Dog Breeds Everyone Wants – They’re Considered the Healthiest
Although dogs delight us every day with their loyalty, energy, and love, it's important to know that their health can have a significant impact on our wallets.
Some dog breeds are known for their genetic predisposition to health problems, which means more frequent vet visits and high medical bills. From chronic illnesses to sensitive digestion and respiratory issues, all this can turn an apparently “cheap” dog into a very expensive animal to maintain, reports Večernji list.
However, there are breeds that are known for their good health, and owners praise them for rarely needing to go to the vet and for lower care costs.
Veterinarian Amir Anvari, who gained a large following by sharing expert tips on TikTok, revealed the five healthiest dog breeds that tend to result in the lowest vet bills based on his professional experience, writes the Daily Express.
Beagle
In fifth place is the Beagle.
“This breed was originally bred as a hunting dog. They have an exceptionally strong and resilient immune system and very few genetic issues. The main problem you’ll have to deal with here is obesity because they love to eat everything, and a few ear infections, but otherwise they’re really healthy,” the vet explained.
The British veterinary charity PDSA warned that overweight or obese dogs are at greater risk of a range of health problems, from arthritis, diabetes, back problems, Cushing's disease, urinary incontinence, injuries, certain types of cancer, to a shortened lifespan and many other complications.
Australian Shepherd
Number four is the Australian Shepherd.
“This breed is very energetic and beautiful, and the working lines have a strong genetic base with very few genetic abnormalities. If a dog happens to have certain genetic abnormalities, it usually isn’t allowed to breed, meaning those diseases don’t spread, which is why this breed is actually so healthy,” Anvari said.
Chihuahua
The vet smiled and named the Chihuahua the third healthiest dog breed, which, as he noted, surprised many.
Known for its small size, this breed is among the smallest in the world and is characterized by a lively, bold, and loyal temperament.
“This breed can live up to 20 years. Chihuahuas are very, very healthy, and because they are so small, their weight doesn’t put much pressure on the joints, so the joints remain intact for a very long time,” the expert explained.
He added that Chihuahuas can suffer from dental problems and patellar luxation, when the kneecap slips out of its normal position in the joint, but compared to other small breeds, Chihuahuas are definitely among the healthiest.
Australian Cattle Dog
The vet ranked the Australian Cattle Dog in second place and praised it as an active and very intelligent working dog. He also highlighted its strong and robust immune system.
“Australian Cattle Dogs can suffer from certain genetic conditions, but this is minimized by really good breeding. The oldest dog that ever lived was actually an Australian Cattle Dog who lived to be 29 years old,” Dr. Anvari explained.
Basenji
The prestigious first place goes to the Basenji, which the vet praised for its athleticism, intelligence, and curiosity—traits that made this small hunting dog famous and beloved.
The breed’s ability to run at speeds of up to 50 km/h is especially impressive.
“Many people don’t know about this breed. It’s an ancient African hunting dog and actually doesn’t bark but yodels,” the vet said.
The vet attributed the Basenji’s good health to its origin.
“The reason it’s so healthy is that it’s an ancient, purebred dog that has undergone minimal crossbreeding, so if you’re looking for a dog that doesn’t bark and is quite healthy, the Basenji is definitely for you,” he concluded.
