BREED ISSUES

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT AT THIS TIME OF YEAR KENNEL COUGH IS AROUND, ALSO RABBIT MITE (WALKING DANDRUFF)

If  kennel cough reaches your kennel/pack you must get in touch with your vet asap to get antibiotics to help with this problem. it is heartbreaking to see your loved ones coughing and bringing up phlem. Is has to be stopped asap before it goes through the entire pack.

Another problem at this time of year is that your dogs exercise or show more on grass and rabbit mite is prevalent at this time of year. There are both natural remedies and chemically prepared formulations available today to help provide relief to pets with kennel cough/rabbit mite/worming. However, prevention is still the best route to take. At the first signs of illness, take your dog to the veterinarian for proper diagnosis. By doing so, the symptoms of the disease will be handled accordingly and your dog will be healthier.

Rabbit Mite
The mites cause skin irritation, usually along the back of the animal. Infested animals may have slight hair loss, scales (dandruff), itching, and possibly some thickening of the skin. Cats and rabbits may not show any signs of infestation dandruff looking flecks on the coat. It resembles nits in a human. Once the Advocat is applied and dried then your dog can be bathed. I find Dr. Johnsons Nit Shampoo and conditioner  (for humans) a wonderful thing. However, you will still need to give your dog half a Piriton tablet twice a day to stop the skin irritation. You will also notice some coat loss due to the scratching.

PLEASE READ THE WHOLE OF THIS PAGE)

The AGM of The Dachshund Club was held on the 26th February 2011. Mr. Richard Connew of the Fennellafleur Miniature Longhaired Dachshunds raised the question as to why some colours had been omitted from the drop down list of colours on the Kennel Club registration site. There is no option to register Chocolate and Creams, so the best option is to register under Chocolate and Tan, and there is no option to register a Cream Dapple. This case was put forward for discussion and it was agreed that this matter should be passed to the committee of the Miniature Longhaired Dachshund Club so that they can take action on this matter. If you do have any puppies in any of your litters that fall into the category of Chocolate and Cream or Cream Dapple then please contact the Miniature Longhaired Dachshund Club to seek advice as to what colour you should register your dogs under. However, further advice on this subject can be obtained by contacting Mr. Connew direct by emailing contact@fenellafleur.com.

There are a number of breed issues with both MINIATURE  LONGHAIRED and MINIATURE SMOOTH HAIRED DACHSHUNDS. see below:-

Both varieties carry the gene Cord1 for Post Retinal Atrophy ( blindness). Below is a guideline to what you can and cannot breed from. It is recommended that should the puppy you have purchased not have a relevant DNA certificate from the Animal Health Trust (which should be provided from the breeder) you should apply to this trust via www.AHT.co.uk for the relevant swaps by which you can do your own DNA testing. You then send the swabs direct to AHT who will in turn forward you the results from these tests. However, I must stress that unless the breeder can provide you with an up to date DNA certificate authenticated by the AHT then you would be advised not to purchase a puppy from this breeder. You can alternatively check out the Accredited Breeder List from the Kennel Club who will abide by the rules and provide DNA certificates of all puppies bred by them and of their parents.

HAS PRA/AFFECTED

CARRIER

CLEAR

OK TO BREED FROM

XX

 

 

NO NEVER 100% PRA

X

X

 

NO NEVER 50% PRA 50% CARRIER

X

 

X

YES (ALL PUPS WOULD 100% CARRIERS)

 

XX

 

NO NEVER APPROX.50% WOULD BE PRA AFFECTED 50% CARRIER 25% CLEAR

 

X

X

YES (APPROX 50% PUPS WOULD BE CLEAR 50% CARRIER

 

 

XX

YES ALL PUPS WOULD BE CLEAR

 Below is a more in depth explanation of Progressive Retinal Atrophy in dachshunds as provided by the AHT.

