We’re officially a nations of dog owners, with the UK’s most popular pet living in around one-in-three households (and rising).
That means that there are around three million pooches living here, with more people choosing to join the army of dog lovers every week.
Of course, if you are looking to welcome a dog into your family, there are 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
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 reduce a dog’s quality of life.
Here are 13 least breeds of dog genetically predisposed to suffering hip dysplasia.
5. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are another breed of large dog that commonly suffer from hip dysplasia. Another early indication of the condition is if your pet is leaning in one direction while walking, in an attempt to protect the troublesome hip. | Canva/Getty Images
6. Newfoundland
Another dog whose huge size can cause hip problems os the enormous Newfoundland. Over-exercising a dog, allowing them to jump from excessive heights and skidding on slippery surfaces are all factors that can aggravate hip dysplasia. | 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. French Bulldog
Sadly selective breeding has made the French Bulldog susceptible to a variety of physical conditions, including hip dysplasia. Responsible breeders will do all they can to better the bloodlines of their breeds, making their puppies less likely to develop problems. | Canva/Getty Images