Piebald Dachshund

The Piebald dachshund is an impressive dachshund variety which is renowned for its remarkable patterned coat. Visually distinct from any of the other well-known dachshund types, the Piebald dachshund combines all the beautiful qualities of the typical dachshund while boasting a stunning particular coat type.

This article looks closely at the Piebald dachshund, considers what causes its distinct pattern, and describes its personality. It also compares the Piebald Dachshund to the Dapple dachshund and highlights all possible potential health problems in this breed.

What Is a Piebald Dachshund?

A Piebald dachshund is a result of breeding two dachshunds that have what is known as the Piebald recessive gene.

While some people believe this has to mean that both parents must be Piebald Dachshunds to create a Piebald offspring, this isn’t necessarily always the case. The solid colour dachshund and Dapple dachshund can also carry this recessive Piebald gene.

The most visually significant difference of a Piebald dachshund, when compared to other Dachshund types, is their beautiful looking patterned coat. One of the ways of visually identifying this variety is by its white background, which supports areas of full colour.

When describing this coat pattern, it’s worth referring to other types of dogs that also present a Piebald marking. That might give you a better idea of that pattern.

This pattern occurs in many breeds including Beagles, Basset Hounds, Greyhounds, Boxers, and Bull terriers.

You may also find that some breeders regularly refer to this dog’s pattern type as spotting.

It is important to mention that you can rarely encounter Piebald dachshunds in the UK. The Piebald pattern is not acceptable by British Kennel Clubs, as they state that “no white colour is permissible, except for a small patch on chest which is allowed but not desirable”.

If you are lucky enough to spot a Piebald dachshund in the UK, most likely it is imported from America.

What Causes Piebald Pattern in Dachshunds? (Genetics)

The genetics of Piebald markings in Dachshunds is quite simple in theory. The Sp gene causes a Piebald pattern, it is a recessive gene. Both parents should have one copy of this gene for their offsprings to become Piebalds.

As mentioned earlier, it is a true recessive gene, so, in order to produce a Piebald dachshund, this gene has to be present and carried. Most pure Piebald parents will have an entire litter of Piebald pups.

The Piebald genet is generally considered in science as a genetic abnormality. This irregularity leads to the apparent lack of pigmentation and results in patches all over a dachshund’s coat.

The lack of pigmentation is due to the absence of melanocytes, the cells that create the pigment melanin. Melanin is the part of the DNA and determines coloration, such as hair or eye colour. White coat and blue eyes are in fact, the result from the lack of the color pigment.

Many years ago, this dachshund’s variety was considered a rare one due to its specific patterning. However, in recent times, there has been a surge of breeders rushing to produce this pattern; therefore, Piebald is not rare anymore!

For this reason, you should be cautious when anyone is trying to sell you a Piebald puppy with the claim that they are a rare breed. It is always best to do your research and find a reputable breeder with fair prices.

The best way to help your dachshund live longer?
Watch our video to find out!

What Does Piebald Dachshund Look Like?

Although there is a large number of Piebalds’ variations out there, there are main guidelines for identifying the Piebald pattern:

• The Piebald pattern is a white spotting that is superimposed over varied self-colours
• The colour of the pattern itself will not vary
• True Piebalds have dark (never blue) eyes
• True Piebalds always have white tips on their tails
• The amount of white colour on a Piebald is variable
• The Piebald’s white coat will have patches of black, grey or brown
• Some Piebalds may have ticking; some may not. Ticking consists of smaller dots of colour present on the white
• The most common Piebald colour is a black and tan
• Other patterns can also be present on Piebald dachshunds. It is possible to have a black and tan dapple piebald!

In general, a Piebald’s pattern will be a colour mixture on the face, white body, and markings all over the white coat. Piebald dachshunds will have four entirely white paws, a white tip on the tail and a white chest. Regular Piebald should show up to 80% of white on the coat.

You can also find Piebalds that are almost entirely white, with just a dash of colour on their heads and their tail base. These dogs are usually called Extreme Piebalds. For the dachshund to be an Extreme Piebald it should have more than 80% of white coat.

Piebald Dachshund Personality

The personality of the Piebald dachshund is very similar to its other Weiner family members. They are fantastic little companions who are a real joy to have in the house.

Despite their small size, they are very courageous, enthusiastic, and playful dogs. Utmost loyal and intelligent, Piebald dachshunds do well in families.
It’s worth mentioning the impressive background of the Dachshund breed as a whole.

The name Dachshund means “badger dog,” they are the small, sturdy and compact dogs. Initially hunters used them to track down for rabbits, rodents, and of course badgers.

An all-time favourite royalty, Queen Victoria, was said to have given this breed a royal stamp of approval!

However, even though piebald dachshunds are ones of the most intelligent and sociable dogs, they can display some negative temperamental traits such as stubbornness and mischievousness.

They are also prone to bouts of yapping and continuous barking, especially if they spot something of interest in the yard or out on a walk. Yet with early training, any problems you may initially encounter should not become too problematic with time.

Some Piebald dachshunds owners notice that their dogs sometimes show a level of separation anxiety, but this can also be managed and corrected.

Difference Between Piebald and Double Dapple Dachshunds

People often confuse the Piebalds with the Double Dapple Dachshunds. They can indeed look very similar, both showing white markings as a base colour.

It is important however to distinguish between a Double Dapple and a Piebald, as Double Dapples puppies have a considerably higher risk of genetic health problems, and are not an acceptable breed standard by the majority of Kennel Clubs.

