Gretel has led a very active life hiking, paddleboarding, and traveling. Last Tuesday she experienced pain after jumping off of the couch. I could tell because she was trembling, was walking hunched over, and had zero interest in the squeakier toy she is obsessed with. She was showing classic signs of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) - a genetic disease that Dachshunds, and some other breeds, … [Read more...]

The most common cause of back problems in Dachshunds is a condition called Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). I previously wrote an article explaining what IVDD is, how to recognize symptoms of back problems, and what you can do to help prevent them. However, IVDD is a genetic disease and it's unlikely you can totally prevent your dog from having any back issues if they have the disease. If … [Read more...]

I didn't always know a lot about Dachshunds. I was still pretty clueless even after owning Chester for 8 years. It wasn't until I adopted Gretel, and started this blog, that I started researching and learning as much as I could about the breed. Dachshunds are notorious for having back problems. Many Dachshunds end up fully or partially paralyzed, or with mobility limitations and pain related … [Read more...]

I was recently contacted by one of our readers, Cassandra, asking if I would share about Dachshund seizures since they are so common. In the 12 years I have owned Dachshunds, and walked and house-sat Dachshunds, I have never encountered a seizure. I have heard of Dachshunds having them before but didn't realize how common they were. Here is Cassandra's story: "I was fostering a sweet … [Read more...]

Dachshunds are notorious barkers. I knew this so when Chester was young I worked to teach him that constantly barking at everything was not necessary. That all fell apart about the time Gretel came to live with us. I am not sure if he just discovered that barking was a cool thing once he was around another dog on a daily basis or he felt the need to be "tough" and protect her. Nonetheless, … [Read more...]

I've said it before and I will say it again - I don't brush my dog's teeth. I know that brushing is the "gold standard" recommended by veterinarians to help avoid costly dental cleanings but I am also realistic. I know that brushing their teeth just isn't going to happen. However, just because I don't brush their teeth doesn't mean I don't care about their dental health. It's just that I … [Read more...]

The other day I came across a video about a woman named Linda in Tennessee who owns 5 disabled Dachshunds. One of her dogs, Jessie, developed a herniated disk and became paralyzed. Linda took him to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine for surgery but he still couldn't walk. After rehabilitation, he now runs and plays with the other dogs again. Whether you are a Doxie … [Read more...]