Many of us made the decision to welcome new puppies into our homes last year – according to Kennel Club figures, dog ownership has soared by nearly eight percent – and demand for four-legged friends after the lock remains high.
There is a huge selection of 221 different purebred dog breeds to choose from, as well as plenty of crossbreeds, so there is a lot of thought to be done before selecting the latest addition to your family.
There’s even academic advice to seek out, with psychologist Stanley Coren’s book “The Intelligence of Dogs” categorizing breeds by instinct, obedience, and adaptability.
Another thing to take into consideration is that certain breeds are prone to particular health issues.
There are a number of canine eye-related disorders – from conjunctivitis to glaucoma – with some breeds being much more likely to be affected than others.
Here are the 10 dog breeds that are genetically least predisposed to eye problems.
Labrador Retrievers are genetically more likely than other dogs to develop progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a degenerative disease that causes complete blindness within about two years of diagnosis.
Photo: Canva / Getty Images
Like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retreivers are predisposed to suffer from PRA. Responsible breeders will not breed from a dog known to have the inherited disease.
Photo: Canva / Getty Images
Springer Spaniels usually develop glaucoma and cataracts, especially later in life. A visit to the vet is necessary if your pet’s eyes are cloudy, red, or itchy.
Photo: Canva / Getty Images
Siberian Huskies are known for their striking eyes, but unfortunately are also predisposed to three genetic eye conditions: cataracts, corneal dystrophy and PRA. For this reason, Huskies should have an eye exam before breeding.
Photo: Canva / Getty Images
