DOUBLE DAPPLE - Double Dapple is the color of a dog that is a result of breeding two dapple dachshunds, sometimes referred to as single dapple, or two double dapple dachshunds or a single dapple and a double dapple breeding. When you breed two single dapple dachshunds, the color possibilities are solid, single dapple, and double dapple. When you breed two double dapples, you can only produce double dapples. When you breed a single dapple to a double dapple, you can produce single dapples and double dapples. The reason for these possibilities is that the single dapple is a heterozygous dapple and the double dapple is a homozygous dapple. The heterozygous dapple can pass a solid gene or a dapple gene for any given puppy. The homozygous dapple can only pass a dapple gene. Double dapple puppies will always have white markings, many in the same pattern that you would associate with a collie type dog (white band around the neck, white on paws, white blaze down nose and white tip on tail) The white may be more or less extensive. The double dapple dachshund usually has blue eyes but may have one or both dark eyes.

***WARNING***

DOUBLE DAPPLE DEFECTS- There are lethal genes commonly associated with double dapple. Not all double dapples have these problems and it is believed by some to be more of a problem in some lines than in others. The problems associated with lethal genes in double dapples are as follows; varying degrees of vision and hearing loss, including reduced or absent eyes. If you decide that you want a double dapple puppy, be prepared for these possible problems and be aware that they may not be diagnosed at a young age. Please note; when breeding a blind or deaf double dapple to a normal dog, the lethal traits are not passed on to the offspring, however most of the puppies of the double dapple breeding will be dapple. Remember that single dapple dachshunds do not have the lethal gene problems and if a single dapple is bred to a solid (non-dapple) there are no problems associated with single dapple dachshunds.