Explanatnion of DNA          

Weighing of Miniature Dachshunds 02-Feb-09

The General Committee of the Kennel Club has considered the stance taken by the Dachshund Breed Council with regard to the weighing of Miniature Dachshunds at shows i.e. that ‘judges who refuse to weigh Miniature Dachshunds may have their names removed from the Breed Council (and UK Clubs’) Judging Lists and will not be offered appointments at any Breed Club shows.’

Having considered this matter, the Committee is of the opinion that those judges who refuse to weigh Miniature Dachshunds are being penalised by the Breed Council for so doing. The impact on new judges is thought to be particularly important in that, by placing a barrier to those who refuse to weigh being offered appointments to judge at breed club open shows, progression is effectively being blocked. It was the Committee’s view that any judges choosing not to weigh, as is their privilege under the new Regulations, should be supported by the Kennel Club. 

Being mindful that the Kennel Club has, for potential welfare reasons, taken a line against weighing and has discontinued the practice at its own show Crufts, and in view of its focus on health and welfare issues, the Committee did not agree with the expressed attitude of the Dachshund Breed Council. It suggested that if the Breed Council persisted in taking such a stance certain consequences would follow:

  1. it would no longer consider any necessity for a prospective judge of Miniature Dachshunds to have undertaken an appointment at a breed club open show and
  2. it would not seek Breed Council opinion for any future nominations to judge the breed at Kennel Club Challenge Certificate level.

Though it has been agreed by the General Committee that no outright ban on weighing should be imposed meantime, its decision to allow the weighing of Miniature Dachshunds to continue at the discretion of the judge and the show concerned, will continue to be kept under strict review by the Kennel Club.

In the meantime it should be noted that, in line with previous Kennel Club announcements, both the judge and the show society concerned must be in agreement on whether or not weighing takes place and each is therefore responsible for arriving at this decision.  The Kennel Club has made its position clear on this subject, in deciding that at its own show Crufts judges will not weigh Miniature Dachshunds,.

It has also been suggested that to avoid any potential allegations regarding the health and welfare of Miniature Dachshunds, water bowls should be placed in the Miniature Dachshund rings at shows.  It is hoped that the Dachshund Breed Council and show societies will give their wholehearted support to this suggestion.

Dachshunds have been used for a variety of jobs over many years and the different demands made on the breed have resulted in six varieties, dependent on size and coat type. The larger version can weigh as much as 12 kilograms (26 pounds), while, ideally, the miniatures should weigh 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds), and certainly no more than 5 kilograms (11 pounds). Each size splits into Smooth Haired, Long Haired and Wire Haired. There are differences in minor points, but basically the six are one and the same breed. Some consider that their temperaments vary, but this is probably no more than can be found in most other breeds between individuals. There is no longer any crossing between the varieties.

Colours vary tremendously; the standard states that all colours are allowed, although white is permitted only in a small patch on the chest, and even this is not desirable. In dapples, white is allowed, but it must be even all over. The Smooth varieties have dense, short coats, while the Longs show a soft texture with straight or slightly wavy hairs. The Wires should have short, straight, harsh hair with a dense undercoat, with bearded chin and bushy eyebrows. All in all, a marvellous selection of attractive and sporting dogs.

The Dachshund is a fairly long and low dog, but still compact, and with enough length of leg to move freely as befits his purpose in life entering badger sets or rabbit warrens. Such a task requires tremendous courage and extremely powerful jaws, a point that is obvious when one compares the muzzle length with that of many larger breeds. The feet are permitted to incline slightly outwards to enable the hound to dig freely, but this must not be exaggerated. The forearm is permitted to incline slightly outward to enable the dog to dig freely, but this must not be exaggerated to such an extent that the legs become bowed inward. The length of the back and the character of the discs between the vertebrae of the spine have a tendency to allow a weakening in the area, and it is therefore important that the loin should be short and strong, and that individuals should not be allowed to become obese. The breed’s ability to eat anything placed in front of it should never be pandered to.

Temperamentally, all six varieties are very good at giving a good account of themselves as guards of property, and their relatively low stature should never give anyone the idea that they will be easy meat for the criminally inclined. With their families and friends they make wonderful companions, but firmness is needed in their early training as they can be notably independent.

