The Dachshund Project
Working with a small selection of compassionate breeders that are genuinely dedicated to breeding quality dachshunds and out-crosses, addressing and correcting common faults within the breed and improving overall breed quality.
Focusing on health, temperament, conformation and soundness.
Ensuring each puppy is a well-balanced, healthy, happy and FIT FOR PURPOSE companion.
We're passionate about our dogs, and dedicated to their well-being. We're striving for excellence in every litter and we're excited to share our journey with you!
Contact us to find out about upcoming litters and how you can welcome one of our exceptional pups into your home.
Working towards a Better Future
Pure Meadows Penny
More of This
Historic Dachshund
Less of This
Modern Show Dachshund
Modern Dachshund
Most dog breeds have been altered over the passage of time, in some cases virtually beyond all recognition of what they were originally.
Good examples of the modern dachshund are longer in the back, have a more level topline, are deeper through the chest, lower to the ground, closer set in front, with a more refined head. However we see far more poor examples of modern dachshunds, riddled with faults.
These characteristics may be more appealing to modern society's vision of the breed as a show dog — nevertheless, these are all characteristics that impinge on their health and their ability to function, especially as good earth dogs and their original true purpose as tenacious little hunting dogs.
The photos below, of studbook Dachshunds in 1897, clearly show exactly how much the breed has changed over time, and in our opinion, not for the better.
Historic Dachshunds 1897
Dachshund Breed Standard
A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of an animal and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders, judges and owners should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of the breed.
As an owner, it is encouraged to have a basic understanding of the Dachshund Breed standard in order to understand correct conformation (the way an animal is put together) and avoid exaggerations and faults in order to pick out a dog that will live a long, healthy, good quality life (and hopefully avoid many heartbreaks and costly vet bills!)
An excellent example of the Full Dachshund Breed Standard can be Found Here.
As loving Dachshund owners & breeders ourselves, we are seriously concerned for the health and quality of the breed here in Australia. Common Faults and Health concerns seem to be rife within the breed and completely ignored by many claiming to be genuine breeders. The health and welfare of the animals being reproduced should be EVERY breeder's first and main priority. Finding correct, top quality dogs to breed is becoming increasingly difficult within Australia. A truly alarming prospect.
Common Conformational Faults
Long Backs:
Dachshunds have naturally long backs, but excessive length in relation to their height can put significant stress on their spine, increasing the risk of IVDD, a condition where the discs between the vertebrae degenerate and potentially rupture.
Incorrect topline:
The topline is the line of the back from the neck to the tail. An incorrect topline can affect the dog's gait and balance and lead to all kinds of serious health issues.
Weak chests & overly short rib cages:
These structural issues can hinder proper lung and heart function and contribute to breathing difficulties.
Weak pasterns:
Weak pasterns, the area between the foot and the leg, can cause instability and affect the dog's ability to move comfortably usually resulting in severe arthritis.
Improper angulation:
The angles of the joints, particularly in the limbs, need to be correct for efficient and pain-free movement. Poor angulation can lead to uneven weight distribution and increased stress on joints and ligaments.
Below are some examples of common faults we see in Dachshunds EVERY DAY which should be avoided at all costs.
Body
Correct
Hollow Back
Overly Roached
Bum High
Forequarters
Correct
Narrow & Low Chest
Toed Out
Over at the Knee
Elbows Out
Feet
Correct
Hare Foot
Flat Foot
Over at the Pastern
Splay Foot
Hindquarters
Correct
Narrow Hip
Narrow Hip &
Toed Out
Camped Out
Cow Hocked
Sickle Hocked
Bandy Hocked
Mouth
Correct
Overbite
Underbite
Pincer
Common Health Issues
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
Dachshunds are highly susceptible to IVDD due to their long backs and short legs. This condition affects their spinal cords, leading to pain, paralysis, and mobility issues.
Patellar Luxation:
The kneecap (patella) can dislocate from its normal position, causing lameness and pain. This is more common in Dachshunds due to their leg structure.
Hip Dysplasia:
While more common in larger breeds, some Dachshunds are born with or develop hip dysplasia, where the hip joint doesn't form correctly, causing lameness.
Eye problems:
Dachshunds can also suffer from inherited eye conditions like cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), which can lead to blindness.
Most of these health issues can be avoided by selecting breeding stock that have been genetically tested clear of hereditary diseases and through correct breeding and husbandry practices. Others are unfortunately common when owning an aging Dachshund.
Just because a dog is DNA tested clear of hereditary disease does NOT make it an ideal candidate for breeding IF it is still riddled with conformation and breed faults! This is another reoccurring issue we see commonly in Australia, and seek to rectify!
A Little About Crossbreeding
Crossbreeding dogs can lead to healthier and more diverse offspring, as it introduces new genetic material that can reduce the risk of inherited diseases and less morphological exaggeration. Purebred dogs, while having predictable traits (both positive AND negative), often suffer from a higher incidence of genetic disorders due to limited gene pools and inbreeding practices. This makes crossbreeding an appealing option for breeders looking to improve the overall health and vitality of their dogs.
The data here is not deeply hidden. Canine pet insurance companies keep vast data sheets on breeds and cross-breeds alike, and they will tell you that mutts are healthier than pedigree dogs, and they price their premiums accordingly! With mixed breeds you are less likely to get dogs with serious teeth and neurological issues, torsion, cancer, skin conditions, heart issues, eye damage and predictable respiratory and palette problems. With pedigree dogs, there is not only a tendency to select for morphologies unseen in nature, but there is also the requirement that these exaggeration be maintained in a closed registry system in which coefficients of inbreeding tend to drift upward due to popular sire selection.
Introducing crossbreeding can help correct breed faults by diluting the concentration of undesirable genes within a specific breed's gene pool. When two unrelated breeds are crossed, the offspring inherit a mix of genes from both parents, which can mask or eliminate the expression of genetic faults that are prevalent in one of the parent breeds. This infusion of new genetic material increases genetic diversity, reducing the likelihood of offspring inheriting two copies of a faulty gene, which is often necessary for the trait to manifest.
One of the main advantages of crossbreeding is hybrid vigor, where the offspring exhibit superior traits compared to their parents. This can include increased disease resistance, better fertility, and a longer lifespan. By mixing different breeds, breeders can create dogs that are less prone to specific genetic problems common in purebred lines.
However, it's important to note that crossbreeding is not a guaranteed solution and requires careful planning. The resulting mix can have unpredictable results, and puppies may inherit a combination of traits that are not always desirable. Responsible breeders need to have a thorough understanding of the genetic backgrounds of the parent breeds to minimise the risk of undesirable outcomes.
While purebred dogs have a proven higher risk of genetic disorders due to inbreeding, crossbreeding can offer a way to mitigate these risks and correct breed faults across the board,
Choosing Health & Soundness over Pedigree
Taking into account all of the above factors, and faced with the overwhelming struggle to find quality, healthy, fault free Dachshunds within Australia, that maintain our standard of excellence, we have chosen to implement some crossbreeding within our breeding program. With our dog's wellbeing foremost in mind, our aim is to attempt to rectify the common diseases and faults that are abundant within the breed and to produce more sound, healthier, and more resilient canine companions.
