Breed health guide (UK)
Popular UK dog and cat breeds with links to health guides for conditions commonly discussed in practice. Not a substitute for breed-specific screening with your vet.
Quick answer
dog · Gundog
Labrador Retriever
The UK's most popular dog breed — prone to obesity, joint disease and ear infections.
Common health topics
dog · Utility
French Bulldog
Brachycephalic breed — breathing difficulty, heat sensitivity and spinal issues are common vet concerns.
Common health topics
dog · Gundog
Cocker Spaniel
Active gundog breed — ear disease, skin allergies and eye problems are frequently seen in UK practices.
Common health topics
dog · Hound
Dachshund
Long-backed breed at risk of intervertebral disc disease — avoid obesity and jumping from heights.
Common health topics
dog · Pastoral
German Shepherd
Large pastoral breed — hip/elbow dysplasia, digestive sensitivity and arthritis in later life.
Common health topics
dog · Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Popular UK family terrier — skin allergies, mast cell tumours and lameness are common presentations.
Common health topics
dog · Gundog
Golden Retriever
Friendly large breed — cancer, joint disease and ear infections feature heavily in breed health discussions.
Common health topics
dog · Toy
Pug
Brachycephalic toy breed — breathing, eye ulcers and heatstroke are key UK welfare concerns.
Common health topics
dog · Pastoral
Border Collie
High-energy working breed — epilepsy, eye disease and exercise-related injuries occur in UK practices.
Common health topics
dog · Working
Boxer
Boxers have breed predisposition to heart disease, mast cell tumours and certain cancers.
Common health topics
cat · Pedigree
British Shorthair
Stocky UK favourite — obesity, heart screening and dental disease are common owner concerns.
Common health topics
cat · Pedigree
Maine Coon
Large long-haired breed — heart disease screening, hip dysplasia and hairballs.
Common health topics
cat · Pedigree
Bengal
Active hybrid breed — diarrhoea, heart screening and behavioural enrichment needs.
Common health topics
cat · Pedigree
Ragdoll
Docile long-haired breed — bladder issues, obesity and heart screening in breeding lines.
Common health topics
cat · Pedigree
Siamese
Vocal oriental breed — respiratory disease, dental care and hyperthyroidism in older cats.
Common health topics
cat · Pedigree
Persian
Flat-faced long-haired breed — eye discharge, breathing and kidney disease screening.
Common health topics
cat · Mixed breed
Domestic shorthair (moggie)
Non-pedigree UK cats — still need vaccinations, neutering, dental care and FLUTD awareness.
Common health topics
dog · Gundog
English Springer Spaniel
Popular working gundog — ear infections, hip dysplasia and eye disease are common in UK practices.
Common health topics
dog · Working
Rottweiler
Large working breed — joint disease, bloat risk and cancer screening are key owner concerns.
Common health topics
dog · Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier
Energetic small terrier — luxating patella, dental disease and lens luxation appear in breed discussions.
Common health topics
dog · Toy
Shih Tzu
Long-coated toy breed — eye ulcers, breathing issues and dental overcrowding are frequent vet visits.
Common health topics
dog · Toy
Yorkshire Terrier
Small toy breed — tracheal collapse, dental disease and low blood sugar in tiny puppies.
Common health topics
dog · Toy
Chihuahua
Tiny breed — dental disease, patella luxation and hypoglycaemia in young dogs need awareness.
Common health topics
dog · Hound
Beagle
Scent hound favourite — obesity, ear infections and epilepsy are commonly discussed in UK forums.
Common health topics
dog · Utility
Siberian Husky
Arctic breed in UK homes — zinc-responsive skin disease, eye conditions and exercise needs.
Common health topics
dog · Toy
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Beloved UK toy spaniel — heart murmurs (MVD), syringomyelia and ear disease need screening.
Common health topics
dog · Hound
Whippet
Slim sight hound — cuts and lacerations, heart screening and sensitivity to cold and anaesthesia.
Common health topics
dog · Terrier
Border Terrier
Hardy UK terrier — Cushing's disease, seizures and dental tartar in older dogs.
Common health topics
cat · Mixed breed
Domestic longhair
Long-haired moggies — matting, hairballs and grooming needs match pedigree long coats.
Common health topics
dog · Crossbreed
Cockapoo
Cocker Spaniel × Poodle cross — ear disease, skin allergies and eye problems are the most common vet visits.
Common health topics
dog · Crossbreed
Cavapoo
Cavalier × Poodle cross — ear disease, dental problems and skin allergies are frequent UK vet visits.
Common health topics
dog · Crossbreed
Labradoodle
Labrador × Poodle cross — joint disease, ear infections and skin allergies feature heavily in practice.
Common health topics
dog · Utility
Miniature Schnauzer
Bearded utility breed — dental disease, weight gain and sensitive digestion are common owner concerns.
Common health topics
dog · Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Hardy terrier — skin allergies are the signature Westie problem, with ears and teeth close behind.
Common health topics
dog · Utility
British Bulldog
Brachycephalic breed — breathing difficulty, heat sensitivity and skin-fold problems are key UK welfare concerns.
Common health topics
dog · Toy
Bichon Frise
Cheerful toy companion — skin allergies, dental disease and ear problems are the usual vet visits.
Common health topics
dog · Toy
Pomeranian
Tiny spitz — dental overcrowding, collapsing-trachea cough and patella problems need awareness.
Common health topics
dog · Working
Dobermann
Athletic working breed — bloat risk, heart health and joint problems dominate vet discussions.
Common health topics
dog · Gundog
Hungarian Vizsla
Energetic gundog — skin allergies, ear infections and epilepsy appear in breed health discussions.
Common health topics
dog · Utility
Dalmatian
Spotted coach dog — skin allergies, ear problems and joint disease are the common practice presentations.
Common health topics
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