8 Dog Breeds to Absolutely Think Twice About & Why

Choosing a dog isn’t just about finding the cutest face or fluffiest coat. Sadly, some breeds have a history of health challenges that can break your heart — and your budget. Whether it's breathing problems, joint issues, or other chronic conditions, the risk can be high.

If you're thinking about getting a dog, it's worth knowing what you are getting yourself into; that is where this post comes into play. I give you my view on 8 dog breeds to absolutely think twice about & why. These are my choices, mainly based on health problems.

A Dog's Health

Look, first things first: almost all dog breeds have specific health issues. For example, many big breeds (and even some smaller ones) are prone to and will get hip dysplasia; another common ailment is patellar luxation (or luxating patella). Unfortunately, health issues are common.

That said, many proper breeders will do whatever they can to breed with dogs that are as healthy as can be. But, sadly, that does not take away the fact that there are several breeds out there that have not been very lucky in the health department.

Please note this is not an exhaustive list of health problems, just the most frequent and/or severe ones — i.e., the reason why I put them on this list.

Chow Chow

Chow Chows often come with a laundry list of health complications, making it crucial for any potential owner to do their homework. Hip and elbow dysplasia are major players on this list, a condition where the hip/elbow joint doesn’t fit snugly, leading to arthritis, difficulty walking, and, in some cases, dislocations.

Then there’s entropion, a painful eye condition where the eyelid rolls inward, causing the lashes to scrape against the eyeball. Imagine constantly rubbing your eye with grit — I don't know about you, but my eyes are stinging just by writing about it 😫!

This condition can lead to ongoing irritation, tearing, and even ulcers, the latter giving a white or blue ‘cloud' over the cornea (see image below). If this is not fixed (fast enough), the eye can be permanently damaged and will have to be surgically removed.

The Chow is also prone to 2 conditions where one is often caused by the other: diabetes and glaucoma. Chows have an above-average incidence of diabetes, which can cause glaucoma. Glaucoma causes a dog to go blind, often needing to remove the affected eye at some point.

Chow Chows also tend to develop skin issues, such as allergies and dermatitis, thanks to their dense coats, which can trap moisture and bacteria.

A 2020 study has indicated an “increase in risk for gastric carcinoma.”, which is stomach cancer.

Lastly, a non-health-related reason I do not often recommend a Chow Chow is due to their temperament. Chows can be extremely territorial, naturally dominant, and very aloof with strangers. Even if handled correctly, they can become quite aggressive!

In 2019, an electronic survey was sent out to vets across the US asking about dog aggression. Their results show the Chow Chow at number 1. Due to Chows being brachycephalic, their snouts are too short to fit a muzzle (to protect vets) properly.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Unfortunately, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to a host of genetic disorders, many of which affect their quality of life. The big one? Mitral Valve Disease (MVD), which is 20 times more prevalent in the Cavalier than in other breeds!

Over half of Cavaliers over 5 years old will develop MVD; more than 90% get it by the age of 10 — it is the leading cause of death for the Cavalier! Once a Cavalier gets MVD, the vet can only treat the symptoms, but usually, within 1 to 3 years, he will die from this condition.

When your Cavalier has MVD, sadly, his last days or even weeks are spent coughing, struggling to breathe and spluttering — poor thing!

Then there’s syringomyelia (SM), a neurological condition caused by their skulls being too small for their brains. It sounds dramatic, but it’s true. This leads to painful symptoms like head tilting, yelping for no apparent reason, or scratching at the air. Watching a dog suffer like this is just gut-wrenching.

Dachshund

Dachshunds are notorious for their vulnerability to Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), a condition where the discs in their spine can slip or rupture, causing pain, nerve damage, or even paralysis. Their long spines and short legs put enormous stress on their backs.

IVDD mean expensive vet bills, it often requires surgery and special care, and it involves a loooooong recovery period.

Around 25% of Dachshunds will develop IVDD during their lifetime. The risks are even higher if they jump on and off furniture or aren’t handled properly, e.g. when picking them up.

These sausage dogs are also prone to obesity due to their back issues, as it often limits their ability to exercise or even just take regular walks.

Shar-Pei

Firstly, the Shar-Pei actually has a medical condition named after them! Shar-Pei fever, or Familial Shar-Pei Fever (FSF), is a genetic and hereditary condition unique to the breed.

As the name suggests, this condition manifests as recurrent bouts of unexplained fever, and it leaves your dog ill and very uncomfortable — just think about how you feel when you have a fever. These bouts usually resolve on their own within 12 to 36 hours. Symptoms can be treated, but there is no cure.

Like the Chow Chow, the Shar-Pei also suffers from entropion, often needing the eyelids to be tacked in place to protect their eyes.

Other frequent ailments are ear inflammations and infections due to their extremely narrow ear canals. Moisture, dirt, and debris are trapped in the narrow ear canal, creating the perfect environment for bacteria and yeast to thrive.

