When I first heard of English Cream Dachshunds, I thought this was a unique Dachshund color I have never heard of. However, the truth was a bit different.
English Cream Dachshund is an amazingly cute variation of a Dachshund breed. It is often confused with a specific Dachshund crossbreed, which is why many people think this is a mixed breed of dog.
In fact, this might be one of the most intriguing doggies out there – which is no surprise, if you take into consideration the Dachshund breed. These German dogs are easily considered some of the most unique dogs out there, with their short legs and long bodies.
But, what makes English Cream Dachshunds different from standard Doxies? And can they still be considered Wiener Dogs?
Here’s everything you need to know about these rare yet cheerful doggies:
What Is An English Cream Dachshund?
People love dogs that come in crazy coat colors. Whether that be piebald, brindle, or light cream colors, breeders are always trying to produce various types of a specific dog breed. This is how they’ve ended with dogs with a cream coat.
English Cream Dachshunds are not one of the amazing Dachshund mixes. Instead, they are a variation of the Dachshund breed. They originate from England, which is one of the reasons behind the sub-breed’s name. The other reason is the dog’s coat color.
Original English Cream Dachshunds come from a few specific bloodlines from reputable breeders in England. Today, however, not many true English Cream Doxies exist, as most have been mixed with other types of Dachshunds.
This, combined with their high price, is one of the reasons why not many people have heard of English Cream Dachshunds.
Is This A Crossbreed?
The English Cream Dachshund I’m talking about is not a crossbreed, although a mixed breed dog of the same name exists.
Some dog lovers use the term English Cream Dachshund to describe the crossbreed of the Dachshund and the English Cream Retriever, or rather the Golden Retriever that fits the United Kennel Club’s (UKC) breed standard,
While this crossbreed is almost impossible to find in the U.S., it is a bit more common in the United Kingdom, where most Golden Retrievers are English Creams.
Still, this isn’t the same English Cream Dachshund as the one from a specific bloodline – although there certainly are similarities in their appearance.
English Cream Dachshund Appearance
English Cream Dachshunds look very similar to and very different from standard Dachshunds, as weird as that sounds.
They have many physical traits that clearly make them Dachshunds, such as their short legs and stature, long muzzle, and floppy ears.
At the same time, they have a long, soft coat, and they come in an unusual rich cream color, which is how they’ve got their name.
Not just that, but they are smaller than standard Doxies, as they usually have a height of no more than 6 feet, and a weight of up to 11 pounds. This is why they are also known as Cream Miniature Dachshunds.
All true English Cream Dachshunds have a light, wavy coat, with longer hairs behind their legs, on their bellies and chest, under their necks, and on their ears. This gives them a striking yet a bit messy (but in a good way!) appearance.
Two Types Of English Cream Dachshunds
While their basic characteristics are the same, there are two English Cream Dachshund varieties: the Shaded Cream and the EE Dachshund.
These two belong to the same dog breed, although they are different varieties. I’ll explain.
Shaded Cream Dachshunds
Shaded Cream Dachshunds, as their name suggests, have a dark overlay on their coat that looks like a shadow. This is due to individual black hairs spread over their bodies, giving them a shaded appearance.
At first glance, you might think these pooches have a dapple or sable pattern. However, once you look closely, you’ll see that these two patterns are nothing alike.
Sable means black tips. These dogs have black tips of their hair, which are caused by specific genes.
Shaded Cream Dachshunds, on the other hand, have black hairs that are so scarce they don’t make any markings, just give the dog the black overlay that makes them stand out from other Dachshunds.
Not just that, but this overlay can usually be found only on the dog’s ears and tail.
Next to this color difference, the Shaded Cream variety also seems to have a few more features that make it unique.
This includes a somewhat darker eye color and darker eye rims and paw pads.
Another thing that’s very specific about Shaded English Creams is that they are born looking almost entirely black. It isn’t until they are a few weeks old that you’ll be able to set them apart from standard long-haired Dachshunds.
