page_title: Dachshund
section_title: Health
hierarchical_section_title: Dachshund / Health
context_page_description: The dachshund is a breed of dog. It is usually short, but long from front to back and with short legs. “Dachshund” is a German word that is used in English, and it means “badger dog.”
  The breed was developed to use its sense of smell to find, chase, and hunt badgers and other animals that live in holes. A dachshund has a long, narrow body, so it is sometimes called a wiener dog, hot dog, or sausage dog. Some owners believe that using such terms is disrespectful, and may take offense.
context_section_description: Dachshunds often have spinal problems, that is, their backbone can become injured. That is because of the dog’s very long spinal column and short rib cage. The problems are usually hereditary (genetic), that is, they are passed down from parent dogs to puppies.
  A dachshund that is obese (fat) can have a higher risk of getting injured. That is because the extra weight puts more strain on the backbone (vertebrae).
  To prevent injury, dachshunds should not climb stairs or jump unless they really have to. It is also important to hold the dog the right way – by holding up the front and the rear parts of the body at all times.
caption: Wire-haired dachshund
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