- The Dachshunds have a relatively long lifespan attributed to its small size.
- The hotdog was first named Dachshund sausage after this dog.
How long do Dachshunds live?
The average lifespan of a Dachshund is between 12 to 16 years. This is a relatively long lifespan which is attributed to it being a small sized dog.
While the lifespan of the Dachshund is 12 to 16 years, there has been a Doxie that lived for up to 25 years named Rocky who resided in California.
Now, let’s take a look at the lifespan of different Dachshund breeds below:
Standard Dachshund
The standard Dachshund has a lifespan of 12 to 16 years and can live even longer where proper health and general care is provided.
This is an inherently dominant breed and can be aggressive and should therefore be trained and socialized at an early age. [1]
The standard Doxie is 8 to 9 inches and weighs between 16 to 32 pounds.
Long-haired Dachshund
Long-haired dachshunds are hyperactive dogs and thus require regular exercise and can live up to 12 to 16 years. [2]
As the name suggests, this dog has long hair which can grow long enough to trail the floor.
This breed was specifically bred to hunt in colder climatic conditions but evolved to become a refined and sophisticated toy breed in England and the United States.
Grooming is specifically mandatory for this dog because of their long hair which needs regular brushing.
They have for the longest time been kept in royal courts across Europe including during Queen Victoria’s reign.
This breed still has a hunter’s mind and will chase at anything that moves. They are loud and can be difficult to train especially for first-time dog owners.
Beagle Dachshunds
This is a mix of the purebred Dachshund and beagle and is sometimes referred to as the Doxie Beagle or Doxle. It is a tiny dog of 8 to 15 inches which is essentially smaller than a beagle but bigger than a Dachshund.
The Beagle Dachshund has a lifespan of 12 to 14 years and possesses the inquisitive nature of the Dachshund and loyalty of a beagle which makes it an excellent and admirable dog.
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What do Dachshunds usually die from?
Unlike other breeds, Dachshunds tend to have the most issues with natural causes as the leading cause of death.
Here are the common causes of death in Dachshunds:
1. Heart Failure
Heart failure is the leading cause of death in this breed in their old age. Most heart diseases in dogs are as a result of the weakening and deformity of heart valves which causes blood to leak into the weakened valves thus straining the heart.
Pets suffering from this develop a heart murmur, a symptom which should be treated instantly when noticed. This is because when such heart valve disease is diagnosed and treated early, the dog’s life may be prolonged for more years.
It is vital to note that good veterinary dental care and fatty acid supplementation goes a long way in preventing heart disease and controlling weight thus diminishing the risk of heart failure. [3]
2. Back Problems
Dachshunds are susceptible to back problems also known as intervertebral disc disease and is mostly seen when they are suddenly unwilling to jump or go up the stairs or even refuses to go potty.
Where such back pain is severe it may lead to sudden paralysis which can be treated by surgically removing the raptured discs immediately.
Where the back pain is less severe, rest and medication may resolve the problem. It is recommended that a pet parent monitors and controls their pet’s weight so as to minimize the risk of back problems and other obesity-related complications in dogs. [4]
3. Other Common Diseases
Other diseases this breed suffers from include; knee problems, hip and elbow dysplasia, hip necrosis, hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease), liver problems, eye problems, diabetes, bleeding disorders, bladder/kidney stones, juvenile cellulitis, neurological problems, epilepsy, nacroplesy and cancer.
Interesting Facts about Dachshunds
The name Dachshund comes from two German words; ‘dachs’ and ‘hund’ which mean badger and dog respectively. This denotes their history as hunting dogs.
Dachshunds were first bred by German breeders who desired to create a smaller hunting companion to track down badgers and other burrow-dwelling wild animals such as rabbits and foxes.
Origin of Dachshunds
The Dachshund is a small toy breed whose origin can be traced to ancient Egypt due to the mummified skeletons that have been discovered in Egyptian burial urns with engravings of short-legged hunting dogs.
Interestingly, this dog preceded the hotdog as the German dish was first named Dachshund sausage after the dog but was later renamed hotdog.
The first type of this breed was the smooth-coated Dachshund with the long-haired pooches following through selective breeding of tiny dogs within the spaniel group.
The wire-haired Dachshunds were then realized in the 19th century following a crossbreeding of hard-coated terriers and wire-haired pinschers.
Doxies, as referred by pet lovers, are known for its adorable and unique shape. They have long bodies and short legs and were bred to hunt badgers. Their short legs enable them to stay closer to the ground and thus easily track scents.
Their long and narrow bodies are suited for crawling into burrows when hunting for badgers. Although they are tiny, they are brave and very fierce thus making for their hunting ability.
Average size of a dachshund
The Dachshund comes in two sizes; the standard and miniature Doxie. The standard Doxie weighs up to 35 pounds and have adapted to hunt badgers and wild boars while the miniature Dachshund weighs 11 pounds and below.
Coat texture
There are three types of coats that this badger dog can have; smooth, wire-haired and long-haired coats.
They first had smooth coats but have been bred and evolved to have these different coats. The smooth coat Doxies, however, still remain the most preferred and popular Dachshund.
Why are they loved?
The love for this breed is so much that in the Munich Olympic Games of 1972, the official mascot was Waldi, the colorful Dachshund. The marathon route of the same Olympic was even plotted to resemble Waldi. [4]
Moreover, this breed was widely used by the Germans during the World War I and was viewed as a symbol of Germany. Political cartoonists even used illustrations of the Dachshund to jeer at Germany.
As a result of this interconnection, this breed’s popularity in America reduced significantly and to counteract this, the American Kennel Club rebranded the dog ‘badger dog’ or ‘liberty pups’.
This breed is involved in the Dachshund races that first originated in Australia in the 1970s and have since spread across the world. While this breed was not purposed to be a racing dog, these races are fun and many pet parents across the world enjoy watching their fur babies participate.
Another fun fact about the sausage dog is that the first dog to be cloned in Britain was a Dachshund named Winnie. Winnie died following a car accident but Mini Winnie, who was created from her sample.
Conclusion
Dachshunds have a relatively long lifespan but are also at risk of many health complications attributed to their stature.
Their long spines and short feet are especially a cause of concern when it comes to their health during their golden years. Moreover, it is important that the genetics involved are paid attention to so as to identify risk factors early enough and find viable ways of addressing them.
Their general health and lifestyle should be controlled and should involve a good canine diet, adequate physical exercise, regular vet visits and strict adherence to the vaccination schedule.
