Can Basset Hounds safely use stairs without causing back injury?

Hello. I am so glad that you are considering adopting Bucephalus. You do not indicate his age, but I would not expect a young(er) & healthy dog like this to have any difficulties with the stairs. As he ages, arthritis might limit his ability to climb 4 stories, but this could be the case with about any other breed of dog. If you manage his weight so he does not get obese, & make sure he gets regular exercise to prevent early onset of arthritis, he should do just fine. Good luck & thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

It's a good idea to get ramps or puppy steps to help Bow on and off the furniture to help prevent jumping, as dogs with long backs such as dachshunds can easily injure their backs. Bow should be able to climb stairs without the use of a ramp, as that does not involve jumping, but if he is having difficulty then a ramp is a good idea. Making sure there is enough traction on the surface (such as using carpeting) is important to reduce the risk of slipping and falling.

Yes, you should still encourage them to use the stairs. Corgis, being long-backed, do have a tendency to hurt their backs when jumping up on things as you are aware. They don't just "hurt" their backs but they can actually slip a disk and become paralyzed. It can be quite a serious issue.

Small, long bodied dogs like Luna may be prone to more back and knee issues. Generally stairs are fine. Try to limit the jumping though. Try to train them to use doggie stairs to get on the furniture. Sometimes this is easier said than done :) Big things are to make sure they don't get heavy and to have them examined regularly for any signs of joint disease. Eventually they will likely go on a joint supplement as well to support good health. Hope this answers you question!

Winton is adorable! I have heard this recommendation about the stairs as well. That being said, I have not seen significant research backing up the recommendation. I think it is reasonable to limit stair use as it is practical for you. I feel it is more important to limit hard running while the bones and joints are developing. If your dog is going to be your running partner, it is best to wait to until 15-18 months before allowing running on concrete sidewalks. Keeping your puppy lean as he grows is very important in protecting the joints as well. It sounds like you and Winston are off to a great start!

I agree that Bow seems to be in pain. Although the injury could be anywhere in his body, the big concern with his breed is an injury to the neck or spine. With their long bodies, Dachshunds are prone to back injuries. I recommend to have him seen by his veterinarian who will palate the neck, spine and legs to determine what area is injured. They will also try to determine if it is a soft tissue injury or related to the bones. Until you see the doctor, Bow must have strict exercise restriction. Do not allow him to do any more jumping, no running, no stairs, no walks and outside on a leash only. You must be cautious with a potential back issue as it can have serious consequences. I hope you find this helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions. I hope he starts feeling better quickly!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Charlie. I am sorry to hear that he has been limping. He will need to see his veterinarian. He could have damaged a ligament in one of his knees, he may have developed arthritis or he could be experiencing a soft tissue injury such as a muscular strain. The examination will hopefully tell his veterinarian where he is painful and it can be decided of x-rays are needed. In the meantime, I would give him strict rest. No walks, avoid stairs as much as possible and do not allow him to run or play. This will allow his body some rest. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medication as these can be toxic to dogs or interfere with prescription pain medications. I hope this information helps!