Why Dachshunds Have Such Great Eye Makeup

Dachshunds have the kind of eyeliner that can make a social media makeup influencer jealous, here’s why

Did you ever wonder why your dachshund has such great makeup? Sometimes it’s a little under-eye swoosh, others it’s the full Egyptian Pharoh-style eyeliner. Of course, not all dachshunds have eye makeup, but the vast majority of Dachshunds do have the kind of natural eyeliner that will make a TikTok makeup influencer jealous.

Curious, I decided to dive in and find out why dachshunds have the eyeliner and whether it serves any purpose other than to make us love our little sausages even more.

Here’s what I found out:

Why Do Dachshunds Have the Dark Coloring Around Their Eyes?

The dark fur around a dachshund’s eyes isn’t specific to the breed, but mostly the result of genetic factors controlling the color of the fur in certain areas of the body. In many dogs, regions of the face show concentrations of a pigment called “eumelanin” (a type of melanin), which provides a black or brown coloring. In dachshunds, this tends to manifest as a pronounced “mask” or eyeliner effect.

Eumelanin is a natural protection against ultraviolet radiation, so it probably evolved in dogs to help protect their eyes, nose and faces against the effects of the sun. Over generations, selective breeding in dachshunds has reinforced this trait, making it a hallmark of the breed’s appearance.

Do Other Dog Breeds Have Similar Eye Makeup?

Several other dog breeds exhibit similar facial markings, though they tend to be of the “mask” variety than “eyeliner.” For example, breeds like the German Shepherd, Rottweiler, and even some terrier varieties often have dark patches around the eyes or across the face.

While these markings might appear similar to those of dachshunds, they are mostly the result of common genetic mechanisms in dogs that regulate coat color rather than a direct indication of close breeding relationships with those types of dogs.

In other words, the general “eye makeup” trait is an example of common characteristics in canines rather than evidence that dachshunds share a breeding history with other specific breeds.

Does the Coloring Around the Eyes Serve Any Purpose?

According to mammalogists, there is no definitive evidence that the dark eye markings serve a critical biological function—such as providing extra protection from UV light or enhancing vision. However, there are a couple of interesting theories:

Aesthetic & Communicative Role

The contrast created by the dark fur may help emphasize facial expressions, potentially aiding in non-verbal communication between dogs or even between dogs and humans. In fact, scientists have found evidence that dogs have evolved certain muscles around the eyes that their wolf cousins lack. The ability to use these muscles makes their faces more expressive to humans (“puppy dog eyes” anyone?). The dachshund’s prominent eye makeup and energetic personality is part of what makes them so irresistible to people.

Camouflage or Distraction

Some have also speculated that such markings might have once offered a slight advantage in breaking up the outline of the face, though this idea remains largely opinion. Personally, I find that my dachshunds are so “nose to the ground” on a hunt they hardly ever bother to try and camouflage themselves. Basically, they just stumble into whatever it is they’re sniffing (though if it’s a sleeping cat, beware!)

Overall, the eye makeup trait is more likely an aesthetic characteristic rather than one with a clear functional purpose.

Is the Eye Makeup Desirable in the Dachshund Breed?

The dark “eyeliner” is indeed one of the signature features of the dachshund. It contributes significantly to the breed’s distinctive, alert expression—a quality many enthusiasts and owners find endearing, if not outright irresistible.

Desirability in Breeding & Shows

Within breed standards set by various kennel clubs, a well-defined dark mask is often considered a desirable trait. Breeders and judges typically view symmetrical and prominent facial markings as enhancing the overall balance and character of the dog. While preferences can vary, maintaining these distinctive markings is generally seen as upholding the traditional look of the dachshund.

Historical and Cultural Appeal

Over time, as dachshunds became popular both as working dogs and companion animals, features like the “eyeliner” evolved from a simple genetic dog trait into an iconic aspect of the breed’s identity. Prominent eye makeup has become a strong point of breed pride and distinctiveness among dachshund enthusiasts.

As a (slightly) crazy dachshund person myself, I can say without hesitation that each of my doxies has different makeup, but each is equally expressive (and manipulative) with their own look. These days I’m really in love with Hercules’ eye makeup up as it’s more dramatic and pronounced than either of my other two classic reds (Rommel and Hank). I think Herc’s makeup makes him look like and ancient Egyptian dachshund.

Is the eye makeup a fading trend?

No! While breeders are producing a wider variety of Dachshund coats and coloring – many of which lack the prominent eyeliner – there remains a lot of emphasis on this trait in the breeding community. This also shows a broader trend in canine breeding where subtle physical characteristics common in all dogs can become defining symbols of a specific breed’s overall look and temperament.

This combination of genetics, aesthetics, and breed tradition makes the dachshund’s prominent eyeliner both a natural phenomenon and a celebrated feature among its community. And while not all dachshunds have it (Franzi, our chocolate & tan dachshund, doesn’t really have the eyeliner, but she does tan dots for eyebrows and beautiful hazel eyes), all of them have expressive eyes and personalities to go with it that make them irresistible friends and fur companions.

Does your dachshund have great eye makeup? Can they make you do things just with their eyes? Share your own story with the whole Doxie Planet in the comments below! ↓