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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

In a vets opinion....

39 replies

MrsAntiSocial · 09/02/2021 08:36

What would be your top ten healthiest breeds please?

OP posts:
SirSniffsAlot · 09/02/2021 09:41

I'd be interested in this too. But then, if they are healthy breeds, maybe vets don't see them so often Grin

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 09/02/2021 10:00

Not pugs and frenchies! IIRC In the current thread about pug puppies, a vet was quite positive about Jack Russells as being a healthy breed (probably because there's been lots of outcrossing...)

MrsAntiSocial · 09/02/2021 10:10

True.
I’m find it frustrating.

Me and DH have been through so many possible second dog options, it’s hard because I don’t want to buy anything with known, big welfare problems eg brachycephalics, heavily wrinkles, long backs etc

But some of the non exaggerated ‘natural looking’ breeds you’d think would be healthy aren’t either!

Cancer for example killing a lot of retrievers early, MVD in cavaliers, I’ve recently discovered heart problems, eye problems and chiari malformation is apparently rife in chihuahuas (and there’s is no health testing for aforementioned conditions going on) etc

I could go and buy from a so called ‘hobby/family/I just wanted my girl to have one litter breeder’, unregistered, not to standard purebreds eg deer head chihuahuas or crossbreeds etc but then I worry about accidentally supporting puppies bred in bad conditions or getting a heavily inbred, sickly pup or similar.

It would be really useful to know of at least some breeds that are generally healthy.

I know working sheepdogs/BC tend to be but unsure if I want another, patterdales and Jack Russell’s but I’m not really a terrier fan.
Though I like the look of the Kennel Club version of the Jack.

OP posts:
MaddeningtheUnhelpful · 09/02/2021 10:18

Not a vet but I've always found mongrels the most healthy. Grew up with Rottweiler/GSD mixes, a terrier mix, and a staffie mix. All the picture of health with none of the associated 'breed' problems and lived happily until 15, 16 and 17. Saying that I currently have a mix cocker with king Charles and she has a heart murmur (from King Charles) and hip dysplasia (King charles) although they are managed easily and not full blown 'issues' as it would be in her pedigree counter part.

SirSniffsAlot · 09/02/2021 10:21

The healthiest dog I ever had was a proper mongrel - a real mix of lots of different dog types.

Sadly, I don't think such a thing exists any more, really. It was one of the 'silver linings' to low neutering rates and latch key dogs that meant they would breed on the street and create their own mixes. Obviously, I wouldn't to see a return to that but I do grieve the loss of a true mongrel.

MaddeningtheUnhelpful · 09/02/2021 10:22

I didn't support backyard breeding just to clarify. Three were rescues from accredited charities, and my current hooligan was an accidental litter where daddy got to elderly next door neighbours bitch. I saw her weekly from a few weeks old and mum and dad regularly. She had full vet checks, was very very loved and tears were she'd when she left their home. Not by mummy dog though, she had had enough Grin

SirSniffsAlot · 09/02/2021 10:22

Sadly, I don't think such a thing exists any more, really *

*in the UK

mellongoose · 09/02/2021 10:25

Working breeds tend to be pretty healthy, particularly gun dogs. So long as you keep them active and stimulated, they will go on and on.

JackieWeaverIsTheAuthority · 09/02/2021 10:25

I’ve been reading up on greyhounds a lot and they appear to considered a quite healthy breed.

MaddeningtheUnhelpful · 09/02/2021 10:29

totally agree SirSniffsAlot my last dog was predominantly Staffie but was a true mystery. Had a bit of everything in her bless her. Was the picture of health throughout her life, only one vet visit needed (bar check ups and vaccines) because she chased a ball into stinging nettles and didn't close her eyes Grin silly beast. She had the temperament of a god too, loved everything and everyone. He best friend was the rabbit. It is good how far we've progressed with strays etc but it is having odd consequences with pedigree breeding and I feel that dogs are more a status and commodity now instead of man's best friend. I don't care what breed when I've been looking, I don't care about their looks or size I care about their temperaments and personalities.

Hibernatingnation · 09/02/2021 10:33

Yes mongrels of yesteryear were the hardiest of dogs but quite rare in the UK now.
I've worked in the veterinary industry for a long time now and personally I would say border collies are pretty hardy, likewise pointers (my favourite breed) and setters, well those are the breeds we see least of with health conditions although I would always advise choosing a breeder who health screens parents for the common genetic diseases of any particular breed.
Some of the terriers, like borders or JRT (westies often have awful skin complaints). Working cockers tend to be pretty healthy but can get ear problems. I loathe all the new designer breeds that are almost always puppy farmed and would avoid at all costs.

cricketmum84 · 09/02/2021 10:33

Ex vet nurse here - our vets all agreed that border terriers were the healthiest breed (aside from mongrels).

Hibernatingnation · 09/02/2021 10:36

Oh yes how could I forget saffies and greyhounds, Hardy dogs with lovely temperaments usually, also happy to laze around.

Veterinari · 09/02/2021 10:36

I can't give you a 'top 10' as there's insufficient evidence and so much can be mitigated through responsible breeding practices and genetic testing, but here are some general principles.

Look for 'functional breeds' - dogs that come from working lines or have been bred to do a job rather than look a certain way will generally be healthier. But be aware they may need significantly more mental stimulation

Otherwise look for an accredited (not licensed) breeder that performs ALL of the recommended health tests and raises pups in a home environment. Ideally they should use the RSPCA puppy contract or similar.

