Why so many daschunds?

[Jialin]

I'm wondering if anyone knows why Taiwan (or at least Taipei) have so many dashunds! I just moved here and I have seen at least one every day - sometimes 2 or 3 a day. Anyone have any idea why there are so many?

They're my favorite kind of dog and I'm considering adopting one. (Anyone have experience with doing this and taking a dog from Taiwan to the States? Is it worth the trouble?)

[Ex Animo]

They are cute and small and inexpensive to feed and rarely have difficult behavioural problems. If all dogs in Taiwan were dachies, there would probably be no stray problem.

[Belgian Pie]

They look like cute dragons

[Belgian Pie]

No health issues?

Because of their unique skeletal structure, Dachshunds have the potential to experience both environmental and genetic problems common to long-bodied dogs. Living in an environment that is oblivious to their special conformation, Dachshunds often are subjected to many hazards. Jumping, excessive stair-climbing and other high-impact activities usually result in serious diseases and conditions of the vertebrae. When genetically inferior dogs are bred, they often produce genetically inferior puppies. These puppies, in turn, grow up to develop serious skeletal conditions that are difficult and/or impossible to correct. In addition, overweight puppies are always at risk. There are many health conditions seen in dogs of many breeds, including Dachshunds. Let’s review some of the major ones here.

MAJOR PROBLEMS
Intervertebral disk disease affects more Dachshunds than all other dogs combined, so naturally it is atop this list of conditions that concern Dachshund owners. Due to the Dachshund’s long-backed construction, owners are advised to avoid activities that will strain their backs and spines. IVD, as the disease is known, is marked by herniated disks in the lower back. The disease primarily affects dogs with stunted legs. Affected dogs experience severe pain, usually in the lower back but sometimes in the neck as well. The disease can be treated medically and/or surgically, depending on the severity. Carts for dogs have been devised to assist Dachshunds with rear-quarter paralysis due to severe IVD.

Acanthosis nigricans, unfortunately, seems to be unique to the Dachshund. It is characterized by dark, thick skin in Dachshund’s groin and armpits. While the genetic origin of the disease is unclear, it is certain that affected dogs are not to be bred. Vitamin E supplementation has been used to improve the condition, though no cure is known.

Hypothyroidism, commonly confused with obesity in Dachshunds, is simply the insufficient production of thyroid hormones. In Dachshunds, lymphocytic thyroiditis is most common. Dogs are affected between ages one to three years. Less than half of the Dachshunds affected manifest obesity; most individuals experience recurrent infections and lack of energy. Diagnosis of hypothyroidism is often tricky, though the treatment tends to be direct and affordable. Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that affects Dachshunds as well as many other breeds of dog.

Epileptic dogs can be managed with various veterinary drugs, though some side effects exist, including temporary weakness and increased appetite and thirst.

EYE PROBLEMS
A cataract is a cloudiness or film over the lens of the eye, categorized by age of onset, location on the eye and stage of the cloudiness. As it is a hereditary condition, parents should be tested before breeding takes place to ensure that parents are not carrying the genes for cataracts.

Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in dogs, is caused by an increase in fluid pressure within the eye. This disease can be hereditary, so parents should be tested prior to breeding. Treatment for glaucoma can be medical or surgical, or both.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a series of inherited disorders affecting the retina of the eyes, causes visual impairment that is slow but progressive. Night blindness can be the first sign of trouble. There is no known way to stop onset.

Other eye conditions have also been known to occur in Dachshunds. This list is by no means complete, but is included here to make new owners aware of possible problems in the breed: corneal dystrophy, congenital night blindness, entropion, tear duct anomalies, wall eye, keratoconjunctivitis, microphthalmia and ectasia syndrome.

[omerojs]

No health issues?

Because of their unique skeletal structure, Dachshunds have the potential to experience both environmental and genetic problems common to long-bodied dogs. Living in an environment that is oblivious to their special conformation, Dachshunds often are subjected to many hazards. Jumping, excessive stair-climbing and other high-impact activities usually result in serious diseases and conditions of the vertebrae. When genetically inferior dogs are bred, they often produce genetically inferior puppies. These puppies, in turn, grow up to develop serious skeletal conditions that are difficult and/or impossible to correct. In addition, overweight puppies are always at risk. There are many health conditions seen in dogs of many breeds, including Dachshunds. Let’s review some of the major ones here.

MAJOR PROBLEMS
Intervertebral disk disease affects more Dachshunds than all other dogs combined, so naturally it is atop this list of conditions that concern Dachshund owners. Due to the Dachshund’s long-backed construction, owners are advised to avoid activities that will strain their backs and spines. IVD, as the disease is known, is marked by herniated disks in the lower back. The disease primarily affects dogs with stunted legs. Affected dogs experience severe pain, usually in the lower back but sometimes in the neck as well. The disease can be treated medically and/or surgically, depending on the severity. Carts for dogs have been devised to assist Dachshunds with rear-quarter paralysis due to severe IVD.

Acanthosis nigricans, unfortunately, seems to be unique to the Dachshund. It is characterized by dark, thick skin in Dachshund’s groin and armpits. While the genetic origin of the disease is unclear, it is certain that affected dogs are not to be bred. Vitamin E supplementation has been used to improve the condition, though no cure is known.

Hypothyroidism, commonly confused with obesity in Dachshunds, is simply the insufficient production of thyroid hormones. In Dachshunds, lymphocytic thyroiditis is most common. Dogs are affected between ages one to three years. Less than half of the Dachshunds affected manifest obesity; most individuals experience recurrent infections and lack of energy. Diagnosis of hypothyroidism is often tricky, though the treatment tends to be direct and affordable. Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that affects Dachshunds as well as many other breeds of dog.

Epileptic dogs can be managed with various veterinary drugs, though some side effects exist, including temporary weakness and increased appetite and thirst.

EYE PROBLEMS
A cataract is a cloudiness or film over the lens of the eye, categorized by age of onset, location on the eye and stage of the cloudiness. As it is a hereditary condition, parents should be tested before breeding takes place to ensure that parents are not carrying the genes for cataracts.

Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in dogs, is caused by an increase in fluid pressure within the eye. This disease can be hereditary, so parents should be tested prior to breeding. Treatment for glaucoma can be medical or surgical, or both.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a series of inherited disorders affecting the retina of the eyes, causes visual impairment that is slow but progressive. Night blindness can be the first sign of trouble. There is no known way to stop onset.

Other eye conditions have also been known to occur in Dachshunds. This list is by no means complete, but is included here to make new owners aware of possible problems in the breed: corneal dystrophy, congenital night blindness, entropion, tear duct anomalies, wall eye, keratoconjunctivitis, microphthalmia and ectasia syndrome.

Compare with other breeds like french bulldogs or golden retriever or so many others... then its not that bad..

[urodacus]

They're just Taiwanese labradors, but the poor local diet makes them grow up much too short.