There are many reasons to choose a Dachshund for your pet.
They are loved by many people for their cuteness and size. Dachshunds are not only adorable, but also very intelligent.
Dachshunds are the longest-living dog breed in the world. What should you know about Dachshund lifespan?
We don’t want to leave our dogs, and Dachshunds will stay with us for a longer time than other breeds.
There are ways we can help them live longer, more healthy lives.
Here’s a look at some of the key factors that can affect your Dachshund’s longevity, including genetics, breeding, diet and exercise, as well as common health issues you need to be aware.
If you want your Doxie to live to their full potential, make sure you read this article.
Genetics & Breeding
The genetics a Dachshund gets from his parents are perhaps the most important factor in his health.
Dachshunds are one of the most long-lived breeds. They can live to 20 years old, but the average Dachshund lifespan is 12-15 years.
Although genetics do not directly affect the life expectancy of Dachshunds, they play an important role in their longevity.
It is crucial to get your Dachshund only from registered and reputable breeders.
It is not enough to accept that someone claiming to be a Dachshund breeder, and possibly licensed, will be the best source for your puppy.
It’s a smart idea to research the Dachshund community, and get advice from those who really know.
A trusted breeder will be able check the health and potential health of the parents.
While some people might be sensitive to genetic predispositions, others will work with their vet to determine the best way to deal with any potential problems.
Take care
The care a Dachshund receives will impact their health as well as their life expectancy.
Your dog’s health and longevity can be affected by everything from the food they eat to how active they are.
You can be sure that your Dachshund was bred by a reliable breeder.
You will need to make a significant commitment to your Dachshund.
It is important to take the time to research the best diet for Dachshunds. You need to know their ideal weight, the amount of exercise they require, and any health conditions that may be common to this breed.
Registering with a veterinarian who is experienced with dogs, and possibly joining a Dachshund group will give you access to the most current information and advice about the breed.
You can help your Dachshund live a long and happy life by being informed about his needs.
Diet & Nutrition
It is crucial for their health and well-being that you choose the right food for your Dachshund.
Your dog’s diet will have an impact on his growth, tissue, and bone formation. It can also affect his vision and brain development.
You have the option to give your dog raw food, canned dog food, or kibble biscuits. You can also give your dog a mix of dry and wet food.
Dachshunds require a high level of protein, and especially lean protein. This is important for their development of strong bones and muscle growth.
This is an essential part of Dachshunds’ diet, as they are more likely to have spine and muscle problems.
You will also need carbohydrates for your Doxie, but you need to control them as this breed is known to gain weight very quickly.
This is not only bad for them, but it also places additional strain on their legs, which can cause problems for their spines and joints.
A good source of omega-3, and other fish oils, should be included in a child’s diet to improve their vision and brain development.
You can increase your Dachshund’s life expectancy by watching what they eat and prevent any health problems.
Weight
Dachshunds can gain weight, which is bad for their health. This can reduce their lifespan by up to three years.
Dachshunds make up approximately 20% of all overweight dogs. This means that they are more likely to have many of the health problems associated with obesity.
This problem can be exacerbated by a lack of exercise or a high-fat diet.
Dachshunds that have been spayed/neutered are more likely to gain weight as they may be more food-oriented.
People often show their love by giving treats to their pets, but this can have the opposite effect and cause discomfort for your Dachshund.
Remember that Doxies who are overweight live for three years less than their normal lifespan.
Your Doxie’s weight will increase and they may feel more pain in their hips, leading to limping.
Sedentary living isn’t healthy for anyone, and it’s certainly not healthy to Dachshunds.
It is vital that your dog gets at least 30 minutes of exercise each day to prevent them from gaining unwanted weight.
You can do this in two sessions of fifteen minute each, which might be easier for both you and your Doxie.
Exercise
Your Dachshund should exercise for 30 minutes each day, as we’ve seen. You can do this in one long walk, or you can split it into two walks of fifteen minutes each.
Play with your Doxie, and encourage them to exercise by playing.
Dachshunds were originally bred as hunting dogs. They are therefore naturally active and energetic.
Although it is easy to believe that a small dog doesn’t need exercise, this is false.
Walking is important for both your dog’s mental stimulation and physical exercise.
It is detrimental for their mental health to be kept in the garden or indoors with no new friends. This can make it difficult to socialize.
