Thor got his own puppy a year ago and I would say his favorite toy is his brother, Hank. Having my boys is so exhausting, but so worth it. They complete each other. Thor also enjoys meeting new people, playing with kids, chasing cats, and he loves eating mac n cheese off of my fork. Don’t @ me, it’s only on Thanksgiving.
When she isn’t around me for awhile, when she does smell me again, she wags her tail and gets the zoomies!
Coming across Blue was such a blessing. He is the most loyal dog I know, he doesn't ever leave my side and shadows me everywhere. He LOVES physical contact, if you sit or lay somewhere he will be sitting next to you or ON you in no time. When I'm woking at home he's always on my lap or on the floor right next to my desk. The only way he falls asleep at night is under the covers with me and the whole length of his body must be touching mine. His favorite treats are Tangerines, he goes crazy for them! His favorite toy is anything basically, he loves balls but he destroys them in a couple of hours so they never last long. He also loooooves plastic water bottles. Every time someone drinks something that comes in a plastic bootle here at home, we let Blue play around with it before we throw it out. The funny thing is, he doesn't know to to play fetch, he never liked it. So he'll just run around the house with the bottle or balls and stop every once in a while to chew on them. Blue chases his tail EVERY day, he'll just start chasing his tail and barking and thats when we know he's extra happy. Even though he doesn't even answer to his name, I wouldn't trade Blue for anything, we love him so much and couldn't imagine our lives without him.
Her favorites food are chicken and pumpkin. She love the balls and she spend a lot of time playing with them. But over all the things, she love stay with me all the time and sleep in my bed. she is the most loving dog in the world and she lets us know how much she loves us, we are blessed to have her with us.
2. Dapple is NOT a colour it is a pattern.
3. Double Dapple Dachshunds are usually found to have two blue eyes or one blue eye or can be known to have one dark or both dark eyes.
4. Double Dapple Dachshunds can be Deaf, Blind, or Impaired and have allergies.
5. Double Dapples will tend to show large white areas on the body and will usually not have symmetrical markings.
6. Double Dapples are prone to having "Micro eyes"
7. Yes a Double Dapple Dachshund is still prone to IVDD
8. Yes you can train a blind and deaf Double Dapple Dachshund
9. Yes a Double Dapple Dachshund can live a normal healthy life without impairments
10. A piebald Dachshund and a Double Dapple Dachshund are two very different patterns
1. What is your Double Dapples Name and how old is he/she?
Hershey and Tofu! Hershey is around 7 years old, we adopted her three years ago. She’s actually thrown out by the breeder..
Tofu is now 8 months old and we adopted him 6 months ago!
2. How did you end up with your Double Dapple and did you know he/she was a Double Dapple when purchasing/rescuing/adopting?
We were looking to bring in another dachshund to our family when we came across Hershey’s adoption post on Facebook. We didn’t know what a double dapple was at the time, and then we came across another profile on Instagram that has a double dapple that we then realise the coat colour is an issue.
3. Does your Double Dapple have any impairments/health issues?
Hershey is a lucky one, she’s all healthy with just slightly deformed pupils. Tofu, on the other hand, is born blind and deaf.
4. What has it been like to own a Double Dapple?
People often compliment on their coats which give us a lot of opportunity to share with them what a double dapple is!
5. How are you helping to spread #DoubleDappleAwareness ?
We try to make good use of social media platforms to spread awareness. We have an instagram account @baguette.hershey.tofu and Facebook page @the3dachshunds. We also tell people on the street about their colour.
6. What do you say to people when they stop you in public and make a comment on how beautiful your Double Dapple is?
If they are willing to listen, we usually tell them the whole terror story of double dapple breeding and how bad it is as a colour for dachshunds. People usually are shocked to learn about it.
7. If your Double Dapple has any impairments ie Sight/Deafness how have you trained them?
As Tofu’s blind and deaf, we can only use touch aids to communicate with him.
