It’s great getting a dog,having a new member of the family is always exciting, but dogs can really bring a whole new magic into your life, and it is well worth it every time. But, there is more to dogs than just their sweetness, fluffy fur, and wet noses.
Sadly there are many breeds of dogs that are littered with health problems, and while they make great members of the family, and are super cute, they will cost you an arm and a leg in veterinary bills.
So, before you go buying that adorable full grown mini bernedoodle, first consider health problems and make sure you know what you are getting into overall.
Healthy Dogs
Having a healthy dog will make your life easier. You can give a dog the perfect diet, perfect exercise, perfect home, and everything they ever needed, but some breeds are still prone to getting sick.
This is why you need to consider health conditions. Pugs are one of the biggest culprits. Sure, pugs are cute, probably one of the world’s favorite dogs, but they are also super prone to a vast array of health conditions. Which means that most pug owners are their vet’s best friend.
One leading animal hospital in Bayside area recommends that when you are looking at a breed, check out which dogs have the fewest health problems. There are plenty that only have a minor problem, or are rarely susceptible to issues, however there are a top three.
Before we get into the top 3 healthiest breeds of dog, we will give you a few honorable mentions:
- Belgian Malinois.
- Bichon Frise.
- Greyhound.
- Poodle.
- Havanese.
- Siberian Husky.
- Basenji.
- Border Collie.
- Mixed.
1. Beagle
Beagles are known for their very keen nose, and stellar skills at hunting. They are great dogs for everyone, because they are not super active, just moderately active. They are medium in size so are suitable for many homes.
They also have a great lifespan averaging at 10 to 15 years.
These dogs are best known for living rather healthy lives, and health problems are few and far between with them.
Their main health conditions are eye and hip problems, but these only usually occur in the older dogs of their breed, which is generally to be expected as we all get a bit fragile as we age.
Their height can vary. Smaller beagles will be up to 13” tall, whereas taller beagles are between 13 and 15” tall. They don’t weigh a lot with small beagles being up to 20 lbs, but bigger beagles weighing up to 30 lbs.
Their coats are ideal, hard and close, at a medium length. They are usually tricolor coats, tan, black and white, however you can also get white and lemon and white and red.
2. Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Cattle Dogs are intelligent and Athletic dogs. They make for great running buddies, or for a friend to join you on hikes. They are the ideal dog for active individuals.
They have a good lifespan, ranging from 12 to 16 years old, and they have very minimal health issues.
Their active nature can be problematic in some cases, it can result in ligament or joint issues, simply down to wear and tear over the years. Which is something even we can experience.
These health issues can be corrected with medication, rest, and if needed, surgery.
These are natural herding dogs, with a height between 17 and 20”, weighing between 35 to 50lbs, and with a smooth double coat.
3. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas may not be everyone’s favorite dog, but they are advantageous dogs for those who want to avoid hefty medical bills.
They are spirited and intelligent dogs, for something so small. It is not that uncommon for them to live for up to 20 years or so.
They are also great because they generally remain perfectly healthy for a vast majority of their lives, however they do have some issues, as no dog is without any. Some issues they may have could be relative to heart or eye problems as well as the potential for having loose kneecaps.
Out of all our top three, heart problems are potentially the worst issue there could be, but luckily they are rare.
They are small dogs only being 5 to 8 inches tall, they weigh up to 6lbs, and are usually short-haired, but can be long haired, and their coats can come in many patterns.
They also have a life expectancy of anywhere from 14 to 16 years, which is a good age.