What small dog has the most health problems
22 Healthiest Dog Breeds With the Least Health Problems
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Australian Cattle Dog
Known to help ranchers keep herds in check, Australian Cattle Dogs love being outdoors. There's no doubt that their athleticism contributes to their health. An ACD named Bluey holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest dog; he passed away at 29 years old.
RELATED: 40 Top Medium-Sized Dogs
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Australian Shepherd
With historical ties to the Wild West, Australian Shepherds thrive on being put to work alongside farmers. Their active lifestyle ensures a long, happy life living anywhere from 12 to 15 years.
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Basenjis
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Beagle
Small but mighty best describes this breed well. Being part of a hunting pack comes naturally to them and they succeed, thanks to their excellent sense of smell. Living between 10-15 years, beagles make loyal companions.
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Belgian Malinois
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Bichon Frise
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Border Collie
The need to move keeps Border Collies young at heart, well into old age. With an average lifespan of 12 years, they stay busy herding livestock and winning first place at dog shows with their agility.
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Chihuahua
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Dachshund
Named an "icon" by the American Kennel Club, this dog's long body and short legs earned it the nickname "wiener." Daily exercise could help yours stay healthy for its 20th birthday.
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German Pinscher
Often described as elegant, the German Pinscher is always poised and ready for any adventure. This muscular breed has a lifespan of 12-15 years.
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German Shorthaired Pointer
Spot a German Shorthaired Pointer in a sea of dogs by their unique patterned fur. Leave one outdoors and it could run for days. Their drive keeps them young.
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Greyhound
Originally from Egypt, Greyhounds are admired for their perfect form and quickness during a chase. Hereditary health issues are rare in this breed.
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Havanese
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Miniature Schnauzer
Part of the terrier group, Miniature Schnauzers do well in a quiet family home or on a farm. Its muscular body and fearless attitude contributes to its 15-year lifespan.
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Pomeranian
Pomeranians don't let their small bodies keep them from being the life of the party. Their furry coats help them stay warm during short walks. If it's too cold, they can exercise indoors instead.
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Poodle
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Pug
Despite their wrinkly face, pugs are an energetic breed and can live up to 15 years with the right diet. They prefer places that aren't too hot or too cold, and don't mind having company.
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Shiba Inu
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Shih Tzu
Its long mane disguises 16 pounds of strength underneath it. Well known for its affection toward children, the Shih Tzu can live 18 happy years.
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Siberian Husky
Don't let a Siberian Husky's graceful walk fool you. This powerful dog is used to running in a pack and needs open space to release its energy. The average husky can live to be 14 years old.
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19 of the Healthiest Dog Breeds
Healthiest Dog Breeds
1. Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog is one of the healthiest dogs out there. Known for their intelligence, work ethic, and stamina, these dogs are a typically resilient breed that doesnt face many health issues. Just as their name implies, theyve been bred to herd animals and need plenty of exercise to stay in top shape.
2. Australian Shepherd
Smart, loyal, and energetic, Australian Shepherds enjoy keeping active, and need physical and mental stimulation throughout their lives. These dogs especially enjoy advanced obedience training and excel in herding jobs. As a breed, they can be prone to certain diseases such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and some eye diseases. Nevertheless, they are generally healthy dogs.
3. Chihuahua
Despite a tendency to forget how small they are, Chihuahuas are among the breeds with the longest lifespans. These loyal and energetic dogs pack a big personality and plenty of smarts. Since Chisas theyre sometimes calledare prone to obesity, pet parents should be careful to give them lots of exercise, even if its just playing fetch in the living room.
4. Beagle
Beagles are motivated by food and follow their noses everywhereeven into trouble. As pets, they are loving and affectionate. These dogs benefit from scent training and a controlled diet, since their insatiable appetites mean they will easily overeat given the chance.