One of the biggest challenge was to teach him to get used to walking in a harness as he’s not able to see what we put on him. Here’s a video (taken in January this year when he was 4 months old and SO much smaller!!) of us tying a treat to the end of a dressage whip as ‘bait’ to make him go forward! We want him to lead a life as normal as possible and was determined to take him out to explore the world as soon as he was fully vaccinated, but it would be impossible without him being able to walk on leash. Now he’s out daily and absolutely loves his walks!!
We also use three taps on his shoulders to ask him to turn, and of course a lot of petting as praise!
8. Tell us more about your Double Dapples
Hershey loves toys - any types of toys - and will NOT give up on her toys even with snacks.
Tofu likes anything but his absolute favourite treat is mango!
Baguette would feel left out if she’s not mentioned in this part. She LOVES anything that’s edible, and plastic bottles for fetching!
1. What is your Double Dapples Name and how old is he/she?
Mac is our 9 month old double dapple! His nick names are mackers and stinky (because of his room clearing farts).
2. How did you end up with your Double Dapple and did you know he/she was a Double Dapple when purchasing/rescuing/adopting?
We purchased Mac from a woman local here in Idaho. She had a 5 year old female and a 10 month old male. She had procrastinated getting him neutered and he ended up getting the female pregnant. The litter was not planned, and I don’t blame her for breeding a double dapple. I’m grateful that we have Mac in our lives.
His momma had 5 puppies in the litter who all survived. Mac is the only double dapple from the litter
The woman did let us know as soon as we showed interest about the possibility of Mac having some health issues related to him being a double dapple. Neither my husband or I have had any experience with double dapples, so we needed to weigh the possibility of serious health issues. We had fallen in love with Mac when we met him as a 6 week old pup, we knew that we were going to love him regardless of his health problems.
3. Does your Double Dapple have any impairments/health issues?
Before we took Mac home, the owner had noticed he was not reacting to sounds like his siblings were. Mac is deaf. We have not had him professionally tested for the range of his level of hearing, but it’s very clear that he does not react to sound like he should.
4. What has it been like to own a Double Dapple?
I would say owning a double dapple is the same as owning any other dog. It just comes with some different challenges.
Training Mac has been a challenge for us because we’ve had to adapt to our previous knowledge of training dogs. Hand signals have been the best way for us to communicate with him. He’s extremely smart and has learned things so quickly, but we are still working every day! He’s still a puppy so we are learning and growing just like he is!
5. How are you helping to spread #DoubleDappleAwareness ?
First of all, Mac has been neutered. I know this is a common practice but passing on bad genes is not cool. Having him neutered was important to us because we don’t want him passing on his unlucky bad genes.
We do have an Instagram account for Mac and we share some of our challenges and tricks when it comes to raising a double dapple.
6. What do you say to people when they stop you in public and make a comment on how beautiful your Double Dapple is?
People mention Mac’s color pattern often. He is beautiful but I always mention him being a double dapple. Helping people understand that his coloring is beautiful, but it is a result of some carelessness with breeding.
But it is a great way to educate and share our experience with others because many people do notice his unique pattern and coloring!
7. If your Double Dapple has any impairments ie Sight/Deafness how have you trained them?
Treats and repetition has been the only way we’ve been able to get Mac trained!
8. Tell us more about your Double Dapple
Mac is our sunshine in life. He loves to steal snacks while we are eating them. He’ll eat just about anything. I mean he has a stomach of steel!
He has naturally known how to fetch since the day we got him when he was 7 weeks old. It amazed me then and it still amazes me.
Now I can’t sleep without him snuggling under the blankets with me. He’s my little buddy and has changed my life for the better. If we lost him, it would take me a while to consider getting another dog because he has just filled the holes in our hearts.
1. What is your Double Dapples Name and how old is he/she?
Our double dapple is named Rose or Rosie. She’s a little over a year old!
2. How did you end up with your Double Dapple and did you know he/she was a Double Dapple when purchasing/rescuing/adopting?
