What Your Breeder Won’t Tell You: Common Health Issues in Popular Dog Breeds

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What Your Breeder Won’t Tell You: Common Health Issues in Popular Dog Breeds

By Chu E. - February 19, 2025

That wrinkly face or those tiny legs might look adorable, but selective breeding for specific traits has left many dog breeds with serious health issues. Whether you already own one of these dogs or plan to bring one home, understanding their potential health problems helps you provide better care.

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Labrador Retriever

What Your Breeder Won’t Tell You: Common Health Issues in Popular Dog Breeds — Source: Fernando Gago

America’s favorite breed faces numerous health challenges. Their hips and elbows frequently develop dysplasia, making movement painful without early intervention. Labs love food so much that obesity becomes a serious threat, worsening their joint problems. Eye diseases can steal their sight over time. Deep chests put them at risk for bloat, especially after vigorous exercise or excited eating.

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Beagle

These scent hounds often develop epilepsy that requires lifelong medication to control their seizures. Many Beagles have underactive thyroid glands, leading to weight gain and skin problems without hormone supplements. Their long backs make them prone to slipped disks that can cause paralysis. Eye problems, especially glaucoma, affect many older Beagles. Regular blood work helps monitor their overall health status.

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Dalmatian

The unique metabolism of Dalmatians puts them at high risk for painful urinary stones that require surgery or special diets. Many Dalmatians face hearing problems, especially those with more white in their coats. Skin allergies plague the breed, causing constant itching and secondary infections. Hip problems develop as they age, making running difficult. Regular urinalysis helps prevent complications.

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Boston Terrier

The flat face of a Boston creates endless breathing problems that limit their activity. Their bulging eyes need protection from injury and frequently develop cataracts. Many Boston Terriers have kneecaps that slip out of place, making exercise difficult without surgical repair. Deafness affects numerous dogs in the breed, either from birth or developing later in life. Regular temperature monitoring prevents overheating.

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American Bulldog

Like their English relatives, American Bulldogs struggle with numerous health issues. Their broad heads and stocky builds often lead to severe hip problems that worsen with age. Many develop cataracts that cloud their vision, requiring expensive surgery for correction. Heart problems show up frequently during vet visits. Their wrinkled skin traps moisture, creating perfect conditions for infections.

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Doberman Pinscher

Heart failure claims many Dobermans due to an inherited form of cardiomyopathy. Their blood often clots poorly because of von Willebrand’s disease, making surgery risky. Hip problems limit mobility as they age, especially in dogs from less careful breeders. A condition called Wobbler syndrome can compress the spinal cord, causing weakness or paralysis in the legs. Regular heart monitoring saves lives.

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Poodle

All three Poodle sizes share similar health issues. Hip problems affect many Standards, while smaller varieties often have bad knees. Addison’s disease strikes without warning, causing sudden weakness and requiring lifetime hormone replacement. Seizures can begin at any age, so they’ll need constant medication. The larger Poodles face a high risk of bloat, which demands immediate emergency treatment.

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Lhasa Apso

Many Lhasa Apsos lose their vision due to progressive retinal atrophy, which has no cure. Their kneecaps slip out of place easily, making walks painful without surgical correction. Skin allergies torment many of these dogs, causing endless scratching and secondary infections. Kidney problems can develop suddenly, requiring special diets and medication. Regular eye exams help catch vision changes earlier.

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Chihuahua

These tiny dogs sometimes develop fluid in their brains, causing seizures and coordination problems. Heart murmurs show up frequently in vet visits, requiring careful monitoring and sometimes medication. Their fragile throats can collapse, making breathing difficult. Dental problems plague most Chihuahuas because their mouths are too small for all their teeth. Regular dental cleanings prevent painful infections.

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Shih Tzu

The squashed face of a Shih Tzu leads to constant breathing difficulties that limit their exercise tolerance. Their prominent eyes frequently develop problems, from simple infections to serious ulcers. Many suffer from hip problems that make walking painful. Their small mouths lead to severe dental disease unless owners brush regularly. Daily grooming prevents painful skin infections.

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Yorkshire Terrier

Despite their tiny size, Yorkies face significant health hurdles. Their windpipes sometimes collapse, causing a distinctive honking cough that worsens with excitement. Dental disease strikes early because their small mouths crowd too many teeth. Young puppies can develop dangerous drops in blood sugar, especially if they skip meals. Their kneecaps frequently slip out of place.

