Many pet parents find it hard to watch their pets trying to overcome illnesses and pain. Specifically, it’s hard for watchdogs with loyal dispositions and empathetic personalities to suffer from heart diseases. This is why many people are more than willing to go to more extraordinary lengths to keep their furry friends thriving and healthy.
There’s no guarantee that a healthier breed won’t catch certain diseases. However, some factors come into play when you adopt, such as mutts tend to be more beneficial compared to purebreds. The smaller breeds may live longer compared to their larger counterparts. It’s worth learning which ones are susceptible to illnesses.
This blog post is about the most common breeds of dogs and the health problems that some of these breeds might have. The article talks about how common dog breeds with health problems and how some might be linked to specific issues. This is important to find out if you are interested in owning a particular breed before taking a furry friend home.
Common Breeds that are Susceptible to Medical Problems
Rottweilers
In obedience trials and conformation events, the Rottweiler is one of the most famous breeds to pass with flying colors. However, they are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. Some diseases that are included are hypothyroidism, blood clots, higher rates of cancer, and Addison’s disorders. As with any larger canines, they will generally have lifespans of about ten years. Other downfalls of this pet are that they are prone to hip dysplasia and lymphatic filariasis, which can be avoided with some responsible breeding practices.
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a breed of dog which has been accurately bred to hunt birds, rabbits, and squirrels. They’re very loyal to their family and people because they’re naturally brilliant and easily trained. However, they can also suffer from some medical issues, including liver cancer, hip dysplasia, and seizures.
American Pitbull Terrier
The American Pitbull Terrier is a famous canine, but it can come with many health issues. Some are prone to injuries and diseases like epilepsy, kidney disease, arthritis, and hypothyroidism. Even if they are prone to have specific problems, you can still expect them to be “nanny” guardians because they are very gentle towards children. They have the agility, patience, and tenacity that makes them popular in various sports and competitions as well.
German Shepherd
German shepherds are excellent additions to any family. After all, they are very obedient, playful, loving, and protective. However, some of them are prone to various complications and disorders. They have joint complications, thyroid diseases, pancreas disorders, nose infections to the bladder, allergies, and many more. Learn more about the German Shepherd on this page here.
Bulldog
Bulldog puppies are often born with breathing problems due to their large heads and thick necks, causing them to be susceptible to health issues later in life. The adorable little creatures have personalities that left them to be genetically predisposed to various unfortunate conditions. Most of them may experience overheating, eye problems, degenerative spine diseases, and other related conditions.
Labrador and Golden Retrievers
While the two of the species may be different in health conditions, some of their similarities may overlap. Both canines may tend to suffer from ear troubles, osteosarcoma or bone cancer, elbow dysplasia, obesity, and skin allergies. They may also grow to become overweight, so you might want to walk them and get them the exercises that they need daily.
Saint Bernard
As with any larger canines out there, Saint Bernard may tend to have a short lifespan that’s riddled with various complications. Common ailments may include abnormal eyelids, osteosarcoma, elbow dysplasia, and more.
Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff is a popular breed around the world. They were bred to control poaching and aid gamekeepers in many properties. They are tough, aggressive, and heavy and are known to be the Gamekeeper’s Night Dog. However, it should be noted that since many Bullmastiffs are bred on farms, they have very high rates of hip issues, elbow dysplasia, and heart murmurs.
Siberian Husky
The husky is known to have autoimmune disorders which affect the skin. Other results of the condition may be hair loss and sores. The older ones may develop cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye problems, especially if there’s no early intervention. The typical treatments may include prescribing corticosteroids that will inhibit their immune system, but vets tend to use other immune-suppressant like cyclosporine.
Pug
The pugs have bulgy eyes and squashed faces, so they are more at risk for eye issues. One of the more severe injuries they may encounter is eyes popping out of their sockets. These may happen if pugs fight with other dogs or get into an accident. If this happens, you might want to cover its face with a damp cloth and rush your pet to the nearest vet. The doctor will put the eye back, and the canine can retain its vision in some cases. See this site for more info about pug in this url https://be.chewy.com/dog-breed/pug/.
Poodle
The poodle is not a breed that gets much attention for its health concerns. This is because they are known to have very long life spans and don’t tend to have many issues with their health. However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t any health problems with them. In fact, the poodle has been known to develop some of the most severe joint conditions, which can lead to serious lameness from arthritis and pain from degenerative disease.