We had absolutely no knowledge on the dachshund breed, let alone much about “purchasing” a dog period. Though we don’t regret getting Rosie, we definitely wish we’d done more research before making our decision. To be completely transparent, like most people when they see double dapples, we stumbled across a picture of a beautiful white and uniquely marked puppy on a breeding site and fell in love. It wasn’t until after we brought her home, and I began to do more research on the breed I realized she wasn’t an average puppy. I was also pretty sure on that first day that something was off, especially when she slept peacefully through the night without waking up even when we moved through the house. Though it wasn’t till we took her for the first vet visit, my husband and I learned our 9 week old puppy was completely deaf.
3. Does your Double Dapple have any impairments/health issues?
We’ve been fortunate enough to where deafness is her only issue, apart from the normal with any white animal breed - like easy sun irritation on their skin.
4. What has it been like to own a Double Dapple?
With Rosie being our first dog, it’s definitely had it’s own set of challenges - and some unique to being a double dapple that we obviously didn’t know until we got our second dachshund Bowie. Though on the flip side, she’s one of the most loving dogs I’ve ever encountered, touch is her favorite way of communication and she’ll let you know when she’s happy with a face full of puppy kisses. Rosie is completely fearless when it comes to most everything, she loves everyone she meet and almost demands attention from complete strangers. Obviously, some of the downsides include having to find a different way to communicate with each other. Finding ways to make her comfortable, especially with a younger puppy around who likes to sneak up on her at night. It hasn’t been a walk in the park, but we’ve all adjusted and learned how to live with the specialness that is Rose. Though I wouldn’t suggest purchasing a double dapple, I wouldn’t discourage people adopting those in need. With the proper education and understanding of their genetic defects of course. Honestly they’re like any other dachshund, full of personality and maybe love to cuddle a little more than most.
5. How are you helping to spread #DoubleDappleAwareness ?
For me it’s been redirecting people to online information about the risks of bad breeding, and how to avoid buy a puppy that is a product of a backyard breeding - or the importance of adoption. This is often what I do when people message me about how beautiful she is, asking where I got her, or asking what breed she is. It really is important to stop these breeders from continuing to make these “designer” breed dogs, and advertising them as “rare” colorings by educating people on just how bad these puppies can get.
6. What do you say to people when they stop you in public and make a comment on how beautiful your Double Dapple is?
Much like when people approach me online, I explain directly that she’s a product of bad breeding without shame. That despite how beautiful she may look, Rosie isn’t the kind of puppy to go online searching for. Explaining she was born completely deaf, and that we’re lucky that’s the only impairment she’s received - considering may other are often completely or partially blind and deaf. Being direct about her condition has been the best way personally to educate those interested.
7. If your Double Dapple has any impairments ie Sight/Deafness how have you trained them?
We’ve struggled to train Rosie, especially as an energetic puppy. Though thankfully she’s extremely responsive to treats, and loves touch praise. We’ve taught her a few hand signals, mostly the basics like sit and potty. Though we got lucky that she‘s pretty good at checking in with us through eye contact when out on walks and always sticks close on lead.
8. Tell us more about your Double Dapple
My biggest piece of advice for anyone with a double dapple would be to get a second dog, I truly believe getting our second dachshund Bowie has helped build Rosie’s confidence tremendously. It’s also helped her learn what normal dogs are often afraid of, and what she maybe should have been cautious of from the beginning. Really Bowie has taught Rosie how to be a dog, and watching them have their own little form of communication without the barriers my husband and I face with her has been absolutely magical.
1. What is your Double Dapples Name and how old is he/she?
Peet. He is around 9 years old - he's a rescue, so we will never know for sure, but we got him 7 years ago and they said he was 2, so...
1. What is your Double Dapples Name and how old is he/she?
My double dapple babe is Piper Athena also known as @piperthedapplequeen on Instagram and she turns two June 26, 2020!
2. How did you end up with your Double Dapple and did you know he/she was a Double Dapple when purchasing/rescuing/adopting?
