IVDD

Intervertebral disc disease is a serious condition seen in dachshunds.

Intervertebral discs are cushioning pads of fibrocartilage that sit between most of the vertebra of the spinal column. The discs have an outer layer of tough fibrous tissue and a centre that is more of a gel-like substance. They act as shock absorbers for the bones called vertebra in the spinal column.

Intervertebral discs are subject to degeneration, bulging outward, and even bursting or rupturing. When something goes wrong with a disc, the material inside escapes into the spinal column, pressing against the spinal cord or nerve roots, which causes pain, nerve damage, and sometimes, paralysis. This is the condition known as intervertebral disc disease or IVDD.

Depending on the location of the damaged disc, problems can occur anywhere in the animal's body from the neck to the rear limbs.

Lafora's Disease

Lafora's Disease is an inherited form of epilepsy that affects Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds, in particular.

It can also affect Bassets, Beagles and on rare occasions been reported in Miniature Poodles, Standard Poodles, Pointers & Corgis.

The condition typically only becomes apparent any time from the age of 5 to 7 onwards and can take the form of major fitting, jerking of the head, apparent blindness, dementia and unsteadiness on the feet.

Dogs that are "Affected" by the disease, or are "Carriers" of the genetic mutation, are at risk of producing more "Affected" puppies if they are bred from with others carrying the mutation.

PRA Cord 1

PRA Cord 1 is a disease that affects the rods and cones that make up the retina of the eye. This condition often leads to blindness in dogs, for which sadly there is no cure. CORD1 has a relatively early onset, with the majority of dogs being diagnosed at around 2 years, however the disease can be present at any age. It is known to occur in miniature dachshunds.

Pes Varus

Pes varus is a Latin term that combines pes (foot) and varus (inward) and describes a deformity in which the distal tibia is turned inward toward the body.

Pes Varus has been referred to as Angular Hock Deformity and Bow Legged Syndrome.

Pes Varus is a deformity of the rear leg (unilateral) or both legs (bilateral) that gives a dog the appearance of being bowlegged. The distal (outside) growth plates of the tibia grow at a faster rate than the media (inside) side which causes the deformity. Typically growth plates close between 8 and 12 months of age in a pup that is growing properly. In a pup that has Pes Varus one side will begin to close at 4 to 6 months of age. This condition can range from mild to severe depending on how early the first growth plate closes and how late the second one closes. The earlier the first one closes the more severe the condition will be.

As breeders we need to follow the progress of our puppies at least until they are past the age that this could happen to them. There is no genetic test available as of yet to determine whether a dog carries the gene for Pes Varus. It is believed that both sire and dam must be carriers for it to be produced.

Pes Varus occurs globally and has been documented in all three coat varieties and in both Miniature and Standard Dachshunds. Cases have been reported in Dachshunds from USA, Finland, the Czech Republic, Japan and Australia.

For Test Results

What is a Dapple?

Dapple is a pattern seen in Dachshunds. It is commonly referred to as "Merle" in other breeds of dogs (Collie, Sheltie, Great Dane, Australian Shepherd).

It is important to understand that dapple is NOT a color, it is a pattern...

You paint the room green. Before the paint is allowed to dry, you dip a sponge in white paint and then dab the walls with the sponge. For each spot that the sponge touches, you will have a lighter green marbling affect that results from the green and white paint blending together. Dapple works in precisely the same fashion.

The dappling can occur on any color[:]

In one litter of puppies, you can have puppies that are dappled from nose to tail or you can have puppies with nothing more than a dapple splotch on the top of the head.

There are responsible breeders who have worked to understand the gene and how it works. They've also put much into their program to produce healthy dogs, but, these breeders are far and few between.

Puppy mills, pet shops and sadly, the Internet have capitalized on unsuspecting people and jeopardized many healthy dogs.

-- Double Dapple Article #how, Dachshund.org

What is a Double Dapple?

You finished the first coat of green and then finished sponging white paint over the wet green paint. Now dip the sponge in the white paint again. What do you think will happen when you start sponging the walls again? The areas that did not get touched by the first sponging, would now have the marbled look, but the areas that were marbled the first time would now appear totally white. This is precisely what happens when the dapple gene is allowed to act twice on the same area.

Look at the picture below:

-- Double Dapple Article #where, Dachshund.org

What's Wrong with a Double Dapple?

For reasons unknown, the combination of two dapple genes hitting the same area of the dog can be lethal. I have seen double dapple puppies born with no eyes, and/or no ears. Blindness and/or deafness is also caused by the double dapple gene. On the other hand, a double dapple can be born with no deformities at all.

There are no facts or figures available (that I have found) that tells us how many dogs like this dog have been whelped. The double dapple pattern is an acceptable pattern that is recognized by AKC. In my opinion, if AKC continues to allow this pattern (which can only be achieved by breeding two dapples together, so it is totally preventable) to be recognized, then serious studies should be done to look at the damage being done to the dogs.

I, for one, feel that even one dog like this is not worth the risk of a million healthy dogs.

-- Double Dapple Article #who, Dachshund.org

We, The Dachshund Club of Victoria, wish to inform all Dachshund owners and lovers of the ill effects that Double Dapples inherit and recommend you visit the Dachshund.org website's article for more information on how you can help or to be aware of the ignorance that many breeders have towards the Double Dapple.