As you might imagine Dachshunds are prone to spinal disc problems, also known as Dachshund paralysis. This is due to their very long spinal columns and very short rib cages. Dogs with this problem can become completely paralyzed. For this reason, it’s important that your dog be trained early on not to jump, as jumping puts additional pressure on the spine.

You should also teach yourself how to hold your dog properly, as improper handling can lead to back problems, too. Some veterinarians caution against Dachshunds using stairs, though most feel that it does not pose a problem for the dog to use stairs, as long as they are walking instead of running. Researchers are finding that the occurrence and severity of these spinal disc problems are hereditary in large part, so it’s important to inquire about such problems from your breeder.

They are also prone to heart disease, urinary tract problems, and diabetes. This dog can become inactive as they age, which makes them prone to obesity. This disease causes the same problems in dogs as in humans, shortening their life expectancy and making them more prone to heart disease, joint problems, and diabetes.

Being overweight also puts additional strain on their backs. Dog obesity is becoming more of an issues these days primarily due to poor diet. Always feed your dog a quality dog food that provides balanced nutrition. All too often are influenced by price and hype, do your homework and read the labels avoiding dog food with fillers list first on the list.

Dappled Dachshunds are prone to deafness and blindness. For this reason, they are very rare, as most breeders refuse to breed this pattern.

Whenever you purchase a puppy, it’s important to purchase from a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders will work hard to breed out deficiencies by not breeding any dog that has shown signs of genetic or health problems. Breeders that are not reputable, however, will breed any dog, and are more likely to replicate genetic problems in their puppies. Before you purchase a puppy, ask questions about the lineage of the puppy.