English Cream Dachshund: The Most Misunderstood Doxie Color

If you have read my blog about Dachshund facts, you may find the name of this dog variety ironic and intriguing. For starters, Dachshunds used to symbolize Germany during World War I, but this variation is labeled “English cream.”

Aside from this little geeky fact, English cream Dachshunds are also known to be very expensive due to their coat color. A certain gene, which we will cover in detail later, causes the unique shade of their fur and creates different coat types that confuse many pet owners.

If you are a Dachshund lover just as I am, I bet you’ll enjoy this extremely informative guide. I collated all the key information about this dog that will surely have you looking for a breeder or rescue facility to adopt one.

What Is an English Cream Dachshund?

An English cream Dachshund is simply a subset of the Dachshund breed we know, but they are more pricey because of their ancestry and elegant cream coat. They come in two types which are the shaded cream and the EE or clear cream.

When you first heard the name of this puppy, you must have wondered why they have the indicator “English” on their name. This is because they were originally developed in the United Kingdom and they carry the chinchilla gene which is unique to this line.

Due to the continuous breeding of this dog to other Dachshund varieties, most of the creams we see now cannot really be tagged as pure English creams. Hence, dogs with an authentic British lineage became more rare and expensive.

All Types of Cream Dachshunds Explained

I have come across many Dachshund enthusiasts who think that there is only one type of English cream and that is the EE or clear coated.

When I tell them that those with shaded coats are also dubbed as English creams, they look at me like I’m a child who failed to research his assignment.

But it’s true, though. There are two types of English cream Dachshunds you’ll find in the market today. They aren’t a separate variety, nor a separate breed. Below is a more comprehensive review of these two.

Shaded Cream

Shaded English cream Dachshunds have some sort of dark shading on their coat; that’s why they are often mistaken as sables. But to clarify, sables were produced through a different gene and they do not look similar to the former if you look closely.

Sables have black-tipped hairs and this can be found all over their body, whereas the black overlay of English creams is only found on the tip of their ears and tail.

What’s more, Dachshunds with black shadings on their body also appear as if some of their features are emphasized. For instance, their eyes look deeper in color, and they seem to have eyeliner which makes their eyes pop.

You can also distinguish them immediately at birth because they are born with an almost black coat. Their whiskers and nails are also dark and they only lighten as they mature.

Clear Cream or EE

Contrary to the shaded cream, clear cream Dachshunds or EE cream Dachshunds are born very light and only exhibit a slightly darker tone as they mature.

They don’t have any dark pigments on the tip of their ears and tail because they are genetically incapable of producing any color.

Recently, they became in demand because more and more pet owners are enticed by their neat, elegant-looking coat.

Despite this status, the number of clear creams is still few because breeders are having difficulties in removing the dark pigment on their coat without breeding them to other non-English Dachshund varieties.

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What Does the English Cream Dachshund Look Like?

The physical features of English cream Dachshunds do not differ much from regular Doxies, to be honest. What mainly distinguishes them from the other Dachshund colors is their incredibly soft coat and their rich cream color which can either be whitish or gold in tone.

In terms of size, they only exist in miniature versions standing at five to six inches and weighing 11 pounds or less.

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To visualize how they exactly look like, here are the specifications of their appearance:

• Head: It tapers to the tip of their nose when viewed from above.
• Eyes: Almond-shaped with dark pupils. The eye rims are dark as well, but their stare is not piercing.
• Muzzle: Slightly arched and well-formed.
• Neck: Muscular and long without any dewlap.
• Trunk: Relatively longer and fully muscled than other dogs.
• Chest: The breast-bone on their chest is prominent and they have well-sprung ribs.
• Tail: Not gaily carried and doesn’t have any pronounced twists or kinks.

When it comes to coat length, true English creams only come in a long-haired variety.

Long-haired English cream Dachshunds are known for their slightly wavy hair which is longer on their ears, forechest, under their neck, on the underside of their body, and behind their legs. They can either be shaded or clear cream.

If you want to see one, watch this video:

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English Cream Dachshund vs. American Cream Dachshund: What’s the Difference?

