About Dachshunds | Nmn Kennels

The Miniature Dachsund

Aka The Doxie

Breed: Group: Hound
Height: Mini:5-6 inches at the shoulder

Standard: 8-9 inches at the shoulder
Weight: Mini: 11 pounds and under

Standard 16-32 Pounds
Life Span: 12 to 16 years

About the Breed

The famously long, low silhouette, ever-alert expression, and bold, vivacious personality of the Dachshund have made him a superstar of the canine kingdom. Dachshunds come in two sizes and in three coat types of various colors and patterns. The word 'icon' is terribly overworked, but the Dachshund 'with his unmistakable long-backed body, little legs, and big personality's truly an icon of purebred dogdom. Dachshunds can be standard-sized (usually 16 to 32 pounds) or miniature (11 pounds or under), and come in one of three coat types: smooth, wirehaired, or longhaired. Dachshunds aren't built for distance running, leaping, or strenuous swimming, but otherwise these tireless hounds are game for anything. Smart and vigilant, with a big-dog bark, they make fine watchdogs. Bred to be an independent hunter of dangerous prey, they can be brave to the point of rashness, and a bit stubborn, but their endearing nature and unique look has won millions of hearts the world over.

Generally, a healthy breed, the Dachshund can be expected to live 12 to 16 years with proper care, so long as he's kept on a good diet and has enough exercise to maintain good muscle tone. To prevent disc damage to the Dachshund's long back, be vigilant about keeping him from becoming overweight, and always monitor his activities to avoid back injury. Like most dogs with drop ears, Dachshunds can get ear infections if their ears aren't kept clean.

Dachshunds are moderate shedders, relatively clean, and have little or no body odor. The breed's grooming needs vary with the three coat types. Smooth-coated Dachshunds are somewhat 'wash and wear,' needing little beyond a wipe with a towel or hound glove to look dapper. Longhaired Dachshunds may require more frequent brushing, depending on the thickness of the coat. The Wirehaired coat can be plucked or hand-stripped several times a year to look its best, but beyond that is easy to maintain between grooming's with occasional trimming of the beard and eyebrows and brushing or combing once or twice a week. All Dachshunds should have their nails trimmed every month.

Many owners think that because they are so small, Dachshunds don't require more exercise than just running around the house. However, they do need regular exercise not only to stay fit, but also to build strong muscles to support and protect their back. Two walks every day of moderate length should be sufficient. To avoid injury, never allow your Dachshund to run up and down stairs or jump on or off furniture. Because they are very social, Dachshunds don't do well as outdoor dogs 'they want to be with their humans.

Dachshunds are very intelligent but are also independent and often stubborn, so they can be a challenge to train. They love to give and receive affection and do best with positive, reward-based training. They are sensitive and will not react well to harsh commands or punishment. Patience and consistence are key. Dachshunds have an excellent sense of smell as well as a strong prey drive. Because they were bred to stay focused and follow a trail without distraction, if they are busy with something more interesting, they may not always pay attention to you.

It is extremely important that a Dachshund not be allowed to become overweight. This is not only because of general health reasons, but also to avoid strain to the Dachshund's long back, which can lead to slipped or ruptured (herniated) discs. Ignore the pleading eyes, and give only the recommended amount given by the manufacturer of the quality dog food of your choice. Give table scraps very sparingly, if at all, especially avoiding cooked bones and foods with high fat content. Remember that the Dachshund's nose can get him into trouble, and always keep food well out of his reach.

Doxie Genetics

Below is a list of diseases that can be found in Doxies. Not all Doxies will be diagnoses with these conditions, but if you are interested in a Doxie puppy as a part of your family, you should be aware of the possibilities.

Cord1-Pra

Cord1-PRA or crd1-PRA is a type of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). PRA is a general term for a group of diseases that cause the degeneration of the retina, which eventually leads to a loss of vision. Cord1-PRA stands for Cone-Rod Dystrophy-PRA. Cord1-PRA is a genetic disorder associated with a recessive mutation. Recessive mutations are mutations that can be passed from either parent or require two copies of the gene to show symptoms.

The mutation occurs in the RPGRIP1 gene. This gene codes for a protein that is important to photoreceptor cells in the eye. Like many forms of PRA, Cord1-PRA is breed-specific and is known to occur in Miniature Dachshunds and English Springer Spaniels.

Cone-rod dystrophy first affects the cones in the retina, which are the photoreceptor cells responsible for detecting bright light or daylight. Rods, or the low-light photoreceptor cells, begin degenerating afterwards. This is different than other forms of PRA (such as prcd-PRA) in which the rods are affected first, followed by the cones. Unfortunately, most dogs affected by Cord1-PRA will eventually become blind. There is no known cure at this time.

The age of onset can vary with this disorder. Some dogs will first begin experiencing problems at around 6 months of age, though the average age of onset is around 5 years of age. A small percentage of dogs do not experience any symptoms until as late as 10 years of age. It is not yet known why some dogs will experience late-onset PRA. It is likely due to the presence of other genetic modifiers that have not been determined at this time.

Because cord1-PRA is a recessive disorder, a dog must have two copies of the mutation in order for the disease to manifest. This means that a dog can have one copy of the mutation and not experience any signs or symptoms of cord1-PRA. This dog would be known as a carrier. The carrier can then pass on either the normal gene or the mutated gene to any offspring. If two carriers are bred, there is a 25% per puppy that they will develop symptoms of cord1-PRA.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord of dogs. Dogs that have inherited two defective copies will experience a breakdown of the cells responsible for sending and receiving signals from the brain, resulting in neurological symptoms.
The disease often begins with an unsteady gait, and the dog may wobble when they attempt to walk. As the disease progresses, the dog's hind legs will weaken and eventually the dog will be unable to walk at all. Degenerative Myelopathy moves up the body, so if the disease is allowed to progress, the dog will eventually be unable to hold his bladder and will lose normal function in its front legs. Fortunately, there is no direct pain associated with Degenerative Myelopathy.
The onset of Degenerative Myelopathy generally occurs later in life starting at an average age of about 10 years. However, some dogs may begin experiencing symptoms much earlier. A percentage of dogs that have inherited two copies of the mutation will not experience symptoms at all. Thus, this disease is not completely penetrant, meaning that while a dog with the mutation is likely to develop Degenerative Myelopathy, the disease does not affect every dog that has the genotype.

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIA, Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A, MPS IIIA

A lysosome is a structure within the cell that digests and removes waste. When the lysosome cannot recycle waste properly, the waste accumulates and causes the cell to die. Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are defined by abnormal buildup of glycosaminoglycans, large sugar-protein molecules that are important for skeletal and joint function.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (Type I)

Type I Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a back/spine issue that refers to a health condition affecting the discs that act as cushions between vertebrae. With Type I IVDD, affected dogs can have a disc event where it ruptures or herniates towards the spinal cord. This pressure on the spinal cord causes neurologic signs which can range from a wobbly gait to impairment of movement. Chondrodystrophy (CDDY) refers to the relative proportion between a dog’s legs and body, wherein the legs are shorter and the body longer. There are multiple different variants that can cause a markedly chondrodystrophic appearance as observed in Dachshunds and Corgis. However, this particular variant is the only one known to also increase the risk for IVDD.