Few things are as hard on pet owners as watching their beloved pets struggle with pain and illness. Pets, dogs in particular, with their empathetic personalities and loyal dispositions—become essential members of our family, and we’re willing to go to great lengths to keep them healthy and thriving.

Which Dog Breeds Have the Most Health Problems?

Even though some breeds are more prone to health conditions than others, there’s no guarantee that any dog will or won’t develop common health complications. However, there are some perennial truths that seem to play a role, such as mixed-breed dogs often being healthier than purebreds and smaller dogs living longer than larger dogs. Overall, there’s much to learn about which pets are susceptible to certain illnesses.

Important to know: Being predisposed to health issues doesn’t mean your dog will definitely develop them. Proper care, early screening, and preventive measures can significantly improve outcomes for at-risk breeds.

That said, here are eight breeds commonly considered at risk of illness, injury, and, in some cases, a shorter lifespan. 

1. Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels are instantly recognizable for their sweet expressions and long, silky ears. But those same features contribute to many of the health challenges seen in the breed. Their pendulous ears limit airflow in the ear canal, creating a warm, moist environment that makes chronic ear infections especially common. Over time, repeated inflammation can also affect the surrounding skin and deeper ear structures.

Beyond ear disease, Cocker Spaniels are prone to eye conditions, joint disorders, thyroid disease, and heart problems, many of which have a genetic component. Their sensitive skin and immune tendencies can further increase the risk of chronic inflammatory conditions. For this breed, regular screening and early intervention play a critical role in maintaining long-term comfort and quality of life.

2. German Shepherd

German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal, and versatile dogs, widely used in family homes, police work, and service roles. However, their large size, rapid growth, and distinctive hind limb structure place significant stress on the musculoskeletal system, making joint disease a common concern.

Сommon German Shepherd health problems include:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Allergies and skin disease
• Digestive and pancreatic disorders
• Thyroid disease
• Bladder and urinary issues

3. Bulldog (English and French)

Bulldogs are beloved for their expressive faces and charming personalities, but intensive breeding for appearance has led to serious, lifelong health challenges. 

Their shortened skulls and compressed airways can make breathing difficult, limit exercise tolerance, and increase the risk of overheating—even in mild weather.

In addition to respiratory issues, Bulldogs frequently experience skin infections, allergies, eye problems, and degenerative spinal disease. Deep skin folds trap moisture and bacteria, contributing to chronic inflammation, while spinal abnormalities can lead to pain and mobility issues. 

Because many of these conditions are structural, Bulldogs often require ongoing veterinary management throughout their lives.

4. Golden & Labrador Retrievers

Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers consistently rank among the most popular dog breeds, but both share several overlapping health concerns. Their large, athletic frames place long-term stress on joints, increasing the risk of hip and elbow dysplasia and, eventually, osteoarthritis as they age.

These breeds are also highly food-motivated, which can make weight management challenging. Excess weight further accelerates joint degeneration and increases the risk of metabolic disease. In addition, Goldens and Labs are prone to ear infections, skin allergies, and certain cancers such as osteosarcoma. 

For these dogs, early weight management and lifelong joint support are key to maintaining mobility and comfort.

5. Saint Bernard

As a giant breed, Saint Bernards face health challenges largely driven by their sheer size and rapid growth during puppyhood. Supporting a very large body places continuous strain on joints, the cardiovascular system, and internal organs, which contributes to a shorter average lifespan compared to smaller breeds.

Saint Bernards are commonly affected by elbow and hip dysplasia, bone cancer, heart disease, and eyelid abnormalities, all of which can significantly impact quality of life. 

Because age-related conditions often appear earlier in giant breeds, preventive care and early orthopedic monitoring are especially important.

6. Basset Hound

Basset Hounds were bred for scent tracking, resulting in a distinctive body shape with a long spine supported by short, heavy legs. While this build makes them excellent scent hounds, it also places constant mechanical stress on the spine and joints.

As a result, Basset Hounds are prone to intervertebral disc disease, chronic joint pain, and mobility issues. Their long ears also increase the risk of recurrent ear infections, and reduced activity levels can increase the risk of obesity, further compounding orthopedic strain. Blood clotting disorders have also been reported in the breed, highlighting the importance of careful monitoring.

