It is our main focus to breed puppies without potential health risks.  Although each puppy’s genetic makeup (regarding health issues) is perfect, it does not mean that every single puppy we breed, is to perfection.  Nothing in the world is perfect (although it could’ve been nice) but we do strive to breed healthy pups.  What stays important to us, is to produce the best quality dogs of each specific breed we love.

All breeds of dogs are prone to certain health issues (just like humans). The number one health concern of any Dachshund is their backs.  With their long bodies and short legs, Dachshunds are genetically prone to several musculoskeletal conditions. The most serious of these is intervertebral disc disease, which causes the vertebrae to weaken and possibly protrude into the spinal canal. You can help reduce the potential for spinal stress by:

• Maintaining your dog at a healthy weight with a well-balanced diet;
• Discouraging your dog from jumping off furniture or regularly travelling up and down flights of stairs; and
• Supporting your dog when holding them to keep the spine horizontal.
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It is very interesting that this disease is more common under the Shorthair Dachshund than the Longhair Dachshunds.  I suspect it's because the Longhaired Daxies were bred a bit different than the Shorthaired Daxies.  In all these years having Longhaired Daxies, we have never encountered this problem with one of our dogs.

Dachshunds are also prone to problems with their joints, thyroid, hips, knees, weight and skin.

Pes Varus:  This is a condition that affects the hind legs of a puppy and causes them to bow. Breeders have no available DNA testing for this problem and puppies do not show symptoms until 4-6 months.  This problem is definitely a genetic problem, which makes it very difficult for us (as there are not DNA test available for this disease).  The only thing we, as breeders, can do, is to avoid breeding from bloodlines where the problem occurs.  We can unfortunately not guarantee new owners that this problem will not occur.  

The Longhair Dachshunds are also prone to degenerative eye disease that causes blindness, called Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). All our breeding dog’s PRA have been tested to make sure we breed healthy pups.  We can guarantee that your Longhair Dachshund will not go blind (except age-related blindness).

Dachshunds’ distinctive long backs and short legs predispose them to musculoskeletal issues, particularly Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). This condition involves weakening and potential protrusion of vertebrae into the spinal canal, causing pain and mobility issues.

IVDD appears more common in Shorthair Dachshunds than Longhair varieties, possibly due to differences in breeding lines. My experience with Longhair Dachshunds indicates a lower incidence of this problem, suggesting a genetic or breeding influence.

The big problem with IVDD is that there are absolutely no genetic tests available for the condition, so there is no way any breeder can guarantee that the condition will never affect your Dachshund. However, it is very clear that it is genetic in nature. An ethical breeder will know their dogs’ bloodlines and be aware if it has been a problem in previous generations. If it has been an issue in the ancestors, that specific dog should not be used for breeding purposes. Unfortunately, most breeders are money-driven and don’t really care about this.

Another problem is that some Dachshund breeders own both smooth and longhair Dachshunds, and because a smooth-haired Dachshund is cheaper than a longhair, they breed a longhair with a smooth-haired one and then sell the puppies as longhair Dachshunds since they are much more expensive than smooth-haired ones. For this reason, it is very risky to buy a longhair Dachshund from just anyone.

Another problem created when a smooth-haired and a long-haired Dachshund are crossed, is the interference with their personalities. Longhair Dachshunds are generally very sweet and loving, much more affectionate than smooth-haired Dachshunds. So when the two are mixed, you will never have a pure longhair Dachshund with its affectionate nature.

Even if back problems are not present in the genetics, one still needs to be cautious.

Preventative Measures for Spinal Stress:

Maintain a healthy weight through balanced nutrition to reduce spinal load.  Discourage jumping off furniture and frequent stair climbing to minimize spinal strain.   Support the dog properly when holding, keeping the spine.

Other Health Issues in Dachshunds

Joint Problems: Including hips and knees, which can impact mobility.

Thyroid Issues: Affecting metabolism and overall health.

Weight Management: Critical to prevent exacerbation of musculoskeletal problems.

Skin Conditions: Common in many breeds, requiring attentive care.

PES VARUS

A genetic condition causing bowing of the hind legs in puppies, typically manifesting at 4-6 months. No DNA tests currently exist for this condition, making it difficult to predict or fully prevent. Responsible breeders avoid breeding from bloodlines where Pes Varus has appeared, but cannot guarantee its absence in all puppies.

GROOMING

Longhaired Dachshunds are easy to groom, they go through as low-maintenance grooming breed. They should be combed and brushed at least twice a week. Mats can develop behind the ears and need to be untangled by hand. They don’t need to be bathed very often, once every three months or so, should be more of than enough.