Avoid extremes of conformation. The farther removed a dog is from the average stray dog/landrace type, the more likely it's been heavily selected for looks over health. Google some pictures of stray dogs in India etc for pictures of how functional dogs should look.

Look at breed club websites. I was recently down a terrier internet rabbit-hole and stumbled across the Skye terrier breed club. Their website is VERY clear that dog welfare and health testing are essential parts of being a Skye terrier breeder. It's refreshing to see responsible breeders taking leadership on this.

Avoid 'fashionable' breeds. They're usually overbred to meet commercial demand with no regard for health or welfare. Look for native breeds, especially those that are 'endangered' or unfashionable - they often have extremely passionate and responsible breeders.

Look at breeds that are unrecognised/recently recognised by the KC. This can be a double-edged sword as unrecognised breeds are generally not health tested. However they're often also not bred to meet an impossible standard. One reason JRTs are pretty healthy is that for generations they've been a functional type rather than a KC breed.

I'd say in general, responsible breeding is key. Yes all breeds can have health problems but avoiding long backs, super short legs, flat faces, domed skulls and other non-functional conformation is also key.

SirSniffsAlot · 09/02/2021 10:53

That really resonate swith me, MaddeningtheUnhelpful - especially re temperament. My mongrel was also the very soundest temperamented dog I have ever had. He was 100% rock solid in health and character it makes me genuinly sad to think the likes of him may no longer exist...

I also agree re looks. Sadly, it is a consequence of a world that places increasing importnance on the looks of everyone/everything and no where near enough importance on capability.

SuperSange · 09/02/2021 10:59

Lurcher in my experience are healthy. We had two, bred from them to have a third. The parents both lived to 17 and the puppy is currently 12 and going strong with only one emergency vet trip in her life. In the mix were greyhound, collie, bull terrier and whippet. I know it quite a few other long lived and healthy ones too.

SuperSange · 09/02/2021 11:00

Just to add, all three worked in their youth too, rabbit catching on farms, so had led active lives.

LilaButterfly · 09/02/2021 14:02

We have a miniature Pinscher. Hes almost 16 now and apart from his shots and teeth cleaning (twice in his life time so far) he hasnt been to the vet at all until a year ago. At 15 one of his eye lenses got lose and he needed an operation to fix it. He is still fit and healthy otherwise.
Other than him my family doesnt have many purebreds. We had a mini schnauzer once and he lived til 18 with no major health issues. I used to work at the vet for a fee years before kids and we didnt see too many of those.

tsmainsqueeze · 09/02/2021 21:17

Patterdale terrier.
Jack Russell terrier.
Staff' bull terrier .
Border terrier .
Lurcher .
Working cocker.
Border collie.
Pointer.
I too would avoid a "fashion breed" .
I have worked in a practice for many years and its really sad that we no longer see a heinz 57 mongrel as they were usually bomb proof with bags of character .

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 09/02/2021 21:56

One other thing to bear in mind is the coefficient of inbreeding of any puppy. The higher the COI, the more inbred the dog, and the more likely it is to have either genetic or immune issues. You can check the COI of a mating via the Kennel Club's Mate Select tool.

Dogs like lurchers or unregistered JRTs are unlikely to be inbred, and tend to be a good bet health-wise.

2ndMrsdeWinter · 09/02/2021 22:58

Would you not consider a mixed breed op? Was it you who posted about wanting a chihuahua a few days ago?

MrsAntiSocial · 09/02/2021 23:07

Would you not consider a mixed breed op
Yes I would.
I’m just a bit worried about inadvertently supporting poor breeding practice.
I’m in a bit of a dilemma really.
I don’t like the Kennel Club and what they stand for, but I don’t approve of the way a lot of non KC ‘hobby/I just wanted one litter’ breeders have gone about things either!
Was it you who posted about wanting a chihuahua a few days ago?
And yes, they are just adorable and I mistakenly thought they were relatively healthy.
I did know about patella luxation but further reading suggested most apple heads have Chiari malformation, a significant proportion have Syringomelia and apparently heart and eye problems are rife too.
There are no health tests advised, let alone required by the kennel club.
I had found a breeder I was happy with but wanted some recommendations of other breeders but on reflection I don’t feel comfortable buying knowing what I now know.
I have thought about a deer head chihuahua possibly.

OP posts:
Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 09/02/2021 23:10

Avoid anything KC registered in my book. Not a vet.
We have a twelve year old cross breed - golden doodle. The vet sneered at him. He is very healthy - large breed - and no arthritis.

I don’t tend to follow most vets. Some are incredible. We don’t vaccinate every year, we don’t feel kibble and we don’t use flea treatment.

Vets don’t like us 😀

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 09/02/2021 23:11

I have always gone for hobby breeders OP but really taken my time. The usual - see the mum in the house (difficult just now right enough), lots of research, health tests.

MrsAntiSocial · 09/02/2021 23:12

I could go with what I know and get another collie/working sheepdog but I was looking for a small breed really because of space.
Something small and active and healthy and cute and biddable.

I have thought about farm bred/working rough coat Jacks or rough coat patterdales but that is a big temperament change from what I am used to.
I’m not sure if they are for me.

OP posts: