Big breeds Living with a large, boisterous dog can be an incredibly rewarding experience. However, whilst a big dog can be perfect for many people, potential owners should be aware of many different considerations including he health problems and reduced life expectancy of many large breeds. Petplan takes a look at eight of the most popular big dog breeds and what you need to consider if you’re considering purchasing one…

NEWFOUNDLAND

Characteristics. Newfoundlands are such injuries can result in surgery, large, strong who can make a making having the right dog insurance great family pet. Originally used as a vital. More dangerously, to pull fisherman’s nets or Newfoundlanders can sometimes wood for lumberjacks, they are brilliant suffer from Gastric Torsion. This is a swimmers. life-threatening condition whereby the Health issues. The rupturing of the stomach stretches due to an increase Arteria Cruciate Ligament can in gas and can result in the stomach sometimes occur in the breed. twisting. It is predominantly found in Depending on the degree of severity, large, deep-chested dogs.

GREAT DANE

Characteristics. The Great Dane is a their health. As well as suffering from beautiful and regal dog who holds an Gastric Torsion like the Newfoundland, aura of nobility as a result of his tall the Great Dane is also at higher risk of stature of up to 86cm. They are bone cancer than small dogs. something of a gentle giant and love Symptoms include lameness which, if spending time around people. you notice in your Great Dane, means Health issues. Whilst their size was you should take them to the vet an asset for their original purpose as immediately. hunting dogs, it can be a detriment to

IRISH WOLFHOUND

Characteristics. The size of this Health issues. Due to the Irish enormous dog (86cm) made it perfect wolfhound’s size, it too, can be prone for its traditional roles of hunting and to suffering from bone cancer, elbow pulling men off their horses in wars. dysplasia and . Other Today, this shaggy-haired dog can conditions that can affect wolfhounds make an ideal pet for many thanks to include heart disease caused by the their ability to form deep bonds with heart muscle becoming thin and being their owners and their desire to be unable to contract properly. included in all aspects of family life.

BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG

Characteristics. The Bernese Health issues. Bernese are a mountain dog is a Swiss dog whose comparatively healthy large breed of size of up to 68cm, makes this breed dog, but owners should note the perfect for their traditional roles of possible conditions that can result from helping herd cattle and pulling carts. its size. Such conditions include Elbow With long hair and a sweet-natured Dysplasia, which is a degenerative disposition they are a warm and disease sometimes found in welcoming pet. large-breed dogs.

ROTTWEILER

Characteristics. The Rottweiler is a Health issues. Rottweilers are one of medium to large size breed that the breeds most affected by hip originated in Germany, where it was dysplasia. This condition can range used to drive cattle and pull carts for from mild to severe. Severe cases are farmers and butchers. extremely painful and often require They are physically and mentally surgery to correct. Rottweilers are also tough, but require careful training to among the breeds that suffer from a respect their owner as ‘pack leader’. congenital heart condition called Aortic Stenosis.

LEONBERGER

Characteristics. A cross between a increases the risk of being afflicted by Newfoundland, a Saint Bernard and Panosteitis (bone inflammation). This Great Pyrenees it’s no surprise that the is when the large bones in the legs of can grow up to 80cm tall. young dogs become inflamed, making They, like many other big breeds of it painful for the dog to walk or move dog, love being around people and around. With – as with all need roughly an hour of exercise a dogs – it’s vital to have the right dog day. insurance to ensure your pet is Health issues. As well as hip covered and you can enjoy your time dysplasia, the Leonberger’s size owning a large dog

GOLDEN RETRIEVER

Characteristics. Gundogs were bred mast cell tumors, and seizures. to flush out, locate or retrieve game Osteosarcoma is also occasionally shot down by hunters. They are seen in Golden Retrievers. Other usually highly trainable, keen to please major health concerns for the breed and have a balanced, pleasant include lymphoma, canine hip temperament. dysplasia (CHD), hemangiosarcoma, Health issues. Some of its minor and skin problems. To identify these health problems include conditions early, a veterinarian may hypothyroidism, sub-aortic stenosis recommend heart, hip, thyroid, eye, or (SAS), eye disorders, elbow dysplasia, elbow tests during routine checkups.

GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER

Characteristics. This fairly large Disease (vWD), entropion, and hunting dog of stature of up to 66cms pannus, and major issues such as has an abundance of energy and lymphedema. Other problems that can stamina. Ideally it would require more be occasionally seen in breed include than two hours exercise every day with cardiomyopathy, ectropion, and plenty of free running. progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). To Health issues. This breed is prone to identify some of these issues, a minor health concerns like gastric veterinarian may recommend regular torsion, hypothyroidism, canine hip thyroid, hip, cardiac, and eye exams, dysplasia (CHD), Osteochondrosis and tests to verify vWD. Dissecans (OCD), von Willebrand’s

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