EE Cream Dachshunds
Many breed lovers consider EE Cream Dachshunds to be the only true variety of the English Cream Dachshund.
Also known as Clear Cream, the EE Cream dogs have a light coat color from the day they are born. In fact, their color won’t change much as they grow older, except that it might darken up a bit.
These dogs don’t have the genetics for darker coat color, which is why you’ll never see them having any dark pigments on their bodies. This is one of the features that truly make them special.
Unfortunately, Clear Cream Dachshunds are becoming rarer over time, as controlling their light coat color can be a challenge.
Many breeders are forced to breed other long-haired Dachshund varieties to the Clear Creams as this is how they’ll try to eliminate any strands of dark hair color from the bloodline.
Unfortunately, this process is ruining their bloodlines, which is yet another reason why there are so few EE Creams nowadays.
Genetics
Everything in the dog’s appearance is determined by his genetics. The same goes for the English Cream Dachshunds.
The English Cream Dachshunds have something that is called the chinchilla gene. The same type of gene is common in Shih Tzus, dogs known for graying over time.
The chinchilla gene causes both types of English Cream dogs. However, in the case of the Shaded Cream Dachshunds, the Chinchilla gene will overwrite the standard red color, giving it a shaded appearance.
These pups also have genes for their long coats and small size. Not to mention that they need to be of pure bloodlines to be considered true English Creams.
As such, there are many specific genetic traits that cause English Creams to look the way they do. This is what makes them so special and different from other types of Dachshunds.
How To Tell English Cream Dachshunds From Fakes
Some dog breeders are claiming to sell English Cream Dachshunds when they are simply having light-colored Doxies that have the appearance dog owners usually connect with this variety.
However, for a dog to be a true English Cream Dachshund, he needs to come from a specific bloodline. In other words, a breeder should be able to show a pedigree that will prove that their English Cream Dachshund puppy is truly what they are claiming.
One of the ways to recognize a true English Cream is to look at its coat length. All English Creams must have long, wavy coats.
Look at the rest of the litter. If you can see puppies with a wiry or straight coat, this means they couldn’t possibly be English creams.
Check out their parents, as well. No English Cream adult dog will have a red undertone. If such a color is present, this means the breeder is selling American Creams instead. This is the more common outcome if you live in the U.S.
English Creams come in miniature sizes only. They are always much smaller than standard Dachshunds. If they are of the same size as a regular Doxie, then you’re not dealing with an English Cream.
Finally, the only method that will certainly tell you whether you’re truly dealing with an English Cream is to have your dog undergo extensive DNA testing.
DNA testing isn’t as expensive as it used to be, so you might end up walking away with a pretty good deal. It can show you the bloodline of your pooch and let you know exactly what breed your dog is.
DNA testing is also a good choice as it can determine whether your pooch has some health problems – but more on that later on.
English Cream Dachshund Grooming
Dachshunds are fairly easy to groom – but this cannot be said for their English Cream cousins.
English Cream Dachshunds are long-haired dogs that require moderate brushing. This is the best way to keep the shedding to the minimum – but even this will likely be a high amount.
The best thing you can do is to buy the best Dachshund brush, such as a slicker brush, and groom your pooch daily. This will help you get rid of tangles and mats.
It would also be wise to bathe your English Cream Dachshunds once a month. Try not to bathe them more often, as this can lead to infections and skin issues.
Finally, as English Creams have hair overlay on their ears, this is a location that has to be trimmed at least weekly.
If all this sounds like too much work for you, you can simply contact a professional groomer from your area.
These people know how to handle even the most sensitive of dogs, so it’s a nice thing to know someone who can not just make your pooch look good, but feel good at the same time.
A professional groomer will also cut your dog’s nails, bathe them, and style their hair, if this is something you’d like.
Sure, this will cost you, but many owners of long-haired Dachshunds would agree that the costs are worth the value.
English Cream Dachshund Temperament
In general, the dog’s coat color doesn’t affect his behavior. However, there is a thing with history and learned behaviors.
