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Although this is not specifically the case for piebalds and is equally common in all dachshunds, it is worth watching out for, as it is extremely harmful. Lastly, just as is the case with all dachshunds, piebald dachshunds are at risk for intervertebral disc disease. The whiter the coat, the more health problems the dog is at risk for. However, they are more accepted by the American kennel club, though there are still restrictions on how much white a piebald dachshund’s coat can have. These sensory issues can be very harmful to your dachshund, and become more common and more problematic later in life.įor this reason, the UK kennel club does not permit piebald dachshunds. The most common issues to expect with your piebald dachshunds are eye problems and congenital deafness. This is because, as mentioned earlier, the gene that gives the piebald dachshund its partially white coat is also associated with an increase in risk for some health issues. Many piebalds are known to have more health issues than regular dachshunds. The piebald pattern doesn’t come without its downsides, though. This lack of pigmentation is due to a lack of melanocytes, or melanin-producing cells. This doesn’t necessarily mean both parents have to be piebald dachshunds, as the piebald pattern doesn’t show in every dog that has the gene (as that’s what a recessive gene is).Īs for why the gene makes the specific pattern that it does, it is actually a genetic abnormality that results in less pigmentation in the fur than in most dachshunds. More specifically, two parents, both with the recessive piebald gene, have to breed in order to make a piebald litter. The piebald pattern is caused by genetics. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA What Causes A Piebald Pattern? You can identify whether or not the dog is a true piebald based on these characteristics and see if the breeder truly knows what they are selling. The chest, paws, and tip of the tail of a true piebald dachshund are always white.
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Also, the tips of their tails will be white. The white of their coat will always have spots that are dark gray, black, or brown. Their eyes are never blue or any other color. However, there are more specific qualifiers for what makes a dog a piebald dachshund.įirstly, piebald dachshunds always have dark eyes. This is a general guideline and can be used to widely identify piebald dachshunds well. The white coat area is often speckled with spots of color as well. The piebald pattern is white, with areas of solid color elsewhere on the dog such as the head, tail, back, or other places. So no, piebalds aren’t particularly rare, but they are rarer than regular dachshunds, and their beautiful coats will stand out all the same. This is why you should always make sure to buy your piebald dachshund from a reputable breeder.Īnyone marketing their piebalds as unique or rare (especially because they have a white coat) is both incorrect and possibly putting the puppies they are breeding in danger by posing a significant health risk. Piebalds with too much white fur also have a gene that is linked to health problems down the line. However, this breeding can cause some issues. However, these days, a lot of piebalds are bred on purpose. After all, they don’t often happen naturally due to the fact that both parents need the recessive piebald gene. You might think it’s quite awfully rare to get your hands on a piebald dachshund.
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