If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a new dog into your home then you’re in good company – Royal Kennel Club (the new name for the UK Kennel Club) stats show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.
Dogs come in all shapes, colours and sizes - there are 221 different pedigree dogs recognised by breeders in the UK, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ like the popukar Labradoodle (half Labrador, half Poodle) to lovable mongrels.
So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.
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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
Another thing to take into consideration is that some breeds are prone to particular health issues.
One common canine disorder is hip dysplasia – when the dog’s hip ball and socket joint doesn’t fit or develop properly, causing it to rub and grind instead of sliding smoothly.
The condition results in the deterioration of the hip over time, causing pain and drastically reducing a dog’s quality of life.
Here are 15 breeds of dog most genetically predisposed to suffering hip dysplasia.
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5. Golden Retriever
What is true of the Labrador Retriever tends to also be the case for their close counsin the Golden Retriever. This includes the Lab's many positive attributes, but also the tendency to have hip problems. Some dogs show signs of the issue as early as just a few months old, while others show no problems until they are much older. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Bulldog
Bulldogs can develop hip dysplasia because of inherited skeletal abnormalities and their unusual body structure. Their compact, heavily built conformation can contribute to abnormal forces across the hip joints. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Shetland Sheepdog
In common with all the herding shepherd breeds, the Shetland Sheepdog is prone to the misalignment of joints that is the root cause of the condition. It can force these energetic animals to live a fairly sedentary life. Too much exercise can have fatal repercissions for dogs with hip dysplasia. | Canva/Getty Images
8. Borzoi
Borzois can be affected by hip dysplasia despite their lean, lightly built appearance. Genetic susceptibility remains important, and abnormal development of the hip joint can eventually cause instability and arthritis. | Canva/Getty Images