If you breed a dog for a specific purpose for generations, the offspring are eventually going to be born with instincts about completing a task.
The same goes for the dog’s temperament. When there are generations of past behaviors, some of them are going to become instinctive.
For example, English Cream Dachshunds were mostly bred to be family pets and not working dogs. As such, they are a bit less active and calmer compared to the standard Dachshund.
As such, some Dachshund owners state that English Creams make even better family pets than standard purebred dogs do.
They aren’t as active as other Dachshund varieties, which is great news as Doxies have an energy that’s hard to follow.
At the same time, these pups are loyal to their owners, while also being extremely protective. They often forget their size and they can be quite feisty. This makes them amazing guard dogs and watchdogs.
Due to their calm nature, they go well with kids (unlike regular Dachshunds), but I’d still advise you to monitor any joined playtime. You can never be entirely certain that an accident won’t happen.
These dogs can end up being quite needy, and they are prone to separation anxiety. They are not good dogs for owners who spend a lot of time outside of their homes.
Finally, these are smart dogs that can learn new tricks with an ease – as long as they can go over their independent streak and common distraction during the dog training.
English Cream Dachshund Health
Some coat colors are connected with numerous health problems. Fortunately, the cream color resulting from the chinchilla gene isn’t one of them. English Cream Dachshunds are as healthy as any other Dachshunds.
Still, they are prone to a few health issues, such as:
• Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). This is the most common orthopedic problem in the entire Dachshund breed, and the reason for this is the dog’s short legs. IVDD is a progressive back issue that can lead to paralysis if left untreated.
• Canine Diabetes Mellitus. Just like diabetes in humans, Canine Diabetes Mellitus is a condition that occurs when the dog’s body doesn’t produce the right amount of insulin.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). This is a progressive eye condition that causes the degradation of the retina. While it cannot be cured, it can be kept under control with proper medication. However, it might also lead to blindness.
• Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (Bloat). Bloat is common among large dog breeds, but it can also happen to small dogs that are known as voracious eaters, such as Dachshunds. Fortunately, the condition isn’t as severe as in large dogs, and it will rarely cause death, especially if you take your best friend to the vet as soon as possible.
Dachshunds are also prone to many back problems due to their elongated spine.
If you take good care of your pooch, you can expect him to have a lifespan of 12 to 16 years.
The first thing you can do for your pooch is to feed him only high quality dog food and ensure he has a balanced diet. This will keep your
English Cream from developing obesity, something that is very common with these pups.
You should also make sure they get enough exercise. Just don’t go overboard if you have a senior dog!
Dachshunds shouldn’t jump too much, especially if they are overweight. Their bones are not made for such tasks, and they can easily hurt themselves.
Still, they are among the healthier dogs out there. It isn’t rare for them to live much longer than their life expectancy.
English Cream Dachshund For Sale
Photo from: @lucie.rhodax
When looking at listings of English Cream Dachshunds for sale, chances are you are seeing various pricing and locations.
One of the reasons is the one I’ve mentioned before, and that is because some breeders are selling mixed breed dogs under the same name.
Most of the time, this isn’t done to fool sellers. People simply don’t know the differences. Still, it can increase the confusion, especially when you’re dealing with a dog breed that isn’t really talked about.
Not only that, but there are a few other factors that can affect the price of a puppy placed for sale and the quality of the dog. This includes:
• The type of breeder – I’ll talk about this more in the next chapter.
• The breeder’s location. Not all breeds are equally wanted. For example, a German Shepherd is sought-after in rural areas with lots of fields. The English Cream Dachshund, on the other hand, is the best dog possible if you’re looking for a four-legged family member.
• Breeding practices. Some breeding practices require larger investments that the breeder has to make up for by increasing the sale price. Also, these breeding practices can lead to better or worse quality dogs
• Documentation. If the dog is sold with all the necessary paperwork, including pedigree and a health guarantee, he will cost more, but he will be of a greater value.
• Dog’s features. Many breeders are raising their prices when they realize they are having a rare breed. Considering that English Creams are a long-haired variety, it’s easy to assume they are considered rare.
