How to Determine a Dachshund's Ideal Body Weight
Dachshunds are spunky, lovable dogs that have won over the heart of many a dog owner. Also known as weiner dogs, this breed is typically energetic, although many dachshunds become overweight. Excess weight on this type of dog can pose many health problems, which is why it's important to determine what weight is ideal for your dachshund and keep her there.
Instructions
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Examine your dog from above and determine if he has a waist. If the body tapers in behind the ribs and you cannot see bones, he is probably his ideal weight. If you cannot find a waist on your dachshund, he may be overweight.
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Palpate your dachshund. You should be able to feel your dog's ribs and backbone without a lot of padding in between. If you are unable to feel anything but padding, your dachshund is not at her ideal weight and needs to lose a few pounds.
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Consult with your veterinarian as to what will work best for your dog. Every dachshund is different and should weigh whatever is healthy for each individual dog.
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Tips & Warnings
On average, miniature dachshunds weigh around 11 pounds at most, while standard dachshunds can weigh 16 pounds or more. Not every dog will fit into those categories, but can still be healthy. It all depends on the physical composition of your dog.
In order to maintain a healthy weight, it is important for your dachshund to be active. Because of their potential back problems, dachshunds should not do a lot of jumping. They can still run and play, however, and most dachshunds enjoy romping around. Be cautious in what activities you let your dachshund participate in. Because of his short legs and long back, he is prone to injuries.
If your dachshund is overweight, you may want to consider feeding him a prescription diet food. These foods usually help dogs lose weight easily and quickly, without exerting a lot of energy.
Dachshunds are very susceptible to developing painful back conditions, especially those pertaining to the discs. Sometimes these problems can lead to paralysis. If your dachshund is overweight, that only contributes to the chances of him developing disc problems because that is more weight that his body has to support.
