English Cream Dachshunds: Complete Breed Guide

Despite the vast differences in the physical appearances of these two breeds, crossing the Dachshund with the English Cream Retriever seems to work well.

We attribute this to a common trait found in both dog breeds – their irresistible cuteness. Sit tight as we dive deeper into this mix, giving you all the necessary info to decide whether these crossbred pooches are the right pick for you.

Overview Of The Dachshund And The English Cream Retriever Breeds

We believe that a comprehensive guide to any designer dog isn’t complete without a proper introduction to their parental breeds. Before we tell you more about the English Cream Dox, let’s see what their parents are like. As their name suggests, the Dachshund originated in Germany and was initially bred to help hunters and farmers get rid of burrow-dwelling animals, such as badgers or moles, by flushing them out of their underground tunnels.

They were bred to be short in stature with exceptionally long bodies so that they could easily slip inside narrow tunnels. Over time, their primary role was slowly abandoned, and they became popular family dogs. They rank high on the official American Kennel Club’s most popular dog breed list as well as in our selection of the best dog breeds to adopt.

Despite the name, the English Cream Retriever breed doesn’t come from England.

The origin of the English Cream dates back to 19th-century Scotland, where this intelligent breed was developed as a hunting companion. They are often considered a color variant of the Golden Retriever. The most apparent difference between the two breeds is the Cream’s stockier built and slightly wider face. They were specifically designed to retrieve shot waterfowl in the United Kingdom, which explains their muscular built and long, fluffy coat.

They were able to cross long distances in a short time, while their fur kept them warm in the water. In the 20th century, they were recognized as outstanding family pets, and their popularity has been on the rise ever since. Just like their more famous Golden relatives, they are among the most commonly kept dog breeds around the world.

How To Recognize An English Cream Dachshund

The lack of standards for designer dogs means that no two puppies are alike. One litter can sometimes produce many different features in mini Dachshund pups of shaded English Creams to the point that they can hardly be associated with any of the parental breeds.

Most commonly, English Cream Dachshunds are medium-sized dogs, with somewhat elongated bodies and short legs ending in large paws. Their head is a perfect mixture of their parents’ – a medium-length muzzle with dark, round eyes and high-perched, fold-over ears. They are long-haired Dachshund.

When it comes to the coat, they come in many varieties, depending on the Doxie and wiener dog in the mix. They sport short, medium, or long hair, which can be smooth or wiry. If the hair is longer, it may have a fluffy undercoat. The color of the coat also varies and can be cream, brown, fawn, or pale yellow.

• Weight: 30-60 pounds
• Height: 10-22 inches
• Size: Medium
• Coat type: Short to long; smooth, straight, or wiry
• Coat color: Cream, brown, fawn, or pale yellow
• Shedding: Low to high
• Eyes: Round (brown or hazel)
• Nose: Medium-length; black or light brown
• Ears: Fold-over
• Temperament: Affectionate, friendly, curious, stubborn
• Life expectancy: 10-14 years
• Hypoallergenic: No
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• New owner-friendly: Yes
• Breed recognition: Dachshunds were recognized by the AKC in 1885; the association does not recognize English Cream Golden Retrievers nor English Cream Golden Retriever Dachshunds

Big Personality In A Small Body

The English Cream Doxie’s personality may vary. Although predicting their exact temper is nearly impossible, they tend to be social and caring dogs that enjoy being around people. While Doxie’s genes dominate their overall looks, their temperament usually leans to the Cream side, making them more social and obedient than Weenies and other sausage dogs.

They are spirited in nature and are described as all-around people lovers. Those taking more after the English Cream are not one-person dogs. Early socialization and spending time with the whole family will shape them into perfect family pets who are eager to please and protect their owners.

Their welcoming disposition makes them lousy guard dogs, though – they are more likely to welcome a stranger than warn you about them. While the Blonde Retriever tones down the inherent hunting instincts of this hybrid, they may still be curious about smaller pets in your home. Don’t be surprised to find them chasing a hamster around the house or trapping them under the furniture.

What this hybrid lacks in stature, they make up for in energy. Both the Weenie and the English Cream are energetic dogs that can walk, jump, run, or play for hours. Without an adequate amount of exercise, they can be nervous and destructive. You shouldn’t hold this against them – it’s their restless Dachshund ancestry. Better prepare for the lively Dachs in your Creamer.

