How Long Do Dachshunds Live? (Dachshund Lifespan 2023)

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Is your Dachshund starting to age, and you wonder how long do dachshunds live?

Believe it or not, the two oldest dogs to ever roam the earth were both Dachshunds.

The Dachshund, also known as Doxen or Doxing Dog, is a German hunting dog famous for its short legs and long body.

They are cute and cuddly, small, insanely smart, and can go anywhere.

The Dachshund has a longer life expectancy than many other breeds, and many owners report that their Dachshunds were 18+ years old.

However, several health issues can shorten the lives of our short-legged friends. These include back problems, cancer, diabetes, and more.

The average life expectancy is about 12 years, but many live 17 years or more if they are not obese, eat a nutritious diet, and exercise the right friendly and regular medical checkups.

In this post, we take a detailed look at dachshund lifespan, major breed-related issues, and what you can do to improve their longevity and quality of life.

How Long Do Dachshunds Live?

According to a 2010 British study, the average pedigree dog lives about 11 years.

The average lifespan of the Dachshund can be between 12 and 15 years.

This means that the life expectancy of the Dachshund Dachshund is a bit. Higher than the average for purebred dog breeds recognized by the UK Kennel Club.

However, according to the study, the miniature dachshund lives longer than a standard dachshund. A miniature dachshund would have a life expectancy of 12-16 years.

What is the Oldest Living Dachshund?

The first dog to ever hold the Guinness World Record for the oldest dog was a wirehaired Doxie or Dachshund mix. Her name was Chanel, she was from New York, and she was 21 years old.

She loved peanut butter cups, and towards the end of her long life, she suffered from cataracts.

She died of old age in 2009 after only holding the title for three months.

The longest-lived Dachshund known to the general public did not have a Guinness record, but he did live to 25. and one month old when his human decided to put him to sleep.

His name was Rocky, and he spent a quarter of a century in Shingle Springs, California, USA. He suffered from cataracts for a while in his elderly years, but that was not why he was put to sleep.

His joints gave out towards the end, and his little Doxie legs couldn’t hold him up anymore.

It was terrible for a dog who loved exercise that he couldn’t, and his broken heart decided to end his torment.

How Long Do Mini Dachshunds Live?

The miniature dachshund is a smaller version of the dachshund and has a life expectancy of 12-16 years. They only reach a weight of 11 pounds, while a standard-sized Dachshund can weigh about 30 pounds. Their compact size and breeding history make them more prone to developing health problems. Nevertheless, compared to larger breeds, this is a first-class life expectancy.

Did you know that Pomeranians can live 10 years longer than Great Danes? Why do small dogs live so much longer than large breeds? To this day, researchers aren’t quite sure of the specific reasons why canines have such long life spans within the same species, while large species, in general, tend to live longer than smaller species (think elephants and mice).

Small and large breeds seem to have different susceptibility to certain diseases. Large breeds also experience an earlier onset of aging with more rapid aging.

And you may have noticed that the average lifespan of a dog decreases drastically as body weight increases, especially in large breeds.

Do Male or Female Dachshunds Live Longer?

No one knows for sure whether male or female dachshunds live longer. But in general, female dogs of all dog breeds live about six months longer than males. And spayed female dogs generally live much longer than intact males or females.

Although no research has been done on whether male or female Dachshunds live longer, there has been some research by the Royal Veterinary College on the differences in lifespan between male and female dogs in all breeds.
]They found only a minimal difference between female dogs that lived about six months longer than males.

However, when they looked at whether the dogs had been neutered or not, they found that the intact males lived longer than the neutered males.

It was the other way around for female dogs, with those neutered or spayed living much longer than intact males or females.
]There are several reasons for this, but it’s a celebration because intact women are at greater risk of Pyometra infections. Unfortunately, this can lead to a shortening of life expectancy.

What Do Dachshunds Usually Die From?

In 2004 the Animal Health Trust, the Kennel Club, and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association conducted a nationwide survey of British purebred dogs.

