How many years do dachshunds live and what does it depend on?

Dachshund is a fun and active breed of dogs that does not leave anyone indifferent. As you know, you quickly get used to animals, and a sudden death of a pet can provoke a serious depression in a person. If the owner of a dachshund values ​​the life of his pet and does not want to part with it ahead of time, then it is worthwhile to take care in advance to maximize his life.

First of all, you should be aware of what health problems a dachshund can cause, because most often it is the diseases that cause the premature death of a pet. So, in dogs of this breed there is a genetic propensity for weight gain. Animals with obesity are experiencing less physical activity, they have serious pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes. All this leads to a reduction in life expectancy.

In addition, dachshunds can not boast a strong spine. This part of the skeleton is sensitive to jumping, so even the usual descent on the stairs can cause serious harm to the health of the dog. Another common disease for these animals is ear inflammation.. The older a dog becomes, the higher the risk of developing glaucoma and cataracts.

As a rule, small breeds of dogs usually live longer than large ones. On average, the standard dachshund's life span is 12–14 years, but, of course, there are long-lived dogs. Recall at least the famous Rocky from California, who lived 25 years. The life span of a dachshund is determined by their heredity, conditions of detention, and even psychological state.

For the same reason, it is considered that female individuals live longer than males. The fact is that girls are more balanced, calm, rarely undergo neuroses, unlike the emotional vulnerable guys of the same breed.

If the apartment contains two dachshunds with different sexes, then it is recommended to castrate a dog, as it is impossible to constantly knit representatives of this breed. If it is impossible to satisfy their sexual needs, the male, being in the same house with the current lady, is under severe stress, he can refuse food and entertainment. A castrated boy will be calmer, his psychological state will stabilize.

Without a veterinary passport and metric it is difficult to determine the age of the dog, but if you look at some of the external features, you can approximately understand how old is a particular animal.

• If a dog has gray hair, then, probably, she has already passed 7 years. At this age, the dachshunds begin to turn gray hair in the area of ​​the lips and chin.Completely gray forehead and muzzle say that the animal has already turned 9 years old.

• Smooth shining wool is characteristic for young individuals, in older dogs, wool fades and ruffles.

• Pay attention to the eyes. In aged dogs, they sink a little and look deep-set.

• Smooth, white, shiny teeth indicate that the dog has not yet turned two years old. However, having noticed a little erased lower hooks, it can be assumed that the tax is at the age of 18-24 months. The erased lower incisors say that the dog has turned 2 and a half years old; in addition, at this age, the teeth begin to lose their luster and whiteness. At 5 years old, the dachshund erases fangs and blunt, and at 6, these teeth become yellow, tartar appears. The lower hooks in the shape of an irregular oval indicate a 7-year-old dog, and if the lower incisors are in the same state, then the dachshund has already passed 8–9 years.

• When a dachshund and teeth fall out at all, then she is hardly less than 10 years old, and, most likely, already 12 years old. At the same age, there is a decrease in vision and hearing.

The following can lead to the unexpected death of the dog. the reasons.

• Dachshund Diseases. This breed is characterized by such illnesses as chest deformity, sliding disc syndrome, epilepsy, retinal atrophy, and pathologies of the development of the visual organs. By themselves, these diseases can not be called the causes of death, but health problems lead to the fact that the animal begins to move less, with the loss of vision is under stress, seizures convulsions cause the dog to suffer. All this leads to a reduction in life expectancy or forcing the owner to put down a pet.

• Chronic diseases. Dachshunds are active and funny creatures, and according to their behavior, the development of a disease can be completely unnoticed. Very often chronic diseases occur in a latent form, and the dog suddenly dies at the age of 8–10 years.

• Injuries or accidents. Usually in such situations the owner is guilty. If the animal is walking outside the special area, then it must have a leash. Even a domestic dog is surrounded by a bunch of dangers. Most often, these are cars. In addition, a pet can get injured by running away from an inattentive host for a walk, for example, following the dog you like. Left alone away from home, the dog at home does not know how to behave, how to defend oneself from a flock of large relatives, how to avoid hitting the car, how to hide from enemies.

• Poisoning. Even if the pet is always walking on a leash, the owner should ensure that the pet does not pick up anything from the ground. First, public utilities can poison the rats in the near basement. And then the poison can be near this area. Secondly, experienced dog lovers are aware of the threat that our doghunters carry to our smaller brethren. These people deliberately scatter poison for dogs in places where owners are used to walking their pets. Therefore, a walk should be as careful as possible. The tax is not protected from this problem at home. If the apartment is being renovated, then it is worth isolating the dog away from tanks with building liquids.

Proper nutrition - a pledge of well-being and good health of your pet. If the dog eats natural food, then the proportion of meat products per day should be at least 30%. If the tax is working, then this indicator increases to 50%. In addition, the basis of the diet should be rice, buckwheat, rolled oats, vegetables.

If the dachshund feeds on ready-made feeds, then this must necessarily be a premium, super-premium or holistic category. To correctly calculate the daily rate, consult your veterinarian.

Because of the sick back of the dachshund, do not offer soft mattresses as a bed for her, it should be hard bedding. Regularly comb the animal, often this procedure is carried out during the period of molting. Especially combing is important for long-haired varieties. If the animal participates in the exhibition, then grooming should be trusted by a professional. Bathe your pet as needed.

Regularly treat your dog's eyes with a cotton pad dipped in warm water or in a special product. If necessary, the tax should be cleaned with a cotton swab, and in order to notice the problem in time, it is important to examine the auditory organs regularly. Do not save on toys for gnawing. Although usually the dachshunds independently clean their teeth, it will be difficult for them to take care of this problem without special means.

The elderly animal needs special attention.. Beware of drafts in the presence of an age-rate dachshund, warm your pet for a walk in cold weather. Try not to bathe the elderly dog ​​so that it does not catch a cold.

Active physical activity leads to longevity not only in the human world, but also in the dog world. Outdoor games should be in the daily life of a dachshund. Jogging required every day. Let the walks be short, but frequent, as during a long run the dog may become overworked, and this is fraught with a reduction in the lifespan.

If there is no special area for dog walking in the city, and the dachshund has to be walked solely on a leash, then take nature trips where the animal can enjoy the fresh air and free running.

Additional interesting facts about dachshund are in the next video.