QuestionQUESTION: I am currently looking at buying a miniature dachshund puppy. The dam is a 4 year old black & tan dapple & the sire is a 2 year old blue & tan. Is it likely that the puppies will have coat problems or other genetic issues
ANSWER: Hard to say because blues typically have coat issues - I have not seen any that have none, but that does not mean they are not out there. It seems an odd breeding - a dapple and a blue - both are recessive gene colors. One other word since you are puppy hunting. Check out the size of the parents - most breeders will call their dogs minis and they are not. There are really few minis out there - most are tweenies. I had one woman who had gotten a pup and I was admiring the cuteness and mentioned how big she was and I was told with indignation that she would be a mini and when I politely told her there was no way pup could be she got angry with me. I beleive in being honest but still did not want to hurt her feelings. This is typical for doxie breeders though - if they are not standard size then they call them minis but they are not. Size is not an issue with me and probably not with others but it is worth knowing. I have 8 and most of them are tweenies and I love them dearly.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for answering so quickly! Funny enough I am looking for a true nine to eleven pound miniature. The sire is nine pounds, the dam is ten pounds. So the size is what I want but, with the gene issue I am concerned with the long term health of the puppy. I should add I am buying for a pet, not show or breeding purposes. I have talked to several breeders and have found what your saying to be common. There are a lot of tweenies being represented as miniatures. So I am left with a dilemma take a chance, keep on looking, or settle.
AnswerThe dam and sire in this case are minis so you may very well get a mini but it is a case of take a chance any time you buy a puppy. I am glad it is a pet and I hope you plan to sapy/neuter. Breeding those coat color is not a desirable pairing and since you are not going to breed, you can prevent "accidents" that way as well. Again, I used to get blues from a breeder and am familiar with their coats and never had I seen one that is perfectly normal, but often it does not affect overall health - some have skin problems that are persistent and incomfortable, some are just bald in spots, some have a thin coat that dries out easily and becomes itchy so they scratch and get sores, etc. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck - dachshunds are wonderful pets and if you socialize the puppy he/she will be friendly. Mine are all rescues 0 they make the best pets ever - and they are typically afraid of strangers but they have gotten to be very friendly and sweet to other people except one who tries to act tough because he is so scared. But I do have a puppy mill dog that loves everyone!
