Cream Long Haired Dachshund: Facts, History & Origin (With Pictures)
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The iconic Dachshund, also affectionately known as the wiener dog and the Doxie, is a popular breed worldwide. They are known for their spunky and friendly natures, in addition to their long and low bodies.
Breed Overview
| Height: | 8 – 9 inches |
| Weight: | 11 – 32 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 – 15 years |
| Colors: | Black, red, cream, brown, sable, pied, brindle, grey, fawn |
| Suitable for: | Companionship to singles or seniors; families with older kids |
| Temperament: | Feisty, willful, vocal, alert |
They come in a variety of colors. You’re probably most familiar with the red as well as the black & tan color, but did you know there is a cream Dachshund?
We’ll discuss everything from the history of the Doxie to what kind of pets they make. And we’ll cover everything we know about the Cream Dachshund.
Cream Long Haired Dachshund Characteristics
The Earliest Records of Dachshunds in History
The Dachshund (pronounced DAHKS-hund in North America) is a small dog that originated in Germany around 600 years ago. The name translates to “badger dog,” as the Dachshund was bred to dig badgers out of their dens. This helps to explain the shape of their bodies as well as their feisty attitudes!
The Doxie were hunting badgers since at least the Middle Ages, but it was in the late 1600s that the Dachshunds we know today were developed. By the 1700s, German hunters and foresters started breeding these dogs consistently.
How Dachshunds Gained Popularity
The UK was introduced to Dachshunds around 1840, and the Royal Family took to these tiny hunting dogs for hunting pheasants. Queen Victoria’s love for these dogs kickstarted their popularity, which is when people started keeping them in their homes as pets.
Doxies were introduced to North American shores in the 1880s, and their popularity rose in the 30s and 40s.
However, during World War I, they fell out of favor because of their German ancestry, and lovers of the Doxie started calling them Liberty Hounds to dissociate them from Germany.
By 1972, Germany hosted the Olympics in Munich and used a Dachshund named Waldi as the official mascot.
Currently, Doxies are amongst the most popular dogs and, as of 2022, are the 10th most popular breed in the United States.
Formal Recognition of Dachshunds
The American Kennel Club (AKC) admitted the Doxie to their Stud Book in 1885, and The Dachshund Club of America was founded in 1895. The United Kennel Club has formally recognized them since 1919.
- Black & Cream
- Black & Tan
- Blue & Tan
- Chocolate & Tan
- Cream
- Red
- Wheaten
- Wild Boar
- Blue & Cream
- Fawn & Tan
- Fawn & Cream
- Chocolate & Cream
So, yes, Cream Dachshunds are considered an official breed with a standard color. But really, there isn’t anything all that standard about these beautiful and unique dogs.
How Do You Get a Cream Dachshund?
There is a gene called the chinchilla gene that produces the cream color in English Cream dogs. This gene has nothing to do with the Chinchilla mammal but is the name of the gene that is responsible for the Doxie’s color.
However, the Shaded Cream Dachshund can get its shaded colors when the chinchilla gene essentially cancels out any red color and will give the dog a shaded appearance.
What Are American Cream Dachshunds?
There are actually two different Cream Dachshunds – the English Cream and the American Cream Dachshund.
The American Creams are technically red dilute Dachshunds. They are usually born with a very pale cream color that will take on a reddish hue as they mature. Some light red Dachshunds are occasionally called American Creams, which can be both long and shorthaired breeds.
These dogs are born with one of these three genetic possibilities – dominant red gene, recessive red gene, and blue dilution gene.
What Are English Cream Dachshunds?
The English Cream Dachshund is the more “official” cream color. There are a number of variations in this color range, which include EE (also referred to as clear) cream, shaded cream, cream brindle, blue or black cream, cream dapple, and cream piebald.
True English Cream dogs are born with a black coat, with the cream color developing as they mature.
- EE or clear cream: The EE gene restricts the dog from forming any dark pigment. This will cause the Doxie to have cream fur as well as cream whiskers and nails.
- Cream: This is the general name given to most Cream Dachshunds, including the English and EE colors.
- Shaded cream:These dogs will be predominantly cream but will have dark banding on the fur tips and dark whiskers, nails, and paw pads. This is not the same as a sable Dachshund.
Top 10 Unique Facts About Dachshunds
- Historically, the English Cream Dachshund was developed in the UK, where their ancestry is traced to a few kennels over several generations.
- All English Cream Dachshunds are long-haired. They aren’t considered an English Cream dog if there is a light-colored wire-haired or shorthaired Dachshund.
- The English Cream Dachshund’s coat is only off-white or golden. As mentioned earlier, if there is a reddish tone, it is not a Cream Dachshund.
- The Cream Dachshund is only in miniature size, weighing up to 11 pounds and standing five to six inches in height.
- The coat of the Cream Dachshund is softer than that of other Dachshunds.
- The record for the world’s oldest dog has gone to two Dachshunds. One by the name of Chanel lived until 21, and Scolly lived until age 20.
- Thanks to their background in burrowing into badger dens, Doxies love to bury themselves under almost anything – like your laundry or blankets. This also makes them diggers, so never leave them alone in your backyard!
- You may or may not know that Doxies are in the Hound Group. This also makes them the smallest of the hound dogs!
- Dachshunds have proven to be the muse of a number of artists – Andy Warhol would let his Doxie answer some questions in interviews, David Hockney painted his two dogs in 45 oil paintings, and Picasso also painted his beloved Dachshund, Lump.
- Unfortunately, because of their long spines and short legs, Doxies are prone to spine and back injuries and shouldn’t jump. They need ramps and stairs to protect them.
Does the Cream Dachshund Make a Good Pet?
Absolutely! They aren’t the 10th most popular dog in the US for no reason! Most Cream Dachshund owners claim the Cream breed is more laidback and easygoing compared to the standard Dachshunds. They are also known to be sweet, calm, and less stubborn than their counterparts as well.
Because of their mild-mannered natures, they make great family dogs. However, bear in mind that the Dachshund, like all hound dogs, is very vocal, which can be a good thing in a watchdog, but a bad thing for your neighbors.
While they are small dogs, they are also very energetic and require two walks a day of about 20 minutes each. And they’ll need brushing once a day but a bath only about once a month.
Overall, they are loving dogs that aren’t overly high maintenance but remember to keep in mind you’ll need ramps and other aids to help your Doxie from injuring their back.
Conclusion
The long and the short of it is, if a breeder states they have an English Cream Dachshund and the dog is not miniature, isn’t long haired, or has any reddish hue to their fur, this isn’t an official Cream Dachshund. Always ask for documentation to confirm the dog’s ancestry.
These dogs are actually fairly rare, which also means they are hard to find and definitely more expensive. But with their calm natures and beautiful, soft, and eye-catching coats, as well as their long lifespan, you really can’t go wrong with the Cream Long Haired Dachshund.
- See also: Teacup Dachshund
Featured Image Credit: Ilze Coertze, Shutterstock
