates an elegant and distinctive appearance.
A true Chocolate & Cream will have liver-colored pigmentation, including a brown nose and brown nails that can range from light to dark brown. Eye color is typically light to medium brown, though some dogs may have hazel or green eyes.
Because chocolate pigmentation is recessive, both parents must carry the chocolate gene for Chocolate & Cream puppies to be produced. Like other liver-based colors, Chocolate & Cream dachshunds may also be affected by Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA).
Solid Chocolate
SOLID CHOCOLATE
A Solid Chocolate dachshund has a rich, chocolate-brown coat with no tan or cream points. The shade can range from medium chocolate to a deep, dark chocolate color and should be consistent throughout the coat. A true Solid Chocolate will have liver-colored pigmentation, including brown to light-brown eyes, a brown nose, and brown nails.
Chocolate is a recessive color, meaning both parents must carry or express the chocolate gene for Chocolate puppies to be produced. While the chocolate color itself is recessive, the solid coat pattern generally appears dominant over the tan-point pattern. As a result, a Solid Chocolate dachshund lacks the tan point markings seen in Chocolate & Tan dogs.
Because chocolate pigmentation is associated with color dilution, some Solid Chocolate dachshunds may also be affected by Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA).
Isabella/Tan
ISABELLA & TAN
An Isabella & Tan dachshund is the diluted version of a Chocolate & Tan. The coat ranges from a soft taupe or silvery fawn color to a pale washed-out chocolate shade, accented with traditional tan points. These tan markings appear above the eyes, on the muzzle, chest, feet, lower legs, and beneath the tail.
A true Isabella & Tan should have no chocolate pigmentation, as the dilution gene lightens all chocolate pigment to a soft grayish-fawn tone. The overall color is often compared to that of a Weimaraner, but with the addition of tan points. These dogs typically have gray, amber, or light hazel eyes, along with a gray-lavender nose and gray-lavender nails.
Isabella is a recessive color, meaning both parents must carry or express the necessary genes for Isabella & Tan puppies to be produced. Because this color results from a double dilution of pigment, Isabella & Tan dachshunds may also be affected by Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA), a condition that can impact coat quality and hair growth.
Isabella/Cream
ISABELLA & CREAM
An Isabella & Cream dachshund is the diluted version of a Chocolate & Cream. The coat ranges from a soft fawn, taupe, or silvery-beige color with cream points in the traditional tan-point locations, including above the eyes, on the muzzle, chest, feet, lower legs, and beneath the tail.
A true Isabella & Cream should have no chocolate pigmentation, as the dilution gene lightens the chocolate color to a soft grayish-fawn shade. The overall appearance is often compared to a Weimaraner, but with elegant cream markings instead of tan points. These dogs typically have gray, amber, or light hazel eyes, along with a gray-lavender nose and gray-lavender nails.
Isabella is a recessive color, meaning both parents must carry or express the required genes for Isabella & Cream puppies to be produced. Because this color results from a double dilution of pigment, Isabella & Cream dachshunds may also be affected by Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA), a condition that can impact coat quality and hair growth.
Solid Isabella
SOLID ISABELLA
A Solid Isabella, also known as a Fawn, is the diluted version of a Solid Chocolate. The coat is a uniform soft fawn, taupe, or silvery-beige color with no tan or cream points. The overall appearance is often described as a washed-out chocolate shade and is frequently compared to the coloring of a Weimaraner.
A true Solid Isabella will have diluted pigmentation throughout, including gray, amber, or light hazel eyes, a gray-lavender nose, and gray-lavender nails. The absence of tan points gives the dog a clean, solid-colored appearance.
Isabella is a recessive color that requires both parents to carry or express the necessary dilution genes for Isabella puppies to be produced. In dachshunds, solid colors generally appear dominant over tan-point patterns, making Solid Isabella simply an Isabella-colored dog without the tan point gene expressed.
Because Isabella is a double-dilute color, Solid Isabella dachshunds may also be affected by Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA), a condition that can impact coat quality and hair growth.