Germany is the breed’s home country, where sizes are separated not by weight but by chest circumference, the divisions being based on what size of hole they could enter when going to hunt.

Dachshund Back Disorder IVDD
Some Dachshunds are prone to back disorder IVDD.

Recent research suggests SOME back issues are genetic so check your breeders history on this before buying a dog from them. There has been a great deal of work done in Denmark on this issue unfortunately it's still very much in the early stages in the UK currently. As things currently stand we feel it is best to ensure our own dogs all have good strong boning and thus strong backs with a normal natural slight curve (they require a slight curve for strength and health) as are those we use to breed with. We also try to breed for long rib cages to try and help ensure stronger backs.
The problem occurs when the inner jelly protrudes or herniates through the fibrous layer into the vertebral canal and presses on the spinal cord. This compression may be slight or severe and this will depend on the amount of protrusion into the canal.
Type I intervertebral disk disease usually occurs in dogs with short thick legs such as dachshunds. Although short legs are normal for this breeds it is basically the result of abnormal development of cartilage. The disks in these dogs become more like cartilage than fibrous tissue, this increases the risk of rupture into the vertebral canal. This can occur in these dogs at a fairly young age 3-6 years and sometimes younger and can occur at several sites in the back, causing considerable pain.
Type II intervertebral disk disease often only partial protrusion not complete rupture and mostly seen in dogs that do not have the short thick legs and are larger breeds. Usually appears in older dogs 6-10 years and develops more slowly and is less severe than Type 1.
Type III intervertebral disk disease this is a fairly rare, type of disc rupture and is most damaging and traumatic. The disc material herniates severally and may actually enter the spinal cord, so causing severe damage. This may result in some areas of the cord dying. The damage may be so severe that the only humane option is euthanasia.
Signs of canine back problems or disk disease - Type 1 usually starts quite quickly and is usually severe depending on the amount of pressure on the spinal cord, there may be pain in the region of the neck, weakness or paralysis in some or all the limbs. Pain is the main sign of this disease and may be steady or occasional, sudden movement causes excruciating pain. Type 11 intervertebral disk disease - usually develops much more slowly over several months, with pain, weakness or paralysis in some or all of the limbs.
Treatment
 IVDD can result in permanent paralysis and incontinence if not treated.
Medical treatment of this disease consists of anti inflammatory medication and strict rest (in a cage) toileting your dog on a lead. Surgery is a possibility in serious cases to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord, recovery after surgery ranges from fair to good depending on certain factors. Other options are hydrotherapy, massage, acupuncture, herbal homeopathic treatments, and to assist if paralysed a dog wheelchair. It is critical to seek veterinarian help immediately, if you think your dog has a back problem, your vet will discuss with you the treatment options available in your dogs particular case.

EPILESPY IN MINIATURE DACHSHUNDS

 Epilepsy means repeated seizures due to abnormal activity in the brain. It is caused by an abnormality in the brain itself. If seizures occur because of a health problem elsewhere in the body, for example a heart problem, which stops oxygen reaching the brain, this is not epilepsy nor are issues such has Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) to be confused with it. Your vet can do tests to try to find the reason for the epilepsy but in many cases if all the tests come back negative it is simply a conclusion of it must be epilepsy because it isn't anything else that can be tested for. Epilepsy affects around 4 in every hundred dogs and In Dachshunds it is currently thought to be hereditary. To that end if a dog is found to be suffering from epilepsy and or suspected epilepsy it would be highly recommended to no longer use that dog for breeding and possibly it's offspring. (Note: I have posted this information due to the fact that one of my dogs suffered from Epilespy - whilst it is a initally a frightening experience one learns to live with the fact that it can happen when least expected.) Having coped with this problem I decided to take the necessary steps to have my dog castrated in order that in case of accidents this problem could not be passed onto future progeny. The dog in question continues to lead a very healthy happy life, and due to modern medicine does not suffer in any way.