All of us wish our dogs never got sick and had to leave. However, the law of nature determines that the cycle of life must be fulfilled in all species. To adopt a best friend that will accompany you for many years, we suggest you discover the he althiest dog breeds in the world Next, we have prepared a list of the dogs that demonstrate a good life expectancy and a low genetic predisposition to develop the main canine pathologies.
We must emphasize that there is no breed that doesn't get sick All dogs need to live in a positive environment and receive adequate preventive medicine to stay he althy. But in this new article on our site, we present to you the dog breeds that combine privileged longevity, great physical and mental resistance, as well as few he alth problems. Discover the 10 he althiest dog breeds!
1. Shiba Inu
The shiba inu is a member of the spitz group that is among the oldest dog breeds in the world. Traditionally, it is believed to be of Japanese origin, although some hypotheses suggest that they could originate from China or Korea. They exhibit a compact, robust and very resistant body, with short but abundant fur. Shiba Inu can be described as small, robust and he althy dogs, capable of withstanding the challenges of life in the wild.
To mention the most common diseases of the shiba inu, we must highlight hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism. The dog associations did not reach an agreement on the longevity of the shiba inu. While some experts point to a life expectancy of 15 years, others say these dogs can live up to 18 yearsWe must remember, on this occasion, the furry named Pusuke, a Japanese mongrel dog, a shiba-inu cross, who reached 26 years and 9 months of life, being among the longest-lived canines known.
two. Australian Grenadier Shepherd
Also known as Australian Cattle Dog or Australian Cattle Dog, the Australian Grenadier Sheepdog is a dog of medium size, strong, with well-developed muscles and great agility. It admits 2 varieties of coat: the red heeler (coat in reddish tones) and the blue heeler (coat in bluish tones).
These dogs share many aspects of their character with the famous border collies. They are extremely energetic, brave, and highly intelligent. They need to receive the proper physical and mental stimulation to stay he althy and happy. When subjected to a sedentary lifestyle, they can be constantly restless and develop symptoms associated with stress and boredom.
The longest-living dog that we know of belonged to this breed. The furry Australian named Bluey became a true legend after reaching 29 years of life. However, we must clarify that the average life expectancy of the Australian Grenadier Shepherd is 10 to 14 years There is a certain genetic predisposition to suffer from hip dysplasia, and diagnoses of progressive retinal atrophy and deafness (generally associated with aging) were also reported in this breed.
3. Basenji
The basenji is unique for many reasons. They are considered the oldest dogs in the world, which is usually associated with their remarkable resistance and physical strength. Let us remember that, in ancient times, only the strongest animals and best adapted to the adversities of their environment managed to survive.
It is estimated that this dog is native to Africa, where it would have been used for hunting and tracking terrestrial prey. It gained some international fame as "the dogs that never bark", leading the ranking of the least barking breeds. Actually, these dogs emit a peculiar sound that is quite similar to a laugh and not the traditional canine bark.
The life expectancy of a basenji is between 12 and 14 yearsWith a balanced diet, physical exercise and adequate preventive medicine, these dogs hardly get sick. They are very hygienic, they shed few hairs, and they groom themselves very frequently. Among the frequent diseases of this breed, we find kidney problems (especially the so-called Falconi Syndrome), and progressive retinal atrophy.
4. Border collie
We have no doubt that the border collie is a very special breed. These dogs lead the ranking of the most intelligent dogs in the world according to the list prepared by Stanley Coren. They are active, faithful dogs, with a great capacity for learning and remarkable agility, who need to be properly stimulated both physically and mentally. Therefore, they require a dedicated and well-disposed tutor, with a good disposition of time and space.
They show a privileged longevity, with an average life expectancy of 14 to 17 years But like all dogs, they need to receive a adequate preventive medicine to enjoy a he althy and happy life. Border Collies show some susceptibility to developing hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and collie eye anomaly.
5. Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is not exactly noted for its life expectancy (between 10 and 13 years), but for its excellent he alth and optimal physical resistance. Compared to dogs of their size and robustness, "huskies" have a really low predisposition to most degenerative diseases.
Among the few frequent pathologies in this breed, we can mention ophthalmological problems such as cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy and corneal dystrophy. And some specimens may be susceptible to diagnoses of hip dysplasia and cancer in their later years.
6. Belgian shepherd malinois
The Belgian Malinois has a great advantage compared to most sheepdogs. Their cognitive abilities were historically more valued than their physical qualities or their appearance. For this reason, it presents a really very low predisposition to all kinds of hereditary or degenerative diseases The The only diseases with a moderate incidence in this breed are: hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and corneal dystrophy.
