The Piebald Dachshund is a rare, intelligent, and brave color variety of the popular Dachshund. This dog is also known as the Piebald Sausage Dog and has a coat with a white base color with brown, tan, black, and gray patches and spots to create the piebald coloring.
The Piebald coloration is also known as Pied.
Dachshunds are loved for their courage and vigor and can come in various coat types and colors.
Piebald Sausage dogs may be small-sized but they also make great watchdogs despite this.
You may also be interested in learning more about the Long-haired Dachshund.
These dogs have many great qualities and traits that have made them the 13th most popular dog in the US in general. However, in this article, we will be focusing on the piebald spotted variety of this dog, and this what makes him a great canine.
Let us get right into it.
About the Piebald Dachshund
Dachshunds were 1st bred in Germany to hunt badger hence the name Badger dog, however, in packs, they were excellent at hunting and killing wild boar. This furry friend is also popularly known as the “Wiener dog.”
Today this dog is great adored for his bravery and intelligence and is suitable for life in an apartment. This canine loves nothing more than being next to his owner and playing for the best part of the day.
However, he has a reputation for stubbornness and loves to have his way and being the center of attention.
This can make training him a bit difficult but you should be prepared to offer this dog with lots of love and pampering.
Piebald Wiener dogs have unique colorations and can either be wirehaired short-haired or long-haired.
The Piebald Dachshund has a coat with an almost similar color pattern to that of a Dalmatian. These dogs have a white base color with secondary spots and patches that can either be black, tan, gray, or brown flecked all over the dogs’ body.
Piebald Wiener dog genetics
The gene responsible for the Piebald Dachshund coloration is a recessive piebald gene and it occurs due to a genetic mutation of the MITF (Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor).
MIFT gene is responsible for the coloration in a Parti Poodle.
This means that you need to mate two Piebald Doxies to breed two piebald gene carrier Wiener dogs.
When this is done there is a 25% chance of getting a pied offspring and 50% chance that the offspring will be a carrier.
You can also get an entire litter of Pied Sausage dog puppies by mating two Piebald Dachsund.
However, the piebald gene is associated with an increased risk of deafness in dogs but it does not mean that a pooch with the gene will become deaf.
What is an extreme Piebald Dachshund?
An extreme Piebald Dachshund is a Piebald Dachshund whose coat is almost entirely white with only a few patches of a secondary. The coat of an extreme Piebald Dachshund is more than 80% white, unlike standard Piebald Doxies that is about 50% white.

5 Fun facts about Pied Sausage dogs
- The term piebald was first used in the UK to refer to dogs that have a white base coat color with secondary patches or spots.
- Piebald Wiener dogs only need to have one or more patches of a secondary to be labeled as Piebald.
- This unique Pied coloring in a Dachshund is considered rare and it results from a genetic mutation.
- Dachshunds were bred in German to hunt badgers and the name Dachshund means Badger dog in German.
- Piebald Dachshunds are not different from other Dachshunds apart from the coat color and pattern.
Pros and cons
Pros
✓ Great watchdog and protective.
✔ This dog is great for apartment dwellers.
✓ Energetic and funny.
✔ Low-maintenance.
✓ Loving and affectionate.
Cons
✗ Expensive.
✘ May suffer from deafness.
✗ Can bark a lot if not well trained.
✘ Difficult to train and stubborn.
General characteristics of the Piebald Dachshund
Pied Dachshund summary table | |
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Height | 5 to 9 inches |
Weight | 10 to 32 pounds |
Lifespan | 12-16 years |
Breed Type | Hound |
Purpose | Companion and watchdog |
Suitable For | Apartment living |
Grooming requirements | Moderate |
Color Variations | white with patterns or spots of another color |
Health concerns | Deafness, Intervertebral Disc Disease, Epilepsy |
Temperament | Affectionate, Loving, Intelligent, Protective, Stubborn, Feisty |
Other names | Pied Dachshund, Piebald Doxie, Pied Weiner dog |
How big does a Pied Dachshund get?
The Piebald Dachshund comes in two size varieties namely;
- Standard: Weighs between 16 and 32 pounds and stands at 8 to 9 inches.
- Miniature: Weighs under 11 pounds and stands at 5 to 6 inches.
The physical appearance
Sausage dogs are known for their elongated backs, low-muscular frame, and short stubby legs.
They are also known to have low hanging floppy ears.
Their paws are little and paddle-shaped to help them dig and they also have slender but long faces.
Needless to say, this is a very unique and goofy breed as a whole without looking into the different varieties.
Piebald Wiener dogs commonly have blue eyes mainly due to a lack of pigmentation.
Almost similar dog- The Dachshund Labrador mix.

Pied Badger dog Coat appearance and shedding
The Piebald Dachshund can come in 3 coat varieties;
- Long-haired
- Wire-haired
- Short-haired
Long-haired Sausage dogs have a long and flowing coat and are arguably the most glamorous.
Wire-haired Pied Dachshunds have a soft undercoat with a wiry outer coat.
Short-haired Wieners have a short, shiny, and silky coat.
These dogs shed but the level of shedding will depend on the coat type. However, all three Piebald Dachshund coat varieties don’t shed much.
Colors
Piebald is a pattern but not a color.
Dachshunds with this pattern are also known as Pied and are characterized by a white base color with darker patches or spots.
The biggest patch can be found on the dog’s head or the canine’s back.
