What is/are the healthiest dog breed(s)?

Dog breeders are scum. Mixed breeds ARE the best so keep your Nylabone up your ass.

Mutts. The entirety of evolution tells you the answer is mutts.

I'm not a dog person, so only have some general advice. Avoid breeds subject to hip dysplasia, eg dachsunds, corgies. Big breeds have short lives, eg great Danes, Rottweilers; like 8 years, and the last 18 months with expensive illnesses. Fox terriers live the longest, 20 years. The main thing, if you're getting a purebred, is to find a responsible breeder who has bred out genetic faults like hip dysplasia and heart disease.

I would say Hounds, such as Foxhound, Beagle, Basenji, Greyhound. Also Border Collies are a healthy breed. If you need something smaller, Chihuahuas are known to live 20 years or more.

I'm partial to mixed hound breeds. They are the most loyal companions on earth, in my opinion. Good luck to you.

What about Cavalier King Charles? I’m a cat person but there are a couple of breeds of dogs I go nuts over and that’s one of them.

I would not get a tiny dog. Surgery would be fiddly and difficult, and when they get underfoot as they do, you could step on a paw and break it. Very risky walking these in any kind of crowd.

Love King Charles and Pomeranians.

We have a Labrador Retriever, who is 13. She has been well consistently but in her old age, she's developed bursitis in her shoulders, and she's deaf. When I was a kid, I had a chihuahua who seemed to live forever - I'm pretty sure she was around 14 at least when she died, and she was overweight with a heart problem.

R1 considering you probably couldn't ever afford a purebred dog even if you wanted one, the fact you feel that way works out well for you

R3 and R4 thanks for the info

I always thought mutts, too. Then I adopted a husky-hound mix as a puppy that was defective almost from the day we got him: colitis, knee problems, bad teeth. We loved him, but he cost a fortune over 13 years. Rescued a pure breed Weimaraner from a shelter 4 years ago and he has been completely healthy and now 12 years old (we think).

CKCs have terrible health issues. Most purebreds do. So many goldens and labs get cancer.

How does a dog live to be 20 with terrible health issues?

There is some truth to mutts being healthier. Any time you mix genes from a more divers group there tends to be a long life span. Same is true with humans. It allows nature to mix things up so resistance to disease from one breed my be combined with resistant that only another would have. The more inbreeding you do the more problems. Just look at the Royal Family.

I think its false logic to say get a breed that has had all the bad stuff breed out of it. That's not possible. At least no without scientific DNA manipulation. Think about it, all dogs were bread from wolves. They were inbred over and over until specific traits or breeds appeared. With those specific breeds, comes different problems. Inbreeding even more is just going to change what those problems are.

Mutts.

Pure bred is nice way to say incestuous breeding to create a limited gene pool. Its not a good thing if you are concerned about health.

Both my whippets are 9 and have been healthy. The only issues has been sensitive stomachs when I change their dog food.

OP hates truth.

My little mutt has lots of health issues that have cost me plenty of money over the last 7 years. My purebred dog lived to be 20 years with only minimal health problems other than age related the last few years. Don’t get a pet of any kind if you can’t deal with health issues-$$$

I've known a few purebred Westies and they're pretty robust little critters. Mine is 12 and has zero medical issues. Will still happily play chasings with other dogs - just not for as long as before. Since he was desexed at 6 months, he's cost me virtually nothing at the vet. I've been proactive with his check-ups, shots and preventative medications and that's been it. The average Westie life span is 14-16 years, with some getting to 18. Their congenital issue is apparently sensitive skin, but if they're well bred and you keep up their anti-flea medications during the season, that shouldn't eventuate.

I'm sure diet plays a part. Dog food isn't great for dogs. His breeder was firm: minced meat, minced raw veg (no onions) and grain (basically a sugar-free, fruit-free muesli which you soften with water), with raw bones or hard biscuits for the teeth. I've had mutts in the past that did eat dog food and weren't as healthy as this one by the same age.

Unfortunately with purebreds there's always a big gamble regardless of breeder quality (Grew up breeding animals including purebreds). Some "reputable" breeders will still pull stunts like borrowing papers from a male that's not the actual father, or separating deformed pups from the rest of the litter, so no one knows there's genetic screw ups in the line.

That said, if you insist on purebreds, I'd suggest researching known common issues for breeds to have an idea what worse care scenario would be. It's all what you could live with paying for if it came to that.

Just in general, I'd avoid dogs bred for aesthetics that are unhealthy on purpose -- pushed in face, bow legged, too large, and so on. Like dachshunds for example can have spine issues, causing paralysis. Dogs with bulging eyes are prone to a lot of eye issues. It's common sense looking at appearance sometimes. What looks "good/ unique" usually isn't for health.