Here are the three reasons why you should consider another pup instead of the Cream Doxie:

1. They need lots of exercise.
2. They may be high maintenance.
3. They are prone to many health conditions.

Here are three reasons this combination may be perfect for you:

1. They make great family pets.
2. They can be trained fairly easily.
3. They are a good choice for first-time owners.

How Does The Dachshund English Cream Rank On The Trainability Scale?

Since one-half of this cross is the Blonde Retriever, the Doxie English Cream combo moves a couple of notches up on the trainability scale. English Retrievers are known as one of the easiest breeds to train, which comes in handy when the other half is the stubborn Dachshund. Focus on the English Cream’s desire to please and try to keep Doxie’s hard-headedness in check.

If the pup exhibits stubbornness or sulkiness, don’t let them get the best of you – punishing them will be counterproductive. They will thrive on positive reinforcement, so make sure you keep enough (read: lots of) treats by your side at any time. These tried and treated dog treats will surely keep your pooch coming back for more and make learning new commands easier.

If you stumble somewhere along the way, don’t despair. As a last resort, you can always turn to a professional trainer, although we strongly advise you to persevere in training your puppy as it will strengthen the bond between you. If you’ve already kicked off the training sessions with your newly adopted English Cream Wiener thank yourself.

Is The Doxie Blonde Retriever Mix The Right Pick For A Family?

As we mentioned earlier, these doggies tend to be quite affectionate toward people. Unless they take after their Dachshund parent, they will probably be in love with all your family members. Remember that genes are not everything. From an early age, you should nurture their people-loving nature by letting them spend time with all house members and introducing them to strangers.

Blonde Retriever Doxies who take more after their English parent will almost certainly know their way around children. Because of their curious and playful nature, they will have tons of adventures with kids. At the same time, their keenness to protect will keep the children safe. They are so affectionate and lovable that it’s no wonder they inspired so many Dachshund gifts and other memorabilia!

Blonde Dachshunds Beauty Routine

The time you will spend taking care of this English Cream Dachshund largely depends on the Doxie in the combination. The smooth-coated clear cream variety will require the least grooming, while the long-haired and wire-haired kind must be brushed more frequently. With the smooth kind, brushing once a week will be enough. The other two coat types will require brushing twice a week.

With the English Retriever in the mix, the pooch will most certainly have an undercoat that sheds seasonally. Be ready to increase the brushing frequency in spring and fall and occasionally take your dog for professional grooming of his cream coat. Alternatively, brush up on these top dog grooming tips and tend to your Doxie’s lush coat yourself!

• Brushing frequency: Twice a week (low-shedding season)
• Brushing frequency: Daily (high-shedding season)

Brushes for English Cream Dachshund Mix :

• Slicker brush (for the smooth variety)
• Pin brush (for the long-haired variety)
• Bristle brush (for the wire-haired variety)

Health Issues In The English Cream Dachshund: What To Keep An Eye On

Given that English Cream Dachshunds are designer dogs and miniature Dachshunds, they may inherit any condition their parental breeds are prone to. If possible, check the dog’s parents’ medical records or ask the breeder to share as much information as possible about their health.

If you’re adopting, make sure you run all the necessary tests to determine whether your pup is predisposed to a certain condition. There are several issues you should keep an eye on when it comes to the health of the English Cream Dachshund. We grouped the most common ones into four categories:

1. Cancers
2. Joint abnormalities
3. Eye issues
4. Back problems

Cancers

Cancers are found to be the number one health issue affecting Golden Retrievers and their English Cream Dachshund cousins. According to a study conducted by the Golden Retriever Club of America, cancer is the cause of 61.4% of these pooches in the U.S. The most common among them are hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the blood cells, lymphoma (affecting lymphocyte cells), and mast cell tumor (affecting skin, spleen, liver, etc.).

Joint Abnormalities

Joint abnormalities affect dog sizes but are somewhat more common in small and medium-sized dogs. Given the stature of the English Cream Dachshund, it means that they too can suffer from them. Some of the most frequently occurring abnormalities are hip and elbow dysplasia.

Reputable breeders screen puppies for these conditions, but if you’re adopting, you should make a vet appointment and see if your pooch’s joints are developing as they should and what you can do to keep their joints healthy.

Eye Issues

Among eye issues affecting canines, cataracts are by far the most common. This condition manifests as partial or complete cloudiness of the eye lens and can lead to the loss of vision. Other eye conditions include progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, and corneal dystrophy.

