Like the richness of the name suggests, English Cream Dachshunds are beautiful dogs with luxurious blonde coats. There are several types of cream-colored Dachshunds, but not all of them are authentic English-bred creams.
Breed Overview
Height:
12–15 inches
Weight:
Under 11 pounds
Lifespan:
12–16 years
Colors:
Cream
Suitable for:
Families with older children
Temperament:
Devoted, playful, curious
Because of the scarcity of reputable breeders with true English Dachshunds, these dogs have become highly sought-after varieties of the already-popular Doxie.
Dachshund Characteristics
The Earliest Records of English Cream Dachshunds in History
Dachshunds were bred in the 15th century, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). The English Cream variety was first bred in England and traces its ancestry to just a few UK kennels. The name “English Cream” relates to multiple varieties, such as shaded cream, cream brindle, EE cream, and more.
The chinchilla gene is responsible for the true English Cream coloring, but not all cream-colored Dachshunds have this gene or English ancestry. Dachshunds with cream coloring but no English ancestry may be referred to as “cream.” Genuine English Cream Dachshunds only come in miniature long-haired variations.
EE Cream Dachshunds may be referred to as English Cream, but this coloration comes from the EE-red gene that prevents the animal from producing dark pigmentation. These blonde Dachshunds have cream fur, nails, and whiskers.
How English Cream Dachshunds Gained Popularity
While all cream-colored Dachshunds are sought for their elegant appearance, the genuine English Cream Dachshund with English ancestry is rarer and more expensive. There are fewer reputable breeders with provable pedigreed dogs, leading to high costs and demand.
There’s also anecdotal evidence that English Cream Dachshunds are more laid-back and mild-mannered than other Dachshund varieties, which are known for stubbornness. Besides the color, an English Cream Dachshund is still a Dachshund and generally shows the breed’s traits.
Formal Recognition of English Cream Dachshunds
The Dachshund was formally recognized by the AKC in 1885, which included miniature and standard varieties and smooth, wire-haired, and long-haired coats. The AKC recognizes a variety of coat colors, including black and tan, black and cream, blue and tan, chocolate and tan, cream, red, wheaten, wild boar, blue and cream, fawn and tan, fawn and cream, and chocolate and cream. The English Cream Dachshund falls under the “cream” variety.
Shortly after the AKC recognition in 1885, the Dachshund Club of America was formed to maintain the breed standards. The club also recognizes different varieties of cream as an accepted color for the Dachshund.
Top 4 Unique Facts About English Cream Dachshunds
1. American Cream Dachshunds are different from English Cream Dachshunds
While both of these blonde Dachshund varieties have a similar coat color, English and American Cream Dachshunds different in not only where they’re bred but the genes that contribute to their coloration. American Creams get their blonde coat from a combination of the dominant red gene, the recessive red gene, and the blue dilution gene rather than the chinchilla gene.
2. English Cream Dachshunds are born dark
English Cream Dachshunds are born nearly black and gain the cream coloration as they age. If you get a true-bred English Cream puppy, you won’t know exactly what shade of cream the dog will be until it’s an adult. American Cream Dachshunds are born a lightly faded color but take on a reddish coat as they age.
3. Clear Cream Dachshunds have different genes
Clear Cream Dachshunds have two chinchilla genes and a recessive red gene that creates a lighter pup with reddish undertones. Their nose, whiskers, pads, and nails are typically black, which is due to the EE-red gene preventing the development of other colors.
4. Authentic English Creams are easy to verify
With the popularity—and price—of the English Cream Dachshund, some breeders tout any Cream Dachshund as a true English variety. English Cream Dachshunds are unique in several ways, however. The breeder should be able to produce records of English parentage, and true English Creams only come in long-haired, miniature varieties. English Cream puppies will also be nearly black or very dark brown with black noses and nails.
Does an English Cream Dachshund Make a Good Pet?
Despite differences listed by English Cream Dachshund owners, this variety of Dachshund is simply a subset of the breed and shares common traits. Dachshunds were originally bred for hunting badgers and groundhogs in burrows, but they’re more common as house pets. Though intelligent, the Dachshund is stubborn and can be challenging to train. They also have a strong prey drive, so they’re not ideal for homes that have small animals.
Dachshunds make loyal companions and good watchdogs, brave to the point of being rash. They can be good with children, but it’s important to supervise interactions and teach children to play appropriately. They get along with cats and other dogs, but Dachshunds are prone to possessiveness and jealousy.
Conclusion
English Cream Dachshunds are elegant varieties of the Dachshund breed. Because of their rarity, these dogs are highly sought after and expensive. But beyond the rich cream color, English Cream Dachshunds share the same loyal, alert, and stubborn personalities of other Dachshund varieties and make wonderful pets for the right owner.
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Featured Image Credit: Carolyn Franks, Shutterstock