With the help of the owners who participated, they were able to pull together information about the dogs’ health in the country, including causes of death.

Meanwhile, the University of Georgia has conducted a 20-year study of related causes of death in dogs. The project ended in 2004 when researchers reviewed more than 74,500 dogs from the Veterinary Medical Database.

The study categorized deaths by organ system and, for the Dachshund, the five leading causes of death were related. To the following systems:

• Cardiovascular
• Neurological
• Musculoskeletal
• Gastrointestinal
• Urogenital

So be sure to take your Dachshund regularly for veterinary checkups to detect health problems early enough to treat them.

What Health Problems Can Dachshunds Have?

As we know, Dachshunds look very different from most other dogs.

They have long bodies, ears, and tails. They also have super short legs compared to their body size.

Unfortunately, although Dachshunds were deliberately bred this way for their cute appearance, it leads to many health problems.

These can hurt their health—the longevity of the Dachshund.

Here are some common Dachshund health problems to expect.

Spinal Problems

Because of their unique skeletal design, Dachshunds have a strong predisposition to back problems.

As I mentioned above, about 1 in 4 dogs of this breed will deal with some spinal problem during their lifetime.

Their short-leggedness is a hallmark of dwarfism and bears the medical term chondrodysplasia. It is a genetic abnormality and is also seen in other breeds such as the Basset Hound and Beagle.

Intervertebral disc disease

A Dachshund’s spine is susceptible because its body is disproportionate, putting extra pressure on the spinal cord. IVDD occurs when the discs that separate the bones from the spine slide inward.

They press on the spinal cord, causing the dog in question a tension that ranges from mild discomfort to extreme pain.

In not so rare cases, the pup suffering from this condition will become paralyzed over time, and it is at this point, the vast majority of people will decide to put their canine companion to sleep.

Eye Problems

Dachshunds can have a variety of eye problems, including:

• cataract
• dry eye syndrome
• progressive retinal atrophy (loss of vision)
• glaucoma

They can also be born with microphthalmia, meaning their eyes are smaller than they should be.

Some Dachshunds go blind due to their eye problems.

If you think your pup is having trouble seeing, get in touch with your vet to see if the problem is treatable.

Obesity

While obesity is not a good thing in any dog breed, Dachshunds can have more serious consequences due to their distinctive body type.

It is always important to monitor your dog’s health using a bodyweight chart, breed standard, and recommendations from your veterinarian. A dog that is 10-20% heavier than the ideal body weight is considered overweight.

Anything above 20% is considered obese, resulting in a shortened lifespan of 2-3 years. This extra weight presses on those little legs and puts a strain on the lower back and joints, resulting in pain and discomfort.

Shockingly, about 18% of all dogs are obese, making it one of the most common pet health problems.

Monitoring and adjusting your dog’s diet is mandatory to ensure maximum health.

Bloat

If your dog eats low-quality food, eats it too quickly, or forgets to chew it, he can develop the condition known as bloating.

Their stomachs fill with air and… You can guess what’s happening. On the plus side, it’s more uncomfortable for you than for the dog.

However, if they don’t let go, they will feel some serious discomfort, but that’s not all. Often, bloat will develop into a condition called gastric torsion, where the dog’s stomach twists and turns a certain way. This stops blood flow and can lead to a dog’s death within minutes.

Diabetes

The most common type of diabetes, your Dachshund, can be prone to diabetes due to insulin deficiency.

This is due to problems with the pancreas not making enough insulin the dog needs.

Your Dachshund can’t be that one. Also, have insulin resistance diabetes.

This is when the dog’s body makes insulin but does not use it effectively.

Although diabetes cannot be cured, it can be treated by your vet.

Heart Failure

Heart failure is a leading cause of death in dachshunds. In their senior years, heart valves can become weak and leaky, hindering the even distribution of blood in the body. Congestive heart failure or heart disease can also be made worse by exercise, diet, and infections.

