If you are a dog parent, you should know about different dog breed classes, i.e., healthiest dogs, dogs with the least health problems, dogs with serious health issues, etc.
Like humans, dogs can have specific health problems based on their genetics. These health problems often consist of heart issues, cancer, orthopedic issues, and even allergies and skin problems. But some kinds of dogs usually live more healthy lives than others.
They are not known to have many serious health problems at all. Naturally, all dogs are dissimilar, and there’s no assurance that a dog as a healthy breed will not face health issues. Still, genetics play a significant role.
Here in this article, we mention ten dog breeds with the least amount of health issues.
1. Beagle
| Category | Hound |
| Height | 13-15 inches |
| Weight | 20 -30 pounds |
| Coat | Close, intricate, medium-length coat |
| Color | Tricolor, red and white, lemon and white, and others |
| Life period | 10-15 years |
Beagle is known for his keen sense of smell and savvy hunting skills. This dog breed is from a moderate, medium-sized class with an average age of 10 to 15 years. Mostly, Beagles live healthy lives. Hereditary health conditions, including eye and hip issues, are more common in older dogs.
2. Australian Cattle Dog
| Category | Herding |
| Height | 18 – 20 inches for male; 17 – 19 inches for female |
| Weight | 35 – 50 pounds |
| Coat | Smooth and twofold coat |
| Color | Red or blue-dark |
| Life period | 12 – 16 years |
Australian Cattle Dog is an athletic and intelligent breed. He can be a great companion for active people running or hiking. This dog breeds class may live 12-16 years, and there are some health problems with the breed.
But their dynamic nature can, in some cases, cause joint or tendon problems due to wear and tear. However, these issues can often be relieved with rest, medicine, or surgical procedure.
3. Chihuahua
| Category | Toy |
| Height | 5 – 8 inches |
| Weight | Up to 6 lbs |
| Coat | Short-haired or long-haired coat |
| Color | It comes in a variety of colors and shapes |
| Life period | 14 – 16 years |
Chihuahuas have countless spirits and intelligence to come up with such a small package. It is not rare for these little dogs to live close to 20 years. Usually, they stay healthy for most of their lives. But some health problems related to this dog breed class include patellar lugs and heart and eye issues.
4. Greyhound
| Category | Hound |
| Height | 28 – 30 inches for male, 27 – 28 inches for female |
| Weight | 65 – 70 pounds for a male, 60 – 65 pounds for a female |
| Coat | Short, flat coat |
| Color | It comes in a variety of colors and shapes |
| Life period | 10 – 13 years |
The greyhound is one of the fastest breeding dogs in the world. The average age of this breed is between 10-13. But, same like other dogs with deep breasts, they suffer from bloating and gastric torsion, especially if they eat too fast. This can be fatal, so it is essential to check their diet.
5. Poodle
| Category | Standard and miniature or Toy |
| Height | Standard height of this breed is Over 15 inches; small: 10 – 15 inches; toy: over 10 inches |
| Weight | Standard: 60 – 70 pounds for male and 40 – 50 pounds for female; miniature: 10 – 15 pounds; toy: 4 to 6 pounds |
| Coat | Curly, dense, single-layer coat |
| Color | Comes in numerous colors, including white, black, gray, brown, and apricot |
| Life period | 10 – 18 years |
Poodles have the fame of being prissy. They are not only brilliant but are also very athletic. Poodles are hunting dogs. Poodles live longer and healthier lives as compared to many breeds. The average age of this breed is 10 to 18 years. But they can also suffer from joint and eye problems.
6. Havanese
| Category | Toy |
| Height | 8.5 – 11.5 inches |
| Weight | 7 – 13 pounds |
| Coat | Long, silky coat |
| Color | It comes in a lot of colors |
| Life period | 14 – 16 years |
The Havanese is a small and smart dog. It is amicable and is easy to train. The average Havanese is 14 to 16 years old. Usually, these dogs are healthy, but some may have inherited deafness.
7. Siberian Husky
| Category | Working |
| Height | 21 – 23.5 inches for male, 20 – 22 inches for female |
| Weight | 45 – 60 pounds (male), 35-50 pounds (female) |
| Coat | Dense double coat |
| Color | Comes in a lot of colors and patterns; blue, brown, or gold eyes |
| Life period | 12 – 14 years |
Most famous for sled pulling strength and endurance, the Siberian Husky is a powerful and athletic dog with immense energy. This breed is ideal for those who like to take long walks, runs, or hikes every day.
Siberian husky usually live healthy lives. Their general lifespan is around about 12-16 years. But some breeds of this category may suffer eye and hip problems.
8. Basenji
| Category | Hound |
| Height | 17 inches for male, 16 inches for female |
| Weight | 24 pounds for a male, 22 pounds for a female |
| Coat | Short, smooth skin; curled tail; wrinkled forehead |
| Color | Coat colors come in brown, white, and fawn |
| Life period | 13 – 14 years |
Basenjis are intelligent and athletic hunting dogs, and by nature, they are like cats. In fact, instead of barking, they make a much yodeling sound. Moreover, they have a habit of grooming like cats.
