Healthiest Dog Breeds

Seeing any of our loved ones suffer from any kind of health concern could sometimes hurt us just as much at their sickness hurts them. Our beloved canine companions are no exception; just like our parents, children, or siblings, we normally worry when they get sick or hurt.

Although it mainly depends on the type of care you give your pet and the breeder from which you got them, there are some breeds which are considered to have less hereditary health problems like joint or heart issues compared to others.

Below are five of the healthiest dog breeds that can be easily found in most pet stores and breeders:

Australian Cattle Dog

Breed Information:

• Highly intelligent
• Energetic and active
• Lifespan of 12 to 15 years
• Excellent guard dog or family pet
• Good with older children

The Australian cattle dog, also known as the “Blue Heeler” or “Queensland Heeler”, is a medium-sized short-coated breed of herding dog. A relative of the dingoes, Australian cattle dogs were bred to herd cattle on large expanses of land. Their average lifespan is around 12 to 15 years, and they’re known to have fewer potential health issues than other dog breeds.

This breed is highly intelligent and extremely energetic, making constant exercise and mental stimulation a necessity. Additionally, because they were bred as herding dogs, they are most happy when they have a job to do and gets restless if they don’t get the attention and exercise they need.

They have a tendency to be stubborn and protective, so early socialization and training is a must if you wish to avoid behavioral problems down the line. Additionally, they’re loyal, obedient dog, highly independent, and wary around strangers.

They make excellent guard dogs when trained properly but can also be a good family pet. However, as they are meant to be herding dogs, they work best in families with older children for they may nip and bite at the heels of smaller and more active kids.

Australian Shepherd

Breed Information:

• Highly energetic
• Intelligent
• Lifespan of 12 to 15 years
• Excellent service dogs
• Kind and devoted
• Best with older children

Despite having Australia in its name, the Australian Shepherd did not come from Australia but from the western United States in the 1840s. They were bred to be herding dogs, making them a highly intelligent and energetic breed. Their average life expectancy is around 12 to 15 years as well, with very few potential health problems.

Aussies, as they are more commonly known, are eager to please and obey, making them highly trainable and versatile. Many of them are trained to be service, therapy, and guide dogs. They also make excellent detection and search and rescue dogs.

Aussies are highly energetic and active, so plenty of exercise and attention is needed; they require at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily. As a highly intelligent breed, they are quick to learn but can be destructive when bored, especially if they can’t get the necessary mental stimulation.

They are kind and devoted to their families, making them incredibly protective and cautious around strangers, so early socialization with other people and dogs is necessary to make them well-rounded. Moreover, they work best in families with older children, preferably aged 8 and above.

Beagle

Breed Information:

• Good temper
• Highly intelligent but single-minded
• Lifespan of 12 to 15 years
• Good watchdogs
• Excellent with children and other pets

A dog breed made famous by the cartoon Snoopy, the Beagle is a small breed of a hound which is known for its keen sense of smell. Additionally, because of this, they are used as detection dogs worldwide. Their good temper and lack of health issues make them a popular pet dog for many families. Their average lifespan is around 12 to 15 years.

Beagles are an intelligent breed, but their determined and single-minded nature can make them hard to train, making early socialization and training a necessity. Since they can get easily bored and distracted, you need to incorporate more positive reinforcement during training.

Although not as active as other breeds, beagles still need exercise in order to avoid excessive weight gain as the breed is prone to it. Sixty minutes of daily exercise with its owners will suffice.

Beagles are neither aggressive nor timid, but they are easily won over, making them poor guard dogs. However, they can be good watchdogs due to their tendency to bark when met with something unknown.

They are excellent with children and other pets, making them a great choice for multi-pet and children households.

Border Collie

Breed Information:

• The most intelligent domestic dog
• Lifespan of 12 to 15 years
• Obedient, playful, and demanding
• Needs plenty of exercises
• Works best with older, well-behaved children

Considered as the most intelligent among domestic dogs, the Border Collie is a medium-sized herding dog bred specifically for intelligence and obedience. Dogs of this breed are demanding and playful, needing plenty of exercise and play time with either their owners or other dogs.

They generally have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years and are known to be one of the healthiest dog breeds for the general lack of health issues. Due to their high intelligence and obedience, they are highly trainable, but early socialization and training are vital for they can be reserved with strangers. Early socialization and training will ensure that they have positive exposure to other people and pets.

They need constant mental stimulation and experience a strong desire to herd so they work well in households with older, well-behaved children.

Chihuahua

Breed Information:

• Smallest dog breed
• Mistrustful of strangers
• Intelligent and fast learners
• Extremely willful
• Lifespan of 14 to 16 years
• Highly energetic

The national symbol of Mexico, the chihuahua belongs to the toy group of dogs. Despite being the smallest breed of dog in the world, the chihuahua is known to have a huge personality, making it a popular pet for many people.

Early socialization is important for chihuahuas as they are known to be mistrustful of strangers. While this makes them good watchdogs, this can pose a problem when introducing new people. They are intelligent and fast learners but are incredibly willful which can make training difficult.

They are curious explorers and have been known to escape through small gaps in fences. However, unlike other dog breeds, they only need 20 to 30 minutes of exercise daily. Their general lifespan is around 14 to 16 years and is generally known to be a healthy breed.

Despite their tiny size, chihuahuas can be as active as larger dogs, which is why it’s not recommended for households with small children (aged 8 and below) as the chances of being accidentally injured are high.

Final Thoughts

Our furry friends may only last for a good 10 to 15 years of our lives, but for them, we are their whole lives. Looking after them are an investment of our time, feelings, and funds. This is why it’s important to consider from the beginning, not only the appearance and temper of the dog, but also the predisposition of its breed’s health.

Any of the dog breeds listed above, paired with proper care and attention, should save you from both emotional and financial bearings of a great number of unexpected, expensive, and dreadful trips to the vet.