A dapple dachshund, sometimes affectionately called a wiener dog or doxie, may be one of the cutest dog breeds with his short stature, long body, and unique coloring. The average wiener dog price ranges between $400 and $1,500 depending on the breeder.
What is a dapple dachshund?
A dapple dachshund is a color pattern recognized in dachshunds. These dogs meet the other characteristics of the breed standard. Dachshunds come in two sizes: standard and miniature. A standard dachshund measures 8 to 9 inches tall and weighs 16 to 32 pounds. A miniature dachshund measures 5 to 6 inches tall and weighs 11 pounds or less.
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Dachshunds also have three accepted coat types: smooth, wirehaired, and longhaired. The dapple, or merle, coat has a darker colored base with lighter markings. Dapple dachshunds may have blue or dark eyes.
Double dapple dachshunds
You may see double dachshunds advertised as a rare and desirable coat color. A double dapple has larger areas of white on the body and may have white markings on the head and tail. The breed standard allows for a white patch on the chest of a dapple dachshund, but too much white is considered a fault. This coat color occurs when two dapples are bred with each other.
However, rare does not necessarily mean better or more valuable. Responsible breeders do not breed for this coat color, as the puppies are much more likely to be fully or partially deaf and have small or missing eyes.
Dachshund puppies price
Breeders set the price for their dachshund puppies. Price is typically expected to be between $400 and $1,500. Keep in mind that if you are buying a puppy from outside of your local area, you will also need to travel to pick up your puppy or pay to have him shipped. It can cost as much as $2,000 to cover the price of the flight and the health certificate and other documentation for the puppy.
Some breeders may opt to charge more for dapple puppies since this color is not as common in dachshunds. The puppy's pedigree and the success of his parents and grandparents in the show ring may also affect the price of the puppies. When you are looking for breeders of dachshund puppies, the American Kennel Club Marketplace is a good place to start.
Dapple dachshund rescue
If the wiener dog price that is charged by a breeder is a bit too high, consider rescuing a dachshund. You will still need to pay an adoption fee, and you are more likely to find more adult dogs than puppies, but in general, rescued dogs will already have their vaccinations and a microchip and be spayed or neutered. You can check with your local animal shelter and humane society to see if they have any dachshunds available, or you can contact a rescue that specializes in dachshunds.
The adoption fee may also be more for puppies and less for senior and special needs dogs. Little Paws Dachshund Rescue, for example, charges between $200 and $400 for a dachshund depending on the age of the dog and only $150 for a special needs dachshund. It also has other programs, such as the senior program, with rates of $100 for an individual who is 60 years or older to adopt a senior dachshund.