The Dachshund Club of Victoria Inc.

Health Policy

The Aim

To promote and implement actions regarding health and welfare of dachshunds in Australia.

Implementation

·         To document known diseases in all varieties of dachshunds.

·         Make recommendations to the National Dachshund council on prevention and management of ill health and hereditary diseases.

·         Promote fitness and healthy lifestyles for dachshunds.

·         To keep track of the latest information regarding health and welfare of dachshunds and keep the National Dachshund Council up to date.

·         To define Health and Welfare issues that should be addressed by the National Breed Council.

·         To define as a matter of priority which Health and Welfare issues need to be addressed first

·         To apply for funding for research into prioritised  Dachshund Health and Welfare issues

·         To make recommendations for all Dachshund registered breeders to follow mandatory testing for health and welfare and also encourage breeders to take part in testing that is not  mandatory, to improve the healthy outcome for dachshunds

·         To keep breeders up to date through the DachChat or website on Health and Welfare issues

·         To ensure information available on Health and Welfare reflect a fair, honest and positive representation of the work being done by the Dachshund Club of Victoria

Evaluation

·         This policy is to be reviewed bi-annually or where necessary when new information comes to hand.

"Adorable mixed breeds" get cancer, epilepsy, allergies, heart
disease and orthopaedic problems just like purebreds.  We see it every
day but mixed breed dogs aren't tracked like the purebreds so they
have a reputation as "healthier" that is actually undeserved in many cases."

All animals have a certain amount of genetic load, which is to say
there is absolutely no animal without some genetic problem of some
sort of another. Know anyone who wears glasses? Has allergies? Thyroid
problems? Weak knees? Flat feet? A skin condition? Arthritis? A gap
between their front teeth? These are all genetic imperfections.

No human is genetically "clean." Neither is any individual of any
species on earth. So this idea that dogs should not be bred because
they might have a genetic problem, and that breeders are somehow
"evil" for breeding them, is ridiculous. Every single individual of
every single species has at least a few genetic conditions.

The fanciers of the breeds, those you see exhibiting their dogs at
dog shows, work very hard to eliminate serious genetic conditions. 
They screen their breeding stock with every available test. 
They research pedigrees before breeding into other lines, to check 
for similar clearances in those animals. They contribute money to research 
organizations to further the work being done to track down genetic problems. 
They contribute blood, cell samples, etc. from their own animals to help with 
DNA and genome studies. They have made great progress so far, and they 
continue to work hard at it.

Are there unethical breeders? Certainly, there are. Just as in any
group of humans, you will find the good and the bad.

Unfortunately, breeders like that may be a lot easier to find because
of their high volume and high profile. If you are looking for a nice
family pet from a breeder who will be there for you forever, you need
to do due diligence. You won't get that from a pet shop. or cross coated 
breeders either. Yes, it takes a little more time and effort to find someone 
who really cares and does all the work to breed the healthiest, happiest puppies 
possible and then stands behind those puppies.

This is a living being that will be part of your family, hopefully,
for many years. Isn't it worth a bit of effort to find a breeder who
will be there for you and that puppy forever?

And guess what? Dog Shows are a very valuable resource
for finding breeders who do care and who use the best possible
practices, as well as for learning more about the various breeds.

Breeders that cross coat are NOT breeding pure bred Dachshunds.

2 varieties, 3 coats -  smooth, long, wire, all with completely different temperaments, and genetic luggage.

WE DO NOT SUPPORT CROSS  COATING.

Intervertebral Disk Disease  Von Willebrand's Disease   Cushings Disease

Dr Peter Laverty  http://www.melbvet.com.au/