In the case of cream Dachshunds, the indicators used before their names, such as English and American, signify not only the geographical location of where they came from but also the genes that make them distinct from one another.

Although they look relatively similar, these two Dachshund varieties are far from being the same. American creams got their light coat color from three factors: the blue dilution gene, the dominant red gene, or the recessive red gene.

Unlike most English cream Dachshunds who were born almost black, American creams are born with an extremely light faded color, but they take on a more reddish coat as they mature.

If you are confused as to whether your pup is an English or American cream, always observe their coat. If they have reddish undertones, they are probably the latter.

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English Cream Dachshund Genetics: How Do You Get an English Cream Dachshund?

I bet you are interested to learn what genes make this Dachshund stand out, so I added this section to satisfy your curiosity.

The gene which causes the light color of an English cream’s coat is called the chinchilla gene. This produces both the shaded cream and the EE or clear cream Dachshund.

For the shaded cream puppies, their dominant red gene is overwritten by two copies of the chinchilla genes.

As a result, they are born with a dark-mousy brown coat which lightens as they turn three months old. Some dark hairs stay the same especially on the tip of their ears and tails.

On the other hand, clear creams possess the recessive red gene which is altered by the two chinchilla genes. They aren’t born dark-colored and are instead very light with reddish undertones.

Their nose, whiskers, paw pads, and nails are black. They cannot produce any color on their coat because of the presence of the EE-red gene.

How to Tell If Your Puppy Is a True English Cream Dachshund?

To be honest, many breeders out there who brag about producing English cream Dachshunds don’t really have one in their possession. Unless they can provide an authentic pedigree that proves that their puppy is of British lineage, do not make any transactions with them.

Here are some other ways to figure out if the dog you are eyeing is a true English cream Dachshund:

• English cream Dachshunds are born black and only lightens overtime. Some shading may remain on their coat but this is expected from this pup. Clear creams are an exception to this because they are born with a very light coat.
• They only come in the long-haired variety. If the parent breeds were also able to produce short-haired or wire-haired pups, ditch the breeder you are talking with.
• Their coat color is very light and it has a yellow undertone comparable to an eggshell’s color.
• Their light cream color doesn’t change throughout their life. They don’t darken or manifest a reddish undertone like the American creams.
• The nose and nails of English creams are black and their eyes are dark brown.
• They only come in miniature sizes.

The best way to find out if your cream Dachshund is of British ancestry is to have them undergo DNA testing. There are now test kits that are readily available and they aren’t that expensive.

This will also help you determine if your puppy has some sort of genetic condition that may make them suffer later in life.

English Cream Dachshund Lifespan and Health Issues

Want to hear some good news? The chinchilla gene which is responsible for your puppy’s cream color is not associated with any grave health issues that afflict Dachshunds. Because of this, English creams live up to 12 to 16 years.

They may even live beyond this average life expectancy if you ensure that they are healthy. You can do this by bringing them to the vet regularly so they can be assessed if they show signs of the following diseases:

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This is a condition that targets the health of your English cream’s retina. If not diagnosed early, this will lead to a loss of photoreceptors that is the primary cause of blindness.
• Canine Diabetes Mellitus: Most Dachshunds, not only English creams, are afflicted with this health issue. Their body does not produce enough insulin, so the pup cannot regulate their sugar level.
• Gastric Dilatation-volvulus: This is not as alarming as the first two health issues mentioned, but this is still something that you should watch out for in your pet. The other name for this condition is bloat and this occurs when the pup ate too much food which causes the stomach to dilate.
• Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD): This is a back problem that is common among Dachshunds. The common signs of this condition are loss of bladder and bowel control, difficulty raising their rear legs, and paralysis.

English Cream Dachshund Grooming Needs

Since English cream Dachshunds are long-haired dogs, they tend to shed moderately. This means that they would greatly benefit if they are expertly groomed.

The primary grooming need of an English cream is brushing. When you do this, it is recommended that you use a slicker brush to remove debris and loose hair. This can also eliminate tangles and matting in your puppy’s coat.

