Dachshund Breed Health and Conservation Plans
Summary: January 2024
What is a BHCP?
Created in partnership with the Kennel Club, our Breed Health and Conservation Plans are part of a major project launched in 2016. Their purpose is to ensure that all health concerns for a breed are identified through evidence-based criteria. Breed clubs, breeders, owners and buyers can use this information to help make informed decisions about the breed.
There are 3 parts to a Breed Health and Conservation Plan
1. Introduction
Because we have 6 varieties of Dachshund in the UK �we have 6 BHCP �documents
Tip
You don’t need to read all 6 documents!��The evidence base is common to all 6 varieties and we have agreed a single Action Plan with the KC.
This presentation gives you �a summary of the evidence�and priorities
(based on discussions between our Health�Committee and the Kennel Club)
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You can download copies of the full BHCP documents from our Health website:��www.dachshundhealth.org.uk
The Breed Health and Conservation Plan should be read in conjunction with our ANNUAL HEALTH REPORT which reviews the past 12 months and gives more detailed plans about our work
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Although our BHCP focuses on UK Dachshunds, many of the data sources are from outside the UK.�
Our BHCP should be of interest internationally.
This section summarises the priorities discussed by our Health Committee with the KC:
2. Priorities
Cardiovascular conditions
Studies going back to the late 90s describe Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) affecting Dachshunds. A 2015 VetCompass study listed the breed as being at slightly increased risk of heart murmurs but not degenerative MVD.
Discussion points
It was noted that whilst the 2015 UK DachsLife survey results did not indicate specifically a high level of mitral valve disease, the results indicated a high prevalence of dogs affected by heart murmurs, with Standard Wirehaired and Standard Smooth affected at a 7.8% and 6.3% prevalence respectively.
We discussed the need for further data to be collected in order to understand specific heart concerns in the UK population.
Dermatological conditions
Colour dilution alopecia is a particular concern due to the rise in popularity of “fashionable” dilute colours (blue & isabella), particularly in Mini Smooths .
Discussion points
Skin conditions were the 2nd most prevalent issue in our 2018 health survey. DachsLife 2021 investigated this in more detail.
The results from this survey suggest that blue Dachshunds have a higher risk of developing a skin condition compared with any other colour, with 55% of blue Dachshunds being affected by one or more skin condition.
19% of the entire dogs had been affected by a skin and/or coat condition(s), and 37% of the neutered dogs had been affected by a skin and/or coat condition(s).
Endocrine conditions
Endocrine conditions listed in the literature review were diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism.
Discussion points
Gestational diabetes anecdotally appears to be more common in Standard Smooths, causing�complications during and post-whelping.
Cushing’s was discussed as being more commonly seen in Miniature Wirehaired and older Dachshunds.
Immunological conditions
The immunological conditions found in the literature review were inflammatory colorectal polyps and nonregenerative immune-mediated anaemia.�
Discussion points
To date, no reports of inflammatory colorectal polyps have been seen in the UK population.
A relatively recent paper explored medical records retrospectively of dogs presented with this form of haemolytic anaemia (Woolhead et al, 2020). Miniature Dachshunds were suggested to be predisposed, making up 5% of the 59 dogs examined.
A Japanese paper also found the breed to be predisposed when considering records of dogs presented with non-neoplastic bone marrow disorders with nonregenerative anaemia.
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Musculoskeletal conditions
Four conditions were reported in the literature review: Elbow incongruity, Limb girdle muscular dystrophy, Osteogenesis imperfecta and Pes varus.�
Discussion points
Dogs affected by osteogenesis imperfecta appear to have mostly German origins, with those bred within the UK testing clear for the causal mutation. We discussed investigating this condition with geneticists but it was decided not to pursue this due to its apparent low prevalence in the UK.
With regard to pes varus, we noted our concern about this, particularly in the show ring, with exhibitors and judges perhaps deeming the condition part of the natural gait for a Dachshund, and not recognising it as a concern.
