There are plenty of dog breeds out there, but some breeds just rise to the top more than others. These six dog breeds are so popular that almost everyone in the world has heard of them, seen them, or lives with them. Let's check out some of the reasons they’re so famous.

German Shepherd

Dog breed group: Herding

Average height: Male: 24-26 inches, Female: 22-24 inches

Average weight: Male: 65-90 pounds, Female: 50-70 pounds

Temperament: Confident, courageous, smart, friendly, playful

Life expectancy: About 10-12 years

German Shepherd is among the most popular dog breeds in the world. They are intelligent and amazingly versatile. German Shepherds are playful dogs and enjoy playing and spending time with their human companions.

German Shepherds are talented dogs and excel at almost anything they are trained to. These dogs are noble, loyal, and possess unmatched courage. German Shepherds have intense energy drives. They need strenuous exercise to maintain good health and condition.

Labrador

Dog breed group: Sporting

Average height: 21 to 24 inches

Average weight: 55 to 80 pounds

Temperament: Friendly, active, outgoing

Life expectancy: About 10-12 years

Labradors are playful dogs and enjoy spending time and playing with their human companions. These dogs are gentle and not at all aggressive. This makes them ideal for families with children and other pets.

Labradors are outgoing, affectionate, and friendly with both people and animals. Labs have the intelligence and eagerness to please that make them very easy to train. A bored and lonely Lab is apt to indulge in destructive outlets for their energy.

French Bulldog

Dog breed group: Non-Sporting

Average height: 11-13 inches

Average weight: under 28 pounds

Temperament: Friendly, Playful, Smart, Adaptable

Life expectancy: About 10-12 years

French Bulldog is a medium-to-small sized compact dog with a muscular body. They are fun-loving, humorous, and sometimes mischievous dogs. Frenchies are sweet, friendly, easy-going, and love to play and spend time with owners.

These companion dogs need the attention of their owners. They thrive when they are around their human family members. Frenchies are moderately intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement training. They do not do well in extremely hot cold temperatures.

Golden Retriever

Dog breed group: Sporting

Average height: Male: 23-24 inches, Female: 21.5-22.5 inches

Average weight: Male: 65-75 pounds, Female: 55-65 pounds

Temperament: Friendly, Intelligent, Devoted

Life expectancy: About 10-12 years

Golden Retrievers are cheerful, loving, and eager to please dogs. Their exceptional intelligence and trainability make them highly capable working dogs. They prove to be great in tracking, hunting, drug detection, search and rescue, dog therapy, and many other functions.

Golden Retrievers are not good apartment dwellers. Being a sporting dog, they are active when indoors and need a yard to play. Golden Retrievers are affectionate dogs and are fond of human interaction. They honor cuddling and love to be around their owners. They’re great with children and very protective of their human companions.

Poodle

Dog Breed Group: Companion Dogs

Temperament: Playful, Smart, Active, Faithful, Instinctual, Trainable

Height: From 10 to over 22 inches tall at the shoulder

Weight: standard: 45 to 70 pounds, miniature: 12 to 20 pounds, toy: 6 to 7 pounds

Life expectancy: 12 – 15 years

The Poodle is an elegant and impressive family dog with many talents. There are three sizes of Poodle, including the Toy, the Miniature, and the Standard. Poodles are loyal, intelligent and are highly trainable.

Poodles are high-maintenance dogs. Their trademark coat requires regular grooming to keep it in good condition. They are low-shedders and produce less dander compared to other dogs.

Beneath the low-allergen coat is an elegant, athletic, and a playful companion. Poodles thrive on attention and are happiest when around their human parents. They require both physical and mental activities to stay happy and healthy.

Beagle

Dog breed group: Hound

Average height: 13 to 15 inches

Average weight: 18 - 30 pounds

Temperament: Friendly, Curious, Merry

Life expectancy: About 12-15 years

The Beagle is one of the most loved dog breeds around. They have a signature look with soft facial features and classic floppy ears.

Beagles have a friendly, sweet, and affectionate personality. They are curious and intelligent but sometimes can also be mischievous. They love to be around people and make a wonderful family companion.

Beagles are playful dogs and full of energy. They need exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy. Beagles make wonderful outdoor adventure companions and will keep up on the trails with ease. These hounds tend to follow their nose if not leashed on the trail.

Common Ailments in dogs

Let's have a look at the most common diseases that frequently impact these dogs:

Ear infections

Ear infections are a common and often recurring problem in many dogs. Sometimes ear problems can be reduced by simple home remedies while some problems may require you to visit the vet.

