The Crufts are in full swing, with thousands of dog owners flocking to the NEC in Birmingham with hopes to perhaps find their dream breed.
There are, however, a few breeds dog enthusiasts may want to reconsider if they do not want to end up with colossal medical bills. Dr Charlie Astle, a veterinarian and the founder of Charlie The Vet, a first-aid kit range for dogs, shared with us which breeds are more likely to end up at her office.
According to the vet and entrepreneur, these are the dog breeds that may break your bank and that she has observed having the most health problems:
French bulldog
The Frenchies are one of the most popular breeds in Europe. According to figures from the Kennel Club, registrations of French bulldogs climbed from 9,670 in 2014 to 54,074 in 2021.
While registration figures declined to 26,704 in 2023, the French bulldog remained second only to the labrador in terms of popularity of pure breeds. However, the cute little pooch is a brachycephalic breed, meaning they have short skulls and flat faces.
As a result, this can lead to breathing difficulties and other health problems. “[They have] allergies, gut problems, spine problems,” Dr Astle says as she noted that Frenchies were some of her most common patients.
Shar Pei
With their wrinkly body and lovely colours, the Chinese breed quickly rose to popularity in the UK. Moreover, Shar Pei comprised of 0.42% of a population of 455,557 dogs in a study conducted by the Royal Veterinary College in 2023.
Unfortunately, they are prone to a slew of health problems. “The breeding has led to some problems with their skin,” Dr Astle says.
“They’re really prone to allergies, as well as other health conditions. They get something called Shar Pei fever, they have their own problem.”
Shar-Pei fever is a hereditary condition that causes recurring episodes of fever and inflammation in the breed. “That’s sort of these amyloid deposits that build up in their joints and their skins. It can cause kidney problems,” Dr Astle explains.
Pugs
Dr Astle admits that pugs were some of the unhealthiest breeds. The little companion is notable for its wrinkly, short-muzzled face, and curled tail.
Just like French bulldogs, pugs are brachycephalic, and therefore, also face breathing problems. They are also prone to skin conditions, eye issues, and obesity.
Cavalier King Charles spaniel
While Dr Astle finds the cheerful Spaniard ‘lovely’, she also notes the breed’s tendency to have heart problems. The cavaliers are particularly prone to a heart condition called “mitral valve disease (MVD)”, which is considered the most common heart problem in this breed.
MVD often leads to congestive heart failure if left untreated. The risks to develop heart problems are so big, that Norway banned the breeding of purebred cavaliers in 2023 after ruling that breeding the breed is unethical because of the high risk of passing on painful hereditary disorders.
German Shepherd
The glorified police dog suffers from joint problems. As a result of decades of selective breeding, the German Shepherd has developed a prevalent sloped back, a noticeable incline in the topline of their back, where the rear end appears to slope downwards compared to the shoulders.
This characteristic feature is particularly problematic, has it often leads to health issues like hip dysplasia. “They also [have problems] with their guts, digestive issues, they get really bad stomach issues,” Dr Astle states.
