Are you thinking about adding a dog to your family? It’s a big decision and there is a lot to consider.
It’s important to make sure you choose a breed of dog with a temperament and exercise needs that suit your family and lifestyle. But your decisions don’t end there. It’s also important to consider the health of your pet and the downstream impact it can have on your pet insurance premiums and vet bills.
Traits to be avoided
There are several breeds that have become fashionable and have been breed for a certain ‘look’. Owners may be drawn to the way they look but some breeds can bring nasty consequences. Dogs that have flat faces, mis-aligned jaws, large or protruding eyes, short, twisted legs, extra skin folds and droopy eyes can come with severe health issues. Consequently, pet insurance premiums for dogs with these characteristics can be much higher than those of healthier breeds.
I recently read an article by vet Tim Kirby MVB MRCVS who wrote about a very sick dog brought to his vet surgery by worried owners. The dog had every trait in the diagram below and consequently he had a miserable life and was suffering. He couldn’t breathe easily, had fungus infections in his folded skin, hip dysplasia, over-heated easily, had skin allergies, eye lids that turned in meaning his eye lashes were scratching his eyes, and his legs were extremely bowed. When Tim listed all the issues he had, and the cost of correcting all his issues, the owners were horrified by their dog’s suffering and the potential cost.
Here's a diagram of the traits to watch out for that can cause suffering, costly pet insurance and vet bills.
Credit: Tim Kirby
Vets see these issues daily, and Tim would love owners to ask him about different breeds before they buy a puppy.
Choose a reputable breeder
Tim is so passionate about the issues extreme breeding creates that he’s created a site called mypetbond.com, where reputable breeders can advertise healthy puppies to prospective owners. Take time to research the breeder you choose and if you are re-homing a rescue dog, ask a vet to check them out before you commit.
We are not receiving any payment for sharing this information with you, but we feel passionately that every owner deserves a happy and healthy puppy. Please ask your vet for advice about the breed of dog you are considering buying. Owners rejecting these types of dogs will reduce demand and mean that fewer unhealthy, suffering puppies are bred, which can only be a good thing.
Please don’t forget to research the right pet insurance for you once you’ve chosen your puppy and enjoy your healthy, new pet!