Well my best friends mom’s two new dapple doxies had an oopsie litter very young before she had the chance to neuter (they are now). At the time I had no intention of even thinking about getting a puppy, we were just excited to see puppies. Out of curiosity one night, I googled what two dapple parents puppies would look like when I discovered double dapples and the risk the pregnancy was going to be. We were all pretty nervous for the weeks leading up to Cookie’s labour. To our surprise Cookie birthed EIGHT puppies! Two chocolate boys, three dapple girls, and three double dapple girls. Piper was the only DD with a full white face and the last to open her eyes so we were really worried she would be blind. Her sister Delilah Blue, who Cookie has kept, is partially blind, and her other sister Lucy has full sight and hearing.
By the time the puppies were about 8 weeks old and after lots of convincing, Piper (then named Athena after the Greek God) was my new fur baby!
3. Does your Double Dapple have any impairments/health issues?
Piper has her sight and full hearing but she does have pretty serious sun sensitivity and one slightly smaller eye.
4. What has it been like to own a Double Dapple?
It’s been interesting! The doxie breed in general is very different than the dogs I’m used to but she’s a fun time and always keeps me on my toes. She definitely draws a lot of attention when we go to the beach or park. People are always so shocked there’s such thing as a long haired dachshund, let alone with white dappled fur. There are some things we have to do differently though. We try to avoid beaches or walks if it’s too sunny and she does have sunglasses we try to get her to wear as much as possible- she’s not a huge fan.
5. How are you helping to spread #DoubleDappleAwareness ?
When people ask her breed and I always try and educate them on how horrible it could have been. Not every DD can be as lucky as she was and a little white fur isn’t worth the risk.
6. What do you say to people when they stop you in public and make a comment on how beautiful your Double Dapple is?
What do you say to people when they stop you in public and make a comment on how beautiful your Double Dapple is?
I usually just say thank you and try to educate on how unsafe DD breeding is.
7. If your Double Dapple has any impairments ie Sight/Deafness how have you trained them?
Piper has been trained like any normal pup
8. Tell us more about your Double Dapple
Pipers favorite past times include chasing squirrels every morning, barking at the mailman, playing with her Italian greyhound sister, and chewing on sticks! She may not be as normal as the average dachshund but she has no clue, nothing can stop this spunky girl.
We use Blue’s Instagram, as well as our own personal accounts to inform others about the oversights in Blue’s breeding. Instagram has been a great platform to spread awareness, as well as meet other who are also facing similar struggles with their fur babies. While we don’t like to approach the situation to ask for sympathy because of his differences, we are open and honest with the quirks and difficulties that come with having a hearing-impaired puppy.
(@blue_the_doxie, @goodnatalie, @isaac_classic)
We can’t go on a walk without at least one bystander saying “OMG a WHITE dachshund?! I’ve never seen one before!” While Blue soaks up all the love and attention, we politely agree that his coat coloring is not common. It does not take long for people to realize that Blue doesn’t respond to their vocal cues. Usually that is a perfect lead-in to discussing the reasoning behind his disability, and the irresponsible breeding practices that has led to his coat.
On occasion we have people asking for the breeders’ contact information because they want a dachshund that looks like Blue. We then go into more detail as to why seeking a dachshund with this coloring leads to more puppies being born with impairments due to irresponsible breeding. We advise everyone that admires Blue to be responsible pet owners and do diligent research on breeders they are corresponding with, and research on the breed itself and their possible health problems to avoid the experience we had.
Our first obstacle was learning how to grab Blue’s attention. We needed to be able to maintain eye contact with him, so that he would learn to look to us for visual cues. Blue is treat motivated, which became our best tool while training him. YouTube is a great resource in learning how to train a dog using sign language. We decided on what hand gestures felt natural for us and used that to teach Blue basic commands (sit, stay, no, come here, go potty). Now it is second nature to sign to Blue, and we forget other dogs can hear us when we talk. We still do talk to Blue as if he can hear because we know that he can feel that love and energy.
