Our furry companions have been around for thousands of years and currently there are over 400 different breeds. Each breed was designed for a specific purpose, for work, for their temperament, or for their looks. Due to humans having bred dogs into these “perfect” breeds, many breeds have developed hereditary joint issues. The lists below shows the top 10 breeds that are prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, Luxating Patella (Knee cap slip), and arthritis.
Top 10 breeds prone to Canine Hip Dysplasia:Bulldog Otterhound Clumber Spaniel St. Bernard Newfoundland American Staffordshire Terrier Bullmastiff Bloodhound Chesapeake Bay Retriever Golden Setter |
Top 10 breeds prone to Elbow Dysplasia:Chow Chow Rottweiler Chinese Shar-Pei Bernese Mountain Dog Newfoundland German Shepherd Bloodhound Bullmastiff English Setter Swiss Mountain Dog |
Top 10 breeds prone to Luxating Patella (Knee cap slip):Miniature and toy Poodles Maltese Jack Russell Terriers Yorkies Pomeranians Pekingese Chihuahuas Papillions Boston Terriers Boykin and cocker spaniels |
Top 10 breeds prone to Arthritis:German Shepherds Golden Retrievers Labrador Retrievers Dachshunds Newfoundland St. Bernard Rottweilers Mastiffs Great Danes Old English Sheep Dogs |
The best way to help prevent joint issues is to manage your pet’s weight and body condition. Swimming is an excellent way to strengthen the muscles around joints and relieve pressure on joint problems. By keeping them fit and use the right food for your dog’s breed will greatly increase its chances of having better joint health. Unfortunately, some dogs may develop joint problems no matter what preventative measures an owner may take. Surgery may be the only option for the dog and aftercare is crucial to a dog’s joint health. Physiotherapy and the right supplements will help your dog bounce back from surgery and reduce rick of arthritis.
Have your vet check your dog’s joint health each year. This way the vet can catch any changes in the joints early and can be treated as soon as possible. There are many preventative natural treatments, supplements and medications for dogs of all ages. NaturPet’s Joint Care has 12 natural ingredients hand-picked for relieving calcium build up, joint problems, inflammation, and arthritis. Another great pet product is Dr. Maggie Joint Formula. It helps to repair damaged cartilage around joints. Joint pain is never fun but owners can take the right steps to ensure proper pet health. Because a healthy pet, is a happy pet.