3 out of 4...

[BeauBuddy]

We've had 4 dachshunds, all mini smooths, and 3 of them had back episodes. All 3 have had the 'wobbles' in the back end.
Engli is the only one who hasn't, and she still could although at this age, we are hoping she's dodged that bullet.
Not very good odds, huh?

[Lisa]

Nope :( I am at 2 out of 3 (with the pure bred doxies). Pogo had surgery and Pixel went down twice and was on crate rest and drugs. P'nut is the only one who hasn't yet, and she is still really young. In the case of doxies German Engineering is not the best, but they are still the cutest models on the market

[Alex's Mom]

Nope, not good at all!!! On the other hand, of the 5 I've had the privilege of living with, only Maxe, my first dachsie, actually had disc problems. Alex and James both had/have arthritic back ends, but not actual IVDD. I do remember an old vet I used to have (he was a Cdn James Herriot, I swear!!) said that in his 45 years of practice, he'd noticed that it was the dachsies that were really flexible that seemed to be prone to it. Certainly fits the situation here! Alex couldn't even scratch her own ears, she was so compact and muscular. Don't know, but it would be interesting to do a survey about that!

[lotsadox]

I've had 9 dachsies/dachs X and 3 have had major back episodes. Cash has had some minor problems. Of the 3, 2 were mixes. Two were past 12 years old, the other was 9. I have no idea what this means, so I guess I'm just going to hope for the best with the rest of mine and future dogs.

[LexieLuvr]

I think it's just the luck of the draw. I've been luckier than most, evidently.

[lotsadox]

I think it's just the luck of the draw. I've been luckier than most, evidently.

I think you're right. It is pretty much luck of the draw with a touch of genetics thrown in . . .

[Alex's Mom]

Yup, I think there's a large genetic element, at least for a predisposition to IVDD. However, that jumping thing certainly doesn't help!! (Yes, James, I'm talking to YOU!! )

[lotsadox]

Yup, I think there's a large genetic element, at least for a predisposition to IVDD. However, that jumping thing certainly doesn't help!! (Yes, James, I'm talking to YOU!! )

Yes, Cash is no longer allowed to jump up in the chair with his dad or to jump down. He is NOT happy about it.

[BeauBuddy]

Nope, not good at all!!! On the other hand, of the 5 I've had the privilege of living with, only Maxe, my first dachsie, actually had disc problems. Alex and James both had/have arthritic back ends, but not actual IVDD. I do remember an old vet I used to have (he was a Cdn James Herriot, I swear!!) said that in his 45 years of practice, he'd noticed that it was the dachsies that were really flexible that seemed to be prone to it. Certainly fits the situation here! Alex couldn't even scratch her own ears, she was so compact and muscular. Don't know, but it would be interesting to do a survey about that!

Engli is absolutely the most flexible. She has no trouble sleeping like this, both back legs on the right, front out the left. She is sooo noodley. I think she's 11 in this photo..



Georgia's breeder always remarked that flexibility was a good sign to help avoid back issues, although what can you do if they go flying off of furniture?

[Alex's Mom]

Georgia's breeder always remarked that flexibility was a good sign to help avoid back issues, although what can you do if they go flying off of furniture?

Dr. B's take on it was that the more muscle bound, less bendable they are, the less opportunity there was for shock to the discs because they weren't able to move as much. Who knows??