https://www.gooddog.com/breeders/ashtons-doxies-of-southern-il-illinois, https://www.ashtonsdoxiesofsouthernil.com/

Ashton's Doxies of Southern Illinois, Saint Peter, IL (2026)

05/16/2026

Bunnie🐰 and Daisy 🌼
Half sisters👯‍♀️
Both have Russian Lines and I’m excited for these future Mommas, love watching them grow🩷

05/16/2026

Buddy a future sire. He has 1/2 Russian Lines.

05/16/2026

Kisses from Jelly Bean 🫘

05/16/2026

Let's talk IVDD (Invertabral Disk Disease)

Unfortunately due to their long backs and short legs, dachshunds can suffer with IVDD. You can have a very well bred dog with all the best health testing under the sun and it can still happen.

Not every single dachshund will go down with this horrible disease but many do.

Alot of it is also environmental and not genetic. If you overfeed your dachshund this will put extra strain on their back. I have seen dachshunds that look like barrels and they can barely walk 😑 and people say oh but I feel bad if I dont give them treats. You should feel bad, bad that you are putting your dog at risk.

Also over exercising when young can play a part in the risk of this disease creeping up. The 5 Minute rule: A common rule is to offer 5 minutes of exercise twice a day for every month of age. A 3-month-old needs roughly two 15-minute walks per day. Avoid high-impact exercise (long runs, jumping, jumping down from heights) until growth plates are fully closed, typically around 12-18 months.

Now let's talk treatment!! Alot of owners panic as soon as they think their dog has IVDD and rightly so but alot of vets prey on this panic to cash in. 😑

Surgery is not always the answer! I have seen dogs with grade 5 IVDD make a full recovery from strict crate rest and pain medication, this is helped with laser therapy, physio and later on hydrotherapy.

Look at it this way.... if we hurt our backs and we go to the doctor or hospital, we are advised strict rest and pain medication. There is also another option called The Cambridge Trial if your dog actually needs extra help. They can now be treated with a new enzyme injection at the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital (QVSH), part of the University of Cambridge Department of Veterinary Medicine, offering a safe, less invasive, and significantly more affordable alternative to spinal surgery for suitable cases.

I just wanted you to know that dachshunds can fully recover from this horrible disease without going down the surgery route. Please don't let your vet pressure you into anything.