The key facts

  • Among the healthiest breeds named are the Alaskan Malamute, Border Collie, Basenji, Dachshund, Jack Russell Terrier and others
  • Healthy breeds more often belong to «primitive» types, formed with minimal human involvement
  • In mixed-breed dogs, genetic diversity reduces the risk of hereditary diseases, but no breed comes with a health guarantee

Which breeds are considered the healthiest

Some dog breeds really do face hereditary diseases less often, veterinarian, brand representative of pet products company Harly (Qharisma Group), Kristina Grinenko, told Gazeta.Ru. According to her explanation, this is often because such dogs belong to the so-called primitive breeds, which developed naturally, with minimal human involvement in breeding.

A list by size

Among large breeds, veterinarians single out the Alaskan Malamute, White Swiss Shepherd, Greyhound, Newfoundland, Caucasian Shepherd and Central Asian Shepherd. In the medium category, the Border Collie, Beagle, Shiba Inu, Basenji and Dalmatian are named; among miniature breeds — the Dachshund, Jack Russell Terrier, Poodle, Chihuahua and Bichon.

A breed's health does not replace proper care

Grinenko emphasized that robust health and the absence of genetic diseases do not mean a pet needs no care: all dogs need to be brushed, walked, and their paws, claws, teeth and eyes monitored, bathed and groomed when necessary. «A dog's health is built on good nutrition and proper physical exercise, but genetics also matter. Even the healthiest breed does not guarantee an absence of problems: a dog's health depends on many factors — genetics, living conditions, nutrition, regular veterinary check-ups and timely treatment. Mixed-breed dogs are often healthier: their genetic diversity reduces the risk of hereditary diseases,» she noted.

Limitations and context

At the same time, according to the specialist, even among mixed-breed dogs there are animals that cannot live without medication and constant veterinary care. In the experts' view, representatives of some breeds are so robust that they only need to be taken to the vet for their next combination vaccine. Earlier, Russians were warnedabout which dog breeds are the worst choice for apartment living. The article is based on a comment from a single expert and contains no data on the prevalence of diseases by breed.