Midget will be 6 yrs. old this July. We lost Rusty to back disease last Oct., he was just 6 yrs. old.

I need to know there are dachshunds who live a long time. Also I blame myself for not catching the problem and possibly treating with the nsaid. This morning she jumped in my lap (from the little stairs) and yelled. She may have turned her ankle or something. I just had her at vet and she checked out good.

"doxie family," I have never owned a Dachshund but saw you had no responses to your inquiry so I did a quick "Google" search and found some great information on them.

Great news, most websites report a fairly long lifespan for them. Generally 12-16 years so you should have many happy years ahead with Midget!

Don't worry, dear. We had our dachshund Schnapsy for about 13 years before she had to be put down because of an inoperable tumor in her bladder. The biggest concern with dachshunds is their weight and watching how you hold them, etc. because of their long spines. As long as you do what you can to keep her back from getting out of whack, they're a lot like other dogs. (I could be wrong, I'm no expert)

When Schnapsy started getting a little older, my mom bought her a set of those doggie stairs that are made of foam so that she could get up and down from the bed, etc. (she loved to snuggle under the covers with you) From the outside, she still looked absolutely beautiful. I still get really sad and miss her, and she's been gone for a few years now.

Anyway... Make sure your baby gets plenty of exercise and don't let her get too tubby. If she's having trouble jumping up and down from furniture, give her something of an intermediate height so she won't have to jump so far.

"SamanthaG," It was kind of you to take the time to post your suggestions and encouragement to the OP. I know how hard it can be sometimes to remember ones who have passed.

They take with them a piece of our hearts but leave behind something more even though, it hurts at times, to talk about it. Welcome to the Pet Board, hope we will be hearing more from you soon....

My Charlie just turned 6 this month. He has had several back episodes but is fine now. We feed him Royal Canin ~ has Glucosomine and Chondroiton in it. That had made a world of difference for him. It protects his joints and back. No back problems for over 2 yrs.

Enjoy your pup, dachshunds live on average 15-16 yrs.

Thank you all. We didn't think our Rusty would have that spine problem. We have stair to sofa and chair, but the three chose to jump at times. Had I been aware of Rusty's problem could have (maybe) saved him with the drug.

My concern is watching for signs to catch early should this happen. My neighbor had a dachshund and he jumped and is about 13 yrs., but he is not doing well these days.

I've met a few people and their doxie didn't live that old - 8 yrs. It is so heart breaking, but if it is God's will? I have the two girls now. I guess I worry too much, bad habit and hard to break.

Can't teach an old dog - that's me.

Doxie, my parents over-indulged a Doxie that never experienced spinal problems. when she was 12 she tried to bully a Great Dane (he didn't bite or harm her)
Usually small dogs are long lived. Your fears can be aleviated by talking with your vet

I know I'm a little late in posting to this, but have to tell you about the doxie I grew up with. She lived about 16 years, Standard in size, but a little of the fluffy side, if you get my drift. Anyway, in her youth, she broke a leg jumping off the couch, but finally passed at the age of 16 of a stroke, never once experiencing any back problems. She jumped up and off the couch, she set pretty, she moved around like a puppy until her final year, so settle your fears, not all of them will have back problems. I have a doxie/lab mix and a purebred mini doxie and believe me, I keep my fingers cross all the time that they both come thru their lives with no problems.

Thanks, I hope that is the case. My x-neighbor had a dachshund, butch, and he is about 14 yrs. Not doing so good, but he was quite a dog. Have to tell you a story, my neighbor moved to Los Cabos and Butch ran along the ocean. They had a jeep and hit a bump and Butch went flying out. I am just a worry wort and will try to stop - it is easy they are fine today.

I just discovered this board. I've been on the crafting and quilting boards for some time, but never really knew about this one until today. We had several mini doxi's at different times. Our next to last one was a pure-bred blk and tan. He did hurt his back jumping and the vet put something on him that was used for horses he said it might help. This was many yrs ago and it made him feel like a puppy again. He lived to be 11 and was diagnosed with heartworm and treated, but he didn't make it. At that time our vet told us we didn't have to give him heartworm medication in the winter, since he stayed in the house. But we live in the south, where our warm winters do not kill the mosquitoes. Anyway, I think if you can make it easy for them to get up on things without jumping so much, you will be OK. Just make sure to watch their weight. Our mini never was over weight. The last mini doxi we had someone gave to us when she was 13. She was over weight and never tried to jump, just slept all the time. She was 16 when she passed.

Doxie~ You have got to stop blaming yourself hon. I remember when Rusty passed...and how sad that time was for you...and the rest of us just as heartbroken as you were b/c we had all become so close to each other here.

Sometimes pets give us "signs" of problems...sometimes not. It's like they are fine one day...and not fine the next.

Like with our first cat (Miss Kitty). We went to bed that night...everything seemed fine with her...only to wake up at 4am to hear the strangest "meow" coming from her. How she made it into our bedroom we'll never know. She died right there on the rug...15 minutes later. I guess she had a stroke or heart attack...we'll never know for sure. We finally got rid of that rug...made me sad to even walk on it after she passed....and replaced it with another rug.

I think it is normal for us to want to blame ourselves about all the "what if's". I was running into the other room to call the vet at 4am...and missed it when Kitty passed. I wish I had been beside her to comfort her in her last moments. I didn't know she was dying. I just thought she was sick or had an upset tummy or something. It still hurts to talk about.
Thank goodness hubby was with her.

I think if we had it our way...our babies would stay with us forever.

Anyway, if Midget just saw the vet and everything checked out fine...then you have got to believe that she is fine and well.

Hugs~

Paula

luvtoflip, I don't know what is worse - watching dog age with problems or to go over night. My friend said she found her dead dog - he was about 8 yrs. Didn't know why. I thought of distention (intestines twist) - that also happened to my daughters black lab.

I guess I just am becoming an old nut. Thanks, tears again... that time of year.

doxie, so sorry about Rusty.
I know all too well how you feel. I too am a worry wart.
Although, I haven't had a doxie, I just wanted to put my two cents in...
I also know what its like to blame yourself for the passing of a pet, been there, done that. Its obvious that you are good furmom, we can only do what we can, sometimes we can't read the signs because they don't want us to, until its too late. I think its second nature for them to hide their weakness' and therefore, hard for us to read them.
Right now Honey isn't feeling well and going through some other stuff and believe me, I'm beside myself at times w/worry. I try to keep it together and keep myself distracted, because I know that worry and stress can manifest itself physically.
You've gotten some good advice here, so enjoy the years you have with your baby, and keep spoiling her.

luvtoflip, so sorry to hear about Miss Kitty. It brought tears to my eyes as I was reading what happened.

For those furbabies that have gone on to the R.B....

thank you all.

I am a perpetual worrier. Since I take in just the older sicker puppers in my rescue, I know how easy it is to fret over anything that is wrong. As time has gone on I have some of the best memories of each baby who has come into my life and sadly left it. There isn't a day that goes by I do not think of them. With the dogs I have now...I see so many things in them that remind me of one that has passed. I look at them and wonder i f the issues that have taken my others away might also happen to them. My best friend is my vet. His home number is on my speed dial and I am thankful I can just drive over to his house or he comes to mine, if my babies need medical attention. Being a worrier is not good as my puppers can pick up on it very quickly...and trust me they know it. This is why many have problems with their dogs...the dogs rule the roost and get away with things most would not tolerate. I love my dogs more then anything...but I also know I cannot let them run all over me because they are "small and cute" lol

Sheltie, I always value what you write. It seems you are guilty - guilty of being human. Your shelties are very lucky.