Purebred Dogs: The Most Common Diseases and Genetic Problems

Certain dog breeds are more likely to be affected by certain diseases due to their genetics. Knowing which diseases are common in these breeds before purchasing a dog may help you decide which breed is best for you. It is also very important when purchasing pet insurance since many genetic diseases are not covered.

General dog characteristics:

Brachycephalics -These are "short faced" dogs which are more prone to breathing difficulty and acquiring pneumonia.  They should never be run long distances or exercised in hot weather.  These breeds include: as English bulldogs, French bulldogs, Pugs, boston terriers.    

Large dogs- Deep chested dogs can get gastric dilatation and volvulus which is a life threatening emergency where the stomach twists.  These dogs can be prophylactically taken to surgery to perform a gastropexy (sewing the stomach to the body wall) which does not allow the stomach to twist.

Cruciate disease is also very common in large dogs.

Small breeds- Mitral valve insufficiency, Legg Calve- Perthes syndrome, luxating patellas

collapsing trachea, etc. 

Breeds and their most common diseases:

Airdale - Corneal dystrophy 

Boxer- Mass cell tumors (cancer), Dilated cardiomyopathy, Cruciate disease, Perianal hernias 

Boston Terriers- Perianal hernias

Bichon Frises- Patent ductus arteriosus 

Beagles- Idiopathic epilepsy, Glaucoma,

Basset Hound- Ectropion

Bedlington terrier- Copper Hepatopathy

Blood hound- Ectropion

Border colllies- Collie eye anomaly,

Burmese Mountain dogs- malignant histiocytosis

Cavalier King Charles spaniels - Degenerative heart valve disease, Macrothrombocytopenia, 

Chow Chow-Entropion

Cocker Spaniels -Degenerative heart valve disease , Ear disease, Glaucoma,

Dachshunds -Intervertebral disc disease, Degenerative heart valve disease, Epilepsy

Dalmatian- deafness, Urate Urolithiasis

Doberman pinchers- Wobblers disease, Von Willebrands disease, dilated cardiomyopathy

English bulldogs- pneumonia, C- section required (unable to give unassisted birth) , Brachycephalic syndrome 

German shepherd- hip dysphasia, Degenerative Myelopathy, Idiopathic epilepsy, Pannus, Perianal Fistula

Golden retrievers- Hemangiosarcomas (cancer), Laryngeal paralysis, Epilepsy

Great Dane- GDV #1 breed, dilated cardiomyopathy

Irish wolfhounds- GDV

Labrador retriever - DJD , Laryngeal paralysis, Atophy

Miniature poodles- Degenerative heart valve disease 

Miniature Schnauzers-Degenerative heart valve disease, Pancreatitis

Poodles- idiopathic epilepsy, addisons (esp middle age females)

Pomeranians- Patent ductus arteriosus

Siberian Husky -Glaucoma

Scottish Terriers- Transitional cell carcinoma

Saint Bernard-GDV, laryngeal paralysis

Shar Pei- Entropion, Shar Pei fever

West Highland White Terriers- Craniomandibular osteopathy

Weimaraner- GVD, Hypertrophic osteodystrophy

Yorkie terriers - Porto systemic shunts, collapsing trachea

 

**Gastric volvulus dilatation (GDV)

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