Dog Lovers Manual

The majority of pedigree breeds (particularly of show type) suffer from genetic weaknesses, with some worse than others. Ear infections, hip, knee and elbow dysplasia (joint deformity), eye and liver defects, malocclusion (jaw/teeth deformity), atopy (allergy/hyper-sensitivity), respiratory and pulmonary (heart/lung) diseases, and skin and muscle ailments are the most commonly seen problems.

Examples include the bulldog, whose skull conformation is so abnormal that it causes respiratory distrees so sever that it causes respiratory distrees so severe that there have been veterinary calls for the breed to be banned in its current form. Joint problems and bloat are seen in large and giant breeds, hip dysplasia in sporting, working and gundogs, and heart and eye defects in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.