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Do you have one of these breeds? You must make sure you monitor their diet and weight
Pugs, Beagles and Golden Retrievers are among the dog breeds at highest risk of obesity, new veterinary research has found.
A new study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) sampled more than 20,000 dogs to investigate the range and frequency of health problems in pets. Sadly, they found that one in 14 dogs in the UK is now overweight, with many at risk of arthritis, breathing problems, heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer.
Canine obesity is the most common nutritional disorder seen in dogs, often due to insufficient amounts of exercise and overeating. Other breeds with a higher incidence of obesity include English Springer Spaniels, Border Terriers and Labrador Retrievers.
The breeds at the bottom of the list with the lowest risk are Shih Tzus, German Shepherds and Yorkshire terriers. While these dogs may still be prone to obesity, the risk is far less compared to others.
"This study has used the power of big data to robustly address the risk factors for obesity in dogs," Camilla Pegram, study author and epidemiologist at the RVC, told the MailOnline. "Whilst veterinary professionals and owners should focus efforts on obesity prevention strategies in all dogs, those identified at high-risk, such as pugs, beagles and golden retrievers, may need a more targeted approach."
On the back of their findings, vets are encouraging owners to avoid giving excessive treats and ensuring their pups get lots of exercise. A dog's correct weight depends entirely on the breed so it's important to do your own research to determine what is 'healthy' for them.
18 dog breeds most prone to obesity
Take a look at the full list, from high risk to low risk below:
- Pug
- Beagle
- Golden retriever
- English springer spaniel
- Border terrier
- Labrador retriever
- Cavalier King Charles spaniel
- co*cker spaniel
- West Highland white terrier
- Border collie
- Chihuahua
- Bichon frise
- Staffordshire bull terrier
- Jack Russell terrier
- Purebred (other)
- Yorkshire terrier
- German shepherd
- Shih tzu
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