The Top 10 Healthiest Dog Breeds
With longer lifespans and a lower risk for illness, these pups are prone to living a happy, healthy life.
Doggone good health
Like humans, every dog is different, and all pet owners want their pup to live a long, healthy life. After all, they are an important member of the family. Each breed comes with their own set of health concerns, but some breeds tend to have lower risks of genetic disease, and longer lifespans, than others. We rounded up the healthiest dog breeds that statistically live a long life when on the right diet with enough exercise, regular visits to the vet, and, of course, plenty of love.
Australian cattle dog
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest dog to ever live was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey who lived to be 29 years old. This would make Bluey around 151 years old in human years, but Bluey has not been the only Australian cattle dog to live so long. Another pup of this breed named Chilla lived to be 32 years old in Queensland, Australia, but unfortunately did not claim a title from Guinness. These dogs live so long because they are naturally active, which means they get a lot of health benefits from exercise. They are also a small to medium-sized dog, which means they don’t have a lot of weight to lumber around that breaks down their cartilage faster.
Sheepdog
The Icelandic Sheepdog has minimal health conditions while being great with families and children. They typically live between 12 and 14 years, making them one of the healthiest dog breeds.
German shorthaired pointer
German shorthaired pointers are full of energy and are commonly used in hunting. With such short fur that they rarely shed, this breed makes a great indoor dog, but they do need a substantial amount of exercise.
English foxhound
English foxhounds are natural hunters and very easy to care for. They were raised to hunt in packs with tons of athleticism and the stealth needed to run for hours. Foxhounds were bred to be of outstanding physical condition, with little or no genetically manifested diseases such as elbow dysplasia, patella luxation, or eye conditions. Foxhounds are not prone to having rashes or food allergies and often live up to 13 years.
Pyrenean shepherd
These little herding dogs originated in the French Alps and were bred to herd flocks across difficult terrain for many hours a day. Pyrenean shepherds are quite rare in the United States and Canada but fairly popular in Europe. They can live up to 17 years.
Belgian Malinois
Basenji
Like many of these other healthiest dog breeds, Basenjis are used as hunting dogs, but also as family dogs. Believe it or not, these pups don’t bark! But they do share their thoughts and feelings with a sound described by many as a yodel.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas, the smallest dogs in the world, are also one of the healthiest dog breeds. Typically weighing around six pounds, these tiny pups are full of energy. They’re certainly not little when it comes to personality either. Chihuahuas can live up to 20 years with proper health care. Interested in a lap dog?
Poodle
Poodles tend to live longer than other large breeds and are highly intelligent. They can be extremely active and love to be athletically challenged by their owner. With the proper diet and exercise, poodles can live to be around 14 years old. They get the gold star for not shedding. Making them a near perfect choice for people with allergies.
Mixed breeds
The healthiest dog breeds are typically those that have been cross-bred. This is because their genetic pool is wider and they are less prone to hereditary health issues. Health issues such as hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, or congenital deafness. With the larger gene pool, mixed breeds are less likely to have a recessive disorder.