5. Greyhound
The Greyhound is unique among hounds because its a sight hunter, meaning the breed relies on speed and agility to hunt prey. As sight hunters, they might not make good pets in homes with smaller pets, such as cats or rabbits, without proper training and introductions.
With their high energy levels and strong prey drive, Greyhounds need regular exercise. However, once they get their zoomies out, they can become cuddly couch potatoes.
6. Poodle
Poodleswhether the Standard Poodle, the Miniature Poodle, or the Toy Poodlemake wonderful pets. Smart, loyal, and easy to train, these dogs tend to get along with other animals and people alike. Poodles enjoy swimming and learning new tricks, and they tend to face only minor health issues as they age.
7. Havanese
The only dog breed native to Cuba, the Havanese has a long lifespan of 1416 years. This affectionate small breed loves his pet parents and is easy to train due to his exceptional smarts. However, the breed can face a few medical conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy and patellar luxation.
8. German Shorthaired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointers are prized as hunting dogs because of their speed and stamina. GSPs boast high energy levels and need lots of exercise, as well as physical and mental stimulation, to stay healthy and out of trouble. These dogs can be predisposed to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and bloat.
9. Old English Sheepdog
Old English Sheepdogs love being around their pet parents. Generally, these gentle giants are well-behaved and affectionate, and they do especially well in households with kids. This healthy dog breed is not prone to many ailments and has an average lifespan of 1012 years.
10. Basenji
Typically an independent and energetic dog, Basenjis are sometimes described as catlike because of their aloof personalities and attentiveness to personal hygiene. Basenjis need plenty of mental and physical stimulation to satisfy their active minds and keep them out of trouble. This breed may be genetically predisposed to Fanconi syndrome, a kidney disease.
11. Shiba Inu
More than just a meme, Shiba Inus are small dogs with strong personalities. These dogs are known for being willful and for their classic Shiba scream. Their high intelligence makes them active and alert dogs that can become anxious if not given sufficient exercise. Though healthy, Shibas can develop arthritis in their old age.
12. Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is an elegant dog that is deeply devoted to her pet parents. The breed has two varieties: hairless and powderpuff. Both kinds need special attention to keep their long fur (hairless Cresteds still have fine white fur on some parts of their body) well-groomed, but the hairless variety also needs sweaters to keep warm when out in the cold.
13. Border Collie
Bred as herding dogs, Border Collies are brimming with energy and need regular exercise. They enjoy having a job that provides both physical and mental stimulationafter all, they are one of the smartest dog breeds. Border Collies are hardy dogs but are also predisposed to some genetic diseases, such as Collie eye anomaly.
14. Whippet
Sleek and speedy, Whippets are capable of reaching speeds of 35 miles per hour. These easygoing dogs love chasing toys (and neighborhood squirrels), but their thin coats mean they can get cold easily. Whippets can be genetically predisposed to deafness, so pet parents should take them to their vet for regular checkups.
15. Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies are working dogs that arent afraid to use their voices and speak their minds. These dogs are usually friendly and intelligent, but they can also be very strong-willed. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy. Huskies may be prone to cataracts, even as puppies.
16. Anatolian Shepherd
Bred as guardians, Anatolian Shepherds are giant-breed dogs that have calm demeanors. They are always on alert, however, because of their breeding history. Anatolian Shepherds tend to be independent and need outdoor exercise to release pent-up energy.
17. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise has lots of energy, but he doesnt need prolonged time exercising outdoors due to his small size. Playful and affectionate by nature, Bichons tend to have long lifespans averaging 1415 years. However, this breed is prone to developing diabetes mellitus, a condition that affects dogs abilities to regulate their blood sugar levels.
18. Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois are highly energetic dogs that serve as great companions for pet parents who enjoy outdoor activities, whether thats cycling or hiking. Their intelligence also makes them wonderful working dogs, and they have been trained for jobs including herding and drug detection. The breed is hardy and healthy, though predisposed to cataracts.