It is important to exercise in order to build your Doxie’s muscles strength. This will also have an effect on their bone condition.
Insufficient support of the skeleton by the muscles can cause problems for the bones and joints.
You must exercise every day to maintain a healthy weight.
You should avoid any exercise that involves jumping from high places. This can cause damage to their spines and joints.
To protect their spine, joints and legs, invest in a ramp or steps to help your pet get up and down from furniture.
Exercise can improve the quality of your Dachshund’s life. This is enough motivation to walk them for half an hour every day.
Environment
You must provide the best environment for Dachshunds to thrive.
This means ensuring that they eat a healthy diet and get enough exercise.
Every Dachshund owner should know the characteristics and limitations of their breed as well as their health needs.
Before you take on a dog, it is important that you are fully informed about these matters.
There are other considerations than the obvious ones like food, shelter, and exercise.
It’s not a good idea for Dachshunds to climb up stairs or jump on furniture because of their short legs and tendency towards spine problems.
You might consider investing in a ramp to allow your Doxie to use the stairs or a stairgate if you live in a home with many steps.
Dogs can experience pain and discomfort from the extra wear and tear on their spines.
Common Health Issues In Dachshunds
Dachshunds have a long history as a breed, but there are some conditions they are predisposed to due to their genetic makeup or body shape.
These conditions can include eye and skin problems, as well as disc disease and diabetes.
The Dachshunds’ back problems are caused by their skeletal design, which is a long body with short legs.
One in four Doxies will experience back problems in their lifetime.
Their body shape is actually a result of dwarfism and is called chondrodysplasia.
This genetic abnormality can also be found in Corgis or Basset Hounds.
Dachshunds may also have back and joint problems, as well as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and Cushing’s syndrome.
While this doesn’t necessarily mean every Doxie will develop these diseases, it does indicate that the breed is susceptible to certain health problems that could impact their life expectancy.
These are important things to know as a responsible pet owner so you can be alert for any signs or symptoms.
Regular vet visits are essential to the health and longevity of your Dachshund. You should immediately investigate any issues.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Dachshunds are most likely to have intervertebral disk disease.
This is due to the compression of the lower back intervertebral disks or from disease.
This disease can cause severe weakness, paralysis, and even death in Dachshunds.
Doxies are ten-times more likely than other breeds to get this condition.
There are many treatments that can be used, depending on how severe the condition is.
These treatments may include pain management or anti-inflammatory medication. Sometimes surgery is necessary.
Intervertebral disc Disease is a serious condition that affects Dachshunds, but it doesn’t stop these energetic little dogs from being active.
Many people who are paralysed in their hind legs use a doggy cart or wheelchair. They can live a normal life.
The following symptoms are indicative of intervertebral disk disease:
They are unable to walk or move properly.
Problems with the Hips and Joints
As we’ve seen, Dachshunds have a skeletal structure that can lead to many conditions. Hip problems and joint problems are also common in these small dogs.
Hip dysplasia refers to a condition where the bones of the socket and hip joints rub together.
This can happen to larger dogs, but Dachshunds are more susceptible because of their unique body and skeletal structure.
Sometimes, this is made worse by Doxies that are very active or who walk too much.
Bad nutrition can also play a role. This is why it is important to provide a healthy diet for Dachshunds.
To prevent some joint problems, they need good sources of omega-3 and lean protein.
Your Dachshund can also be injured by a back sprain. His back muscles can become overworked if he jumps up and down repeatedly on furniture or climbs stairs.
Crate rest is the best treatment for back sprains. This can vary depending on the severity of the injury. It may take up to six weeks.
To relieve pain and allow muscles to relax, anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed.
Eye Problems
Doxies can be vulnerable to many eye problems, including PRA, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and glaucoma.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is the most severe eye condition for Dachshunds. It is characterized by the progressive degeneration of the retina, which eventually leads to blindness. This illness is not currently curable.
PRA is a genetic, inherited condition. Night blindness is one of the most obvious symptoms. If your Dachshund has trouble seeing in dimly lit areas or dark places, you should consult a canine optometrist.
Another sign is falling over, or stumbling. As the disease progresses, the Doxie’s depth perception may be impaired.
A Dachshund should be tested before breeding. If they are positive for PRA, they should be stopped from being bred.
