Which dog breeds are the healthiest?
These 33 pups have the fewest hereditary health concerns.
- By Jackie Lam
- Updated
Dogs aren't just pets, they're part of your family. And despite efforts to keep your fury family member fit and healthy, some dogs are predisposed to more hereditary health problems than others.
After finding the breeds with the most health issues, the team of analysts at PetBreeds, a pet research site powered by Graphiq, sought to identify the healthiest dog breeds. These 33 pups are predisposed to the fewest number of hereditary health concerns. To make the list, the breeds need to have two or fewer major and minor concerns according to Animal Planet data. The list was then ordered into three tiers -- two health concerns, one health concern and no health concerns -- and within the tiers, these pups were ordered by their 2015 American Kennel Club popularity ranking.
According to the ASPCA, on average, Americans spend between $1,300 and $1,800 a year on their dog, and trips to the vet can quickly exacerbate these costs. To avoid unnecessary (and costly) trips to the doggy doctor, consider bringing home one of these healthy dog breeds.
Note: Although these breeds have few health concerns, individual dogs may develop ailments and conditions not included on this list.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 2
2015 Popularity Ranking: 115
Known to be sprightly and playful, the Tibetan spaniel is graced with good health, but the breed may be prone to eye disease and kneecap dislocation.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 2
2015 Popularity Ranking: 103
One of the smallest terrier breeds, the Norwich terrier has an average life expectancy of 13 to 15 years. While the breed has healthy constitutions, it is prone to cardiomyopathy and patellar luxation.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 2
2015 Popularity Ranking: 101
The rat terrier has an average life expectancy of 15 to 23 years. This terrier is one of the healthiest breeds, but it is prone to patellar luxation and eye disease.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 2
2015 Popularity Ranking: 99
Originating from Canada, Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers generally maintain a clean bill of health, but they may suffer from canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 2
2015 Popularity Ranking: 92
A giant breed beloved for its intelligent and protective nature, the Anatolian shepherd enjoys good health when given the proper care. However, this breed can suffer from CHD and entropion, a genetic condition effecting the eyelid.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 2
2015 Popularity Ranking: 91
Playful and lively, the standard schnauzer needs an ample amount of exercise to maintain good health. These schnauzers are predisposed to two minor health concerns -- CHD and follicular dermatitis.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 2
2015 Popularity Ranking: 79
The Staffordshire bull terrier is known to participate in agility, obedience and weight-pulling competitions. It may suffer from cataracts and CHD.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 2
2015 Popularity Ranking: 77
Muscular and agile, the American Staffordshire terrier can live up to 12 years under good care. The only two health concerns correlated with this breed are CHD and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 2
2015 Popularity Ranking: 63
The Dogue de Bordeaux has been used to guard livestock and pull heavy carts. Besides breathing problems, there is a small chance one of these pooches may develop footpad hyperkeratosis, the thickening of the footpad.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 2
2015 Popularity Ranking: 48
The papillon requires moderate maintenance and mental stimulation. The breed has minor health concerns -- progressive retinal atrophy and patellar luxation -- but is generally a very healthy breed.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 181
Agile and athletic, American foxhounds participate in tracking, hunting and man trailing. A very healthy breed, they run a low risk of developing thrombocytopathy -- a disease effecting the blood platelets.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 175
Sturdy Skye terriers have an average-life expectancy between 12 and 14 years. While generally healthy, these pups are predisposed to premature closure of the distal radius.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 169
Finnish Lapphunds are extremely active and need plenty of daily exercise to stay in shape. While they enjoy good health for the most part, they may be prone to hip dysplasia and cataracts.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 161
The Lowchen is a small breed known for its lively and affectionate temperament. They only have one minor health concern, patellar luxation.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 160
The Ibizan hound, a graceful, large purebred, occasionally develops deafness.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 149
The Plott hound is a large, multi-talented breed that participates in guarding, hunting and tracking. This dog has an average life expectancy of 11 to 13 years and only experiences CHD occasionally.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 144
Intelligent and responsive, the Irish water spaniel is a hardy breed that participates in agility, hunting and tracking. This breed has one major health concern -- CHD.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 135
Also known as the Mexican hairless, the Xoloitzcuintli generally lives a healthy life that ranges between 14 and 20 years.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 132
The gentle and affectionate Saluki, also known as a gazelle hound, is known to participate in hunting, lure coursing and racing. The breed has an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years and has a low risk of cardiomyopathy.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 118
American Eskimo dogs are lively and active, and have an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. These healthy dogs only have a minor risk for patellar luxation.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 113
Intelligent and playful, Irish terriers can be found working in a wide range of activities, from military work to hunting and tracking. An extremely healthy dog, this terrier has only one minimal-risk condition, urolithiasis.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 89
Originating from Russia and Belarus, the borzoi can participate in hunting, lure coursing and sighting. The breed has a predisposition to developing gastric torsion.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 82
A small terrier breed, the border terrier has a 12-to-15-year lifespan. While very healthy, it has some risk of developing Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 75
The Chinese crested is a slender dog that does not need much outdoor exercise. While the breed enjoys good health, it is prone to kneecap dislocation and Legg-Perthes disease.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 57
Originating from England, the whippet is an agile breed that can reach speeds up to 35 mpg. These dogs are very healthy but occasionally experience deafness.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 1
2015 Popularity Ranking: 45
One of the smallest breeds originating from Japan, the Shiba Inu is a healthy dog that only has a minor risk for patellar luxation.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 0
2015 Popularity Ranking: 183
The multi-talented harrier participates in agility, hunting and tracking and has an average life expectancy between 10 and 12 years. They are extremely healthy dogs and are not predisposed to any major, minor or occasional health concerns.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 0
2015 Popularity Ranking: 171
The national dog of Malta, the pharaoh hound is outgoing, loving and playful. The breed is one of the oldest domesticated breeds in recorded history.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 0
2015 Popularity Ranking: 170
Heralded for being alert, intelligent and protective, Canaan dogs have been in existence in the Middle East for thousands of years. This pup is not known to suffer from hereditary health concerns.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 0
2015 Popularity Ranking: 164
The Polish lowland sheepdog is a healthy dog that requires daily exercise to remain happy and healthy. This breed is high maintenance and needs regular grooming.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 0
2015 Popularity Ranking: 139
Outgoing and loyal, redbone coonhounds are recognized for their hunting and tracking prowess. This breed has an aggressive, loyal and out-going temperament and requires regular exercise to stay in optimal shape.
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Total Health Issues According to Animal Planet: 0
2015 Popularity Ranking: 138
The German pinscher makes a great dog. It is low maintenance, is easy to train and is void of any-and-all major and minor health concerns.
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