I’m not sure individual anecdotes correlate well with cross population data, the latter being what I think the OP wants?!
Here’s a couple papers on the Agria Insurance info:
http://actavetscand.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1751-0147-46-105
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1624818/
And I agree coming up with accurate statistics can be more difficult than you might think. Lots of variables and influences, including people like one of my neighbors who figures it’s cheaper to get another dog than spend any money on vet care or securing their yard.
One way to back into the data is by looking at what tests the AKC requires for each breed and what standard genetic testing is done. Not a perfect analysis but suggestive of common problems in a breed
[QUOTE=cbv;8563429]
Not even sure how to assess. But I guess dog breeds not predisposed to common (or uncommon) genetic or physical abnormalities/diseases?
Discussion on large breed thread made me wonder. Smaller dogs generally have greater longevity but just wondering if certain breeds are known for being particularly robust?[/QUOTE]
I think being part of a closed gene pool increases the risk of health issues; this would include all purebreds and a good many mixes (particularly ones made up of breeds with overlap in health issues, like a Golden/Lab developing hip dysplasia).
Some health issues are exacerbated by care/lack thereof. You can cause a dog to develop severe joint issues late in life if you exercise them too much before their growth plates close; an overweight dog is also more likely to develop orthopedic issues.
I suspect the healthiest dog is one from stock that has been cleared for all illnesses common to the breed, and is of a breed without any extreme physical characteristics (e.g., Frenchies and Bulldogs have breathing issues no matter what).
Rare breed dogs are, in my experience, more likely to be well-bred. IME this means rare breed dogs are less likely to suffer heritable health problems… not because the breed is inherently “healthier,” but because there’s less junk slipping into the gene pool than in a dime-a-dozen breed like Labs.
Even then, freak things can happen and injuries can lead to lifelong health issues. A dog might get Lyme from a tick bite, tear an ACL chasing a squirrel, or break a toe stepping underfoot while trying to “help” you unload the dishwasher.
If you’re just trying to maximize your odds of owning a healthy dog, I think the best you can do is to get a young adult from a very good breeder.
Unless it’s a Norwegian Lundehund or something. But don’t get me started on them.
My healthiest dog was an American Water Spaniel.
Not sure I agree with greyhounds - most that I have heard of have died early…we had two.
[QUOTE=vxf111;8564241]
One way to back into the data is by looking at what tests the AKC requires for each breed and what standard genetic testing is done. Not a perfect analysis but suggestive of common problems in a breed[/QUOTE]
I am not sure AKC requires any testing prior to registration (they are pretty much a breed registry and that is all)…
I personally look for a breeder who will test for the common tests maintained in the CHIC database (Canine Health Information Center). I’ll also look at the breed’s national association web page for health issues and recommended testing.
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[QUOTE=Just My $.02;8563837]
Here is a list of the top 10.
http://iheartdogs.com/the-10-healthiest-dog-breeds/[/QUOTE]
I would disagree with most of that list.
Sorry that was hugely inartful, you’re right AKC doesn’t require it. I meant look at winners and see what those breeders do by researching their websites. I would especially look at breeders that do agility and other more active events in addition to conformation
After working in a vet clinic for going on three years?
No breed is the healthiest. They all have their problems and are prone to cancer, disease, allergies, and more.
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My 11 (?) y/o Staffie girl we adopted from the shelter as an adult dog 9 years ago is currently laying next to me…she’s as healthy as can be and has had no major health issues other than some yeasty paws. Most people guess she is 3. She still romps on my 3 y/o pup and the only age related thing I’ve noticed is she’s a bit more of a couch potato.
Thanks for all the responses, especially Hound Hill, very good points.
I just posed the question out of curiosity. I am also a biologist and stats geek and like to think about all the issues of data, bias, etc.
Good conversation and lots to think about.
Although the AKC does not generally require any kind of tests prior to registration, individual breed clubs have recommended tests.
Many breeds have enrolled in the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC), a centralized canine health database sponsored by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
You can look up a breed, and see which tests are required/recommended by the national club for that breed.
http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/breeds.html
A dog will need to get the required tests completed, be up to date on them, and register the results, for ‘active CHIC status’.
