Breeds Prone to Heart Disease
Heart disease in pets encompasses multiple conditions including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), mitral valve disease, congenital heart defects, and arrhythmias. Some forms are genetic while others develop with age. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in certain breeds.
Symptoms
Coughing (especially at night or after exercise), difficulty breathing, exercise intolerance, fainting, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss, swollen abdomen, and bluish gums indicating poor circulation.
Prevention & Management
Regular veterinary check-ups with cardiac auscultation, echocardiographic screening for at-risk breeds, maintaining healthy weight, feeding a balanced diet with adequate taurine, and choosing breeders who perform cardiac clearances.
39 Breeds Prone to Heart Disease
36 dog breeds and 3 cat breeds
Airedale Terrier
Dog · Large · England
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Heart Disease, Hypothyroidism, Bloat
American Pit Bull Terrier
Dog · Medium-Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Allergies, Heart Disease, Thyroid Issues
American Staffordshire Terrier
Dog · Medium-Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Heart Disease, Skin Allergies, Cerebellar Ataxia
Boerboel
Dog · Giant · South Africa
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Heart Disease, Bloat
Borzoi
Dog · Large · Russia
Health risks: Bloat, Heart Disease, Eye Conditions, Hypothyroidism
Boxador
Dog · Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Heart Disease, Bloat, Cancer
Boykin Spaniel
Dog · Medium · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, Heart Disease, Exercise-Induced Collapse
Broholmer
Dog · Giant · Denmark
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Bloat, Heart Disease
Bull Terrier
Dog · Medium · England
Health risks: Deafness, Heart Disease, Kidney Problems, Skin Allergies
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Dog · Giant · Caucasus Region
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Bloat, Heart Disease, Obesity
Cavachon
Dog · Small · United States
Health risks: Heart Disease, Eye Conditions, Luxating Patella, Ear Infections
Chihuahua
Dog · Toy · Mexico
Health risks: Dental Disease, Luxating Patella, Heart Disease, Hydrocephalus
Dwelf
Cat · Small · United States
Health risks: Skeletal Issues, Skin Conditions, Heart Disease
English Mastiff
Dog · Giant · England
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Bloat, Heart Disease, Obesity
Entlebucher Mountain Dog
Dog · Medium · Switzerland
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, PRA, Heart Disease, Ectopic Ureter
German Pinscher
Dog · Medium · Germany
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, Heart Disease, Von Willebrand's
German Wirehaired Pointer
Dog · Large · Germany
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, Heart Disease, Von Willebrand's
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Dog · Small-Medium · Ireland
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, PRA, Heart Disease
Goberian
Dog · Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, Heart Disease, Bloat
Golden Retriever
Dog · Large · Scotland
Health risks: Cancer, Hip Dysplasia, Heart Disease, Eye Conditions
Goldendoodle
Dog · Medium-Large · United States/Australia
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, Heart Disease, Patellar Luxation
Greyhound
Dog · Large · Egypt/England
Health risks: Bloat, Heart Disease, Osteosarcoma, Anesthesia Sensitivity
Havanese
Dog · Small · Cuba
Health risks: Luxating Patella, Eye Conditions, Heart Disease, Deafness
Irish Wolfhound
Dog · Giant · Ireland
Health risks: Heart Disease, Bloat, Bone Cancer, Liver Shunt
Keeshond
Dog · Medium · Netherlands
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Heart Disease, Epilepsy, Hypothyroidism
Korat
Cat · Small-Medium · Thailand
Health risks: Gangliosidosis, Heart Disease, Low Body Fat
Leonberger
Dog · Giant · Germany
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Bloat, Heart Disease, Cancer
Miniature Bull Terrier
Dog · Small · England
Health risks: Deafness, Eye Conditions, Heart Disease, Kidney Problems
Newfoundland
Dog · Giant · Canada
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Bloat, Heart Disease, Cystinuria
Norwich Terrier
Dog · Small · England
Health risks: Epilepsy, Tracheal Collapse, Luxating Patella, Heart Disease
Pekingese
Dog · Small · China
Health risks: Brachycephalic Syndrome, Eye Conditions, Intervertebral Disc Disease, Heart Disease
Presa Canario
Dog · Large · Canary Islands
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Bloat, Eye Conditions, Heart Disease
Saint Berdoodle
Dog · Giant · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Bloat, Heart Disease, Wobbler Syndrome
Saluki
Dog · Large · Middle East
Health risks: Heart Disease, Cancer, Hypothyroidism, Anesthesia Sensitivity
Samoyed
Dog · Medium-Large · Siberia, Russia
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Heart Disease, Hypothyroidism, Diabetes
Scottish Deerhound
Dog · Giant · Scotland
Health risks: Heart Disease, Bloat, Bone Cancer, Hypothyroidism
Standard Schnauzer
Dog · Medium · Germany
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, Heart Disease, Hypothyroidism
Sussex Spaniel
Dog · Medium · England
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Heart Disease, Eye Conditions, Intervertebral Disc Disease
Tonkinese
Cat · Medium · Canada/Thailand
Health risks: Amyloidosis, Asthma, Heart Disease, Gingivitis