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Cited by 51Veterinary Orthopedics and NeurologyHuman-Animal Interaction StudiesVeterinary Medicine and Surgery

DachsLife 2015: an investigation of lifestyle associations with the risk of intervertebral disc disease in Dachshunds

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Packer, R. M. A., Seath, I. J., O’Neill, D. G., De Decker, S., Volk, H. A.·2016·Canine Genetics and Epidemiology
DOI 10.1186/s40575-016-0039-8PMC PMC5097381
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) represents a major problem in the Dachshund, with at a relative risk of IVDD 10-12 times higher than other breeds, and an estimated 19-24 % of Dachshunds showing clinical signs related to IVDD during their lifetime. A variety of genetic, physical and lifestyle-related risk factors for IVDD have previously been identified, with some conflicting findings. As such, advising owners and breeders regarding best-practice for IVDD prevention is challenging at present. This study aimed to (i) estimate prevalence of IVDD in six Dachshund varieties, and (ii) identify risk factors associated with IVDD diagnosis from a wide variety of demographic, conformational, dietary, activity and exercise-related variables. RESULTS: A web-based survey "Dachs-Life 2015" was carried out from January-April 2015, with responses received for 2031 individual Dachshunds. Three-hundred and ten dogs were classed as Cases based on veterinary-diagnosis of IVDD, and 56 dogs were excluded from further analyses due to a lack of veterinary-diagnosis of their clinical signs. The remaining1665 dogs with no previous signs of IVDD were classified as Non-Cases. The overall prevalence of IVDD was 15.7 % (95 % CI: 14.1-17.3). Breed variety was significantly associated with IVDD risk, with the highest prevalence seen in the Standard Smooth-Haired (24.4 %, 95 % CI: 22.5-26.3) and lowest in the Standard Wire-Haired (7.1 %, 95 % CI: 6.0-8.2). Older dogs and neutered dogs were at increased odds of IVDD. Of the lifestyle risk factors, univariable analysis identified dogs that exercised for <30 min per day, were not allowed to jump on and off furniture, or were supplemented with glucosamine or chondroitin were at increased odds of IVDD, whereas dogs that exercised for more than 1 h per day, that were considered highly or moderately active by their owners, and those that showed at Open or Championship shows were at decreased odds of IVDD. CONCLUSIONS: In line with previous reports, IVDD is commonly diagnosed in the Dachshund, with significant differences in prevalence between Dachshund varieties. Lifestyle risk factors were identified which are hypothesis-generating for future prospective studies, and can inform an evidence-based approach to mitigating IVDD risk for Dachshund owners and breeders.

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  • Brachycephalic conformation can cause brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) and a high predisposition to a range of disorders, including respiratory disease, eye disease, dystocia, spinal disease, exercise intolerance, heat stroke, skin cancer, and a shorter lifespan compared to moderate and non-brachycephalic dogs.

    “However, this conformation can cause brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS, see [37] for a recent review of this syndrome), with a high predisposition to a range of disorders intrinsically related to this conformation, including respiratory disease [39,65,113], eye disease [39,113,114], dystocia [65], spinal disease [115], or even exercise intolerance and heat stroke [113], alongside a”

    From Ethical Concerns about Fashionable Dog Breeding (2024) · cites this paper as [39]

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  • IVDD is more commonly seen in dog breeds with longer backs and shorter legs, such as Dachshunds, Beagles, Corgis, and Basset Hounds.

    “Though IVDD can affect dogs of various breeds, it is more commonly seen in those breeds with longer backs and shorter legs, such as Dachshunds, but also Beagles, Corgis, and Basset Hounds [38,39].”

    From Ethical Concerns about Fashionable Dog Breeding (2024) · cites this paper as [39]

    The Background (page not provided) says IVDD affects other breeds and that Dachshunds have a 10–12 times higher risk than other breeds, primarily attributed to their ‘long and low’ conformation. It does not identify Beagles, Corgis, or Basset Hounds as higher-risk breeds, so the full list is not supported by this source. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • Brachycephalic dog breeds have respiratory conditions.

    “However, this conformation can cause brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS, see [37] for a recent review of this syndrome), with a high predisposition to a range of disorders intrinsically related to this conformation, including respiratory disease [39,65,113]”

    From Ethical Concerns about Fashionable Dog Breeding (2024) · cites this paper as [39]

    The Background and Discussion address intervertebral disc disease in Dachshunds, while Results > Conformation reports other health diagnoses in that population; no page numbers are available in our copy. Searches for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, respiratory disease, and brachycephalic breeds found no passage addressing the attributed claim. (LLM, conf=0.76)

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Research works printed but not linked: 26

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Packer, R. M. A., Seath, I. J., O’Neill, D. G., De Decker, S., & Volk, H. A.
Affiliations
Royal Veterinary College (GB)
Corresponding author
Packer, R. M. A.
ORCID
Venue
Canine Genetics and Epidemiology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2016-11-05
Volume
3
Issue
1
Pages
8-8
ISSN
2052-6687 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s40575-016-0039-8
PMC
PMC5097381
OpenAlex
W2548174464
Cited by
51
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 3 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5
FWCI
4.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Canine Genetics and Epidemiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RVC Research Online (Royal Veterinary College) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
Keywords
intervertebral disc disease, Dachshund, canine spinal cord disease, prevalence, risk factors, lifestyle, physical activity, conformation, neutering, age, owner survey

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