The dogs with ear problems show the following symptoms:

• Itchiness
• Whining
• Excessive scratching
• Head-Shaking
• Unpleasant odor
• The buildup of a waxy substance
• Redness and swelling

Factors that may lead to itching due to ear infections are:

• Moisture: Bacteria can easily grow in moist conditions and can lead to an ear infection. Dogs with floppy ears are more prone to ear infections.
• Allergies: Dogs are prone to a variety of allergies that may lead to ear infection.
• Parasites: Sometimes, parasites such as mites can penetrate the ear canal of your canines and cause ear infections.
• Ear problems may be an indication of an internal issue in dogs’ bodies.

Ticks and fleas

Ticks and fleas are the most common cause of skin problems in dogs. A dog's fur provides the perfect environment for fleas and ticks. Dogs can easily pick up fleas when outdoors.

When a flea or tick bites, it injects saliva into your dog’s skin. They feed on your dog’s blood and can cause health conditions. Problems range from mild allergic reactions to serious illnesses.

Flea and ticks warning signs are:

• Flea droppings in the fur (dark specks)
• Flea eggs in the fur (white specks)
• Excessive scratching or licking
• Scabs or hot spots on the skin

Ticks and fleas can carry other diseases as well. If you find a tick or flea on your dog, try to remove it as soon as possible.

Cataracts

Cataracts in dogs are serious and should not be understated or overlooked. It is an opacity on the lens of the eye that causes difficulty in seeing and blurry vision. The dog's eyes may look cloudy or bluish-grey.

Cataracts can be hereditary or may result from disease, old age, and trauma to the eye. A high-occurrence of cataracts is also often due to diabetes.

Cataracts may develop very slowly or almost overnight. You may not notice any changes in the early stages of cataracts. It can cause a mild decrease in eyesight to complete blindness in severe cases. Be examination and test results will give an overall view of your dog’s vision and Cataracts.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the most common hormone imbalance in dogs and is caused by a disorder of the thyroid gland.

The most common signs include:

• Excessive tiredness
• Depression
• Weight gain
• Excessive shedding
• Excessive dandruff, a dry or dull coat
• Hyperpigmented skin

Hypothyroidism usually occurs in medium to large breed dogs in their middle age. It is treated with medication and diet. Dogs are given oral replacement hormones for the rest of their life.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is an inherited cause of hindlimb lameness. It is a deformity of the hip that occurs during growth. Hip dysplasia is predominantly seen in medium and large dogs.

The usual symptoms of hip dysplasia are:

• Weakness and pain in one or both of the hind legs
• Difficulty to rise from a sitting or lying position

Some dogs do not develop any clinical signs until they are older. A physical examination and radiographs like ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans may help to diagnose hip dysplasia.

Generally, hip dysplasia is hereditary but can also be triggered by other reasons. It can develop due to factors like rapid growth, a high-calorie diet, excessive muscle mass, or environment.

Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow Dysplasia is a degenerative disease common to large and giant dogs. This is a genetic disease that causes a developmental deformity of the elbows. This condition usually causes limping on one or both of the front legs.

The dogs with Elbow Dysplasia may show the following symptoms:

• Occasional or persistent forelimb lameness
• Display signs of pain or discomfort
• Difficulty getting up
• Decreased range of motion of one or both elbows

As the condition worsens, it may lead to degeneration of the joint. If you notice symptoms of elbow dysplasia in dogs, make an appointment with your vet. A physical examination and radiographs like ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans may help to diagnose elbow dysplasia.

Maintaining your dog's health

You can take the following steps to maintain your dog’s health:

• When you groom your dog, check for allergies, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin.
• Provide full nutrition and a complete balanced diet to your furry friend. Feed your dog a natural and healthy diet to boost their immune system. You can introduce dietary supplements, like Eva Pet Revitalizer into your dog’s diet.
• Avoid feeding processed dog food to your dog as they contain toxic chemical preservatives and have a bad effect on the dog’s body.
• Provide mental stimulation and age-appropriate exercise to your dog regularly.
• Vet annual examinations are a key part of preventive care. These vet checkups give you a chance to track your dog’s growth and discuss any questions about the dog's health with your vet.
• If your dog is showing any symptoms of a disease, seek treatment to ensure the issue does not become severe.

Final thoughts

Having a four-legged member is much more than just having a faithful friend. Their mere presence provides much more than just company. The responsibility of taking care of your dog makes your life more meaningful.

You can help your dog live his best life! A healthy dog can save you from a lot of stress in the long run. If you are not sure what is good for your dog - we'd be happy to help!