I’ve never been one of those guys who runs to the vet every time their dog sneezes. Don't see why. The remarkable thing about a dog's body is how fast their system works. They're full grown in about a year. A female dog can give birth at just 6 months. It's mad.
But that also means that their immune systems work faster battling potential pathogens, so if you have a healthy and hardy dog, it should be clear sailing. And that's been my case for every dog I had. Never had a major problem. The idea is to treat the health issues before they happen, before you even get your dog. Here’s what I mean: If you’re set on getting a breed known to have health problems like the bulldog, expect to visit your vet regularly, get health insurance and do not expect longevity. I get it; they’re sweet and adorable and you can’t resist. But brace yourself for the inevitable. You might love the giant breeds like the Great Dane and Irish wolfhound – me too. They’re calm, good natured and spectacular to behold. But there’s a lot of pressure on those hip bones, there’s an ever present risk of bloat where they can die within minutes and of course, the short lifespan. I get it, you still can't resist. Your best friend better be your vet, because you will be spending a lot of time there. The bulldog and the giant breeds are just a few examples of canine genetic flaws that have plagued the poor canis domesticus over the centuries. Y'know how pugs and Pekingese got those pushed-in faces that wreak havoc upon their respiratory systems? Ancient breeders wanted a dog that looked like a human. Of course this type of super-selective breeding does not apply to many breeds, particularly among the dogs that worked on the farm to herd, to guard, to exterminate vermin. Them guys were bred to work, not look pretty or like a creature from Star Wars. Real working dogs are sturdy, robust and usually “rustic’ looking. Take the rat terrier with an average life expect of 15-18 years: It's probably the best example of what I mean by a sturdy farm breed. The dog was bred from a wide array of breeds, consequently it diminished the dangers of inbreeding. According to rat terrier breed standards, there’s a loose set of confirmation points. For example, it can weigh between 10-25 lbs., vary in height from 13 to 18 inches, have a coat of many colors and other variations. In essence, the rat terrier is like that "country" puppy from the shelter you fell in love with, brought home and she lived till 18. Actually, mixed breeds live the longest and have the least health issues. The more mixed, the better. All to say that if you’re getting a dog and you don’t want to run to the vet every week, get a healthy breed or a good ole farm dog. If you're not sure what breed or mix to get, check around the neighborhood. Talk to owners of old and healthy dogs. Don’t be shy, every neighborhood has their dog mavens. And if you still want that bulldog or Great Dane - I get it, just visit a good breeder who breeds 'to better the breed,' the motto of any self-respecting breeder. Many of those ‘problematic” breeds can live healthy long lives. Take this approach and trust me, you won't have be best friends with your vet.
