Revealed: The dog breeds at the highest risk of aggressive canine cancer – with large pooches at the top of the list

A new study has revealed the dog breeds at highest risk for aggressive canine cancer; Big dogs top the list.

Canine cancer, also known as hemangiosarcoma, is a rapidly growing and often fatal cancer in dogs.

Until now, risk factors for the disease (especially in relation to race) remained unclear.

To get to the bottom of it, Royal Veterinary College veterinarians examined the records of more than a million dogs.

Their analysis found that the risk of hemangiosarcoma was ‘strongly influenced’ by breed.

The Dogue de Bordeaux was found to be the breed most likely to develop cancer, followed by the Flat Coated Retriever, German Shepherd and Hungarian Vizsla.

‘Hemangiosarcoma can be a difficult cancer to diagnose with confidence in first opinion practice when timing is important,’ said Dr Georgie Barry, lead author of the paper.

‘Dogs are often not feeling very well and it can be an incredibly emotional and upsetting time for owners to make big decisions about their dog’s care. We hope these findings will support first-line veterinarians in guiding diagnoses to support dog owners and provide optimal care to canine patients in a timely manner.’

Royal Veterinary College veterinarians analyzed the records of more than a million dogs. Their analysis found hemangiosarcoma risk was ‘strongly influenced’ by breed

Hemangiosarcoma is a rapidly developing cancer of the blood vessels.

Unfortunately, survival rates for the disease are extremely low and many patients are faced with the heartbreaking decision to consider euthanasia.

Previous research has found that this condition often affects older dogs.

However, until now the species most affected were unknown.

In their new study, the team analyzed the health records of dogs at least five years old that were under primary veterinary care in 2019.

The records documented their race, age, body weight, sex/neuter status, socioeconomic status, location, and whether they had been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma.

The results revealed that both age and body weight are significant risk factors for cancer.

Dogs aged 11 to 13 years were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with the disease, while puppies weighing over 37.4kg had more than four times the risk compared to those weighing 7.5kg to 15kg.

At the breed level, Dogue de Bordeaux were 9.5 times more likely to develop cancer, ahead of Smooth-Coated Retrievers (8.3x, pictured), German Shepherds (6.3x) and Hungarian Vizslas (5.5x).

Yorkshire Terriers (pictured) are the least likely to be diagnosed with the disease, followed by Chihuahuas, Lhasa Apsos and Border Terriers.

At the breed level, Dogue de Bordeaux were 9.5 times more likely to develop cancer, ahead of Smooth-Coated Retreivers (8.3x), German Shepherds (6.3x) and Hungarian Vizslas (5.5x).

In contrast, Yorkshire Terriers were the least likely to be diagnosed with the disease, followed by Chihuahuas, Lhasa Apsos and Border Terriers.

Location and socioeconomic status have also been found to influence cancer risk.

Dogs in the least deprived areas of the UK were 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma than dogs in the most deprived areas.

Meanwhile, dogs in mixed urban/rural areas were slightly less likely to be diagnosed than those living in cities.

The author of the article is Dr. Sandra Guillen said: ‘This study highlights important patterns in the diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma in dogs in the UK, and the findings not only shed light on the epidemiology of this aggressive cancer, but also raise important questions about how demographic, geographical and socioeconomic factors shape canine health outcomes.’