Dachshund (Miniature) (long, smooth, wirehaired)

Lifestyle needs

The Miniature Dachshund is a long bodied dog with very short legs.  He weighs around 5 kilograms (whereas the larger version can weigh as much as 12 kilograms).  He will suit almost any type of home environment and would make a suitable family pet.  However care should be taken that young children are taught how to handle and respect him.  Although diminutive in size the Mini Dachs is often described as a large personality in a small frame and he needs exercise just like any other dog.  All three coats require regular grooming.  More coat care will be needed with the long-haired coat, and the wire-haired coat will typically need to be ’stripped’ a couple of times a year. 

Inbreeding coefficient – COI

(should be as low as possible)

The breed average COI is 7.1% (longhaired), 8.1% (smoothhaired), 10.8% (wirehaired) 

See A Beginners Guide to COI.

Health and welfare problems due to conformation

(body shape and physical characteristics)

• The Dachshund’s short legs (Hypochondroplasia – dwarfism) are associated with Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).  It is reported that between 20% and 25% of Dachshunds are likely to suffer some degree of back problems during their life.  This can range from minor back pain through to severe spinal cord  damage and paralysis.
• The extreme short legs limit a Mini Dachshund’s ability to run, jump and communicate with other dogs, eg play bows.

BVA/KC Health Schemes  http://www.bva.co.uk/chs

• Eye disease: Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) (longhaired, smoothhaired); Optic nerve hypoplasia (longhaired); Persistent pupillary membrane (wirehaired)

DNA tests available

Parents should be tested for:

• Generalised Progressive Retinal Atrophy cord-1
• Lafora’s disease (type of epilepsy) (wirehaired)

Unofficial (breed club) schemes

           None known

           Dachshund Breed Council’s health website:  http://www.uk-dachshund-health-report.org.uk/

Ask the breeder to show you the certificates for the above tests/screening for both parents, or check the results on the KC’s Health Test Results Finder.   If any of the above tests have not been considered necessary by the breeder (and there may be good reasons), ask her to explain why.

Other diseases

(for which there are currently no genetic or screening tests for sire or dam)

Mini Smooth-haired:

• Intervertebral disc disease (see above)
• Cushings disease (over production of corticosteroids, causing lethargy, thirst and increased appetite)
• Various skin problems (eg, pattern baldness, ear pinna alopecia, Malassezia dermatitis )
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism (thyroid deficiency, resulting in hair loss, weight gain, lethargy)
• Urolithiasis (stone formation in urinary tract)
• Cryptorchidism (undescended testicle)

Mini longhaired:

• Intervertebral disc disease (see above)
• Epilepsy
• Eye conditions: Distichiasis (a double row of eyelashes); Entropion (inward turning eyelahses); Ectropion (outward turning eye lashes)
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism (thyroid deficiency, resulting in hair loss, weight gain, lethargy)
• Urolithiasis (stone formation in urinary tract)
• Cryptorchidism (undescended testicle)

Mini wire-haired:

• Intervertebral disc disease (see above)
• Lafora’s disease (type of epilepsy characterised by jerking, seizures, dementia, blindness)
• Various skin problems (eg, pattern baldness, ear pinna alopecia, Malassezia dermatitis)
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism (thyroid deficiency, resulting in hair loss, weight gain, lethargy)
• Urolithiasis (stone formation in urinary tract)
• Cryptorchidism (undescended testicle)

 Ask the breeder about the medical history of the parents, grandparents and great grandparents.  Consider carefully whether to purchase a puppy if some of these or other diseases are in the family line.

Ask about the breeder’s policy in cases of serious genetic diseases occurring to your puppy in later life.  Good breeders will request to be informed of such events in order to improve future breeding decisions.  Some breeders will also agree to contribute towards medical costs or refund purchase price.

You are strongly advised to buy from a breeder who uses (or is prepared to use) the RSPCA / BVA AWF Puppy Contract and Puppy Information Pack (PIP):  www.puppycontract.org.uk

You are also advised to buy from a breeder who follows the Dog Advisory Council’s Standard for Breeders: http://www.dogbreedhealth.com/dac-breeding-standard/

 List of Dog Breeds