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The Doxie has a pretty generous average lifespan, and with this little breed, you can expect them to live an average of 12-16 years of age.  There are a few health concerns to consider with this breed. To start off, let’s talk about the biggest issue with this breed specifically, and that would be their fragile backs. They can easily injure their backs while playing too hard or jumping up and down from furniture. Many Doxie owners even purchase special steps so their Dachshund can get on and off of the sofa or bed without risking spinal injury. The medical term for this is Intervertebral Disc Disease or  (IVDD). If it is bad enough, it can result in paralysis, and the only way to fix it is with expensive surgery. This is also why it is so critical to keep this breed at a good weight as obesity can increase the risk of IVDD for the Doxie.  Dachshunds can also be prone to ear infections. Like most breeds with long floppy ears, it is very easy for these big adorable ears to trap moisture and bacteria- eventually resulting in a painful and unpleasant infection in the ears. It is essential always to keep a Doxie’s ears clean to avoid this whenever possible.  Another concern with the Dachsuch breed is that they can suffer from patellar luxation, and breeds with small short legs like the Doxies are absolutely more prone to it. Patellar luxation is a condition in which the knee cap becomes dislocated. This can be caused by genetics, bad diet, or injury during play and will need to be corrected with surgery.  The Dachshund also has some cancer risks, with the most prominent in the breed being Hemangiosarcoma, which is a kind of blood cancer. This kind of cancer can potentially be genetic, but not all of the time. Thankfully, with the help of scientists, an early detection test has been created.  Lastly, Doxie can also have some eye problems. Though there isn’t one in particular, that plagues the breed. But, it is still enough of a factor that Breed Clubs recommend any Doxie that is a breeding candidate have its eyes cleared and certified.