What dog breeds are susceptible to bloat

12 Dogs Breeds Prone to Bloat: Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQs

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Getting a new dog is always exciting, but before deciding which breed you want, you should do some research to make sure you know what youre getting into. That means learning about the kind of care the breed needs and their temperament, but it also means finding out what sort of potential health problems you might run into down the road. And one big health issue in dogs is bloat.

What exactly is bloat, and which dog breeds are the most likely to experience it? Weve compiled this list of 12 dog breeds most prone to bloat. Keep reading to see if the breed youre considering is on here!

What Is Bloat?

Bloat is an early stage of gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV).¹ GDV is life-threatening and most often found in dog breeds that are large (though any breed can be affected by this condition). When bloat occurs, a dogs stomach fills up with gas, resulting in gastric dilatation (aka bloat).

For some dogs, bloat is where it ends; GDV doesnt progress. But in other dogs, GDV progresses so that the stomach filled with gas gets twisted up, blocking the opening and exit of the stomach. When this happens, youve reached life-threatening territory, and surgery is needed immediately to remedy the problem.

The 12 Dog Breeds Prone to Bloat

Below, youll find 12 dog breeds most likely to deal with bloat.

1. Great Dane

These gentle giants are the number one dog breed to experience bloat,² and bloat is the top killer of the breed. Compared to other breeds, Great Danes are 43.2 times more prone to bloat, and approximately 39% of all Great Danes will deal with bloat in their lifetime. So, if youve been eyeing getting a Great Dane, you need to be aware of this, and you need to know what the signs of bloat are so youre able to keep an eye on it.

2. Saint Bernard

Saint Bernards are one of the largest dogs around, and as a deep-chested breed, they are the second most prone to bloat dog breed. Plus, dogs weighing more than 99 pounds are 20% more likely to experience bloat,³ making the breed even more likely to experience it. That means Saint Bernard owners should always watch their pups carefully!

3. Weimaraner

This dog breed is a bit smaller than the Great Dane and Saint Bernard, so you wouldnt automatically think of them as being likely to deal with bloat. But they are the third most prone to experiencing bloat due to having deep chests. This, too, is another breed dog owners need to keep a close eye on.

4. Akita

The Akita breed is a large and powerful one that hails from Japan and one youll most often find working as guard or police dogs. They are also, unfortunately, likely to experience bloat in their lifetimes due to both their size and deep chests (though not as likely as the three dog breeds above). So, if youre an Akita parent, know the signs of bloat, so you can recognize them if they appear.

5. Basset Hound

Basset Hounds are adorable with their floppy ears and can be super friendly to boot. Whether you have a Basset Hound as a family pet or a hunting dog, so long as you keep them active and mentally stimulated, youll have a loyal friend for life. However, you will need to watch for any signs of bloat, as the breed is prone to it.

6. Boxer

Boxers have been around for ages and are among the most recognizable dog breeds. Their playful natures make them wonderful family pets, but you might find training them to be a challenge due to their inability to pay attention for long. The breed is also the 16^th most at risk for getting bloat, as they are 3.7 times more likely to experience it than other breeds.

7. Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinschers sometimes get a bad rep as being aggressive, but theyre incredibly sweet dogs that, with proper training, can make terrific pets (plus, theyre great at being guard dogs!). These highly intelligent pups are excellent working dogs and can often be found working with the military and police. Unfortunately, they are also prone to bloat due to their size, which means keeping a close eye out for any signs.

8. German Shepherd

German Shepherds are incredibly popular in America, which isnt surprising considering they are both fabulous working animals and pets. These dogs are loyal and protective but can also be extremely friendly and affectionate. While the propensity towards bloat in this breed will be due to their size, there may also be a genetic factor at work (at least according to one 2020 study).

9. Irish Setter

These absolutely gorgeous pups love to run and play, so youll need to keep them busy! The breed is also affectionate and friendly, making them wonderful playmates for kids. But Irish Setters are also prone to developing bloat, so owners will need to learn what signs to watch for.

10. Newfoundland

These water-loving dogs can be fairly massive and have deep chests, so it shouldnt come as a surprise that they are likely to experience bloat. So, if you have a Newfoundland, enjoy your giant, gentle, lazy pup, but be aware that bloat can occur. Watch for any signs, and take steps to prevent bloat in the first place.

11. Old English Sheepdog

This large breed is known for its curly, shaggy coat and is super adorable. The Old English Sheepdog is also laidback, easygoing, and affectionate, making them wonderful family dogs. But due to their size, they are prone to developing bloat, so watch for signs throughout their lifetime.

12. Standard Poodle

The Standard Poodle looks elegant and a bit aloof, which is why they make excellent show dogs. But these pups are intelligent, friendly, and quite sweet, as well, which is why they also make for fabulous pets. The breed also has a higher risk of experiencing bloat, according to this study by Purdue.

Signs of Bloat

Now that you know the dog breeds most prone to bloat, its time to learn the signs. Knowing these can mean the difference between saving your dogs life or having a tragic incident. If your dog is experiencing bloat, youll see some or all of the following signs:

• Swollen abdomen
• Pacing and restlessness
• Vomiting (or attempting to vomit)
• Lots of drool
• Panting
• General air of distress
• Inability to stand up

If you see any of these in your dog, get it to the vet immediately! Waiting to visit your veterinarian could lead to tragedy.