LGMD (SDMD) is being investigated in Australia and a DNA test is available. We plan to investigate the mutation frequency in the UK population. �
Neoplastic (cancer) conditions
The neoplastic (cancer) conditions category had 2 conditions listed; Gastrointestinal epithelial tumours and Lymphoma.
Discussion points
We ran a cancer survey: DachsLife 2018.
38% of the reported deaths were due to cancer and the overall prevalence was 7%. The Longhaired varieties were 3 times more likely to have a cancer than the other coats.
Mammary tumours and Gastrointestinal were the most common, The overall median age of diagnosis was 9 years and median age of death was 11.
Cancers and tumours were the 3rd most prevalent condition reported in our survey, after IVDD and skin conditions.
Neurological conditions
Neurological conditions of relevance were idiopathic epilepsy, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and Lafora disease. �
Discussion points
Miniature Longhaired seem to have approximately four times the risk of developing epilepsy according to the 2015 DachsLife study. Our ongoing epilepsy reporting survey indicates that currently 50% of affected dogs are Miniature Longhaired.
We highlighted our concern for the lack of uptake for the IVDD screening programme, despite the availability of £100 subsidies from both the KC and DHUK.
With regard to Lafora disease, the breed has seen a dramatic drop in prevalence with just 4% of litters in 2023 being at risk of having affected puppies.
Ocular conditions
The ocular conditions PRA (cord1), SARDS and distichiasis were discussed. �
Discussion points
It was agreed that PRA (cord1) is no longer a major concern for the Miniature varieties due to the success of the DNA testing programme and the discovery of a 2nd, related mutation that influences the age of onset. However, it would be prudent to continue testing in conjunction with clinical eye screening.
SARDS has been infrequently reported, with eight cases seen in the past 10 years in the UK, but it was noted that this could be due to veterinarians misdiagnosing the condition.
It was highlighted that Longhaired varieties appear to be commonly affected by distichiasis, but this can be seen in all varieties and this is now reflected in a Breed Watch Point of Concern
Find out more about Eye Disease.
DachsLife
We have conducted 4 “DachsLife” breed health surveys.
The overall prevalence for each of the conditions reported is shown in this chart.
KC Breed Surveys
The 2004 and 2014 Purebred and Pedigree Breed Health Survey results were reviewed, with the results supporting the concerns discussed, with cancers, heart conditions and IVDD mentioned. �
Insurance data
The insurance data were assessed by the group, with the top UK conditions being IVDD, diabetes mellitus, gastroenteritis, skin allergies, heart murmurs, Cushing’s and epilepsy across the varieties.�
Discussion points
Insurance data were available for Dachshunds insured with Agria UK.
Morbidity and mortality insurance data were also available from Agria Sweden.
Genetic diversity
Genetic diversity measures were reviewed, with the smallest effective population size found in the Standard Longhaired and Standard Smooth varieties (40 and 59 respectively).
Discussion points
Results of the 2015 KC genetic diversity study can be found here.
Effective Population Sizes:
The Kennel Club are currently undertaking a full analysis of breed populations, and will be developing breed-specific reports at the beginning of 2024. Once available, this report will be fed into the BHCP.
We agreed that, from the information provided by the KC and our own experience, IVDD and eye disease were the priorities for UK Dachshunds. The breed has a “Watch List” of conditions that includes colour dilution alopecia, mitral valve disease, pes varus and maintenance of genetic diversity.
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Check out our Health Website to find out more about our priorities and what actions we are taking.
Our priorities
Eye Disease in all 6 varieties�
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
Watch List of other conditions�
In addition to the actions listed in earlier slides, we agreed the following with the KC:
3. Actions
The Kennel Club will review progress with Dachshund Breed Health representatives in 2025.
We would like to thank Hannah James and her colleagues in the Kennel Club’s Health Team for their fantastic work in drafting our Breed Health and Conservation Plan.��We hope you found this summary useful, as well as the links to our other health resources.
Thanks also to the numerous Dachshund owners who have participated in our breed health surveys and have contributed data on more than 17000 of their dogs.
Thank you!
Our websites
Back Disease (IVDD)
Dachshund Breed Council
Health and Welfare