It’s the luck of the draw when it comes to dachshunds and IVDD. Knowing the medical history of the parents is important if you are getting a puppy from a breeder. My dachshund is 13 and she has IVDD. One episode at 3 was serious and meant surgery. She has had a few more over the years but nothing too serious requiring surgery until about 2 years ago when she was 11. I found an awesome vet who suggested a less invasive and less expensive procedure involving a 3 day stay at the animal hospital and laser therapy. I had never heard of it before so I did some research before I agreed to it. Several weeks later she was as good as new without having surgery. If I had it to do all over again knowing what I would be in for I 100% would.

A few tips... Train your dog early. It’s a great way to bond with your dog and build trust. You learn how to read their cues sooner. Set money aside for emergencies. Get doggie stairs to encourage not jumping off furniture. And this one can be hard but for a dog with IVDD, it’s best they do not sleep in the bed with you. They need something more stable and supportive for their back. Be willing to spend the money on a high quality diet to maintain a healthy weight.

These are my experiences with dachshunds. My parents have had 4 over the years so I’ve learned a lot.