English Cream Dachshund Breeders
There are three types of Dachshund breeders out there: Puppy mills, backyard breeders, and reputable breeders. Not all breeds of dogs are of the same quality.
Puppy mills don’t care too much about their dogs. Canines are a way for them to earn money, and they are treating them in such a manner.
As a result, many of their dogs are underfed, dirty, and left in poor conditions.
Backyard breeders are not nearly as bad as puppy mills. In fact, many of these people love their dogs and would do anything for them.
Unfortunately, these people don’t know how to breed dogs properly. This can result in not just unhealthy, but non-socialized dogs that can grow up to be a nuisance to everyone.
As such, the only place I think is worth it are reputable breeders. All of their pups are considered family members and are properly taken care of.
Sure, reputable breeders are quite costly. However, there is a good reason behind such a high price.
First and foremost, reputable breeders conduct various health tests. This will help them determine whether a dog is suitable for breeding and continue with their sale.
Not just that, but they provide some early socialization and dog training to their puppies. When you buy from them, you likely won’t have to take your dog to the professional dog trainer that often.
In other words, sure, you’ll pay a higher initial price, but you’ll save in the long run.
Reputable breeders are also helping keep the English Cream Dachshund’s bloodline pure and clear. They carefully select the dogs they want to keep on breeding, and by doing this, they ensure the breed standard is followed.
By supporting reputable breeders, you will also be supporting a dog breed you love.
FAQs
Photo from: @duggie_and_daphne
Do English Cream Dachshunds Shed?
English Cream Dachshunds are moderate shedders. They don’t experience as high shedding amounts as some other dog breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers or Golden Retrievers they are often mistaken for.
One of the reasons why the amount of shedding isn’t too bad is because these are small dogs. The smaller the dog, the fewer the hairs on their body, which means less hair fallout.
Still, the loose hairs will fly everywhere, which is why proper grooming and coat maintenance is essential.
This also means that this isn’t a hypoallergenic dog.
How Much Is A Cream Dachshund?
The English Cream Dachshund is the most expensive of all Dachshund varieties, but it usually isn’t as crazily expensive as plants can be.
In general, you can expect to pay between $2,000 and $2500 for your English Cream Dachshund puppy. However, the prices can jump even higher. For example, it isn’t unusual to find out that a specific English Cream Sausage dog costs more than $5,000.
Before you rush to make a decision to become an English Cream owner, you should also consider the costs of providing your dog with everything he needs.
Are English Cream Dachshunds Rare?
While there are some Dachshund varieties that are rarer than these Doxies, English Cream Dachshunds are among the rarer Dachshund varieties out there.
Still, the rarest Dachshunds are black Dachshunds. Black isn’t a standard color in Dachshunds, and it is challenging to find.
As black Dachshunds can’t participate in dog shows nor be registered within the American Kennel Club (AKC), not many people will want them. This is also the reason why there are no longer many black Dachshunds.
When a coat color isn’t desirable, a breeder will stop producing it as they cannot profit. This is how many coat colors have become rare.
While rare, English Cream Dachshunds are still very sought-after, especially in the latest years. This is the main reason why they are no longer as rare as they used to be.
Are There American Cream Dachshunds?
Just like there are English Cream Dachshunds, there are the American Cream Dachshunds. The prefix on their names, however, means much more than just the location where they’re coming from.
At the first glance, the English and the American Cream Dachshunds look the same way. Genetically, however, they are very different.
English Cream Dachshunds originate from a specific Dachshund bloodline that holds the genes to the dog’s unique appearance.
On the other hand, American Cream Dachshunds, while mostly purebred, are the result of careful selective breedings of dogs with either the dominant red gene, the recessive red gene, and the blue dilution gene.
The American Creams often have a darker coat color that might be even red in shade. This will especially be prominent as they mature since their hairs will become darker in color.
In general, the American Creams will always have a red undertone, something that isn’t present in their English counterparts.
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