fawn Mini dachund and alopecia

Question
QUESTION: I am considering gettting a mini that is fawn colored with green eyes. I know thet there is a baldness possibility in this color. are there any percentages? Is there a way to tell when the puppy is only 8 weeks old

ANSWER: A fawn color is an isabella.  I have fostered several and they all had coat issues.  Since it is a dilute color, the coat issue is common but I do not know a percentage - in my own experience it was 100%.  It may be hard to tell so young.  You can look around in spots and see where the coat is thin.  They typically have a very thin coat which can lead to spotty or bald areas.  I know a breeder who stopped breeding isabellas and blues because of coat issues.  I hope this helps since it is hard to tell and you do not know what they will be like as a adult.

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QUESTION: I am also curious about male versus female and bathroom issues. I have read
that if a male is neutered early ( by 4-5 months) they do not tend to lift the leg
or mark territory. I am wondering if that is true. I had preferred a female but a
male puppy from a champion sire is available from a DCA member, not sure, she
says that he is sweet and will not have those issues your thoughts thanks

Answer
Neutering early does help, if it prevents it completely I am not sure, but the hormones contribute a lot to it.  Once they start marking it can be harder to get them to stop and as a puppy, he should housebreak easier and neutering will help.  Neutering is one of the first things we do in rescue - to prevent marking, aid in housebreaking, reduce over population, and it is so much healthier for the dog - esp. as they age.  I had 4 girls one time and did not want a boy and then I ended up fostering and adopting five of them!  I love them dearly and I only have one that I have to watch - he will not generally spray unless he is in a strange place (like a hotel) and then I tell him no a couple of times when he looks like he is thinking about it and he stops and is fine after that.  He was an adult when I got him so a puppy should be even easier.  Girls are great too.  I now have 2.