Update on the Nordic countries' IVDD reduction programmes

An updated document, "IVDD doc update 2025 V6.pdf," describes the programmes in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) aimed at reducing the frequency of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in the dachshund population. The purpose is to provide comprehensive information about the IVDD prevention efforts of each dachshund club or association in the Nordic countries to facilitate mutual learning and program improvement.

You can find out about our UK IVDD screening programme here.

The document is divided into nine chapters, focusing primarily on X-ray screening programs and also giving attention to genetic testing.

Key aspects discussed for each country include:

• History of X-ray Screening: Denmark, Finland, and Norway have had X-ray screening programs since the early 21st century, while Sweden launched its official program in 2021.

• Current Status (as of October 2025):

• Denmark (DGK): Spinal X-ray imaging is mandatory for breeding, with restrictions on the use of dogs with 5 or more calcifications (K5+).

• Finland (FTK): X-ray screening became mandatory for all dachshunds before breeding from January 1, 2025. The highest permissible result for the puppy and stud dog lists is K7.

• Norway (NDF): X-ray screening is a recommendation. It is advised that both parents have a known spinal status.

• Sweden (SvTk): X-ray screening is voluntary. The club is focusing on education and raising awareness.

• IVDD and Calcification: Approximately 15-20% of the dachshund population develops IVDD. The efforts to decrease IVDD frequency are based on a strong correlation between the number of calcified intervertebral discs (IDC or K-number) and the incidence of IVDD.

• Genetic Testing: The latest action line is genetic testing for the FGF4-12 gene variant.

• Finland and Norway introduced genetic testing in 2023.

• In Norway, 17% of tested dachshunds carry the normal/wild-type gene (N-gene).

• In all Nordic countries, genetic testing is being implemented in various ways from 2025.

• The goal is to gradually decrease the frequency of the underlying risk factor (FGF4-12) by prioritizing the use of dogs with at least one copy of the normal gene variant in breeding.

  
  

• Future Plans: Future strategies involve:

• Minimising risk among dogs carrying FGF4-12 by X-raying and breeding those with few calcifications.

• Gradually decreasing the frequency of FGF4-12 through DNA testing.

• Norway and Finland have specific breeding recommendations to increase the prevalence of the normal gene.

• Transparency: All four Nordic countries' national kennel clubs publish results from X-ray screening and genetic testing on their publicly accessible websites.

The ultimate goal is to improve the back health of dachshunds through a combination of X-ray screening to select dogs with low numbers of calcified discs and genetic testing to increase the prevalence of the normal gene.

Sources:

• IVDD doc update 2025 V6.pdf