Potty training is a completely different story! Dachshunds are already stubborn and notoriously difficult to potty train, so adding a deaf dachshund to the equation has been more of a struggle. Blue certainly likes to make “statements” with his accidents to show he is unhappy with being left home alone. Slowly but surely, we are getting there!
A Dapple Dachshund is a dog that carriers the one Dapple (Merle) gene which is commonly found in Australian Shepherds, Collies, Great Danes, Sheltie and lots of other breeds. Dapple Dachshunds vary from Silver Dapple, Chocolate Dapple and more. Please check out our blog about Dachshund Coats and Colours for more information.
Please do note that Dapple is NOT a colour it is simply the pattern.
Some Dapple Dachshunds will have lots of dappling that is noticeable and some will have hidden dapple. Meaning that you cannot see the dappling but it is within the dogs genetics.The white markings are a dilution of the dapple gene and are usually however not always cover the band around the neck, white on paws, nose and tail tip. Very much so like a Border Collie. Double Dapple Dachshunds are usually found to have two blue eyes or one blue eye or can be known to have one dark or both dark eyes.
Double Dapples will tend to show large white areas on the body that are usually not symmetrical which is why they can be prone to be confused with Piebalds. A single Dapple will not show large areas of white and will not have micro eyes.
Please also note that a single Dapple can have two blue eyes.
House of Weenies Single Dapple Puppies | Double Dapple Dachshund Molly Moo |
There are a lot of questions based around this and a lot of answers. There are three main issues in our eyes
1. The breeder is a backyard breeder with no knowledge or research on breeding but thought it would be cute way to make money to breed their two pups together OR simply want the family children to experience puppies being around.
2. The breeder has every idea but chooses to ignore the facts and ends up with unhealthy pups and most of the time will put them down so that other breeders do not find out (Sneaky and awful). It is also a huge money maker for breeders if they have a "white" dachshund that they try to sell as a Piebald (We will get into what a Piebald is later)
3. The breeder simply did not do any DNA checking on the two pups that were bred with. A Dapple/Merle test is very easy tool to find out if your Dachshund carries the gene or not.This is where it can get tricky! Double Dapples and Piebalds (without knowledge or research) can be easily confused. The Dachshund breed standards (Please check your countries breed standards) is that you should not mix Dapple, Brindle or Piebald together as a Dachshund can only be registered and recognised as having 1 pattern.
There are many hot tips on how to tell a Piebald Dachshund and Double Dapple Dachshund apart and one big give away is that a Piebald will generally have symmetrical markings where a Double Dapple will not. The Piebald pattern also has ticking rather than coloured spots.
(Ticking: Spots that are based in white markings)
(Dapple: Coloured Spots that can be a prominent colour or diluted.)
Some pictures below as examples
Double Dapple Dachshund As you can see on Molly she has unsymmetrical markings. No ticking only uneven dappling. Molly is the result of Two Dapple parents and almost sold as a Piebald. She is 100% Deaf and has sight issues. |
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Chocolate and Tan Piebald Dachshund Meatball is a Chocolate and Tan Piebald. As you can see he has lots of white and ticking on his body. |
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Dapple Piebald Dachshund
Buddy is an example of a Dapple Piebald. As you can see he has ticking on his paws and dapple through his darker colours. Buddy also has flicking of blue through both eyes. |
There are lots of tests around however the top tests for the M Locus gene are:
2. Orivet
Please also keep in mind that if you are not a registered breeder then question yourself if it is the right thing to do. As well as please do understand that if you have a solid coloured Dachshund that they can still to carry the dapple gene - it is just hidden.If you come across what you might suspect be a Double Dapple Dachshund you are welcome to get in touch with us via email at hello@kingkingsley.net or contact @kingkingsley__ for information and help on what to do!
Thank you so much for reading our blog on Double Dapple Dachshunds we will follow this blog with a story about our own Molly Moo the Double Dapple Dachshund.
Have some more questions? Please pop them in the comment section below.