The Long Dog Library
Everything on the Hub in one place: guides, tools, research, answers and news. It grows every month, so check back often.
38 items
Long Dog Hub videosShort, practical videos on back health, safe handling and training. Subscribe on YouTube.Training and behaviourKind, back-safe training: no-jump habits, ramps, crate training, recall and barking.Free Back-Safe Home ChecklistA printable, room-by-room checklist with a warning-signs page for your fridge.What are the best supplements for dachshunds?Omega-3 (fish oil) has the best evidence. A 2022 review of the research found it helped dogs with joint pain, and some dogs needed less pain medicine.What is the best nutrition for dachshunds?A good-quality commercial food labelled 'complete and balanced' for your dog's life stage, made to the Australian Standard for pet food (AS 5812). Fresh meat on its own isn't a complete diet.What not to feed your dachshund?These foods are toxic to dogs: chocolate, caffeine, grapes, raisins and sultanas, onions, garlic, leeks and chives, macadamia nuts, and xylitol (a sweetener in some gum, lollies, baking and peanut butters).What is the number one vet-recommended joint supplement for dogs?There isn't one single answer, but omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) have the strongest research behind them for joint pain. Some vets also recommend prescription joint diets that are rich in omega-3.What are dachshunds most allergic to?Like other dogs, dachshunds are more often allergic to things in their environment, like pollen, dust mites and fleas, than to food.How to prevent IVDD in dachshunds?You can't fully prevent it, because the disc changes are genetic. But you can lower the risk:Why do dachshunds like to sleep under blankets?Dachshunds were bred to dig and go down burrows after badgers, so burrowing comes naturally. Blankets also feel warm, safe and cosy, especially for a small, short-coated dog.What do dachshunds like to eat the most?Most dachshunds love food of any kind, which is why they put on weight easily.Are boy or girl dachshunds easier?There's no real evidence that one is easier. Personality, training and how they were raised matter far more than sex.What is the number one cause of death in dachshunds?A large 20-year US study of over 74,000 dogs found that diseases of the nervous system were the most common cause of death in dachshunds and miniature dachshunds. In dachshunds, back disc disease (IVDD) is a big part of that.What kind of food is best for a dachshund?A complete and balanced food suited to their age and size, whether that's dry, wet or a mix. Small kibble suits small mouths.What is the best probiotic for dachshunds?Healthy dogs on a good diet usually don't need one. The evidence for probiotics in dogs is mixed, with some benefit shown for certain kinds of diarrhoea.Do pumpkin or fibre supplements help a dachshund's tummy?Plain cooked pumpkin and other fibre can help firm up soft poos in some dogs, though the research is limited. Use plain pumpkin, not pie filling, and start with a teaspoon.Do calming supplements work for anxious dachshunds?Products with ingredients like L-tryptophan, chamomile or passionflower are popular for storms, fireworks and travel, but there's little good research in dogs, and results vary.Are mushroom supplements good for dogs?Medicinal mushroom blends are marketed for immunity, skin and allergies. There's very little research in dogs, so it's too early to say they help.Back scoring and the researchWhat breeders' X-ray screening is, how it works in Australia, and 14 key studies.Supplements and productsSupplements, back-safe gear and rehab options, with what the evidence says.Helpful linksDachshund rescues, breed guides and back-health resources we trust.What two breeds make a Dachshund?There's no single pair. Dachshunds were developed in Germany in the 1700s to hunt badgers ("dachs" means badger and "hund" means dog). Historians think the breed came from a mix of old hunting dogs, likely including pointers, terriers, bloodhounds and basset-type hounds, which would explain that famous nose.How much does a Dachshund cost in Australia?From a registered breeder, a dachshund puppy usually costs around $3,500 to $7,000, depending on bloodline, coat and colour. Wirehaired dachshunds and rarer colours like dapple or cream tend to cost more. Adopting from a rescue is usually $500 to $1,500.Is a Dachshund a good house dog?Yes, for the right home. Dachshunds are playful, brave and very loyal, and they cope well in apartments and small homes as long as they get daily walks and play.What are the most common problems with Dachshunds?Back problems are the big one. Up to 1 in 4 dachshunds develop intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), which can cause pain, weakness and even paralysis if it isn't treated quickly.What is the calmest Dachshund?There's no reliable evidence that one size or coat type is calmer. Some people believe wirehaired dachshunds are softer-natured because of their terrier ancestry, but that's speculation, and personality varies a lot from dog to dog.Why do you have to be careful with Dachshunds?Their long backs and short legs make their spines vulnerable. Jumping on and off furniture, twisting, rough play and extra weight all add strain and raise the risk of a disc injury.Which type of Dachshund is best?It depends on your lifestyle. Standard dachshunds weigh about 7 to 15 kg and miniatures under 5 kg. Smooth coats are the easiest to care for, longhaired coats need regular brushing, and wirehaired coats need occasional hand-stripping.Do Dachshunds like to be held?Many dachshunds love cuddles and being close to their people, but each dog is different. Let your dog come to you, and watch for signs it would rather be on the ground.Does a Dachshund need another dog?Not necessarily. Dachshunds bond strongly with their people and mostly need company, daily exercise and things to do. A second dog can help some dachshunds that are left alone a lot, but it isn't a fix for boredom or separation anxiety.What dog looks like a Dachshund but isn't?Several breeds share the long, low look. The Basset Hound is the best-known, along with Corgis, the Swedish Vallhund, and long-bodied terriers like the Dandie Dinmont and Skye Terrier.Welcome to Long Dog News (October 2026)Our very first issue: what's new on the Hub, this month's back-care tip and an update on the Foundation.Symptom checkerAnswer up to eight yes-or-no questions and get one clear next step.The early signs of back trouble in dachshundsThe quiet signs most owners miss, what they can mean, and when to call your vet.Crate rest: getting through it togetherHow to set up crate rest, keep your dog calm, and track recovery day by day.Make your home back-safeRamps, rugs, harnesses and the right way to pick up a long dog.Healthy weight for long backsWhy every extra bit of weight matters, and how to check your dog at home.Questions to ask your vetA ready-made list for the appointment, so you leave knowing exactly what to do.
New items are marked New for 30 days. Read Long Dog News to see what's been added each month.