DICANTA

Breeder and exhibitor of miniature and rabbit (kaninchen) long-haired dachshunds. Have been researching the breed, pedigrees, and structure + function since 2017. My lines are largely international to improve the genetic diversity seen in Australia, and include some beautiful lineages seen globally. My primary focus for my fur-children is to ensure their health and the health of their babies. I extensively study pedigrees and biomechanics of movements plus perform health testing to maximise the health of puppies. Correct structure is vital for health, ensuring your breeder is breeding to optimise structure is paramount. We back score our parents. This is an x ray protocol well-researched from Finland that looks at the calcifications in the spine. These scores are used to determine the inherited risk of IVDD. I try to pair with well known lines, or to dogs that have been scored. We also have had their knees and hips assessed and graded to assess the risk of potentially inherited hip dysplasia and patella subluxation. PRA (progressive retinal atrophy, a type of blindness) is tested on all adults, and pairings for breeding ensure there is no chance pups will be affected by PRA. My puppies are all raised in my home, as part of the family. They are raised with Early Neurological Stimulation in the first 2 weeks, and Puppy Culture Socialising protocol to engage their social skills and development to form well-rounded puppies ready for their new life.

The Rabbit (“kaninchen”) sized dachshund is newly recognised by the ANKC in 2020/2021, the smallest variety of dachshund in the FCI show rings. Rabbit dachshunds are defined by their chest circumference, not by weight. Females have a chest span up to 30cm, males up to 32cm. Because their chests are smaller than miniatures, they tend to be smaller overall and thus weigh less. Whilst they are small, they are dachshunds - hunters, diggers, with big attitudes and will. Rabbit dachshunds must contain adequate muscle, strength and correct structure to not only perform their hunting function, but to ensure the safety of their joints and back. Like any dachshund, if poorly bred, they are at a significantly increased risk of back injury (IVDD) and general joint pathologies. Our adults are health tested, including DNA testing for PRA, and X-ray back and hip scored (looking at the potential inherited risk of IVDD and hip dysplasia), and tested for patella subluxation. Our lines are imported from Japan and in 2023 from Europe. I cannot thank enough the beautiful specialist rabbit breeders abroad who have supported and mentored me in this new breed endeavour, and we hope to do you proud in Australia. We hope to breed a combination of these beautiful lines to produce healthy, conformationally correct offspring.