When it comes to bathing, remember that your English cream Dachshund only needs it once a month. Do not over bathe your dog because this can dry out their skin or irritate it. They will also lose protective oils on their coat which can lead to dandruff.

Another equally important grooming need of your dog is hair trimming. Usually, the fur on their ears and feet grow infringes so you should learn how to keep them neat and tidy by chunking a portion of their fur on those areas.

Similarly, you need to trim your English cream’s nails once a month. You also have to check their eyes for redness and their ears for bad odor.

English Cream Dachshund Temperament: Do They Make Good Family Dogs?

Generally, the temperament of English cream Dachshunds is in sync with their coat. They are calm and sweet which is very fitting for their rabbit-like color.

Here is a detailed analysis of how they behave:

• English cream Dachshunds love chasing and hunting because of their innate prey drive.
• They are great watchdogs, but they’re a bit territorial.
• They are super smart and independent.
• They can be a little stubborn especially since they are smart. You’ll see them doing everything, even tricking you, just to get what they want.
• They are very loyal to their owner, which makes them an excellent companion pet.
• They are the calmest Dachshund variety, so you can probably bring them anywhere you want and they will quickly settle.
• They do well with children due to their placid nature.
• They get along well with strangers because they love pleasing people.

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How Much Does an English Cream Dachshund Cost? Puppy Prices and Other Expenses

Purebred English cream Dachshunds are the most expensive Doxie dog. Most reputable breeders sell them at around $2,000 to $2,500, but you’ll also see some litters which are being sold at beyond $5,000. This is because some lines are more premium than the others.

Aside from the hefty amount you have to pay in purchasing them, you also have to buy some initial items so their transition from the breeder’s facility to your home won’t be stressful for them.

Below is a list of the items I’m talking about including their average cost:

Places to Find English Cream Dachshund Puppies for Sale and Adoption

If you have already decided to buy this unique Dachshund variety, I’m here to help you find one. Below is a list of breeders and directories which you can visit:

• AKC Marketplace – This is probably your best source of an English cream Dachshund because all the breeders who are posted here are affiliated with the American Kennel Club.
• Crown Dachshunds – This is located in Southern California and has been breeding Doxins including the English creams since 2011.
• Cream Doxie Luv – All the puppies from this breeder are offspring of AKC registered dogs. You can view all their dams and sires on their website.

You can always choose to adopt because there are so many Dachshund dogs that are currently residing in shelters and rescues. Here are some organizations you can check out:

• Dachshund Rescue of North America – This rescue has given over 12,000 Dachshunds their new home. They’ve been around since 1999 and all of their dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, fecal tested, heartworm tested, and dental cleaned.
• All American Dachshund Rescue – This is a non-profit organization that saves homeless Dachshunds. They advocate spaying and neutering, so the English creams you will adopt from them already underwent this procedure.
• Dachshund Rescue – This is an independent rescue that aims to find permanent homes for all the Dachshund types. They offer five-week free insurance for all their adopted dogs.

Commonly Asked Questions

Are English Cream Dachshunds Rare?

English cream Dachshunds are not as rare as black Doxins, but they sell out fast. Many pet owners are after this dog because of their yellow-toned coat, and their extremely soft fur.

What Is the Rarest Dachshund Color?

The rarest Dachshund color is black. They are considered non-standard by most kennel clubs, so they aren’t allowed to join the breed’s conformation shows. Nevertheless, they can join agility and other skill competitions.

Are English Cream Dachshunds Purebred?

English cream Dachshunds are often mistaken as crossbreeds because of their unique gene that creates their coat color. But the truth is, they are purebred dogs of British lineage.

Final Thoughts: Is the English Cream Dachshund the Right Pet for You?

English cream Dachshunds are expensive which can be expected from a breed that has a unique coat coloration. Despite this relatively higher price, you would surely enjoy having them as a pet companion because they are chill pets.

These dogs are calm and sweet, so seeing them after a very stressful day would probably give you relief. If you have children at home, they can also get along well with them.

Just make sure that you buy your furry companion from a professional breeder and you have seen their pedigree which states that they are indeed from the British cream line. Also, remember the characteristics of true English creams which I have listed above.