Dog Breeds With the Fewest Health Issues

Some dog breeds — both purebreds and mixed breeds — have more issues than others. Due to breeding and genetic factors, some dogs are more prone to developing health conditions and genetic disorders.

Knowing the health issues your dog may face in the future can help you prepare to meet its needs. And if you don’t have a dog yet, you can look into which breeds typically experience the least amount of health problems.

Here’s what you need to know about some of the healthiest dog breeds, as well as common health issues that dogs experience.

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10 dogs with the fewest health problems

If you’re looking for a healthy dog to adopt, several breeds have generally healthy lives with few genetic diseases and other issues. As long as you properly care for these dogs, they’re likely to live with good health up to their life expectancy. Of course, your dog’s specific health issues may vary — despite common genetic health issues, or lack thereof, within their breed.

Here are 10 dogs that face some of the fewest genetic health problems.^[1]

Australian cattle dog

These herding dogs have high intelligence and a good work ethic. Australian cattle dogs do well in active families that will provide them with opportunities for exercise and engagement.

Typically, these dogs don’t experience many serious health issues, so vet bills should be relatively low. However, Australian cattle dog owners should know that these dogs can potentially develop heart conditions, eye defects, deafness, and orthopedic problems like hip dysplasia.

Beagle

For the most part, this breed doesn’t have a lot of serious health issues. Beagles are usually affectionate and love spending time with their owners. The main issue beagles face is that they’re prone to overeating and can become unhealthy if you let them eat too much. For this reason, they benefit from scent training and having a controlled diet.

Beyond obesity caused by overeating, some common beagle health issues include ear infections, allergies, cherry eye, epilepsy, and hypothyroidism.

Old English sheepdog

The average life expectancy of an Old English sheepdog is about 10 to 12 years, and these animals have very few health issues. These large dogs need a lot of mental stimulation and physical exercise but can fit in well with your family, as they’re fairly gentle and can be great with kids.

Common health issues found in Old English sheepdogs include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, autoimmune thyroiditis, and exercise-induced collapse.

American foxhound

The American foxhound is a relatively healthy breed that’s not prone to a lot of specific diseases. Dog owners who get these pets can usually introduce them into a home with smaller dogs, other animals, and children. They have long legs and like to be active. As long as you bring them outdoors regularly for exercise, they’re likely to do well.

American foxhounds can commonly experience thrombocytopenia, hip dysplasia, ear infections, and dental diseases.

Chinese crested

Chinese crested dogs are small and relatively easy to care for. The breed tends to show devotion to their owners and doesn’t require much outdoor physical exercise. These dogs don’t have a lot of hair and are prone to being cold, which means they probably need to wear sweaters in colder climates.

The breed has a long lifespan of up to 18 years and doesn’t have many serious health problems. Some common issues this breed may experience include dental problems, eye problems, deafness, skin problems, and orthopedic issues like patellar luxation.

Standard poodle

Standard poodles are an intelligent and generally loyal breed. They don’t face a lot of serious medical issues as they age, making them relatively healthy. Poodles enjoy learning new things, so you can train them relatively easily, making them good pets for families. Miniature poodles and toy poodles can also be good choices and integrate well with other animals and children.

Common health problems the standard poodle may experience include hip dysplasia, idiopathic epilepsy, von Willebrand (blood-clotting) disease, skin conditions, and gastrointestinal issues.

Chihuahua

One of the smaller breeds, Chihuahuas have a long lifespan of around 14 to 16 years. Chihuahuas aren’t likely to have a lot of medical issues as long as owners help them maintain a healthy diet because the breed can have issues with obesity. Other common health problems the breed faces include luxating patellas, periodontal disease, collapsing trachea, heart disease, hydrocephalus, and eye problems.

Shiba Inu

Shiba Inus are generally healthy small to medium-sized dogs. They have an active lifestyle and need a lot of exercise to deal with their high energy. The breed doesn’t have many genetic disorders but might develop arthritis with age. Other common problems are allergies, patella luxation, dental disease, and anxiety.

Border collie

Like other relatively large dogs bred for herding, border collies are active dogs that like hard work. If you have an athletic dog like a border collie, it’s a good idea to make sure that it gets plenty of exercise so it’s more likely to reach its average lifespan (or go beyond it).

Border collies don’t usually have serious health problems, but the breed has a predisposition to eye issues, multidrug resistance mutation (MDR1), trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS), and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Belgian Malinois

Belgian Malinois dogs are typically very smart and loyal. A high-energy dog, the breed rarely needs serious medical attention as long as they get a lot of exercise. A Belgian Malinois can be a good choice for families that spend a lot of time outdoors.

These dogs have a lower risk of many health issues but can develop elbow and hip dysplasia, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy.

Common health issues in dogs

Dogs can experience different health issues depending on their genetic makeup and life circumstances. You can get DNA testing for your dog to see what might affect it in the future.

Here are some of the most common health issues dogs develop.

Allergies

When dogs have allergies, you might see itching behaviors, sneezing, vomiting, and chronic ear infections as symptoms. The most common type of allergy in dogs is allergic dermatitis, or skin allergies. You can typically get a prescription for your dog from your vet to help with allergies, but you should also try to help your dog avoid allergy triggers when possible.

​Dysplasia

Elbow and hip dysplasia are somewhat common issues, especially in older dogs. Lifestyle modification and surgery are two treatments that can help alleviate symptoms. Genetic testing can help you determine your dog’s likelihood of developing it. Though commonly associated with large dogs, smaller breeds can also have this skeletal condition.

Kidney disease

Excessive urination, increased drinking of water, loss of appetite, and blood in urine can indicate your dog’s kidney function is in trouble. Veterinarians can identify some kidney problems through regular testing, but you should bring your dog in for testing if you notice any irregularities.

Cancer

Your dog may have a genetic predisposition to a certain type of cancer. If you notice lumps or if your dog appears to be in pain, you should consider taking it to the vet for an evaluation. Dogs can live for a long time if your veterinarian identifies and treats any cancer early on.

Eye problems

Infections, cataracts, and other issues can cause health problems for your pet. In some cases, allergies can cause eye problems. You might need to have your dog treated for cataracts and other issues if developed. Some dogs are prone to genetic eye conditions.

How to keep your dog healthy

You can take steps to help your dog stay healthy and live a long life. Here are some ways to safeguard your pet’s health, regardless of its breed:

• Exercise your dog regularly. This will help keep your dog’s muscles strong and prevent obesity.

• Feed a healthy diet. Make sure your dog gets the nutrition it needs through a balanced diet ideal for its size and breed.

• Get proper vet care. Make regular checkups to help identify when health problems arise.

• Keep up with preventative care. Keep up with treatments for fleas, ticks, and ringworm, as well as other preventative care.

• Socialize your dog. This helps keep your dog emotionally healthy around other pets and people.

• Brush your dog’s teeth. Prevent costly dental diseases with regular dental care at home.

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Is pet insurance worth it?

Pet insurance is often a good investment for dog owners in the United States, even for healthy breeds. Pet insurance can help cover unexpected injuries and diseases, reducing veterinary costs. However, it does have its limitations because some companies exclude coverage for dogs over a certain age and don’t cover specific genetic disorders.

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