As your dog ages, cataracts may develop. Cataracts are characterized by a grayish or white cloud that forms over the eyes. This can also happen in younger dogs.
The severity of a cataract will determine how severe it will affect your Dachshund’s vision and the treatment that should be taken.
Glaucoma refers to a condition where excess fluid builds up in the eyes, putting pressure on the inside. This can cause blindness in your dog.
Cushing’s Disease
Cushing’s disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, is a chronic condition that can develop over time. It’s caused by an overproduction of cortisol. Dogs will experience increased thirst, panting, decreased activity, increased hair loss, and skin problems.
Cushing’s disease is not just a problem for Dachshunds. Boxers and Boston Terriers are also susceptible. This disease is more common in older dogs.
Untreated hyperadrenocorticism could make your Dachshund more susceptible to infection. He may also be more tired and lethargic.
There are effective medications that can be used to treat this condition. Surgery may also be an option if the tumor is located in the adrenal or pituitary glands.
If your dog shows any symptoms, it is vital that you take them to the vet immediately. Because there are other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, the vet can test your dog for it. A test is the only way for a definitive diagnosis.
This condition can have serious consequences for your Doxie’s life expectancy, as it can lead to complications like diabetes and kidney damage.
Diabetes
Diabetes is not just a disease that affects humans, but animals as well. Dachshunds are more likely to develop this condition because they are smaller dogs.
Although diabetes cannot be cured completely, it can be managed. Diabetes mellitus (or sugar diabetes) is the most common type in Dachshunds. It is a metabolic disorder.
This means that the body can’t convert the food it eats into energy.
These are the symptoms of diabetes you need to be aware of in your Doxie
Increased thirstIncreased urineWeight lossIncreased hunger
Advanced diabetes can lead to more severe symptoms, such as:
Energy loss, appetite lossDepressed attitudeVomiting
Diabetes can have serious consequences for Dachshunds. Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial.
Their overall health could be affected by the condition.
CataractsUrinary tract infectionsSeizuresEnlarged liverKidney failureKetoacidosis
Your vet can perform a simple blood test to check for diabetes in your Doxie. This will allow you to help them manage their condition and prolong their life expectancy.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism refers to a condition where the thyroid gland is not functioning properly and does not produce enough thyroid hormones. It’s often mistakenly called obesity.
Hypothyroidism is the most common form in Dachshunds. It usually manifests between the ages of one and three.
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the dog’s immune system attacks its thyroid gland.
This condition will be diagnosed in dogs.
Hypothyroidism can be characterized by:
Weight gainHair lossDry skinSevere behavioral changesSluggishness, or a tendency to sleep a lot
These symptoms should be reported to your vet immediately.
Hypothyroidism can be mimicked by other conditions. It may take several tests to determine if your Doxie is suffering from this condition.
This condition must be treated in order to prolong the life expectancy of your Dachshund. Thyroid hormone can affect almost every organ of the body.
Untreated hypothyroidism in Doxie can lead to high cholesterol, decreased immunity function, and slowed heart beat.
The Dachshund’s quality of life and life expectancy will improve with treatment.
How to Increase Your Dachshund’s Life Expectancy
You want to make your Dachshund live longer. There are many ways you can do this.
As we’ve discussed, there are many conditions to which your Doxie is predisposed, especially when it comes to their skeletal structure, body shape, and inherited disorders.
It is crucial to find a reliable breeder for your Dachshund.
You can then access information about the parents of your potential puppy and their health. This will help you spot any problems.
Register your Dachshund at a reputable veterinarian and make sure that he receives all his immunizations.
You should choose the best diet for your Dachshund. You can choose to feed your Dachshund commercial or raw dog food. However, ensure that the diet includes the correct amount of lean protein.
Along with a healthy diet, exercise is important for your dog.
Your Dachshund doesn’t have to be small to get exercise. To maintain a healthy weight, they should walk for at least thirty minutes each day.
This will prevent them from putting unnecessary weight on their spines and joints. These are some of the things that can make your Dachshund’s life more comfortable.
Last Thoughts
Your Dachshund will be happy if you give it the best possible life. You will also enjoy many years of happiness together with your faithful, loyal companion.
This guide will help you care for your Dachshund for many years.
The Dachshund’s Life Expectancy. Dog Food Smart.
