Caring for a dog always comes with certain complications. While most of it can be treatable now thanks to years of research and advancements in medicine, there are still certain illnesses that if not detected early, can be fatal to our loyal companions.
Cancer has always been an uphill battle for us humans and our furry friends. Many factors can come into play when determining whether your pet will have it or not. Some of these factors include family history, breed, diet, and environment. And while some breeds are at low risk of having this dreaded disease, others are not so lucky. There are a lot of symptoms to check out and we’ve included some of them for you to take note of. Let’s discuss the top 10 dog breeds with the highest cancer rate.
10. Bouvier des Flandres
The shaggy Bouvier des Flanders is a breed that’s known for their woolly coats and docile nature, it is also said that once they know a command, they never forget it. Because of their calm personalities, they are great family pets and watchdogs. Their life span is around 11 to 12 years.
This breed has a high chance of having gastric carcinoma which is a type of stomach cancer that can be devastating. It affects the lining of the stomach and will affect your dog’s appetite and weight.
Some cancer symptoms to watch out for:
- Lack of appetite
- Anorexia
- Weight Loss
- Shortness of breath
9. Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff is one of the stockier breeds, it has a large body, V-shaped ears, and a reddish coat. They are usually easygoing and affectionate towards the family, but they can be wary of strangers.
The Bullmastiff is highly susceptible to lymphoma or mast cell tumors. Even though these diseases can be life-threatening they can be detected easily with a bloodcount, thus can be surgically removed. Also, these types of diseases have a high survival rate among this breed with proper preparation and chemotherapy. A Bullmastiff’s average lifespan is 8 to 10 years.
Some cancer symptoms to watch out for:
- Bumps and lumps
- Pain
- Loss of appetite
- Wounds or ruptures
8. Leonberger
The quiet guardians, Leonbergers are known to resemble lions because of their manes. They like accompanying their owners in physical activities like hikes and swimming. Although they are highly intelligent, but can be stubborn when not trained well. The average lifespan of Leonbergers is between 8 and 10 years.
Bone cancer and blood vessel cancer are the ones to watch out for in Leonbergers. And like any other breed in this list, tests should be done for detection and treatment of these types of cancer. If you see your pet has changed and is acting unwell, don’t hesitate to have them checked.
Some cancer symptoms to watch out for:
Shaking or trembling
- Difficulty swallowing
- Lumps
- Discharge from body cavities
7. Beagle
Beagles are one of the most endearing breeds because of their cheerful and curious personality. Thus, they are widely kept as house pets and rabbit hunters. This breed is also characterized by its dome heads and droopy ears. When given proper care and attention, they have a life expectancy of up to 12 years.
Unfortunately, Beagles are prone to getting bladder cancer, bone cancer, and lymphoma. So if your pet has difficulty urinating, take them to a vet for a check-up.
Some cancer symptoms to watch out for:
- Painful and difficult urinating
- Constipation
- Limp
- Bumps
6. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are recognizable by their hanging ears, square jaws, and black coats with tan lines. They are known to be well performers at guarding and protecting jobs. Though most rottweilers need training, they can be a great addition to families that have the patience to teach them. They have an average lifespan of 8 to 11 years.
Sadly rottweilers have the highest chance of getting lymphoma than any other breed. They can also develop bone cancer and histiocytic sarcoma or aggressive tumors. Regular monitoring for these sicknesses can greatly increase the chances of your dog’s survival.
Some cancer symptoms to watch out for:
- Diarrhea
- Swelling
- Large lumps
- Vomiting
5. Saint Bernard
The gentle Saint Bernard are a popular choice for family pets because of their patience and affection. They are social creatures often depicted taking care of kids in pop culture. They are characterized by their droopy eyes, floppy ears, and wrinkled foreheads.
Saint Bernards can get 2 types of cancer that may develop in their 8 to 10-year life span, one is lymphoma and the other is bone cancer. The lymphoma starts at the lymph nodes and can spread to other organs meanwhile, bone cancer can often be found in the femur or humerus but can also occur in other bones as well.
Some cancer symptoms to watch out for:
- Non-healing wounds
- Extreme pain
- Loss of appetite
- Abnormal odors
RELATED: Top 10 Dogs With The Shortest Life Spans
4. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog has a tri-colored coat that makes it beautiful. Bred as a working dog, they are usually longer than they are taller and have stockier builds. Despite their huge size, they are known to be gentle giants which makes them amazing family dogs.
Bernese mountain dogs can develop a type of blood vessel cancer that usually happens in the spleen. Most of the time it goes unnoticed until it becomes life-threatening. Other types of cancer this breed can develop are lymphoma and bone cancer.
Some cancer symptoms to watch out for:
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Cough
- Blood in the urine or feces
- Whiteness of gums
3. German Shepherd
Known for their size and intelligence, the German shepherd has been a popular breed since World War I. They are known to have pointed ears, bushy tails, and double coats. If properly taken care of, they typically live for 9 to 13 years.
As German shepherds get older the risk of getting cancer will also increase. With generations of inbreeding to emphasize certain traits, their gene pool gradually weakened and diseases have been inherited by pups down the line. Watch out for symptoms of bone or blood vessel cancer.
Some cancer symptoms to watch out for:
- Abdominal bleeding
- Loss of appetite
- Stiffness
- Discharge
- Swelling
2. Golden/Flat-coated Retriever
Golden retrievers are known for their water-repellant fur, happy energy, and obedience. They are the most represented dog when it comes to spreading cancer awareness, and you will see them in almost all of the platforms used. When given lots of exercise and a balanced diet, Golden retrievers have an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years.
Since these dogs are so popular, bad breeding practices are done just to sell puppies. Because of that, their gene pool is in a bad state as ailments such as cancer are commonly inherited from parent to child. Moreover, when Golden retrievers reach 7 years or older they are more likely to get symptoms, and when not treated immediately it can be fatal. This breed has the highest mortality rate when it gets cancer.
Some cancer symptoms to watch out for:
- Shortness of breath
- Lack of energy
- Bad breath
- Difficulty urinating
- Pale gums
RELATED: Top 10 Healthiest Dog Food Brands Your Dog Must Try
1. Boxer
The Boxer breed is known for its squashed face, droopy ears, and short sleek coats. Normally they would live between 8 and 10 years when given proper care and health practices are established.
Boxers are at the top for having the highest rate of getting cancer. It is said that one in seven Boxers get this disease every year and 44% of those who get diagnosed doesn’t make it. If you happen to take care of this breed, always check in regularly with your vet as early detection will help. Certain cancers to watch out for are skin cancer, lymphoma, heart cancer, and brain cancer among many others.
Some cancer symptoms to watch out for:
- Rapid weight loss
- Lethargy
- Lumps
- Pain
- Abdominal swelling
From The Club
As animal lovers, we can never know when this fatal sickness will strike our furry companions. But for me, being informed and prepared is already half the battle. I will always look forward to a day when cancer will no longer affect all pets and humans. Always remember to schedule regular check-ups with your vet and ask questions on how to identify symptoms and what treatments are available for these kinds of illnesses.
