Adopting a dog is costly. There is the initial adoption fee but you also have to take into consideration grooming and feeding costs as well as other pet supplies. When all is said and done, raising your pup could really add up.
But some dogs can actually cost you more depending on the breed. That’s because some dogs are famously known for having hereditary diseases that can result in a lot of excessive trips to the vet and an abundance of medical bills. If you don’t think you’ll be able to afford these extra expenses, you should probably invest in pet insurance or avoid getting the breeds listed below all together.
Dalmatians
Dalmatians are big and beautiful and can be the perfect addition to any family, however they are the most prone to having severe health issues. Not only are they more likely to suffer from deafness and blindness (glaucoma) because the genes that make their coat partially white are typically mutated (so make sure the breeder gets a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response test and the Canine Eye Registry Foundation test respectively) but Dalmatians are also most likely to suffer from kidney stones, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and thyroid issues that can lead to low levels of energy and weight gain.
Collie
All collie breeds, including the rough and smooth collies, the border collie, and the Shetland sheepdog are prone to suffering from a disorder appropriately called Collie Eye Anomaly. This disorder results when a lack of the blood supply to the retina eventually causes the retina to detach. Naturally, the retinal detachment causes blindness in the eye. Sadly, this can occur as early as the collie’s first two years of life.
Miniature and Toy Poodles
These pint-size poodles can be the perfect lap dog, but they can also suffer from many muscular and cardiovascular issues that can cause a lot of heartbreak for your soul and your wallet. The most common diseases associated with miniature and toy poodles is Patellar Luxation—a disorder where the knee cap does not properly fit in the socket and it causes the dog to limp or make a loud “popping” sound every time the leg is bent; Legg Calve-Perthes Disease—a disorder where the hip bone is not properly aligned and causes excruciating pain; and Patent Ductus Arteriosus—a disorder at birth where too much blood is pumped into the left side of the heart causing a heart enlargement.
Labrador Retriever
Last but no least is the Labrador retriever. They’re generally very healthy dogs, but of course they wouldn’t be on this list if they weren’t susceptible to certain hereditary diseases. Similar to Dalmatians, Labradors can suffer from both hip and elbow dysplasia. But they can also suffer from dwarfism, muscular weakness (muscular dystrophy) and collapse when they physical exert themselves, better known as exercise induced collapse.
Author Bio: This is a guest post by Nadia Jones who blogs at online college about education, college, student, teacher, money saving, movie related topics. You can reach her at nadia.jones5 @ gmail.com.
