If you’re a dachshund lover or are still considering whether this is the breed for you, you’ve likely heard of IVDD, intervertebral disc disease. This disease is often inherited and can cause a dog pain, incontinence and even paralysis as the cushions between the discs in their spine degenerate, harden and herniate, pressing on nerves in the spinal cord. A dachshund’s long body and short legs make them particularly susceptible to this disease.
Conventional advice has always been to prevent dachshunds from climbing stairs or from jumping on and off furniture, but if you’ve got an energetic sausage dog, you already know that preventing them from jumping is nearly impossible. Have you tried ramps and doggy stairs to facilitate them getting into and out of your bed or the couch? How is that working for you?
You may be interested to know that Scandinavian research contradicted that conservative approach. A 2015 “DachsLife” survey found that doxies who were allowed to jump on and off furniture were less likely to have IVDD, and an hour or more of daily exercise for your dog can reduce their risk of IVDD by 50%! The muscle developed from regular exercise helps to protect their long spines, and keeping them trim reduces strain on their elongated bodies from extra weight. So skip the extra treats!
In the DachsLife survey, 24.4% of standard, smooth-haired dachshunds were affected by IVDD. IVDD is highly genetic, so adopting your dog from a reputable breeder who performs genetic testing can also help reduce your pup’s risk of developing this debilitating condition.
For over a decade, Denmark and Finland have required X-rays to determine the amount of disc calcification and to prevent dogs with high scores from breeding. They are now adding DNA tests for the CDDY mutation (associated with both short legs and IVDD) to further screen for dogs at higher risks of IVDD.
For more research and information about IVDD, visit Dachshund Health UK.