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Pekingese

The flat face of a Pekingese creates constant breathing struggles that worsen in hot or humid weather. Their protruding eyes easily get injured and often develop infections or ulcers. The short, bowed legs can lead to kneecap problems that affect their walking. Their small size makes spine problems common, especially if they jump from furniture. Regular grooming prevents skin infections.

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Great Dane

These towering dogs face severe health challenges due to their massive size. Bloat strikes suddenly and requires emergency surgery to prevent death. Their large frames often develop hip problems that make walking painful. Heart conditions can appear without warning, requiring expensive medications. Bone cancer frequently targets the legs, especially in middle age. Regular veterinary monitoring extends their lives.

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Saint Bernard

These gentle giants often face heart problems, particularly dilated cardiomyopathy, which can cause sudden collapse. Their massive size puts tremendous stress on their hips, leading to painful arthritis as they age. The skin around their eyes frequently rolls inward, causing ongoing irritation. Bloat threatens their lives, especially after meals. Most owners limit exercise during hot weather.

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Basset Hound

Low-riding Bassets often develop back problems from their long spines and short legs. Their heavy ears trap moisture, creating perfect conditions for chronic infections that require constant attention. The loose skin around their eyes can lead to infections and irritation. Most Bassets gain weight easily, which puts extra stress on their joints. Regular ear cleaning prevents infections.

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Cocker Spaniel

Those adorable floppy ears trap moisture and debris, leading to frequent ear infections that can become chronic without proper care. Eye diseases like progressive retinal atrophy can steal their sight over time. Food and environmental allergies plague many Cockers, causing constant scratching and skin problems. Heart issues develop in some dogs as they age. Weekly ear cleaning prevents serious infections.

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German Shepherd

Degenerative myelopathy strikes many German Shepherds, gradually paralyzing their back legs. Their sloped backs, popular in show lines, often lead to hip and elbow problems that worsen with age. Seizures can start at any point in their lives, requiring lifelong medication. Their deep chests make them prone to bloat, which requires immediate surgery. Early diagnostics help manage problems.

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Rottweiler

These powerful dogs frequently develop hip and elbow problems that limit their mobility. Bone cancer, particularly osteosarcoma, strikes many Rotties in their prime years. Their deep chests make them susceptible to bloat, a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists. Heart problems can develop suddenly, so regular cardiology checkups become essential. Joint supplements help with mobility.

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Boxer

Cancer hits Boxers hard, with many developing lymphoma or other aggressive forms. Their hearts often weaken from dilated cardiomyopathy, requiring medication and careful monitoring. Hip problems make walking painful for many older Boxers, especially those from less careful breeding programs. Thyroid issues affect their metabolism and energy levels. Regular screening helps early detection.

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Dachshund

The long back and short legs of Dachshunds put them at high risk for disk disease, which can lead to partial or complete paralysis. These food-loving dogs easily gain weight, putting extra strain on their already delicate spine. Their small mouths often lead to dental problems from overcrowded teeth. Heart issues can develop with age. Weight management prevents most serious complications.

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Shar Pei

These wrinkled dogs suffer from a unique condition called Shar Pei fever, which strikes without warning and causes painful joint swelling. Their trademark wrinkles require daily cleaning and inspection to prevent chronic skin infections that can spread rapidly. Many develop painful eye conditions from their wrinkled faces and deep-set eyes. Joint problems plague these dogs throughout their lives.

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

These gentle dogs often develop heart valve disease at an early age. Many suffer from syringomyelia, where fluid builds up in their spinal cord, causing intense pain. Their large, expressive eyes frequently develop cataracts or retinal problems. Hip dysplasia runs in the breed, making exercise difficult as these sweet-natured dogs grow older. Early heart screening helps manage problems.

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Pug

A Pug’s bulging eyes might look endearing, but they’re prone to injuries and ulcers. Their squished faces cause more than just breathing troubles – they can easily overheat even on mildly warm days. Some Pugs develop a rare brain condition called Pug Dog Encephalitis. Regular vet checkups help catch these issues early. Air conditioning becomes a necessity.

