does coat color equal back problems?

[luv_4_doxies]

I know that smooth haired, long haired, and wire haired dachsies have slightly characteristics, but are there any differences in personality or health problems in different coat colors? Cause I've been noticing that it seems that in blk/tan doxies back problems seem to show more. Am I the only whose noticed this?

[wireweiners]

The 3 varieties do have different personalities as a general rule. The longs are more laid back and have a softer temperment. The smooths are independent and more demanding and the wires are very independent and more rough and tumble due to their terrier heritage.

As far as back problems go, it has been my experience that the wires have fewer back problems than smooths, probably also due to their terrier heritage. I have never noticed a correlation between coat color and back problems. What I look at is the length of ribbing and the topline. The ribcage supports the spinal column therefore a dog with a short keel and ribbing will be more prone to back problems. The keel (breastbone) should end about halfway down the length of the dog. There should be a hand's width (woman's) or less between the last rib and the hipbone (the loin area). There should be a slight arch over the loin area. Too much arch (roach back) can mean weakness as can a too level or sway back. However a level topline is better than a roach back. Hope this helps.

[Question]

That's great information wireweiners, thank you...I have also wondered if there are more back problems in size, mini vs standard. Does anyone know? The vets I asked say they see a lot more minis with back problems, but that is no doubt because there ARE a lot more minis as pets out there. I've heard some people say standards have more because they are bigger and more weight to carry and are a bit more extreme, but I've heard others say mini's have more because they have farther to jump. Any insight?<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm18.gif" border=0>

[Krista]

I'd say minis have more too. --And there are way more dacshies over 11lbs than there are under 11lbs.

I think it is because they have a smaller frame that can be damaged more easily. If a child sat on a small dog, it would be hurt more easily than a larger one. I wouls also say that the jumping also has something to do with it. It has to jar their frame more than a standard, and they do have to jump farther to get on/off the couch.

I think it also has to do with genetics. Mills breed many dogs that end up in pet stores and are bred to another pet store dog and so on. The Genes that started it all keep getting carried forward, and yes "minis" are more popular with millers and pet stores.

All of that is just my own opinion, but it doesn't stop me from having two smooth minis to love. I try to keep them from jumping -they will jump off our couch, but it is VERY low. If they want on/off the bed or chair they wait to be picked up/put down. I will probably start adding a supplement with glucosamine/MSM as well since it is very good for joints. Prevention is the key.

[wireweiners]

I really can't say that size has that much of an effect since I have know both minis and standards to go down. I would tend to agree with Krista that there may be a higher percentage of minis because of the number of poorly bred minis out there. A mini with proper length of keel and ribbing, a correct topline and proper bone should be no more prone to back trouble than a standard provided they are kept at a proper weight for their size and don't suffer an injury.

[Cindi]

I would like to add that many of the mini's that go down are probably in the over 11 pound but under 18 pound range. Would veterinarians call those standard or miniature? I do believe the percentages are probably higher in the miniatures due to the overproduction of that size range by sources already stated.
Wirewienders is correct about the proper conformation contributing to better health.....all around!!!

[Question]

Thanks for the advice. Back problems are so scary! I had a wonderful standard who had great conformation, all the correct proportions etc (she was a Ch)and was sooo careful with her, ramps, kept her weight down, chose her from a line with little back problems, kept her well exercised and fed, did acupuncture, holistic diet, all of it. Yet at age 4 she needed surgery and suffered from back problems til I lost her at age 10.

OTOH, my Dad has a 13 yr old mini doxie with horrendous conformation, her rear is at least 2 inches higher than her withers, she's very long in the loin, hocky, etc...we got her at the animal shelter 6 years ago, and she's never had a sore or sick day in her life. Even at her age, she jumps on and of furniture (shudder) and is as spry as a 2 yr old.

I believe you guys, totally, and I think you are right...I just think we happened to have two exceptions to the rule! My guess is, if they are prone to back problems, it'll probably catch up to them eventually. It's a shame, it seems so many suffer from it.

[luv_4_doxies]

I don't mean to be rude but I don't want to know about minis and standards, I just want to know about coloring i.e. reds, black and tan, dapple etc. Because I've noticed that black and browns tend to go down more than the others. Am the only one???

[Question]

Sorry Luv4doxies, I am the one interested in standard vs mini back problems. Next time I'll start a new thread if I have a question, I just thought it fit in with the line of topic set up here. I have not noticecd, nor have I ever heard anyone else say anything about one color having more problems than any other one.

[Nisehart]

No need to apologize Question, I have one of each, so all of this information is useful! You'll find that we are easy going here. Welcome to this great board. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/wavey.gif

[Krista]

Qyestion, I think your questions fit perfectly in this thread.

As to the color thing, well I have not noticed any correlation between color and back trouble. If there is any relationship, I would say that again it leads back to the lines the b/ts came from. If this is true, I would say it would vary by region as to which color or coat type is most likely to go down.

Personally, I think the main things to watch out for is genetics and trauma. If there are no back troubles in the ancestors within 5 generations, I would say that dachsie is much less likely to go down. But there are always cases caused by trauma -such as falling off a bed or similar accident.

[Cindi]

Luv4dachsies - I would say your observations on color and back problems are not indicative of color relation. Most of the dogs that I know that have gone down are red. Were the bl/tns related in some way/fashion?

[wireweiners]

There are a lot of things about back trouble that we just don't know yet and there are a lot of factors that come into play. It is a complex problem. Genetics plays a part, conformation, injury, weight, all these are factors. Then there the cases like your 2 dogs, Question. Its like the people that eat right, exercise, dont' smoke and then drop dead at 40 while their neighbor is overweight, smokes and never exercises and lives to be 90. Exceptions to the rule. But I don't think it is linked to coat color at all. Like Cindi, most of the dogs I have known to go down recently have been reds.

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by wireweiners (edited August 21, 2000).]</font>