Dachshunds, also known as Doxies, are popular dogs that have been around for centuries. Frequently referred to as weiner dogs or sausage dogs, these elongated canines have friendly temperaments and love to be around humans.
While they come in various colors, from black, red, and tan to beige and blue, one of the dachshund colors that stands out the most is brindle. Brindle dachshunds have “striped” markings, typically dark in color. Brindle dachshunds are not a separate breed of doxie, but rather just a coat variation.
Read on to learn more about brindle dachshunds, their origin, and history.
The Earliest Records of Brindle Dachshunds in History
Dachshunds have German origin, and most believe they have been around since between the 15th and 17th centuries. These dogs were primarily bred to hunt badgers, rabbits, and other small animals. Their name in German even means “badger dog,” which explains their primary purpose.
These dogs appeared in the UK around the 1840s and were first introduced to the US in the 1880s. Their popularity in the states increased in the 1930s and 1940s but in the UK, they became instantly popular as the queen was fond of this breed.
After World War I, their popularity decreased as they were connected with Germany. In many people’s minds, these dogs became a representation of Germany, which affected their reputation. However, faith in the dachshund breed changed in 1972 when Germany held its first Olympic Games in Munich. These dogs became the official mascot of the games, which made people fall back in love with them.
This breed also became popular in Australia during the 1970s as they were introduced as racing dogs. Dachshund races quickly spread across the world. One of the most popular races was the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals which took place in Southern California every year since 1995.
Image Credit: Jaclyn Vernace, Shutterstock
Dachshund Appearance Through History
In the past, there were two sizes of these dogs, but that has transformed into three current sizes:
Standard
Miniature
Kaninchen
The standard and miniature sizes are universally accepted worldwide. However, the kaninchen size is not accepted by the USA and UK kennel clubs. These dogs developed throughout the years and their appearance changed as well. They developed multiple colored coats and different coat types.
When categorizing dachshunds per coat type, we can divide them into:
Short-haired
Long-haired
Wire-haired
Short-haired and long-haired dachshunds are the most common in the USA, while wire-haired dachshunds are rare. These dogs come in a variety of colors, including:
Red
Black
Tan
Beige
Blue
How Brindle Dachshunds Gained Popularity
Brindle dachshunds were popular because of their unusual color. They gained extreme popularity before World War I, after which their popularity decreased due to connections with Germany. However, people became fond of these dogs again in 1972 when they were introduced at the Munich Olympic Games. Their popularity also spread when people started to use them as racing dogs in the 1970s.
Nowadays, dachshunds are still popular and ranked the 13th most popular breed in the USA per AKC registrations from 2016.
Formal Recognition of Brindle Dachshunds
The American Kennel Club recognized dachshunds, including the brindle dachshund, in 1885. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (International Canine Federation) also recognizes dachshunds, although the year of their recognition is unknown.
Image Credit: Agnese Kurzemniece, Shutterstock
Top 7 Unique Facts About Dachshunds
Dachshunds are unique dogs, and there are a lot of things that set them apart from other dog breeds. Check out some interesting facts about dachshunds below:
This breed was first bred for hunting small animals like badgers and rabbits
These dogs have three different coat types
They come in three different sizes; However, most clubs and organizations don’t recognize the “kaninchen” size
Dachshunds were the mascot of the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich
Since the 1970s, there have been dachshund races held worldwide
Two dachshunds gained the title of the world’s oldest dog and got their place in the Guinness Book of World Records
The first dog ever cloned in Britain was a dachshund
Does a Brindle Dachshund Make a Good Pet?
The brindle dachshund makes a great pet, and it’s perfect for indoor conditions due to its smaller size. These canines are great around people, making them an excellent choice for families with kids.
They are playful, loyal, and active, so you should provide them with enough activities throughout the day and allow them to run around. While these dogs love company, that can also occasionally represent a problem as they can suffer from separation anxiety. Because of this, you’ll need to hire a dog sitter or keep your brindle dixie in a kennel when you’re not home for extended periods.
While many may think their brindle color affects their health, that’s not quite true. These dogs are commonly healthy as long as their parents don’t have a record of hereditary diseases. Dixies are lovable, communicative, and love to be around people, so if you’re looking for a cuddly yet active dog, consider this breed.
Image Credit: Radomir Rezny, Shutterstock
Conclusion
Dachshunds are among the most popular dogs in the USA, and many people decide on a doxie with a brindle coat. If you choose a brindle dachshund as your pet, you can ensure you’ll have a healthy, fun-loving dog ready to follow every step in your daily activities.
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