My Dachshund mix has bowed legs. Will this cause issues later?

Wow, Rowan is such a cute boy! As I'm sure you know Dachshunds have a genetic trait that causes them to have disproportionately short legs. This can lead to problems with the bones, joints and cartilage in the dog. Most notably, dachshunds are prone to intervertebral disc disease (like a buldging disc in their spine) that can cause loss of motor function and can be painful. Bowed legs can also be common in this breed. X-rays would be helpful to assess the hips and knees and to look for any signs of early onset arthritis. The X-rays would also be helpful in determining whether or not surgical intervention is needed. I would also recommend starting Rowan on a joint supplement such as Dasuquin to help keep his joints as healthy as possible. Rowan will likely develop arthritis because of his legs at some point in his life but if you start joint supplementation now and keep him nice and trim, it can help delay the onset of arthritis.

Congrats on the adoption! The leg positioning is sometimes called "Queen Anne" legs, or leg splay, and is very common in short-legged long-bodied dogs such as Dachshunds or Basset Hounds. While it doesn't usually cause any harm and isn't dangerous in minor cases, it can sometimes cause additional arthritis or joint issues down the line and sometimes requires surgical repair in severe cases, so preparing for proactive care such as a joint supplement and regular check-ups of the legs is a good idea. Since Sport's legs do look very splayed, a vet check up after adoption to make sure there isn't any arthritis present (and it isn't affecting any of the other tissues in the legs) is also smart.

From the pictures, it looks like Bruno is suffering from valgus deformity of his front legs. This is when there is a lateral (outward) turn of the feet. It occurs when the ulna stops growing while the radius continues to grow, causing the radius to begin bowing at the top and rotating outward. This is can cause discomfort to Bruno and it is something that can be fixed surgically. You can speak to your vet about surgical treatment of this deformity.

It is unlikely that anything can be done especially in a dog which has finished growing but a review by an orthopedic specialist may be worth considering to assess for discomfort and management options. This is nit uncommon in jack Russell and many other small breeds such as shih tzu types

If it is congenital, there may be no cure or Kuky may require multiple surgeries. A nutritional deficiency may be corrected, but it is possible he will also be bow legged. You would need to have him physically examined by your veterinarian or a veterinary orthopedic specialist to make the determination.

If it doesn't seem to get any worse I wouldn't worry about it too much, it's probably going to stay the same way for life. The only advise I have is to be careful with him exercise wise as it can over time affect his joints in a negative way. Continue with the joint supplement as well.

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!