Three Spotted Puppies Lay Down on an Old Patchwork Quilt. They Nearly Disappeared.
Lined up like three spotted loaves of bread, these dapple Dachshund puppies have drifted off on a patchwork quilt spread across the porch. Each one has its chin tucked down onto the fabric, eyes shut tight, silky ears flopped forward. Their coats are a lovely mix of chocolate, cream, and silver speckles, almost matching the faded blues, oranges, and florals of the quilt beneath them. A potted plant and the weathered siding of an old house blur softly in the background.
Dapple is a coat pattern, not a separate breed. It shows up as lighter patches or speckles over a darker base color and is caused by the same gene responsible for merle in other breeds. Dapple Dachshunds are just as playful and loyal as their solid-colored littermates. Responsible breeders avoid pairing two dapple parents, since puppies that inherit two copies of the gene, known as double dapples, have a higher risk of vision and hearing problems. If you're considering a dapple puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' coat patterns and health testing. Like all Dachshunds, they also benefit from early socialization and gentle, consistent training.
For now, though, training can wait. Three full bellies, one soft quilt, and a quiet porch add up to the most peaceful nap in the neighborhood. When they wake, there will be plenty of spotted energy to go around.