Summary

Bloat is, unfortunately, common in large dogs and dogs with deep chests (though it can occur in any size breed). The 12 dog breeds listed above, though, are the ones most prone to bloat, so if you own one of these breeds, be aware. Know the signs of bloat, and if you see them get your dog to a vet as soon as possible to avoid the bloat becoming life-threatening!

Featured Image Credit: Taisya Korchak, Shutterstock

Bloat (or GDV) in Dogs: What Is it and How Is it Treated?

If you believe your dog is suffering from symptoms of bloat, call your vet or emergency vet immediately.

I hate this disease. When I first started as a vet, we gave a dog with bloat a 50-50 chance if he could walk into the hospital. Many were too weak and had to be carried in. They often died. Now, 30 years later, bloat still kills about 30 percent of the dogs it affects, even after extremely intensive treatment.

I hope you never see this disease in your dog, but learning about what it is, why it happens, and how its treated may help your dog fall into the percentage of dogs that survive. Read on for common questions about bloat and new perspectives on prevention.

What Is Bloat in Dogs?

Bloat, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) complex, is a medical and surgical emergency.

As the stomach fills with air, pressure builds, stopping blood from the hind legs and abdomen from returning to the heart. Blood pools at the back end of the body, reducing the working blood volume and sending the dog into shock.

If this isnt enough, there is yet another scary thing that happens, and it is devastating to see. As the stomach flips, it drags the spleen and pancreas along with it, cutting off the blood flow. The oxygen-starved pancreas produces some very toxic hormones. One, in particular, targets the heart and stops it cold. In fact, a dog can go through successful treatment and seem to be out of danger, when suddenly the heart stops.

Even in the mildest case of bloat, which is extremely rare, dogs die without treatment.

What Are the Signs of Bloat in Dogs?

• An enlargement of the dogs abdomen
• Retching
• Salivation
• Restlessness
• An affected dog will feel pain and might whine if you press on his belly

Without treatment, in only an hour or two, your dog will likely go into shock. The heart rate will rise and the pulse will get weaker, leading to death.

Why Do Dogs Bloat?

This question has perplexed veterinarians since they first identified the disease. We know air accumulates in the stomach (dilatation), and the stomach twists (the volvulus part). We dont know if the air builds up and causes the twist, or if the stomach twists and then the air builds up.

How Is Bloat Treated?

Veterinarians start by treating the shock. Once the dog is stable, hes taken into surgery. We do two procedures. One is to deflate the stomach and turn it back to its correct position. If the stomach wall is damaged, that piece is removed. Second, because up to 90 percent of affected dogs will have this condition again, we tack the stomach to the abdominal wall (a procedure called a gastropexy) to prevent it from twisting.

How Can Bloat Be Prevented?

For years, veterinarians have been looking for ways to prevent bloat. If you search on the Internet, you will find a host of suggestions, but much of it is folklore. We have to look at what is scientifically proven and implement those strategies.

Risk of bloat is correlated to chest conformation. Dogs with a deep, narrow chest very tall, rather than wide suffer the most often from bloat. Great Danes, who have a high height-to-width ratio, are five-to-eight times more likely to bloat than dogs with a low height-to-width ratio.

In addition to Great Danes, large- or giant-breed dogs at greatest risk include St. Bernards, Weimaraners, Irish Setters and Gordon Setters, Standard Poodles, and Doberman Pinschers. Males are twice as likely to bloat as females. Neutering or spaying has no effect on risk.

If a dog has relatives (parents, siblings, or offspring) who have suffered from bloat, there is a higher chance he will develop bloat. These dogs should not be used for breeding.

Certain dietary ingredients have been blamed over the years, but the data is inconclusive. This is because most large-breed dogs are fed a cereal-based diet, so making a statement that those diets are to blame is difficult. However, we do know that foods containing soybean meal or having oils or fats in the first four ingredients increase the risk by fourfold.

Over the years, I have seen studies that show that food bowls on the floor cause more cases of bloat, but a few years later this was debunked, and elevated food bowls are now known to be just as much of a risk. With these conflicting results, a solid recommendation cant be made.

Dogs fed one meal a day are twice as likely to bloat as those fed two meals a day. Rate of eating is also a contributor. Fast eaters have five times the risk than dogs that are slow eaters. Using slow feeder bowls with fingers (or center posts) or putting large rocks in the bowl slows dogs down physically, but its also important to address the anxiety that comes with feeding around other dogs, because that can be a risk factor. Stressed dogs and those that are hyperactive are more likely to bloat. Separating dogs at feeding times may help reduce anxiety and stress surrounding food. Unhappy or fearful dogs are twice as likely to bloat as those that are happy.

A recent trend is to perform a preventive surgical gastropexy on an at-risk dog. Often performed when a dog is sterilized, some veterinarians now do this procedure laparoscopically to reduce the invasiveness. Unfortunately, the hardest part is determining which dogs are at a high enough risk to warrant this surgery. It could be said that all the above-mentioned breeds should have this surgery performed. We just dont know if it is cost-effective. Consult with your veterinarian about this option.

We cant prevent all cases of bloat, but by implementing some of the above techniques, you may be able to reduce your dogs risk. If your dog shows signs of bloat, take him to a veterinarian or an emergency pet clinic immediately.