The differences between a Piebald and Double Dapple dachshunds:

• The Piebald gene is recessive – both parents should carry the gene to have a piebald offspring, whereas The Dapple gene is dominant – one parent with a dapple gene is enough to produce a dapple puppy. However, to produce a double dapple puppy you need two dapple dachshunds to be mated together.
• Piebalds usually, but not always, have more amount of white on their coats, whereas as Double Dapples have patches of white colour
• The shading in a Double Dapple will be notably different than a Piebald – most likely lightened or removed
• This difference in shading is often visible in the spots of a Double Dapple when compared to a Piebald. Double Dapple spots are usually lighter in colour than that of the Piebald
• A Piebald’s markings will often be symmetrically mirrored on either side of its body
• There is no dappling in a Piebald
• A Piebald dachshund will only have brown eyes! It will never have blue eyes or one blue eye. On the other side, Double Dapple dachshunds have more diversity in the eye colouring. The eyes can be blue, brown and hazel; or sometimes have different colours each – one blue and one dark.
• The dappling in a Dapple Dachshund can be either subtle or prominent.

Potential Health Problems in Piebald Dachshunds

Congenital deafness

Congenital deafness (deafness at birth) is encountered in many breeds that carry the extreme piebald gene, i.e. have more than 80% of white coat.
The condition occurs because of the stem cells, responsible for hearing ability. This special layer of cells is located in the dog’s inner ear. They are, in fact, the same type of cells that determine a dog’s hair colour. Without these cells, a dachshund’s body won’t be able to produce a unique layer of hearing cells. This dachshund will, as well, have a coat of mostly white non-pigmented colour.

With all said above, you should be careful when choosing a Piebald puppy. You should look at the amount of white they display. Take a closer look at its head colouring. The puppies with a large amount of white on the head and around the ears may be prone to the congenital deafness caused by a piebald gene.

On the other side, puppies with a nearly all-white body but a solid colouring on their head and ears should not have any problems.
Sometimes it is difficult to find out straight away that your Piebald Dachshund is suffering from deafness. There are specific tests to define it, such as BAER test for example.

If you are interested how pigmentation genes in particular are related to deafness in dogs, there is an interesting article about Genetics of deafness in dogs, issued by Louisiana State University.

Don’t get disheartened if you realise that your Piebald dachshund is affected. Regardless of that condition, with a little bit of assistance, it has all the chances to live a happy and long life.

Other potential health problems in Piebalds

As with all the other types of Dachshunds, the long spine will make it more prone to potential spine issues such as IVDD.
However, being aware of these risks, and taking specific measures to prevent any unnecessary pressure on your dog’s body will minimize the chances of IVDD occurrence.

Keep your Piebald on a diet a healthy diet to maintain its weight – this includes feeding it the right amount of food as well as giving him high-quality, nutritious meals.

Provide regular exercise sessions – though dachshunds sometimes cannot cope with long walks, they can do jogging and can stay actively busy with some toys in the house.

Do not allow your Piebald to jump on and off the sofas, as well as to climb the stairs. It might look like a big job to carry you dachshund up and down the stairs all the time, but this is the primary preventative measure from the IVDD occurrence.

It is important to remember that the Piebald Dachshund is susceptible to the same health conditions as all Dachshunds in general. If you want find out more, feel free to read our article on general Dachshund Health.

One of the most important and effective measures to prevent problems like IVDD is Supplementation.

We highly recommend the Dachshund Advanced Care by Breedology, it is an advanced dietary supplement, precisely formulated for the dachshund breed. Their powerful natural formula includes Chondroitin, Glucosamine and Hyaluronic Acid among other ingredients that work in perfect synergy to provide advanced joint and cartilage support for dachshunds at any age.

What is your query about?

What does Piebald dachshund mean?

Piebald dachshund is a dachshund with a specific coat pattern, consisting of white spots over the base coat colour. These markings are similar to the ones seen in Beagles, Basset Hounds, or Border Collies.

What is an extreme piebald dachshund?

Extreme piebald dachshund is a dog that has 80% or more of a white colour present to the coat. To go with the white, you will see a spot or two of darker colouring to the coat.

Can you breed Piebald to Piebald?

Yes, you can breed Piebald to Piebald. There are no genetic health complications in this case. On this occasion, the puppies in the litter will be Piebalds.

Can you breed Dapple to Piebald?

The Dachshund breed standards do not allow for the mixing of the dapple and piebald patterns (or any other pattern) you cannot register a dachshund with more than 1 pattern.

Do piebald dachshunds have health issues?

Extreme piebald dachshunds are at risk of congenital deafness, – deafness at birth. Other than that, possible health issues are the same as with any dachshund variety. Dachshunds, in general, are prone to Intervertebral Disk disease, Acanthosis Nigricans, Lafora disease, Cushing’s Syndrome, Obesity, and Eye Problems.

Do Piebald dachshunds shed?

Yes, Piebald dachshunds shed like all dachshund breed varieties. However, the dachshund is considered a low-shedding breed in general.

How do you breed a piebald dachshund?

To get a piebald dachshund offspring, both parents must carry one copy of the recessive piebald gene. Most Piebald parents will have an entire litter of Piebald puppies.

Can piebald dachshunds have blue eyes?

No. While dapple dachshunds can have blue eyes; piebald dachshunds cannot.

Are piebald dachshunds rare?

There has been a surge in popularity for the piebald colouring in dachshunds recently. For this reason, piebald dachshunds are not as rare as they used to be, but they are still not as common as solid coloured dachshunds.

What is a tuxedo piebald dachshund?

A tuxedo piebald dachshund has markings similar to that of a tuxedo cat. This coat pattern will have a lot of dark colouring coupled with white markings over the chest and belly, that looks like a tuxedo. It is often coupled with white markings on the head and muzzle as well.

How long do piebald dachshunds live?

A healthy piebald dachshund can live on average 14-17 years.