10 Healthiest Dog Breeds

An article was recently posted on iheartdogs.com by Katie Finlay on the 10 healthiest dog breeds. We would like to share that list with those of you who may be looking for a new addition to your family or those who are just curious. This list is in no particular order, so dog number six, for example, is not necessarily any more or less healthy than dog number two.

#1. The list starts off with the Shiba Inu, hailing from Japan. Though these dogs are known to be stubborn and very independent, they are also very lovable and still make a great companion. Be advised, if you are looking at adopting a Shiba Inu, the breed is known to show canine hip dysplasia and some eye problems.

#2. The next dog on the list is the German Shorthair Pointer. This sporting breed is known to be very healthy, though German Shorthair Pointers are prone to genetic hip and elbow dysplasia and eye problems. Despite this fact, breeders of the dog work hard to keep the dog healthy and problem-free.

#3. Next is the beautiful Siberian Husky. Perhaps best known as sled-pulling dogs, Siberian Huskies are very active and hard working. These dogs are prone to genetic epilepsy and eye disorders, but no dysplasia. DNA tests have shown the Siberian Husky to be one of the most ancient purebreds still in existence.

#4. The next dog to make the list is the Greyhound. Greyhounds are most commonly known for being racing dogs. This ancient breed has managed to stay free of a lot of genetic health concerns. Greyhound Neuropathy, a genetic condition which interferes with nerve impulse transitions, can be found in some Greyhounds, but not in the racing bloodlines.

#5. Marking the halfway point, we have the Canaan Dog. This breed has been used as a herding dog for years in what is now modern Israel-Palestine. Though once feral, these dogs have been developed into excellent companions and have been known to work alongside humans detecting mines.

#6. The Ibizan Hound, a Spanish breed, is next on the list. This dog is prone to several hereditary diseases, as is the common for all sighthounds. This dog does have a higher incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis, the leading cause of hypothyroidism in dogs, than other sighthounds.

#7. The Pharaoh Hound makes the list as another of the healthiest breeds. If you have never heard of this dog, it’s okay. The Pharaoh Hound is pretty rare outside of the Maltese Islands. This means that the breed suffers very few genetic health problems.

#8. Here’s one for you Spaniel lovers. Next up is the Brittany. This dog can be summed up as probably one of the healthiest among Spaniels. Though this breed is prone to hip dysplasia, the rates have been dropping and showing an improvement in past years. Great news!

#9. The Belgian Malinois is next. This dog is very hard working and agile. It competes in a variety of different sporting competitions and has a variety of different jobs. Although instances are low, this breed still suffers from inherited eye disorders, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia.

#10. Last, but certainly not least, we have the Whippet. One of the healthiest purebred dogs, the Whippet has stayed relatively free of genetic health issues. That being said, eye disorders and hypothyroidism can still be found.

There we have it, the ten healthiest dog breeds. What do you guys think? Are you surprised by certain breeds that did or didn’t make the list?

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