If You're Squeamish—Avoid These Dog Breeds

Newsweek

11-06-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Dog owners can expect any breed to have bathroom accidents; it comes with the territory. However, those who are squeamish might want to avoid these six dog breeds that new research discovered are more susceptible to diarrhea.
The study, published June 11 in PLOS One by Dan O'Neill from the United Kingdom's Royal Veterinary College and colleagues, analyzed veterinarian health records of over 2,250,000 dogs from 2019, revealing that about one in 12 dogs in the U.K. were diagnosed with acute diarrhea that year, or about 8.18 percent. The authors labeled this diagnosis as one of the most common clinical conditions in dogs viewed by primary veterinarians.
Like humans, dogs can experience sudden loose or watery stools after food items and water pass too quickly through their gastrointestinal tract, an article from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine reported. Diarrhea can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, affecting any breed.
Six dog breeds—Maltese, Miniature Poodle, Cavapoo, German Shepherd, Yorkshire Terrier, and Cockapoo—were found to have the "highest annual incidence risk for acute diarrhea" when compared to crossbreeds. These dogs were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with diarrhea than generic crossbreeds. Meanwhile, Jack Russell terriers and Chihuahuas are less likely to be diagnosed with diarrhea.
However, a dog's diet, exercise habits and an owner's likelihood of bringing their canine to the vet could affect whether those breeds have higher or lower predispositions to diarrhea, the authors wrote.
A stock image of a small white and brown dog going to the bathroom outside in the grass.
A stock image of a small white and brown dog going to the bathroom outside in the grass.
Wavetop/Getty Images
The study also found that age plays a role in the odds of a dog being diagnosed with acute diarrhea. The risk increases in dogs aged three and under, as well as adult dogs 9 years and older.
The authors speculate that young, curious dogs scavenge and eat items they are not supposed to, leading to unpleasant accidents. While the older dogs with diarrhea could be due to an increase in medications or supplements they might need to take. The complications of aging.
As time passes, dogs with diarrhea could experience dehydration. A dog's diarrhea could be a symptom of other health issues, which could require veterinary attention.
Two-thirds of the appointments resulted in another diagnosis for the dog. This included 44 percent experiencing vomiting, 28 percent with a reduced appetite and 24 percent of dogs were lethargic, the study found. About 29 percent of all cases were classified as hemorrhagic, or bloody diarrhea.
On the bright side, 80 percent of the canine owners who went to the vet for their dog's diarrhea did not require a second appointment.
The study found most veterinarians treated diarrhea with probiotics, about 59 percent, dietary management (43 percent), antibiosis (38 percent), and maropitant (24 percent).
The amount of antibiotics in treatment used raised concerns about "unnecessary antibiotic therapy" for acute diarrhea, as the authors stated that there have been years of recommendations to avoid high antibiotic use.
Unnecessary use of antibiotics can lead to side effects, disrupt a dog's microbiome and could contribute to antibiotic resistance, an article from Visbiome Vet reported.