What is the Life Expectancy of Dachshunds?

Dachshunds are a unique and popular choice of dog breed for breeders and pet owners alike. They make great family dogs and companions for children. They are easy to train, good watchdogs, affectionate, and playful. However, they can be genetically prone to certain diseases and conditions. Small breeds of hounds tend to have longer lifespans on average than larger hound dogs. Nonetheless, these unusually shaped pets need good care to live out their long lives.

Most dogs of this breed will live around 12 years on average. However, many do live for 15-17 years, and sometimes even longer if they are well kept. Read ahead to see what affects the lifespan of these dogs and how you can give them the best care to improve their longevity.

Factors that Influence Lifespan

It is important that you understand what risk factors these dogs face. Due to genetic predispositions, these dogs are at risk for several diseases, including obesity and many skin conditions, ranging from the harmless to the deadly.

These dogs can easily get hurt, as they tend to have fragile backs and knees. In order to prevent these kinds of issues, you must make sure that you do not overfeed your pet. You should also make sure that you do feed them the right amounts of nutrients. You also have to make sure they get adequate exercise but do not do a lot of jumping on and off furniture.

Feed your dog twice a day, making sure they get the best dachshund dog food with no filler material. It should have plenty of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and healthy fats, as this will keep them strong and maintain their fur coat and skin.

How to Care for Your Dachshund

Proper feeding and exercise are a given with all pets. With some breeds, a great deal of special attention must be paid to certain factors if you want to extend their lives as much as possible. Since these dogs are prone to skin conditions, it is especially important for them to give them baths every three months. Overly frequent baths can take away important natural oils and dry their skin. Make sure you use the correct dog shampoos as well and do not use any soaps or detergents. They also need daily brushing to prevent matting and any nasty disease-causing substances (such as dirt or feces) from getting stuck in the fur. This is particularly important for long-haired dachshies.

When grooming and bathing, you must give your dog an once-over and check for parasites, mites, rashes, and any lumps. Pay special attention to the areas behind the ears, around the neck, on the back of the legs, and on the abdomen. Contact your vet if you notice anything abnormal. If your pet has been diagnosed with a skin condition or any other health problem, follow the vet’s instructions carefully. Be sure to take your dog in for regular vaccinations and other treatments like worming.

Other efforts you can make to improve conditions and extend the lifespan of your dog include making sure that their living environment is clean. It should also be free of allergens. Spaying or neutering can also increase the lifespan by around a year. Your pet should not be distressed or upset, so watch for signs of this and remove any factors that seem to be causing the problem.

Give your dog the love and attention they require, keep them healthy, and treat them well. Your dachshund will then live a long and happy life as your canine companion.