The Jämthund, Drever, and several spitz breeds perform well in Swedish insurance statistics. Mixed-breed dogs may have a lower risk of certain inherited diseases, but research does not establish a health advantage across all conditions. Anyone buying a dog should also investigate the health of the parents and the breeder’s breeding practices.
¶Which breeds need the least veterinary care?
In a summary published by Agria in 2024, the Finnish Spitz, Norrbottenspitz, German Spitz/Mittelspitz, Drever, Norwegian Elkhound, and Puli are cited as examples of breeds that rarely visit the vet.
Among the common breeds and types of dogs compared by Agria, the Jämthund has the fewest veterinary visits. It is followed by the long-haired Chihuahua, Border Collie, and Jack Russell Terrier. Mixed-breed dogs rank in the middle of this particular comparison, while the French Bulldog has the most visits.
The comparison covers a selection of common dogs, not every breed in Sweden. It also reflects veterinary care among dogs included in one insurance company’s data. This makes the statistics useful for comparing veterinary care needs, but not sufficient to identify a single breed as the healthiest.
Several of the breeds that perform well are hunting or working dogs. Their health must therefore be considered alongside their need for exercise and whether an owner can provide a suitable lifestyle.
Another important distinction is between health and lifespan. A dog may live a long life with an illness that requires ongoing treatment. A high average life expectancy does not necessarily mean that a breed has few health problems.
For a broader overview, see our article 24 healthiest dog breeds (in Swedish).
The Jämthund performs well in Agria’s comparison. Activity needs also matter when choosing a dog.
¶Are mixed-breed dogs healthier?
There is a genetic explanation for why mixed-breed dogs may sometimes have a health advantage. Some inherited diseases require a dog to receive the same disease-causing variant from both parents. If the parents have different genetic backgrounds, the risk of this combination may be lower.
This pattern was observed in a 2018 genetic study of more than 100,000 dogs. Mixed-breed dogs were more likely to carry a single copy of certain common recessive disease variants, while purebred dogs were more likely to have two copies. At the same time, many of the variants occurred in both groups.
A dog with only one copy of a recessive disease variant can be healthy while still passing it on. The study supports the idea of an advantage for certain inherited diseases. However, it examined genetic variants rather than the dogs’ overall health in everyday life.
The overall picture becomes more varied when a broader range of health problems is considered. A 2023 US study conducted as part of the Dog Aging Project included just over 27,000 dogs. Of 53 selected conditions, 14 were more common in purebred dogs and 13 were more common in mixed-breed dogs. No statistically significant difference was found for the remaining 26 conditions.
The data came from dog owners, and the results apply to a US sample. The study therefore provides no figures on disease prevalence in Sweden, but it shows that comparisons can produce very different results depending on the health problem being examined.
¶What do we know about Poodle crosses?
Specific research is available on Labradoodles, Cockapoos, and Cavapoos. In a 2024 UK study, owners provided information on 9,402 dogs.
The researchers compared the three crossbreeds with their parent breeds and examined 57 diseases and health conditions. Most comparisons found no statistically significant difference. Where differences did exist, the crossbreeds sometimes had a higher risk and sometimes a lower one. No consistent health advantage could be demonstrated.
The dogs were under five years old, and the information was provided by their owners. The study therefore tells us less about diseases that develop later in life. Its results also apply only to these three crossbreeds, not to all mixed-breed dogs.
There is therefore good reason to ask the same questions about the parents’ health when buying a Poodle cross as when buying a purebred dog.
A Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. The parents’ health matters for crossbreeds, too.
¶The health programs behind purebred dogs
Organized purebred breeding makes it possible to track health across several generations. Breeders and breed clubs can collect results, identify recurring problems, and use this knowledge when planning future matings.
The Swedish Kennel Club’s health programs and breed-specific breeding strategies, known as RAS, are part of this work. Among other things, RAS documents describe a breed’s current health status and breeding goals. Depending on the breed, relevant screening may include hip X-rays, eye examinations, or heart examinations. The Swedish Kennel Club explains how its health programs and breeding strategies work.
For puppy buyers, this documentation provides an opportunity to review the available evidence. The Swedish Kennel Club’s free Avelsdata service contains registered health screening results and information about parents, relatives, and previous offspring, among other details. It is also worth reading the breed club’s breeding strategy before buying a puppy.
This knowledge is an important part of responsible breeding. When a breeder openly discusses known problems and explains how they were considered when planning a mating, buyers can assess the reasoning and verify the results. Transparency about health is valuable even when there are no simple answers.
¶Ask about the dogs behind the puppy
Start by reading about the health of the breed you are interested in. For a mixed-breed dog, it is relevant to research the breeds in its background when these are known.
Then ask the breeder to show you the parents’ screening results and tell you about the health of close relatives. What problems have occurred? How long have the dogs lived? What factors were considered when choosing these particular parents?
Meet the puppy’s mother and, if possible, other related dogs. Breathing difficulties, limping, and recurring skin problems should be taken seriously regardless of breed. Healthy parents are no guarantee of a healthy puppy, either. The Swedish Kennel Club’s advice for prospective dog buyers offers guidance on what to review and what questions to ask.
No breeder can promise a life free from illness. What buyers can expect are clear answers about known risks, relevant health screening, and a well-reasoned explanation for the choice of parents. This provides a better basis for making a decision than a breed’s reputation or its position on a ranking list.