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[QUOTE=Riley0522;8564532]
My 11 (?) y/o Staffie girl we adopted from the shelter as an adult dog 9 years ago is currently laying next to me…she’s as healthy as can be and has had no major health issues other than some yeasty paws. Most people guess she is 3. She still romps on my 3 y/o pup and the only age related thing I’ve noticed is she’s a bit more of a couch potato.[/QUOTE]
This, and all the other anecdotal information is pretty pointless, though. Any dog of a breed can be extremely healthy, or unhealthy. I know of someone in my breed that had a puppy with a brain tumor and died at 7 months, and I have one next to me that is nearly 15 and has been to the vet only once in his life for anything other than a routine checkup.
It is impossible to really define “healthiest” because breeds can suffer from many health issues, or only a few. Would a breed be healthier if it often suffered from ONE major health issue, or if it sometimes suffered from MANY health issues? E.g. how would you compare a breed that is very prone to dysplasia…versus one that may be somewhat prone to dysplasia, eye and cardiac problems?
I would say that the “healthiest” breeds would be the ones that have been manipulated the least with the greatest gene pool – although I have no idea which breeds these might be. My guess would be breeds like Canaan Dog, which is an ancient breed but was repopulated within the last 100 years. It might have a very broad gene pool (or not at all…I’m not sure, but just guessing that it could be possible).
[QUOTE=S1969;8564897]
This, and all the other anecdotal information is pretty pointless, though. Any dog of a breed can be extremely healthy, or unhealthy. I know of someone in my breed that had a puppy with a brain tumor and died at 7 months, and I have one next to me that is nearly 15 and has been to the vet only once in his life for anything other than a routine checkup.
It is impossible to really define “healthiest” because breeds can suffer from many health issues, or only a few. Would a breed be healthier if it often suffered from ONE major health issue, or if it sometimes suffered from MANY health issues? E.g. how would you compare a breed that is very prone to dysplasia…versus one that may be somewhat prone to dysplasia, eye and cardiac problems?
I would say that the “healthiest” breeds would be the ones that have been manipulated the least with the greatest gene pool – although I have no idea which breeds these might be. My guess would be breeds like Canaan Dog, which is an ancient breed but was repopulated within the last 100 years. It might have a very broad gene pool (or not at all…I’m not sure, but just guessing that it could be possible).[/QUOTE]
canaan dogs have a very small gene pool and lots of linebreeding. so not a good example.
i don’t think the OP is going to find a bounty of studies done on this for the very reasons you included in your post - so anecdotal evidence may be all she can get.
[QUOTE=beowulf;8565083]
canaan dogs have a very small gene pool and lots of linebreeding. so not a good example.
i don’t think the OP is going to find a bounty of studies done on this for the very reasons you included in your post - so anecdotal evidence may be all she can get.[/QUOTE]
Well, as I said, I don’t know anything about Canaan Dogs; in theory an old breed that has changed little over the years could have a deep gene pool which might have lessened the chance for congenital defects to be bred into it. But who knows.
I disagree that anecdotal evidence is of any help. At least you can use some of the OFA statistics to get an idea of certain issues. But just because a specific dog doesn’t have a congenital defect, it doesn’t mean it’s not rampant in a breed.
S1969
Truer words were never posted, unfortunately.
Personally, I would stay away from some breeds because of short lifespan, but will pick a dog that will give me the utmost enjoyment, fit into my lifestyle and take the good with the bad. I may be heartbroken, but for the years of love and pleasure I’lll take the chance. Seems to me most breeds have a few negatives,
be it temperament or health.
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[QUOTE=S1969;8564897]
This, and all the other anecdotal information is pretty pointless, though. Any dog of a breed can be extremely healthy, or unhealthy. I know of someone in my breed that had a puppy with a brain tumor and died at 7 months, and I have one next to me that is nearly 15 and has been to the vet only once in his life for anything other than a routine checkup.
It is impossible to really define “healthiest” because breeds can suffer from many health issues, or only a few. Would a breed be healthier if it often suffered from ONE major health issue, or if it sometimes suffered from MANY health issues? E.g. how would you compare a breed that is very prone to dysplasia…versus one that may be somewhat prone to dysplasia, eye and cardiac problems?
I would say that the “healthiest” breeds would be the ones that have been manipulated the least with the greatest gene pool – although I have no idea which breeds these might be. My guess would be breeds like Canaan Dog, which is an ancient breed but was repopulated within the last 100 years. It might have a very broad gene pool (or not at all…I’m not sure, but just guessing that it could be possible).[/QUOTE]
Very true anecdotal at best. We all know smokers that live long lives, but, we would be silly to conclude that smokers in general lead long lives.
A mutt. Go to the shelter and adopt one.