19. American Foxhound
As the name implies, the American Foxhound was bred to hunt foxes. These energetic dogs love being outdoors and are usually devoted to their pet parents. At the same time, they do well indoors and can get along well with other pets. With a lifespan of 1113 years, they are not genetically prone to many illnesses.
Featured Image: Adobe/melounix
Which Small Dog Breeds Are The Healthiest?
My friend Pete asked me yesterday if I know which small dog breeds are the healthiest. With his girlfriend, they were thinking about getting a puppy. Preferably a small, cute dog. She insisted she wanted a small dog with the least health issues because it would break her heart if the pup suffered from ill-health. I said I heard the mutts are super healthy (thats also why we got our Jo, a Welsh Corgi mix), but other than that, I was not sure. So I decided to do a research and find out:
In general, theres no way to say which small dog breed is the healthiest. The small dog breeds which are considered the healthiest, are Mixed-breeds or mutts, Manchester Toy Terrier, Chinese Crested Dog, Italian Greyhound, Bichon Frise, Pomeranian, Toy Fox Terrier, Maltese, Tibetan Spaniel, and Parson Russel Terrier. To ensure your pup lives a long and happy life, you should provide her with a lot of exercise, affection, healthy food, and regular veterinarian check-ups.
To learn about the full list of the healthiest small dog breeds and how we chose small dogs that have fewer health problems than the others, keep on reading.
Contents
What are the criteria for selecting the healthiest small dog breeds?
Before I started searching for the healthiest small dog breeds, we decided to define the criteria that will determine the breeds general health:
The easiest is to look at the average life expectancy, which you can find on the website of the American Kennel Club. Enjoying the company of a pup that lives well to her 15 20 years is a dream of every dog parent.
However, we werent convinced yet. We also wanted to consider factors, such as genetic diseases, which could be fatal. Incorrect breeding methods usually cause such disorders. These could be heart disease, cancer, epilepsy, degenerative disease of the spine and hind legs, short-headed syndrome, which causes breathing issues and heatstroke.The small dog breeds which I included in the list should have the fewest of the above mentioned genetic diseases.
If you are getting your pup from a breeder, you should make sure its a certified breeder with a good reputation. Such dog breeders have a moral responsibility to raise healthy dogs and educate you about the possible health issues related to the breed.
If you get your puppy from a litter (for example, shelter), try to find out as much as possible about her parents. The owners or veterinarian records could alert you about any serious medical issues.
After being clear about the criteria for selecting the healthiest small dog breeds, Ive made a list of 20 small dog breeds.
20 small dogs that have the least health problems
Below is the list of 20 breeds of small dogs that usually dont suffer from severe genetic disorders listed above. Next to their names, I listed their life expectancy and a little bit about them.
1.Mixed breeds or mutts
Life expectancy: 14-16 years
Mixed breeds are known to be healthiest because there is more variety in their genetic mix. The more breeds are in dogs pedigree, the less likely it is that she will suffer from genetic problems of purebreds.
Naturally, there are exceptions to the rule, and you can find very unhealthy mutts. Still, if you want the odds on your side, go for a mixed breed. You will find plenty of them in your nearest shelter, and you will be giving a chance for a good life to a beautiful pup!
2.Manchester Toy Terrier
Life expectancy: 14-16 years
Manchester Toy Terriers are not only healthy, but they are also considered the sports cars of the dog breeds sleek, speedy, and very good looking!
3. Chinese Crested Dog
Life expectancy: 13-16 years
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqnIKKVHwG4
Chinese Crested Dogs are a quite healthy breed, and due to their appearance, they are a great conversation starter.
4. Italian Greyhound
Life expectancy: 14-15 years
Italian Greyhounds are a very healthy breed, and you can find them portrayed alongside Italian aristocrats on many Renaissance paintings!
5. Bichon Frise
Life expectancy: 14-15 years
Bichon means little curly lap dog in French. They are not only healthy but also one of the most affectionate dogs and super companions.