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French Bulldog

Similar to their English cousins, Frenchies struggle with breathing because of their flat faces. Small nostrils and shortened airways make simple activities exhausting for them. Their spinal problems stem from breeding for that adorable screw tail, which can cause painful vertebrae deformities. Hot weather poses a special risk since they can’t cool down properly through panting. Regular vet visits help monitor breathing.

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English Bulldog

These squat, wrinkly dogs face serious health challenges throughout their lives. Short snouts cause severe breathing difficulties, often requiring expensive surgeries like soft palate correction. The wrinkles around their face and body need constant cleaning to prevent infections and skin fold dermatitis. Their stocky build frequently leads to hip dysplasia, which worsens as they age. Special diets prevent obesity.

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Bernese Mountain Dog

These beautiful Swiss dogs often face aggressive cancers at young ages, particularly histiocytic sarcoma. Their large size creates joint problems that make walking difficult without early intervention. Many develop a genetic kidney problem called glomerulonephropathy, which requires specialized diets. Blood clotting disorders run in many lines. These gentle giants rarely live past ten years without excellent veterinary care.

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Chow Chow

The thick coat and deep skin folds of Chows create perfect conditions for chronic skin infections. Their deep-set eyes frequently develop entropion, where eyelids roll inward and scratch the cornea. Hip and elbow problems make movement difficult as they age. Their unique anatomy puts them at risk for thyroid disease and diabetes. Regular grooming prevents many skin complications.

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Irish Wolfhound

The world’s tallest dog breed faces serious heart problems, particularly dilated cardiomyopathy. Their rapid growth often leads to bone cancer, especially in the legs. Many develop a dangerous condition called bloat that requires emergency surgery. Liver shunt affects some puppies, requiring early surgery. These gentle giants typically live only six to eight years.

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Scottish Fold

The same gene that creates their signature folded ears causes serious cartilage problems throughout their bodies. Many develop painful arthritis at young ages, especially in their tails and legs. Their unique ear structure makes them prone to infections and hearing problems. These cats need special ramps and soft bedding as they age. Regular pain management helps maintain their quality of life.

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Newfoundland

These water-loving giants frequently develop heart problems that require expensive medications. Their heavy coats hide skin infections that can spread quickly without regular grooming. Hip and elbow dysplasia make movement difficult, especially after swimming. Many suffer from cystinuria, a condition causing bladder stones. Their deep chests put them at risk for life-threatening bloat.

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Portuguese Water Dog

These athletic dogs often inherit a storage disease called GM1 gangliosidosis, which affects their nervous system and requires extensive medical care. Their curly coats need constant attention to prevent painful matting and skin infections. Many develop progressive retinal atrophy, leading to blindness. Hip dysplasia runs in many lines, limiting their swimming abilities. Regular neurological exams track disease progression.

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Old English Sheepdog

The thick double coat of these herding dogs hides skin problems that can become severe without weekly grooming. Many develop exercise-induced collapse, which limits their workability. Primary lens luxation affects their eyes, sometimes requiring emergency surgery. Hip dysplasia makes climbing stairs difficult as they age. Deafness runs in many breeding lines.

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Bloodhound

Those iconic wrinkles require daily cleaning to prevent yeast and bacterial infections. Their long ears frequently develop chronic infections that need aggressive treatment. Many Bloodhounds suffer from a condition called ectropion, where their lower eyelids droop and collect debris. Bloat strikes these deep-chested dogs often. Their stubborn tracking drive sometimes leads to heat exhaustion.

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Belgian Malinois

These intense working dogs frequently develop progressive retinal atrophy, which leads to early blindness. Their high-drive personalities make them prone to stress-related digestive issues requiring special diets. Many suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia despite their athletic builds. Epilepsy runs in some lines, needing lifelong medication. Regular eye exams help track vision changes.

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Weimaraner

These grey ghost dogs often develop bloat, which requires immediate emergency surgery to prevent death. Their deep chests make them susceptible to this life-threatening condition, especially after meals. Many suffer from progressive eye diseases that can lead to blindness. Hip dysplasia affects their graceful gait as they age. Hyperactivity and anxiety often require behavioral medication.

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Conclusion

Understanding these breed-specific health challenges helps set realistic expectations about the care your dog might need. Many of these conditions are manageable with proper veterinary care, though they often require significant time and financial commitments. Whether you choose one of these breeds or opt for a mixed-breed dog, remember that regular vet check-ups and preventive care remain crucial for any dog’s well-being.

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