Back Problems

Because of their elongated backs, English Cream Dachshunds may suffer from various back problems. The most frequent among them is intervertebral disk disease. This condition causes the cushioning disks between spinal bones to erode and can lead to complete paralysis. Although some of these Dachshund health issues can be fatal and can shorten their lifespan too soon, the majority of them can be treated successfully if diagnosed on time.

They can also suffer from seizures and skin conditions that can become quite a hurdle if left untreated. If you notice any change in the dog’s behavior, don’t wait before you take them to the vet! Regular checkups – coupled with a healthy lifestyle – may increase your best friend’s longevity and reduce the risk of many diseases.

• Major concerns: Cancers, joint abnormalities, eye issues, back issues
• Minor concerns: Epilepsy, patellar luxation, hypothyroidism, cardiomyopathy
• Occasional tests: Physical/neurological exams, blood tests, eye exams, radiographs, x-rays

English Cream Dachshund Workout Needs

Both Blond Wiener’s parental breeds are dogs that burst with energy, and their offspring need a lot of exercise to stay healthy and in a good mood. They love to explore their environment and socialize with other dogs. Keep this in mind when you feel like cutting back on their walks.

This mix falls into the category of moderately active dogs, which means that they need 45-60 minutes of workout every day. Divide this into a minimum of two vigorous 15 to 20-minute walks and 10 to 20-minutes of other activities. They like to have their minds occupied and will enjoy any interactive activity. Here are some you can try:

A flirt pole is essentially a dog toy on a rope. You drag it on the ground letting the dog catch it occasionally. This exercise is highly interactive and doesn’t require much space, which makes it perfect for bad weather days. Frisbee is a well-known kids’ game, but you can play it with your furry bud as well. On a sunny day, take your dog to the park and watch them bring you back that strange plastic thingy that keeps flying away.

Swimming is one of the best exercises for both you and your pooch. English Creams are true water dogs and love bathing instinctively. Once you see the joy on their faces when in the water, you’ll know what we are talking about. Keep in mind that the amount of exercise reflects on your dog’s health. Exercise has a cumulative effect – the more active you keep them, the healthier they will be.

• Activity level: Moderate
• Recommended miles/day: 6-10
• Activity minutes/day: 45-60

Choosing The Right Chow For The English Cream Dachshund

Finding the right food for your furball can be tiresome. Not only are there three thousand brands, but your pooch also has to put their seal of approval before you are allowed to buy more of the same food. What you should look for in dog food is healthy ingredients that supply a balanced protein-to-fat ratio – a high protein diet can lead to health problems.

Dogs also need lots of fiber as they rarely eat vegetables, which makes consuming enough fiber through kibble or canned food crucial. Relying on the feeding guides of a particular brand is always a good idea. For this mix, the recommended amount of food is up to three cups of food a day. Occasionally, you can give them treats or snacks, but make sure you set a limit because they certainly won’t!

Some English cream Dachshunds are born black and lighten over time.

English Cream Dachshund Appearance and Color

All English Cream puppies are long-haired and small in size. They are simply heartwarming, adorable, and hard to resist. The coat is shaded cream and incredibly soft to the touch and can be compared to a bunny rabbit. This dog comes in striking shades of cream including white cream and rich golden cream. Although the coat makes them stand out among other Dachshund varieties, they share the same traits and are a part of the Dachshund family.

The “Chinchilla gene” is responsible for the luxurious cream color in English Cream Dachshunds. This gene affects all colors in Doxies except black and chocolate.  That’s the reason why your English Cream Dachshunds end up with “black and creams” and “chocolate and creams” shades.

English Cream Dachshund Personality And Temperament

It is widely believed that English Creams have a better temperament than the rest of the breed. The English Creams have a sweet nature and tend to be calmer than other Dachshund varieties. However, it is no surprise that they all share the following personalities:

• Diggers: English Cream Dachshunds are born diggers. Doxies have been bred to hunt down badgers and rabbits in burrows and dig their way to reach the hiding place of the prey.
• Barkers: Creams are quick to let you know of approaching danger whether in the house or out walking. You have to train them to stop the tendency of becoming snappy.
• Hunters and Chasers: They are born to chase, hunt, and never give up. English Creams have a high prey drive and when tempted they are single-minded in the pursuit of their prey.

Training Your English Cream Dachshund

English Cream Dachshunds can be willful and stubborn when it comes to training. All you need to do is be patient with him and he will turn out to be a wonderful companion. This strong-willed pup responds very well to positive reinforcement training. Keep training fun, dynamic, and challenging to captivate your dog’s interest. Praising your English Cream Dachshund and showering with treats during training is rewarding for you and your pup.