The average age of these dogs is 13 to 14 years. They usually do not have many serious health problems. But these may suffer from hypothyroidism and hip problems.
9. Border Collie
| Category | Herding |
| Height | 19 – 22 inches (male) and 18 to 21 inches (female) |
| Weight | 30 – 55 pounds |
| Coat | Smooth or rough coat |
| Color | Colors include black and white, blue merle, sable, and more |
| Life period | 12 – 15 years |
Border collies are highly brainy, athletic, and driven dogs. They are the fast learner breeds. When they have a task, which requires a lot of mental and physical energy, they flourish faster.
These dogs are generally tough and healthy, with an average age of 12 to 15 years. However, some may have deafness and epilepsy.
10. Mixed Breed Dogs
| Category | Herding |
| Height | 19 – 22 inches (male) and 18 to 21 inches (female) |
| Weight | 30 – 55 pounds |
| Coat | Smooth or rough coat |
| Color | Colors include black and white, blue merle, sable, and more |
| Life period | 12 – 15 years |
A mixed variety of dogs is the result of breeding specific or common breeds of dogs together. They are not usually pedigreed or registered. They can inherit both good and bad traits of all breeds in their bloodline.
Mixed-breed dogs have a vast pool of genes. It is less common for them to suffer from certain genetic diseases. But, like others, mixed-breed dogs are a product of their environment and can lead to over-weightiness if they do not lead a hale and hearty life.
Most Common Dog Diseases
As the parents of an animal, it is essential to know the symptoms and harms of the underlying disease. It will help to get immediate veterinary assistance for your dog companion.
Here are some general diseases that often affect dogs and other medical ailments;
1. Dog Cancer
It can be harrowing and distressing for you when you know that your loved one has cancer. But what if it happens with your loving dog?
It is important to remember that various veterinarians may differ on the ideal approach to treat the disease. It is good intelligence to listen to the veterinary oncologist’s second perspective and think carefully about your choices.
Cancer is a severe disease in which cells become uncontrollable, attack surrounding muscles, and can transmit to other parts of the body.
Dogs suffer from various types of cancers like human beings. Like a tumor, this disease can remain in a particular area of the body. It can also spread throughout the complete body.
2. Dog Diabetes
Dogs are also affected by diabetes which is a very complex disease. It is caused by a deficiency of the hormone insulin or insufficient insulin response.
After the canine eats, its stomach-related system breaks down food into different parts, like glucose – which is delivered to its cells by insulin that is concealed by the pancreas.
However, when a canine doesn’t create insulin or can’t use it regularly, its blood sugar level rises. The result is hyperglycemia, which, when not treated, can lead to many complex dog health problems.
You must understand that diabetes is seen as a sensible problem – and many canines of diabetes can lead a happy and stable life.
3. Heartworm
This disease exists in the heart and pulmonary veins of an ill dog that is a parasitic worm. These worms travel through the blood arteries.
Heartworm is a cause of harm to arteries and vital organs. Six months after the initial infection, it finally reaches the lung and heart cells. Many scary insects can live in a dog for 5 to 7 years.
4. Kennel Cough
Kennel Cough is a challenging disease that infects the respiratory system of an animal. The condition is viral as well as bacterial.
It becomes the cause of swelling in the dog’s soundbox and windpipe. Even though it is usually cleaned alone, kennel cough is much more contagious to different canines.
5. Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus virus is a highly spreadable viral infection that can cause deadly diseases. It attacks quickly, separating cells in a canine’s body while seriously damaging the intestinal tract.
The parasite virus also damages white blood cells. When it attacks small animals, it can affect the heart muscle and cause lifelong cardiac issues.
6. Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that damages all animals’ brains and spinal cord, such as cats, dogs, and beings. It affected animals everywhere, but there is no reported case in Hawaii.
Once the symptoms of this disease appear, it will be hundred percent deadly.
7. Rabies Transmission
There are several ways in which this disease can spread. Mainly rabies spread from the bite of an affected animal.
Rarely, the virus of the disease can be transmitted when an infected animal’s saliva arrives in another animal’s body through mucous membranes or an open, fresh wound.
If your dog is in front of wild animals, the risk of contracting rabies is highest. Outbreaks seem in the areas where there is a lot of free-roaming of dangerous cats and dogs like in wildlife populations.
8. Ringworm
An insect does not produce ringworm but a fungus that may affect the skin, nails, and hair. This disease can cause hair loss in dogs and also spread to other animals and humans.
Ringworm Symptoms
The following are some of the classic signs of ringworm in a dog.
- Skin wounds usually seem on the ears, head, fingers, and claws.
- The disease can be complex, crusted, circular bald spots that sometimes appear red in the middle.
- It is also possible for the dog to spread the fungus and show no symptoms.
