Age of adult Dachshund

[papbouv]

Figured better start a new I always thought with small dogs they were adults around 12 months so on the grooming of Patches who is 3 years old. Now she will not have an adult coat until 4-5 years old ???? Gee sounds like a long time to get adult coat in.Papbouv

[Spanish Teckels]

According to the standard for teckel worldwide (except America and UK where the three sizes have interbred and only two remain), the official size of the dog is classified no earlier than 18 months when an acceptable degree of maturity in growth is assumed; the diameter of the thorax at this age marks the classification: over 35cm standard, between 35cm and 30cm miniature and finally, under 30cm Kaninchen (rabbit).  In our case, Red is a miniature and Islay a Kaninchen.  This classification of the breed is far fairer than by weight since a very overweight kaninchen doth not a true standard make!

The coat continues to grow and fill out way beyond this mark which is especially noticeable in the wire and longhairs.

From what you said in earlier posts I understand it could be possible Patches isn´t a purebred dachshund which could account for her unusual coat.  I wouldn´t, however, get hung up on it as it doesn´t matter a jot as far as her irresistibility is concerned.  There really is still time for her shiny back stripe to extend and she´s adorable as a fluffy girl too and certainly more unusual. 

Longevity in teckels is one of the pleasures we get to share as their family members, if we´re lucky with their health, since they generally outlive larger breeds by many years.  3 years is still young by dachsie standards, thank goodness.

Give that lovely little furball a huge hug from all of us over here on the sunny Mediterranean coast.