Purebred dogs are just as healthy as mixed breeds! Scientists debunk long-standing myth that inbreeding damages pooches’ health

From friendly Labradors to fluffy Poodles, many of the most popular dogs around the world are purebreeds. 

Until now, it’s been widely believed that purebreeds are more prone to health conditions than mixed breeds. 

However, in a new study, researchers from Texas A&M University have finally debunked this long-standing myth.

‘There are several well-known diseases that frequently occur in specific dog breeds,’ said Dr Kate Creevy, chief veterinary officer of the Dog Aging Project and a professor in the VMBS Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. 

‘This has helped perpetuate the misconception that all purebred dogs are more prone to disease, but that is not the case.’

In their study, the researchers set out to understand whether or not purebreds like Labradors (stock image) are any more or less likely to suffer from health conditions than mixed breeds

As the title suggests, purebred dogs come from a single breed, while mixed breed dogs are dogs whose genetics are a combination of more than a single breed.

In their study, the researchers set out to understand whether or not purebreds are any more or less likely to suffer from health conditions than mixed breeds. 

The team surveyed the owners of more than 27,000 dogs about any diagnoses. 

The results revealed that, within the 25 most common purebreeds, a total of 53 medical conditions were reported. 

‘The medical conditions reported by owners of purebred dogs varied considerably,’ Dr Creevy said. 

‘However, some conditions appeared frequently in the top 10 reported health conditions by breed.’

Across these 25 breeds, the 10 most common conditions were dental calculus (hardened plaque), dog bites, extracted teeth, giardia (a parasite), osteoarthritis, seasonal allergies, ear infection, heart murmur, fractured teeth and cataracts. 

Meanwhile, in mixed-breed dogs, the most common reported conditions were very similar, with cataracts and heart murmur replaced by broken toenail and chocolate toxicity. 

Some conditions – like dental calculus and osteoarthritis – appeared with roughly the same frequency in both purebred and mixed-breed dogs. 

Conditions like extracted teeth and dog bites were more common in purebreds. However, other issues, such as ear infections, were more common in mixed-breeds (stock image)

Conditions like extracted teeth and dog bites were more common in purebreds. 

However, other issues, such as ear infections, were more common in mixed-breeds. 

‘Out of the 53 medical conditions that owners reported, 26 did not differ significantly between mixed-breed and purebred dogs,’ Dr Creevy said. 

Aside from the debunking the long-standing myth, the researchers hope the findings will prove useful for anyone considering getting a dog. 

‘People should consider many factors when choosing a dog, including environment, lifestyle, social interactions and physical activity that will be available to the dog,’ Dr Creevy said. 

‘Planning for both preventive veterinary care and medical care as the dog ages is also prudent. 

‘Dog owners should also talk with their primary care veterinarians about the kinds of medical problems to which their new dog might be particularly prone based on breed, size, sex, etc.’