Larger breeds are prone to hip dysplasia and short life spans. Small dogs have knee joint issues, can have bad teeth, but live longer on average. I'd suggest a mid sized breed to be honest. They seem to be in that sweet spot.

Think collies, Shepards, spaniels.

Australian Cattle Dogs live a long time. My last one was 18 when he died, and was a cuss up to the end.

Except for the teeth thing, most small breeds like chihuahuas, min pins etc live up to 18 and sometimes 20 years.

^which is to mean, their teeth often don't make it past 12 years.

Shiba Inu is a sturdy dog not prone to many of the diseases that purebred dogs often have after age 10.

I don't care for OP's tone, and shall not provide the information she seeks.

By definition, dog breeds have certain traits inbred and are prone to illnesses.

There is a reason why it was once a byword to refer to "healthy peasant stock" when discussing inbreeding of royalty.

As someone who has worked with dogs I can tell you, Goldens are absolutely wonderful dogs but almost all of the Goldens I've worked with have gotten cancer. The cancer gets them before their hips go.

When I think about it the healthiest I've seen interestingly are the poodle mixes. Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, Maltipoos...they seem to do pretty well.

Of course this is all anecdotal, but based on a pretty good selection of dogs over 15 years.

Mutts all the way. Regardless of which, get insurance!

My family all have cocker's, with a few springers mixed in. They tend to outlive their owners, I prefer yorkies because they're IMO easier, smaller dogs have for the most part smaller needs. Knowing the breeders is imperative which means you're still a part of the breeding business model but I've found that you want them to vet you, and the good ones will.

Getting back to spaniels, cockers are another where breeding is important for behavior and some physiological factors but there've been six cockers in my family who cleared 20 years. Springers are generally smarter and dont have the longevity of their less intelligent cousins, but not everyone wants a dog who can problem solve. Some are happy with adorable idiots, but aside from cherry eye their problems are relatively few. They need space though (family in CT, so they have yards, my choice in dogs was influenced by the floor through I shared with a roommate for years, now I wouldn't want another breed).

And true mutts, mixed breeds of mixed breeds are more genetically diverse and very smart, do what thou wilt with ye nylabone, but 'designer' mixes are usually a behavioral mess.

Hopefully they'll figure out why so many Goldens get cancer. It's heartbreaking.

Definitely pitties.

[quote]What about Cavalier King Charles?

Heart issues. 80% die of it eventually. Some far younger than others, but it gets them all in the end. Life expectancy is 9-14 year.

R24 why even put forth the effort to reply, then? Dumb bitch.

labs I find generally dont live much past 12 as its usually tumors/cancer that gets them. I had a whippet who had a ton of health problems and died before age 10, Of my 5 dogs in my lifetime, my dalmation lived the longest, to age 16.

R29 awww thats heartbreaking. I’m a cat person but Goldens are absolutely the kindest, most gentle dogs. If I had a big house I’d get one.

R34 if you do get one someday get a good vacuum and a dog brush too. You’ll need them.

I’m on my second pure bred Jack Russel Terrier. My first little guy lived a full and healthy life and died of old age at 17. I have a little girl now. She’s feisty and sassy with no health issues so far.

Why isn’t anyone saying pit bulls?

You want a lean breed that has good muscle. Something that is juicy and tender, but not too stringy. I recommend a Golden Retriever-- rich flavor, and filling.

R37 If the OP is a first time dog owner it's not the smartest or safest move. I think it's best when your dog cant easily mame you just by virtue of the dogs jaw design. Breeding and behavior is dicey with those dogs and some states outright outlaw ownership, and they require real structured training, they need a lot of space and possibly muzzle training, larger breeds like that get destructive when they dont have work to do.

The OP needs a starter pup like a terrier or spaniel.

To correct OP's poor manners, dear.

I didn't want a puppy to raise. I decided to rescue a Greyhound. I wanted to take him to my office with me (I own the business) and Greyhounds don't bark. When I got the first one he was fawn colored, which I didn't know that color existed. He was the most friendly dog you would ever want. He loved me and everyone from day one. I took him to the office with no issue. He got bone cancer at 9 and had to be put down. I missed him.

I waited 6 months and went back for my second Greyhound. He was red fawn, beautiful with big brown eyes. He was so upset when I got him I thought he was going to die. He was breathing at 150 beats a minute and wouldn't have anything to do with me. I couldn't believe the difference between the first Jack ( I named the second Jackpot II). Just in case I end up with dementia!!! It took a year to get him to trust me but he had become the best dog I have ever owned. He loves me. He just needed to trust me. They come from kennels where they are in the cage for many hours. He will turn 8 on July 1 and I hope he lives a long time. The name was from a friend who called me and said I have a name for your new dog, Jackpot. He said that dog will have the best life any dog could have. He knew I am the type of person who will treat my dog with extreme affection... I love all dogs..

The Coup-fourre dog is the healitst purebread.. The downside is he always wins at Mille Bornes