Unfortunately, those cute wrinkles also come with a host of skin problems, such as skin fold dermatitis and skin sensitivities, such as allergies.

And again, like the Chow Chow, Shar-Pei's are not exactly welcomed with open arms at the vet's office. This breed is naturally aloof with strangers and can get aggressive when overstimulated.

Proper training can minimise any risks of aggression, but there will always be a (small) risk.

Flat-Faced Dogs

Flat-faced breeds, such as Pugs and Bulldogs, often experience Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). This condition is a direct result of their short skulls and smooshed noses. Their airways are compromised, making simple tasks like breathing a struggle. Have you ever heard a Pug snore while awake? That’s not cute; he can't breathe properly!

Imagine running a marathon while trying to breathe through a straw. That’s what these breeds deal with on pretty much a daily basis.

Over time, BOAS can lead to chronic fatigue, collapse, or even life-threatening situations like overheating. Corrective surgery is often needed to minimise discomfort, but it may not always be as helpful as you'd hoped.

Apart from spinal disorders, such as vertebral and spinal malformations, are also huge problems. This includes hemivertebrae, which occur when the vertebrae don’t form correctly, leading to spinal instability, and degenerative myelopathy, a neurological condition making their back legs progressively weaker, eventually leading to immobility. Pugs in particular are highly prone to degenerative myelopathy.

Brachycephalic dogs are also prone to several eye problems due to their skull anatomy — I'm sure you have seen such breeds with their bulging eyes and shallow sockets.

A common problem is proptosis, where their eyeballs can pop out of the socket —yes, really 😱. It’s as horrifying as it sounds and usually requires immediate surgical intervention!

Dobermann

One of the Dobermanns' most serious issues is dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) — no other breed is as predisposed to this condition as the Dobermann! It's a hereditary condition that weakens the heart muscles, making them unable to pump blood efficiently. This causes the heart chambers to dilate (i.e. get bigger) because it needs to compensate for the weakened heart muscle.

Eventually, DCM can cause abnormal heartbeats, also known as ventricular arrhythmia and even sudden death! Over 50% of Dobermanns are genetically predisposed to this life-threatening disease. DCM is often diagnosed late(r) in life; it is also not uncommon for your dog to die of DCM without any prior (warning) signs.

Boxer

Oh, the Boxer, THE dog breed that drew the short end of the stick — I wish I was exaggerating 😪. If you look at the book ‘Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats', a book generated based on studies, it lists a staggering 74 problems they are genetically prone to…Yes, you read that right, 74!

An important note is: ‘being prone to' does not equate to actually getting all of these potential health problems. It just means that they have a high(er) susceptibility to the health problems found in a breed over time.

Boxers, sadly, have one of the highest cancer rates among dog breeds. This isn’t just limited to a single type—they’re prone to mast cell tumours, lymphoma, and even brain cancer, just to name a few. Cancer in Boxers can strike at any age, but it’s more common as they age.

Heart disease is another major red flag with Boxers. Specifically, they’re known for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). This condition, often termed “Boxer Cardiomyopathy,” is no small issue—it’s life-threatening. This disease affects the heart muscles, which can lead to congestive heart failure or even sudden death.

Flat-Coated Retriever

The Flat-Coated Retriever has one of the highest cancer rates among all dog breeds. A sobering 50% of these dogs pass away from cancer, with histiocytic sarcoma being their deadliest foe. This aggressive form of cancer is as relentless as it is tragic, often striking without much warning.

While some types of cancer can be surgically removed, aggressive forms like this often require prolonged treatment, such as chemotherapy.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, there are some serious health concerns for a number of breeds. I must stress again that pretty much ALL breeds have issues, and the health problems I mentioned above are certainly not the only health issues these breeds have.

However, they are the most severe — if I were to talk you through all the (potential) health problems, you'd be reading for the next 3 days!

I would also like to stress that being (extremely) prone to a health condition doesn't mean ALL dogs from that breed get 1 or more conditions; it just means there is an increased risk. You can have any breed from this list and not have any of the above-mentioned issues.

So, choosing the right dog isn’t just about looks or personality — health matters deeply, too. Each breed brings its own challenges, and ignoring them could lead to heartbreak for you and your dog.

Whether it’s breathing issues in flat-faced breeds, back problems in Dachshunds, or severe genetic vulnerabilities like those in Dobermanns, the emotional and financial costs can be staggering. These examples underline why making informed decisions is vital.

Before committing to any breed, prioritise research over impulse to choose the right dog breed for you. Think about your lifestyle, budget, and capacity to handle potential health concerns.

If you’re still on the fence, why not share your thoughts in the comments below? Let’s keep the conversation going — our furry friends deserve nothing less.

If you want to learn more about diseases in dogs (and cats), you can read ‘Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats (third edition; 2018) by Alex Gough, Alison Thomas, and Dan O'Neill.

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