When it comes to exercise, every dog is different. Some are satisfied with a quick walk around the park, while others will gallop alongside you for miles. Dachshunds are somewhere in between. While they are small dogs, they were bred for hunting, so they need the same amount of exercise as a bigger dog. Here we go through the general guidelines when it comes to exercising your dachshund puppy.

Frequency

Dachshund puppies shouldn’t be doing too much exercising when they’re young. They typically only need 5 minutes of exercise of every month of age (so, for example, a four-month-old puppy would require 20 minutes). A healthy, adult dog, meanwhile, should be receiving 30-60 minutes of physical activity per day.

Activity

While your dachshund won’t be running by your side for miles, they can keep up with most activities. A casual or brisk walk around the neighborhood is always enjoyable, as is a game of fetch or chase. You can even take them out on any hiking trails you have nearby.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

IVDD is one of the most common health problems found in pure-bred Dachshunds. It’s a potentially paralyzing genetic condition that can range in severity. However, it’s been found that exercise can actually help prevent IVDD. Dogs who were highly or moderately active were half as likely to have suffered an IVDD incident. This is because exercise can ward off disc calcification, an early symptom of IVDD.

For more tips on how to care for your dachshunds, contact Patti’s Dachshund Farm today at 334-385-2600.