Dachshund Health Testing Requirements for Stud Dogs

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is the defining health crisis of the Dachshund breed, affecting up to 25% of Dachshunds during their lifetime. Understanding and testing for IVDD risk is the most important thing a Dachshund breeder can do.

Dachshunds are chondrodystrophic dogs — their characteristic short legs are caused by a mutation that also affects the cartilage in intervertebral discs, making the discs prone to early calcification and rupture. This produces IVDD, which causes pain, paralysis, and can require expensive emergency spinal surgery.

Dachshund CHIC Requirements

The Dachshund Club of America (DCA) CHIC requirements include:

• OFA Eye Examination (CAER)
• DNA test for prcd-PRA (Standard Long-Haired Dachshunds)
• OFA Patella Evaluation
• Cardiac Evaluation

IVDD — The Defining Health Issue

Chondrodystrophy and CDDY Testing Dachshunds are homozygous for the CDDY (Chondrodystrophy) mutation — both copies are always present in purebred Dachshunds. This is what produces the breed's short-legged conformation. All purebred Dachshunds are therefore at elevated IVDD risk.

Spinal Radiographic Screening The most actionable IVDD-related tool for Dachshund breeders is radiographic screening for disc calcification. Research from Denmark and Sweden has shown that dogs with fewer calcified discs on X-ray are significantly less likely to develop clinical IVDD. The Danish protocol uses X-ray at age 2 to count calcified discs; dogs with 0-2 calcifications are preferred for breeding. This screening is not universally adopted in the US but represents best practice globally.

MRI Screening MRI provides more detailed disc assessment but is cost-prohibitive for routine breeding screening.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

prcd-PRA affects Standard Long-Haired Dachshunds primarily. Miniature Long-Haired Dachshunds also carry some PRA risk. Testing for prcd-PRA is CHIC required for Standard LH Dachshunds.

Cord1-PRA (another form) also occurs in Miniature Dachshunds — testing for this variant is recommended for Mini Dachshund breeding programs.

Canine Lafora Disease

Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds are predisposed to Lafora Disease, a progressive myoclonic epilepsy causing seizures and neurological deterioration. DNA testing is available. This is a serious condition in the Wirehaired variety.

Patella Evaluation

Patellar luxation occurs in Dachshunds, particularly in Miniature and Toy varieties. OFA Normal Patella is the target.

Cardiac Evaluation

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) and other congenital cardiac conditions occur in Dachshunds. OFA Cardiac evaluation is recommended.

Acanthosis Nigricans

This pigmentation and skin thickening condition is unique to Dachshunds. Genetic basis is complex; select against affected pedigrees.

Summary

A responsible Dachshund stud dog should have: OFA Patella evaluation, OFA CAER eye exam, prcd-PRA DNA testing (all varieties), Lafora Disease testing (Miniature Wirehaired), cardiac evaluation, and ideally spinal radiographic screening for disc calcification. IVDD prevention through radiographic disc screening is the highest-impact health practice available to Dachshund breeders today and is strongly encouraged even where not formally required.