The Incidence of Cancer in various Dog breeds

Below is a list of dog breeds that are at a high risk of developing cancer. Unfortunately they also tend to make the most popular pets. The list comes from a wide variety of sources.

Golden Retrievers, Boxers, German Shepherd Dogs, Cocker Spaniels, West Highland White Terriers, Rottweilers, Dobermann Pinschers, Schnauzers, Flat Coat Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Danes, Greyhounds and Standard Poodles.

The most common types of tumour found in dogs is:

Lymphoma

It accounts for approximately 20% of all cancers in dogs.

The main problem you would notice is weight loss and general lethargy in your pet.

These tumours can be picked up at health checks when your dog is in for its yearly booster for example. Every health check involves routinely feeling your pet's lymph nodes. This is when we may notice that the lymph glands may be raised or enlarged and need a further workup such as a biopsy.

Lymphomas or lyphosarcomas can affect any breed at any age.

Males and females are at equal risk.

Particularly high incidence is found in Golden Retrievers, Boxers, German Shepherd Dogs, Scottish Terriers, Westies and Pointers.

Good news for Dachshund and Pomeranian owners as they are at low risk.

MAST CELL TUMOURS

These are tumours that you would notice as lumps under the skin.

They can occur in dogs of any age (average 8-10 years).

Boxers are especially prone to these tumours.

Mammary Tumours in unspayed females

Unspayed female dogs are at high risk of developing malignant mammary tumours which means that just like in humans with breast cancer, this type of cancer can spread rapidly to important organs such as the lungs and liver.

It is vital to have your female pet dog spayed if you do not plan to breed with her as it leads to a healthier pet for this reason.

Having her spayed before her first season (ie at 6 months) apparently also reduces this incidence, rather than allowing her one season. 25% of unspayed females over the age of 4 will probably develop one or more mammary cancers (felt as a small, hard lump around or near the nipple). German Shepherd Dogs, Dobermanns, Poodles and Cocker Spaniels have a greater incidence.

MELANOMA

Occurs commonly in dogs with dark pigmented skin and accounts for approximately 6% of all canine tumours.

Any dog can be affected, but Cocker Spaniels, Gordon Setters, Standard and Miniature Schnauzers, Dobermann Pinschers and Scottish Terriers among others are at an increased risk of developing melanoma.

OSTEOSARCOMAS

This is the most common type of primary bone cancer. Of total canine malignancies (cancers that spread), osteosarcoma accounts for about 5%.

The disease usually becomes evident during middle age (about 7-10 years), although bone cancer can affect dogs <1 year of age.

The giant breeds are particularly susceptible eg Great Danes, Mastiffs, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Irish Wolfhounds. Large breeds such as Rottweilers, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Dobermanns, Weimeraners, Greyhounds and Boxers are also at increased risk.