If you notice a cough, difficulty breathing, or lethargy, take your dog to the vet for a chest and blood test if necessary.

Unfortunately, CHF cannot be treated, but medications and supplements can help your dog’s health. Live and even prolong. A pacemaker can be surgically inserted to correct the heartbeat, and ruptured valves can be removed.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough triiodothyronine and thyroxine.

This negatively affects a dog’s metabolism and slows it down.

Hyperthyroidism can be easily tested and treated by your vet.

How to Increase Dachshund Lifespan?

Owning a dog is wonderful, and any owner would probably agree with me when I say we wish they could live as long as we do.

Although, unfortunately, this is not possible, there are many things you can do to extend and improve your Dachshund’s life expectancy.

Find a Reliable Breeder

A long-lived Dachshund is free of genetic health problems to some extent. That’s why you should do your research and find a reputable breeder to make sure your puppy has an authentic pedigree history.

If you adopt a Dachshund, do some research on his history for health records, etc.[ However, even a dog with an excellent pedigree can develop health problems that can reduce the quality and longevity of his life.

As a Dachshund owner, you need to know your dog’s health history to help you understand what you’re getting into.

Take Your Doxie to the Vet Regularly

The second way to prevent health problems and extend the Dachshund’s life is to take your pup to the vet regularly.

Your vet can also test for common health conditions, especially if you don’t know their medical history or have a specific problem.

Another simple action you can take is to take your puppy every day.

Check them regularly for lumps and watch their behavior.

If your Dachshund is behaving differently than usual, there could be an underlying cause for this.

Recognizing health problems early can significantly extend a Dachshund’s lifespan.

Feed Your Dog a Healthy Diet

How do you know which food(s) are best?

Educate yourself by reading online about different food choices (raw, homemade cooked, and kibble) and different food brands.

You will learn the pros and cons of each choice, as well as ingredients to avoid in store-bought foods.

If you choose healthy foods for your dog, you’re all set. Ready.

Varying your dachshund’s food (occasionally switching between different types of dog food) can also be beneficial for your dog.

Every dog food has food areas where it is not as strong; by switching foods, you get the benefits of various meat sources and nutrients.

The Right Exercise

Many owners make the mistake of under-training their Dachshund thinking that exercise isn’t beneficial or that small dogs don’t need that much.

Exercise is essential for their heart, weight, and muscle structure that supports them. . bones.

An adult Dachshund should be exercised for 60 minutes every day, including walks, playtime, training, and mental stimulation.

If your dog is already suffering from health problems that have won, don’t allow as much exercise, brain games should be prioritized.

Swimming is also a great exercise for dogs prone to spinal problems.

Small dogs have a harder time getting comfortable in the water, but they can certainly become great swimmers. To keep your dog safe, I would recommend the Outward Hound Dog Life Jacket.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

In addition to feeding your dog a healthy diet, feeding the right amounts is crucial.

Feeding too much at mealtimes, giving your dog too many treats, and feeding table scraps can all make your Dachshund overweight.

Since Dachshunds are small dogs, obesity happens very quickly and can sneak up on you.

Pet obesity is one of the leading causes of many common illnesses and ailments.

When you pet your dog, pay attention to his weight: can you feel his ribs?

If you can’t, or if there’s quite a bit of skin and fat on the ribs, go back to treats or adjust their meals to be slightly smaller.

Your goal is to feel the ribs easily and see a defined waist (think of a slight hourglass shape when looking at your dog from above).

Grooming

Grooming is often overlooked and kept to a minimum, which is the occasional brushing. Depending on your dog’s coat (long, short, wired), you may need to brush or bathe more or less to keep the coat untangled.

But it shouldn’t stop there. Just as important as clean teeth and clean ears. You can brush their teeth with a regular pet toothbrush, or you can use natural alternatives.

Wash and dirt should be removed from their ears to reduce the chance of infection. Nails should be kept short and clean with a nail grinder or nail clipper.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)