Dachshund

Health conditions to know about

• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)

  The defining condition of the breed and the reason everything below about stairs and weight matters. The same gene that gives the Dachshund its short legs also causes discs to calcify and become brittle early, and roughly a quarter of the breed has an episode in its life. Signs run from a reluctance to jump, a hunched back or yelping when picked up, through to sudden hind-limb weakness or an inability to stand. Any of it warrants a same-day vet visit — with spinal disease, the interval between signs starting and treatment beginning changes the outcome substantially.

• Obesity

  In most breeds excess weight is a general health problem. In a Dachshund it loads a spine already at high risk, and it is the single largest modifiable factor in whether that back holds up. A Dachshund should have a visible waist from above and easily felt ribs. This breed is very good at looking appealing next to the fridge, and it should not work.

• Patellar luxation

  The kneecap slips out of its groove, producing a skipping step where the dog hops for a stride or two and then carries on normally. Mild cases are managed with weight control and muscle condition; severe ones need surgery. It is worth mentioning to a vet even when the dog seems untroubled.

• Progressive retinal atrophy

  An inherited, painless degeneration of the retina leading to blindness, usually first noticed as difficulty in dim light or reluctance in unfamiliar places. DNA tests exist for the forms that affect Dachshunds and responsible breeders use them. Dogs adapt remarkably well when the home layout stays predictable.

• Dental disease

  A long, narrow jaw crowds the teeth, and this breed accumulates tartar and periodontal disease faster than most. Daily brushing genuinely changes the outcome, and dental disease is painful long before a dog shows it.

• Cushing's disease

  Over-production of cortisol, more common in this breed than most. It looks like increased drinking and urination, a pot-bellied appearance, thinning coat and increased appetite — easy to attribute to age. It is diagnosable and treatable, so it is worth raising rather than accepting as an old dog slowing down.

Common questions

How do I protect a Dachshund's back?

Four things, all of them lifelong habits rather than one-off fixes. Keep the dog lean — this is the big one. Block jumping on and off furniture with ramps or steps, and lift the dog rather than letting it launch. Restrict stairs, carrying it up and down where you can. And use a harness rather than a neck collar, so lead pressure never travels through the spine. None of these guarantee anything, but together they meaningfully shift the odds.

Are Dachshunds good with children?

With older, sensible children, yes — they are devoted and playful. With toddlers the fit is poorer than the size suggests. This is a breed developed to go underground and fight a badger, and it does not have an endless tolerance for being grabbed. There is also a physical reason: a small child picking up a Dachshund badly, or dropping it, is a realistic route to a spinal injury.

Do Dachshunds bark a lot?

Yes. They were bred to bark underground so the hunter could locate them through several feet of earth, and the volume that came out of a dog this size is genuinely startling. They announce the post, the doorbell and anyone walking past. It can be moderated with training but not removed, and it is the main reason for complaints in flats.

Are Dachshunds hard to house-train?

Notoriously, yes — well beyond what owners of other small breeds expect. Plan for months of consistency, take the dog out far more often than seems necessary, and reward outside every time. Cold and wet weather makes it worse, because a low-slung dog dislikes wet grass on its belly. A covered patch of the garden helps more than you would think.

Miniature or standard Dachshund?

Standards run roughly 16 to 32 pounds, miniatures 11 or under, with plenty of in-between dogs. Temperament is broadly the same. Miniatures suit smaller homes and are easier to lift safely; standards are sturdier around older children. Both carry the same disc risk — going smaller does not buy you a safer back.

How much exercise does a Dachshund need?

Around half an hour to an hour daily for a healthy adult, split into shorter walks, on the flat where possible. They have more stamina than the legs suggest and enjoy a proper sniff. Avoid repeated jumping, hard twisting play and long stair sessions, and let a growing puppy set its own pace rather than being route-marched.