However, we must bear in mind that these furry ones will need a high level of physical activity to remain he althy, strong and he althy. In addition, training and early socialization will be essential.
7. English Foxhound
The English foxhound shows many physical similarities to the beagle However larger and heavier than its "compatriots": a male foxhound Adult can reach 60 cm tall, with a body weight of 30 to 35kg. Its fur is short, hard, and generally tricolor (white, brown, and black), although there are also bicolor varieties (white and brown; white and black).
These dogs are strong, corpulent, displaying an admirable physical resistance and a well-marked character Their life expectancy is estimatedbetween 10 and 14 years old , varying according to the lifestyle of each dog. Currently, hereditary diseases of great incidence in this breed are not registered. However, some specimens can be affected by leukodystrophy, a rare genetic disorder that affects nerve cells and the adrenal glands.
8. Affenpinscher
This breed originating from Germany is not very popular outside its native country, where its name means "cute dog" However, The Affenpinscher is an excellent companion dog, which is very affectionate and protective in its family nucleus. They are small-sized dogs, with a height at the withers of 24 to 28 cm, with a body weight of 3 to 6 kg.
Their adorable appearance, clearly reminiscent of the Terrier family, and active and playful behavior are truly charming. But what really impresses about these furry little ones is their impressive good he alth The Affenpinscher does not have a great predisposition to any disease, although some specimens can develop hip dysplasia and cataracts in old age. Their life expectancy usually varies from 12 to 15 years, varying according to the lifestyle of each animal
9. Bichon Frize
The Bichon Frize may look like a stuffed dog, but it is a very he althy breed It has a moderate tendency to develop overweight, patellar dislocation (usually due to excessive physical activity) and cataracts in advanced ages. Of course, we must emphasize that these pathologies can be easily prevented with he althy habits, such as a balanced diet and regular but moderate exercise. Their life expectancy is between 12 and 14 years
However, this breed requires a lot of care with its beautiful coat to prevent the formation of knots, remove impurities and dead hair. In addition, they need to receive adequate preventive medicine to remain he althy and enjoy privileged longevity.
10. Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz is another breed that is not highly predisposed to developing any degenerative disease. Some specimens of this breed were diagnosed with diabetes, but we must consider that it is an easy disease to prevent and control. On rare occasions, they have been diagnosed with hip dysplasia and Shaker Syndrome.
Why are some dogs he althier than others?
Have you ever wondered why some dogs are he althier than others? We could spend hours explaining the history of dogs to you, but we will summarize this question so that you can easily understand it. Over the centuries of domestication, dogs were subjected to numerous crossbreeding to highlight (or exaggerate) certain physical characteristics or instinctive behaviors. The aesthetic patterns of the breeds, as we know them today, are the result of these centuries of genetic selection and crossbreeding As a consequence, many breeds suffered a notable increase in your genetic predisposition to develop a series of inherited diseases.
However, we must remind you that the longevity and good he alth of all pets depends fundamentally on preventive medicine, on the care, education and the environment we provide them. For this reason, even if your furry friend does not appear among the he althiest or longest-lived dog breeds, remember that his quality of life depends mainly on your dedication. Similarly, if your pet is among the dogs with the most he alth problems, remember that the evolution of Veterinary Medicine allows you to prevent the appearance of many negative symptoms and improve their life expectancy.
To keep your best friend in good he alth and allow him to enjoy privileged longevity, don't forget to make vet visits every 6 months, respect their periodic vaccination and deworming letter from their first weeks of life. In addition to offering you a balanced diet, regular physical exercises and reinforced hygiene habits that allow you to improve your physical and mental resistance. And to stimulate their cognitive, emotional and social capacity, invest in early socialization and proper training.
Is it true that mongrel dogs are he althier?
The mongrel dogs were not subjected to the intense selective breeding mentioned above. Their great genetic diversity allows them to avoid the predisposition to suffer the vast majority of hereditary diseases that severely affect many canine breeds. Therefore, mestizo dogs usually live longer or get sick less frequently than purebred dogs.
However, we must be very careful not to feed false myths when we talk about the good he alth of mixed-breed dogs. These dogs need to receive the same preventative care as any purebred dog. They must also have the affection of their guardians and a positive environment to develop properly and remain strong, he althy and happy. Therefore, remember that the longevity of your furry mongrel also depends on your commitment to his well-being.
