The dachshund breed, known as the sausage dog, is experiencing a boom in Spain and also in Lanzarote. Patricia Casas travelled to Barcelona to acquire Vela, a female mini, for €1,450.
The craze for sausage dogs has arrived with force in Lanzarote. What started as a trend on social media has translated into a notable increase in dachshund specimens on the island. Patricia Casas, a resident of Lanzarote, is one of the people who has succumbed to the charm of these dogs. Three years ago, she travelled to Barcelona to buy Vela, a female mini, through an intermediary from breeders.
Casas paid €1,450 for the puppy, then three months old, plus the costs of the flight and stay. The price of dachshunds varies depending on the breeder and characteristics: from €500 to €900 if purchased from individuals, up to €1,800 in specialised breeders. In exceptional cases, such as champion parents or uncommon colours, the cost can reach €2,500.
Casas' decision was not casual. “Many years ago, I saw a couple with a dachshund in Madrid and it was the first time I saw one and I loved it,” she explains. “I was obsessed with this breed.” Now, with Vela at home, she describes sausage dogs as “very stubborn, very barky, and they don’t understand that everyone has their personal space because wherever you go, she goes.” She also describes them as possessive.
Regarding her energy, she notes that Vela is “very active when I take her out all day, but at home she sleeps.” She clarifies that “she is not a dog that likes to go out morning, day, and night, but rather goes out to do her business and comes back.” However, she enjoys “going for walks, to the beach, or to a promenade.”
Despite the typical spine problems of the breed, Vela is a whirlwind. “We are careful when picking her up, but she goes up and down stairs, jumps on the sofa and the bed, does whatever she wants no matter how much we try to stop her,” Casas recounts. She adds that her dog has slightly longer legs, which keeps her body off the ground.
Common Pathologies in Dachshunds
The main ailment of dachshunds is intervertebral disc disease. Enilay Parapás, a veterinarian at a clinic in Lanzarote, explains that “it occurs because it is a breed predisposed to it as it is chondrodystrophic and there is a genetic alteration of endochondral ossification.” This causes “the cartilage of the growth plates to mature and ossify prematurely, which makes the long bones stop growing very early.”
This pathology usually manifests between three and seven years of age. “Depending on where the problem is located, the dog will have cervical, thoracic, or lumbar pain,” Parapás details. The pain may be accompanied by ataxia (loss of muscle control), paraparesis or tetraparesis (affecting two or four legs) and loss of sensitivity in the limbs.
In her practice, the veterinarian has noticed an increase in this breed, especially lately. “I have received many puppies from the mainland, especially from the Seville area,” she states. Most of the dachshunds she treats present spine problems. “They can also have patellar luxation if they are very small, hereditary cataracts, or progressive retinal atrophy,” she adds.
Other common conditions include congenital deafness and cryptorchidism (retention of a testicle). Additionally, sausage dogs tend to be obese. “Due to having spine problems, it is important that they do not gain weight from an early age,” warns Parapás.
The veterinarian believes that owners are usually informed. “They do know they have spine problems because many come to my practice and tell me they have been told that it is a breed that tends to have these issues, and I think even the breeders tell them.”
Advice to Avoid Damage
Experts recommend picking up a dachshund with both hands from underneath the animal to avoid straining its spine. It is also important to control their weight and prevent them from jumping from heights or climbing stairs repeatedly.
In Lanzarote, the popularity of the breed has led to WhatsApp and Facebook groups dedicated to sausage dogs, where meet-ups are organised. Patricia Casas is part of these communities and highlights the camaraderie among owners.
For those considering acquiring a dachshund, the veterinarian recommends thoroughly researching the specific needs of the breed and being prepared for potential veterinary expenses arising from their pathologies.
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