6.Pomeranian
Life expectancy: 12-16 years
Pomeranians are healthy and super cute. With a special haircut, they look like small teddy bears.
7. Toy Fox Terrier
Life expectancy: 13-15 years
Toy Fox terriers are cute, affectionate, and will do anything with you. They are known as the FOMO dogs (fear of missing out).
8. Maltese
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Maltese are not only healthy but also known companions to ultra-rich people. There is a story that one of them once inherited a couple of million dollars!
9. Tibetan Spaniel
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Tibetan Spaniels, known for their perky nature, guarding Tibetan monasteries, are miniature versions of mountain lion dogs.
10. Parson Russel Terrier
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Healthy and active, Parson Russel Terriers make a great companion to active people.
11. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Cardigan Welsh Corgis, alongside their closest relatives Pembroke Welsh Corgis, are some of the cutest dogs on the planet, with a lot of character and active lifestyle.
12. Havanese
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Havanese are rare to find. Yet, when you get one, be sure to know they are quite healthy, and they used to make a company to notables such as Queen Victoria.
13. Silky Terrier
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Silky Terriers are native to Australia and were bred to hunt poisonous snakes. They are a quite active, skillful, and healthy breed.
14. Border Terrier
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Border Terriers are the most laid-back from the terriers breed. Nevertheless, they are very active and can travel long distances.
15. Miniature Dachshund
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Did you know that hot dogs used to be called Dachshund sausages? Well, the resemblance is there! Miniature Dachshunds are a healthy and loving breed.
16. Shiba Inu
Life expectancy: 11-15 years
Shiba Inus, hailing from Japan, are some of the most loyal dog breeds. They are healthy, active, and sometimes behave like teenagers.
17. Yorkshire Terrier
Life expectancy: 11-15 years
Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies, are the second most favorite dog breed (losing only to Labrador Retriever). They are a very healthy breed, full of energy and love.
18. Australian Terrier
Life expectancy: 11-15 years
Australian Terriers are the most obedient in the terriers breed. They are quite healthy and very curious.
19. Lowchen
Life expectancy: 11-13 years
Lowchen means a little lion dog. Bred in France and Germany, they were the favorites of the aristocrats, making them company on many official gatherings.
20. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Life expectancy: 11-13 years
The legend has it that fairies used to ride Pembroke Welsh Corgis to battle. Whether true or false, these cuties were bred to herd sheep so are quite healthy and active breed.
BONUS: Healthiest small dog breeds that dont shed
While I was researching the healthiest small dog breeds, I also asked ourselves which ones shed the least. Shedding is usually associated with allergies, so its good to know about which dogs are hypoallergenic before you get one. Besides, if you have a dark couch and a white dog, its certainly not fun to clean!
Among the healthiest small dog breeds listed above, below are the ones that shed less and are considered hypoallergenic they are less likely to shed dander-covered fur that scatters dander into the air, causing allergies. But just because they shed less doesnt necessarily mean that they are safe for everyone with dog allergies!
- Bichon Frise Bichons, thanks to their hypoallergenic coat, dont shed, and its easy to take care of them.
- Chinese Crested Dog Chinese Crested Dogs are hypoallergenic thanks to the fact that they dont have much fur and are of low maintenance.
- Havanese despite their lush coat, Havanese are hypoallergenic and dont shed.
- Maltese Malteses have a beautiful, silky, and hypoallergenic coat that doesnt shed.
- Yorkshire Terrier Yorkies have a cute, hypoallergenic coat that sheds very little, and its easy to maintain.
Conclusion
After sharing this research with my friend Peter and his girlfriend, they fell in love with the Pomeranian. They found pictures of Pomeranian with different haircuts and couldnt stop talking about how cute the pups are. They are now looking for a Pomeranian breeder with the AKC (American Kennel Club) certification, who will have a litter in the next few months.
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