Larger dog breeds, such as Great Danes and Rottweilers, are more at risk of developing bone cancer, a new study has found.
Research conducted by the University of Bristol analysed health data on over 900,000 dogs to identify which breeds and characteristics might increase the risk of osteosarcoma – a type of cancer that is most often found in the long bones.
Their findings discovered that larger, heavier dogs (and those with longer legs and skulls) are at greater risk of developing the cancer. With more people looking to dogs for companionship, the researchers hope that their discoveries would help to inform breed health reforms, particularly among dogs like the German Pointer, Mastiff, Great Dane, Rhodesian Ridgeback and Rottweiler.
"This study highlights the health risks from another extreme body shape - large body size. The breeds at highest risk of osteosarcoma were large-sized breeds such as Rottweiler, Great Dane and Mastiff," an animal epidemiologist from the Royal Veterinary College told the Daily Mail.
"To reduce the risks of picking a dog that may develop bone cancer, owners may need to consider choosing puppies from smaller-sized parents of these giant breeds or opting for different smaller breeds instead."
Dan O'Neill, the paper's author, added: "There are increasing concerns about the wisdom of breeding dogs with extreme body shapes such as flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs or breeds with long backs such as Dachshunds."
Take a look at the breeds which could be most likely to develop osteosarcoma, according to the research:
- Crossbreed
- Rottweiler
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Great Dane
- Mastiff
- German Pointer
- Pinscher
- Greyhound
- Lurcher
- Collie
- Golden Retriever
- Akita
- American Bulldog
- Labrador Retriever
- Poodle
- Standard Poodle
- Boxer
- Weimaraner
- German Shepherd
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Fox Terrier
- Hungarian Vizsla
- Scottish Terrier
- Cairn Terrier
- Alaskan Malamute
- Tibetan Terrier
- Bulldog
While it can be worrying for owners with these breeds, researchers hope the findings could pave the way for new therapies for dogs suffering from osteosarcoma. As well as this, they hope it may inform treatments for bone cancer in humans, too.
If you are concerned about your dog, seek the help of an expert who can help to do any relevant blood test screenings.
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Hugo & Hudson - Orange & Navy Puffer Jacket
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Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