7. Rottweiler

Rottweilers are powerful, confident dogs with a strong work ethic, but their rapid growth and heavy musculature can place significant stress on developing joints. Elbow and hip dysplasia are common and may lead to chronic pain or arthritis later in life.

In addition to joint disease, Rottweilers have a genetic predisposition to Von Willebrand’s disease, hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, and several types of cancer. These conditions may not become apparent until adulthood, making routine screening and long-term veterinary relationships particularly important. 

Like many large breeds, Rottweilers typically have a shorter lifespan of 8–10 years.

8. Newfoundland

Newfoundlands are gentle giants known for their calm temperament and intelligence, but their massive size and deep-chested anatomy contribute to several serious health risks. 

Gastric torsion (bloat) is a major concern, as it can develop suddenly and become life-threatening without immediate intervention.

Newfoundlands are also prone to inherited heart defects such as subaortic stenosis, along with joint disease, eye abnormalities, and bleeding disorders like Von Willebrand’s disease.

The combination of genetic factors and physical strain means these dogs often experience an earlier onset of age-related conditions and a shorter average lifespan compared to smaller breeds.

How to Minimize Health Problems in At-Risk Breeds

Not only does poor health take a toll on your dog, but it also can take a toll on your emotions and your pocketbook. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to do a little research when considering getting a new pup.

Educate yourself early

One way to minimize the odds of health issues is by educating yourself early. Even if you already have one of the breeds above, you can save your fur-baby some unnecessary pain by becoming familiar with everyday issues, learning to recognize symptoms, and taking preventative measures to minimize or slow many complications.

When you first bring your dog home, establish baseline health metrics:

• Take clear photos to track physical changes
• Record weight and body condition score
• Note energy levels and behavior patterns
• Document any breed-specific concerns with your veterinarian

This baseline helps you quickly identify when something changes or seems “off.”

Find a reputable breeder

If you aren’t yet a dog owner and are still deciding which breed you’ll be getting, finding a reputable breeder will serve you well. That’s because a good breeder can be the difference between a healthy and unhealthy dog—regardless of breed.

What responsible breeders do:

• Health test all breeding dogs through organizations like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
• Screen for breed-specific genetic conditions
• Provide documented health clearances for both parent dogs
• Offer health guarantees and take dogs back if needed
• Breed selectively to improve breed health, not just appearance
• Socialize puppies properly before placement
• Remain available for lifetime support and advice

Red flags indicating poor breeders:

• Won’t let you meet the parent dogs
• Have multiple litters available at once
• Sell puppies before 8 weeks of age
• Can’t provide health clearances
• Advertise “rare” colors or sizes
• Pressure you to buy immediately

Explore Various  Approaches to Canine Care

In addition to conventional veterinary treatments, some pet parents explore alternative approaches to support their dog’s comfort, mobility, and overall well-being. These may include integrative therapies, supplements, or other supportive strategies. As with any aspect of your dog’s care, it’s important to work with qualified veterinary professionals and rely on evidence-based guidance when considering additional options.

One area of growing scientific interest is stem cell therapy, which is being investigated as an alternative approach for managing chronic, inflammatory, and degenerative conditions in dogs. 

At Gallant, we are developing donor-derived, ready-to-use stem cell therapies. These therapies are being studied for their potential to support the body’s natural regulatory processes rather than simply addressing symptoms. 

While Gallant’s stem cell therapies remain investigational and are available only through clinical studies, ongoing research aims to expand future treatment options for veterinarians and the pets they care for.

Good Health Is More Than Genetics

Even though some breeds are more prone than others to diseases and injury, there’s no guarantee that any dog will develop them. If you’re already an owner of one of the above breeds, simply being aware of symptoms and proactively taking steps to mitigate injury or illness can help your four-legged buddy live a pain-free life.

Learn More About Gallant’s Stem Cell Therapies

Explore how Gallant is building a new category of veterinary medicine through ready-to-use regenerative therapies.

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