Some of the secondary spot/patch colors are;
Red | Tan | Black |
Chocolate | Brown | Blue |
Gray |
Temperament and personality of the Piebald Dachshund
The Piebald Sausage Dog may be intelligent but he can also be very determined and this can make him stubborn.
This pooch is also energetic and playful but there is nothing he loves more than being next to his owner and getting all the pampering and love to himself.
He will always form stronger bonds with one or two members of the family more than the rest.
Pied Dachshunds are very protective dogs and this can sometimes lead to barking problems.
He is also known to bark and howl when he gets bored or at fast-moving objects. You should, therefore, make sure that you socialize him early enough and consistently.
With all this said, you should note that this is a goofy dog and you will never have a dull moment when he is at your side.
Is the Piebald Dachshund a good family dog?
The Piebald Dachshund is an excellent family dog but can be slightly intolerant of rough play, especially from children.
You should make sure that you supervise any play and interactions that this dog may have with young children.
He can also be standoffish with other animals, especially those that he has not been brought up with.
However, with the right technique you can control this dog instincts and make him more manageable. Visit this guide to learn more about the same.
Frequently asked questions
Are Piebald Dachshunds rare?
The Pied or piebald pattern in Dachshunds is a unique pattern that is considered rare. However, with an increase in popularity and demand for this piebald dog, he has slowly stopped becoming rare and is now highly sort after.
What is the difference between piebald and dapple Dachshunds?
Dapple Dachshunds have a darker base color with lighter patches and spots as the secondary color. Unlike Dapple Dachshunds, Piebald Dachshunds have a lighter base color (white) with darker spots and patches. Also, Piebald and Dapple genes are different in that the Dapple gene is dominant while the Piebald gene is recessive.
How long do Piebald Dachshunds live?
Piebald Dachshunds have a lifespan of between 12 and 16 years.
Pied Wiener dog puppies
Litter size
1 to 6 puppies on average.
Larger litter sizes are at risk of being stillborn and you should, therefore, make sure that your Pied Sausage dog has an ultrasound completed before birth to known the number of puppies.
How much does a Piebald Dachshund cost?
The price of a Piebald Dachshund can vary from $600 and $35oo depending on several factors;
- Location.
- The dog coat type.
- Pedigree.
- Medical fees.
How to groom a Piebald Doxie
The grooming requirements will depend on the type of coat that the dog has but is not affected but the pattern of the dog’s coat.
Long-haired and wire-haired pied Dachshunds will need to be brushed at least 3 times a week to prevent the coat from knotting and tangling. The short-haired coat will only need to be brushed weekly to keep it smooth and shiny.
Wire and long-haired Piebald Doxies may need their coats stripped at least 3 times every year to allow healthy regrowth of the fur.
You should not be concerned about dog odor with this dog as he does not accumulate much debris or dirt.
Baths are not needed frequently and should only be done every 6 weeks or when it is necessary.
Dental care and nail clipping will also be needed to keep this pooch healthy.
Exercise requirements
The Pied Sausage dog may be small but he very energetic and will need to be exercised frequently.
At least 45 minutes of daily exercise will be needed to meet this dog’s mental and physical stimulation.
Exercise will help to keep the dog lively and to prevent him from getting obese.
He will love to go for walks to the dog park and play fetch at the backyard with his favorite hooman.
2 daily walks should be enough but you should always make sure that you leash this badger dog as he can have a high prey drive.
Daily Exercise Requirements | |
---|---|
Minutes | 30 to 60 minutes |
Number of walks | 2 (15 minutes each) |
Piebald Dachshund feeding and diet
The best diet for this dog is a high-quality diet formulated for a small dog breed that should be high on proteins and low on carbs and fats.
About 1 cup of daily high-quality kibble should be enough for this dog. The food should be split into 2 or 3 portions.
Pied Dachshund Daily Food Consumption | |
---|---|
Guide | 200 to 500 calories |
Cups of Kibble | ~1 |
This dog can be prone to obesity and it is therefore important that you watch his diet. Obesity can cause problems for the dog’s elongated back and can even damage it.
If you notice that your Piebald Wiener dog is getting overweight, you should follow some of this pro dog weight loss tips.
How to train a Piebald Sausage dog
The Pied Dachshund might be intelligent but he can also be stubborn and troublesome during training.
This can be frustrating but you will need to be patient and consistent to train these pups.
You should let them learn that you are in charge and avoid using any aversive training methods that may damage any progress.
Train this dog by frequently training him and rewarding him through positive reinforcement. Motivating him to repeat good behaviors is your best bet to make sure that he learns new commands and tricks quickly.
It is also essential that you socialize this dog from an early age to make him more welcoming to other animals and strangers.
Known health problems
The piebald gene in dachshunds has been associated with loss in hearing but having the gene does not guarantee that your Wiener dog will be deaf.
This dog’s elongated back and short legs can also be problematic for the dog’s health. Intervertebral Disc Disease can develop due to the dog’s stature and is painful and could lead to paralysis.
Epilepsy is also common in badger dogs and can cause frequent seizures.
Summary
The Piebald Dachshund is a great dog suitable for different households and living conditions.
He is also very intelligent but can also have a stubborn streak which can be problematic during training.
Because of his unique appearance, the Pied Sausage dog is slowly gaining popularity.
Does the Piebald Dachshund sound like the perfect dog for you? Share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
There you go, WOOF!