The 10 Dog Breeds Most Predisposed to Osteoarthritis and Mobility Issues

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease vets diagnose in dogs, and it isn't just an "old dog problem." A large-scale veterinary study of over 455,000 dogs found that 2.5% had recorded osteoarthritis in a single year — and certain breeds showed up far more often than others, some at more than three times the odds of a crossbred dog.

If you share your home with one of these breeds, joint health isn't something to think about later. And if you've lived through a Canadian winter with a stiff, achy dog, you already know how much colder temperatures can aggravate sore joints. Here are the ten breeds most predisposed to OA and mobility decline, and why.

1. Rottweiler

Rottweilers topped the predisposition rankings in the largest study of its kind, with more than three times the odds of osteoarthritis compared to crossbred dogs. Their heavy, muscular build combined with a genetic tendency toward hip and elbow dysplasia puts sustained stress on the joints from a young age.

2. Dogue de Bordeaux

This powerful, low-slung mastiff breed carries significant body mass on a relatively compact frame. It ranked among the breeds with the highest odds of developing osteoarthritis in the same study. Early joint support and careful weight management matter enormously here.

3. Old English Sheepdog

Their thick coat can hide a lot, including early mobility changes. Old English Sheepdogs showed nearly triple the osteoarthritis risk of crossbred dogs, likely tied to their large frame and a genetic predisposition to hip dysplasia.

4. German Shepherd

The textbook breed for hip dysplasia. German Shepherds were among the breeds significantly predisposed to osteoarthritis, and their sloped topline and active working drive add extra wear over a lifetime.

5. Labrador Retriever

Labs are individually predisposed to osteoarthritis, and their sheer popularity means they're one of the breeds most commonly treated for it overall. Hip and elbow dysplasia are common, and their famously food-motivated nature makes weight-related joint stress a real risk — especially through months of shorter walks and more time indoors.

6. Golden Retriever

Goldens share the same hip and elbow dysplasia tendencies as Labs, plus a higher rate of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), a developmental cartilage condition that can progress into arthritis. They were flagged as a predisposed breed in the same large-scale study.

7. Bullmastiff

Another big-bodied breed built for power rather than agility. Bullmastiffs appeared among the breeds with elevated osteoarthritis risk, largely a function of their size, rapid growth as puppies, and joint conformation.

8. Border Collie

It's a little counterintuitive — Border Collies are lean, athletic dogs — but their intense drive and constant hard turns, jumps, and herding movements put repetitive strain on hips and stifles. They showed up among the breeds with increased odds of osteoarthritis despite not fitting the "big and heavy" stereotype.

9. Dachshund

Because of their long spine and short legs, Dachshunds carry an outsized risk of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and back-related joint degeneration. Roughly one in four Dachshunds will experience a disc problem in their lifetime, and repeated spinal stress often leads to chronic pain and reduced mobility even without classic hip or elbow arthritis.

10. Toy and Small Breeds (Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Pugs)

Small doesn't mean safe. These breeds are highly prone to patellar luxation — a kneecap that slips out of place — which, left unmanaged, wears down cartilage and leads to secondary osteoarthritis over time. Brachycephalic breeds like Pugs also tend to carry extra weight relative to their frame, compounding the joint load.

What This Means for Your Dog

Breed predisposition isn't destiny.. above-average body weight alone was linked to 2.3 times higher odds of osteoarthritis, which means weight management is one of the biggest levers any owner has, no matter the breed. A few things that make a real difference:

• Keep them lean. Even a couple of extra kilograms meaningfully increases joint load over years of daily movement.

• Favour low-impact exercise. Swimming and steady leash walks build strength without the repeated jarring of hard runs or jumping on and off high platforms; which is useful to know when icy sidewalks make longer walks harder anyway.

• Start joint support early, not late. Waiting for a visible limp means cartilage has already broken down. Supporting collagen and connective tissue while a dog is still young and mobile is far more effective than trying to reverse damage later.

• Watch for early signs. Slower to rise, reluctance to jump into the car, stiffness after rest — especially on cold mornings — are often the first quiet signals of joint changes, well before a limp shows up.

Joint health is a long game, and it's exactly why we built ONE Stride Pet the way we did: a collagen supplement designed to support cartilage and connective tissue proactively, before mobility becomes a visible problem — not just after.