Piebald Dachshunds are the result of breeding two dachshunds together, where both of them carry the recessive piebald gene. The parents do not need to be piebald in order to produce piebald pups, however each needs to carry a copy of the recessive gene. Likewise, two piebald parents will only produce piebald puppies.

Piebald Dachshunds are easy to spot because they have white on their chests, stomachs, noses, paws and tails but can have mostly white bodies as well. The colour pattern of their coats will be present on their ears, over their eyes and patches on their bodies. Piebalds may also have some ticking in their coat. To give an idea of how this pattern may look, think of other hound breeds such as Beagles, Whippets, Basset Hounds, and Greyhounds.

The Difference Between Piebald and Double Dapple

Piebalds are not a registered colour with the British Kennel Club and are therefore not recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council. They are, however, recognised by the Canadian Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club. All true piebald dachshunds you see in Australia come from imported lineage. At Ohana Dachshunds, our piebalds come from American imports.

Piebalds are often confused as double dapples dachshunds. They have a similar physical appearance to the untrained eye because they both have white in their coats, but genetically they are vastly different. One key way to tell them apart by appearance is that piebalds markings are symmetrically mirrored on either side of its body. (Like in the above photo of our desexed female, Leia, who is a black and tan dapple, piebald). Double dapples markings are sporadic. Double dapples always have dapple markings, where piebalds can have dapple, brindle or solid colours.

Piebald gene is recessive which means that both parents must carry the gene in order for it to reflect in the pups. The dapple gene is dominant, so only one parent needs to carry the gene in order for it to be reflected in the pups. A double dapple is the result of breeding two dapple dachshunds together. A double dapple parent will ONLY ever produce dapple puppies.

Double dapples can be born with a variety of health problems, but most commonly, blindness and/or deafness. However piebalds do not have the same health problems. Piebald health issues will be the same as any other patter or colour in dachshunds.