Dog breeds are celebrated for their distinctive size, shape, and appearance, but these same traits can influence health. In this study, Bannasch et al. (2021) analyzed genotype-based inbreeding estimates, body weight, and insurance morbidity data across 227 breeds to assess how genetics and morphology affect health outcomes.
The results showed that the average inbreeding coefficient across breeds was relatively high (Fadj = 0.249). Breeds with higher inbreeding levels had significantly more health problems than those with lower inbreeding. Likewise, brachycephalic breeds (short-nosed dogs) showed higher morbidity than non-brachycephalic breeds. Functional breed groups also differed, with some showing greater health vulnerabilities than others.
Regression analysis confirmed that both body weight (P < 0.0001) and inbreeding (P = 0.013) were significant predictors of morbidity, explaining 77% of the variation in health outcomes. The healthiest dogs were generally smaller and less inbred, while larger and more inbred breeds required more veterinary care.
This study highlights the importance of responsible breeding practices that minimize inbreeding and avoid extreme morphologies, in order to safeguard long-term canine health and welfare.
Source: Bannasch, D., Famula, T., Donner, J., Anderson, H., Honkanen, L., Batcher, K. L., Safra, N., Thomasy, S., & Rebhun, R. (2021). The effect of inbreeding, body size and morphology on health in dog breeds. Canine Medicine and Genetics, 8.
