Fun Facts About the Piebald Dachshund

The piebald dachshund is the same as any other dachshund except for its distinct color. The term piebald originated in the United Kingdom, and it refers to a type of unusual coloring that has a white base and can be combined with brown, black and sometimes gray. This coloring is seen in a few different types of dogs, as well as in other animals like the pinto horse, where it originated.

A piebald dachshund will have a white coat with color blotches scattered in a variety of patterns across their body. The piebald dachshund's colors are usually white with brown or white with black, and the colors do not look like the spots found on a Dalmatian dog. Piebald coloring has very large patches of color appearing in different areas all over the body. The piebald color pattern is not as common as the basic black and tan coloring found on many dachshunds, but it is not extraordinarily rare.

As with all dachshunds, the piebald dachshund is a small dog that comes in 2 different sizes: standard and miniature. The standard size dachshund is about 8 or 9 inches tall and weighs an average of 22 to 25 pounds. The miniature dachshund stands around 6 inches tall and weighs an average of 9 or 10 pounds.

Weight management is critical for all dachshund dogs because of their unusual "hotdog" shape. Dachshunds have a long back and short legs. This makes climbing and jumping a bit of a challenge and adds extra stress on the spine over time. Any extra weight puts even more pressure on the back, so your dachshund should always be kept at a healthy weight. If their belly starts drooping toward the floor, it's time to boost the exercise and cut back on the treats.

Even though they are tiny, dachshunds are not usually yappy or snippy dogs, and this goes for the piebald dachshund as well. They have a fun and playful personality and a bark that is much deeper than their size would suggest. Many dachshund owners think their pet sounds more like a watchdog than a lap dog.

Dachshunds are smart, but they are also clever and independent. This means that they may have their own agenda depending on their mood, so training your dachshund can be a bit of a challenge at times. Dachshunds have the intelligence to perform - that is not the problem. There may be situations when they just don't feel like it. For example, most dog owners want their pet to go potty outside. There are times, however, when your dachshund may see things differently - like when it is soggy, damp or chilly. (You don't really want to go out in those conditions either, though, right?). There is an easy solution to training disagreements, however. Treats. Keep them on hand and you will find your dachshund can easily be persuaded to see things your way.