IVDD & Dachshunds

Dachshunds are prone to IVDD due to their long backs and short legs, which is why it is very important to remember that they should be kept from jumping on and off furniture and going up and down stairs. While it might seem cute while they are young to be leaping around, this can eventually cause injuries in their later life. Most dachshunds will test genetically positive for IVDD, this is what their breed has due to their features. This is why we have to be careful with their backs when I comes to picking them up, keeping them from getting overweight and keeping their backs strong. We do see IVDD results in their genetics, and when we first starting breeding we thought that the gene itself caused the issue, when later on we found out that is not the case, Dachshunds are genetically predisposed to Intervertebral disc disease due to their body structure.

In October 2017, University of California, Davis, researchers revealed the discovery of a genetic mutation across breeds that is responsible for chondrodystrophy (the skeletal disorder leading to shorter legs and abnormal intervertebral discs) in a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. A DNA test was subsequently made available commercially. Unfortunately, virtually all Dachshunds appear to be homozygous for the mutation and it is, therefore, unlikely to be of any use to us as a risk test for IVDD.

We have 1 dog that has no IVDD markers in the results from her genetic testing, and she has fixed early on, as she developed long legs and a short back, she almost looks part chihuahua, even though she tests as 100% dachshund. Genetics alone cannot make good breeding decisions, we use genetic testing as a tool and not a ruling factor when testing dogs for our program..