A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE MOST POPULAR SHORT LEGGED DOG BREEDS

Intro

Have you ever wondered why some dogs have shorter legs than others? While some dog breeds can stand almost as tall as humans, others stay close to the ground with stumpy legs. Most, if not all, of a dog’s breed, attributes come from breeding practices.

Whether it be for looks or a working purpose such as hunting, a dog with short legs was bred to have its specific height over many years which resulted in a breed standard that we can recognize today.

Big things come in small packages

The medical term for dog breeds with short legs is Chondrodystrophic dog breeds. Some of the most popular short-legged dog breeds are the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, French Bulldog, and Dachshund.

Knowledge goes along way

Perhaps you are looking to bring a new pup into your family or are simply interested in learning more information about these petite pups!

If you are considering getting a new dog, it’s a good idea to look into different breeds’ personalities, health conditions, and characteristics of each breed – which can include their body type.

Knowing as much as possible about your new furry companion will result in you becoming a responsible and informed dog owner!

On we go

In this article, we will talk about why some dogs have shorter legs than others, things you should be aware of when owning a short-legged breed, and a full list of the most popular dog breeds with little legs. Let’s get into the details! 

Why Do Some Breeds Have Short Legs? 

Dog breeds are classified by their characteristics to differentiate and categorize a specific breed. This helps medical professionals, trainers, and the average dog lover identify the various breeds of dogs. For example, a simple categorization is small and large dogs. 

Chondrodystrophic dog breeds are those that have shorter legs in comparison to their body size and length. This characteristic is a result of the dog’s genetics due to breeding practices that have affected the long bones of the legs.

This became a breeding practice mostly for hunting reasons such as following burrowing creatures into tight spaces or the ability to keep a close eye on the game. Chondrodystrophic breeds exist as a category because these dogs often have similar needs and common health conditions. 

Things to Know About Short-Legged Breeds 

Chondrodystrophic dog breeds, or short-legged dogs, come with their own needs and concerns. A pet parent should always be aware of possible health issues, and nutritional, and exercise needs for their specific dog breed to be the best pet parent possible!

Knowing this information for your dog will allow you to provide them with the best life to keep them happy and healthy for many years. Take a look at the information below to learn common health conditions and tips for taking care of a short-legged pup. 

Common Health Conditions of Chondrodystrophic Dog Breeds

• Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
• Arthritis
• Glaucoma
• Retinal Degeneration 

Tips for Caring for Chondrodystrophic Dog Breeds

As with all categories of dog breeds, they usually have a special set of instructions to properly care for their specific needs whether it be a certain type of food, amount of exercise, and training regimes. Short-legged dogs are no different! The main focus of this type of dog is to avoid putting additional stress on the spine. 

Because of their short legs, Chondrodystrophic dog breeds should stay fit to prevent any excess stress on their spines. Ensuring your pup has quality dog food and healthy treats will keep them in good shape! Your veterinarian can recommend the brand and amount of food you should be feeding your short-legged friend. 

Exercise for a healthy pup

Regular exercise goes hand-in-hand with a proper diet when it comes to keeping your dog in shape. Be sure to provide your dog with plenty of walks and games of fetch to avoid becoming overweight. 

Daily activities such as jumping or pulling can also put unnecessary strain on a short-legged dog’s spine. For this reason, some dog owners opt to use a harness rather than a collar to allow for better distribution of force during walks. Another great tip is to use stairs or a ramp around the home for elevated surfaces such as a bed or couch. 

List of Most Popular Short-Legged Dog Breeds 

Now that we have covered some basic information on Chondrodystrophic or short-legged dog breeds, let’s get to our list of the most popular breeds that fall into this category. Remember, this categorization is dogs that have shorter legs compared to the size of their bodies. 

French Bulldog 

The French Bulldog, or Frenchie, as they are lovingly referred to is a low-energy, designer breed that is described as being easygoing and adaptable. Along with their adorable personalities, they are also known for having short, stocky build and flat faces.

Because Frenchies are bred to be muscular, you don’t often see overweight French Bulldogs. But, it’s still important to give them proper exercise to avoid any unwanted health conditions. 

English Bulldog

The Bulldog is a British breed of dog in the mastiff family. Just like their French counterpart, these happy dogs are docile, wrinkly, and set low to the ground with short snouts. The English Bulldog, also called the British Bulldog, is larger than the French Bulldog, weighing between 40-55 pounds. 

Even though their current personalities are sweet and friendly, they have a tough and courageous reputation from their past. In the English Bulldog’s early history, they descended from fighting mastiffs in a bloody sport called bullbaiting.

This ferocious reputation is why you will see the Bulldog as a mascot for many sports teams across the world! 

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Dandie Dinmont Terriers have been popular with wealthy Europeans throughout history since they conceived of the breed during the 1700s. They have sleek and long bodies, similar to that of a Dachshund with a fluffy head of hair.

These short-haired dogs are confident and independent hunters, best known for catching otters and badgers. Today, they make friendly companions. 

Pembroke Welsh Corgi 

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of the exceptionally popular short-legged breeds. You may have seen them by the side of Queen Elizabeth, as she owned quite a few in her lifetime! 

The small package of a Corgi allows them to be in the right place to nip at the ankles of farm animals such as cows and sheep to get them to congregate in a specific area, also referred to as herding, this skill makes them great farm dogs.

Today, you will likely find them by the side of their owner on the couch, since they make great companion dogs. Although their legs are tiny, they are pretty speedy when it comes to running and fetching. 

Cardigan Welsh Corgi 

Although most people can’t tell the difference, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and Pembroke Welsh Corgi are two distinct Corgi breeds, both of which share the trait of their tiny legs! 

The main differences between these two short dogs are their size, tail, and ears. A Cardigan Welsh Corgi is slightly larger, has a long tail, and has less pointy ears than its sister breed, the Pembroke Welsh. 

Dachshund 

This tiny and sleek pup may be a popular companion dog today, but they have an amazing reputation as one of the best hunting dogs! The Dachshund is a German breed, whose name translates from German to “badger dog.” This is because they were skilled at burrowing into holes and finding prey such as badgers, squirrels, and other small animals. Other common nicknames for this breed are wiener dogs or sausage dogs. 

Basset Hound 

The Basset Hound is among one of the largest Chondrodystrophic breeds, weighing in at around 40-65 pounds. In the early days of this breed, keeping their nose close to the ground was important when sniffing out prey and game for its owners, which is where their short stubby legs and low bodies came into play. 

Today, you’ll find this short-legged hound taking a nap or maybe howling at the mailman. Basset Hounds love to eat, so obesity is common in this breed. You may need to ration their food and keep a strict diet to keep them in shape. 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 

According to the American Kennel Club, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has been one of the favorite small dog breeds of British aristocrats since the 17th century. They were bred to be regal, adorable, and loyal dogs.

Their big puppy dog eyes and floppy ears are a fan favorite. These adaptable dogs can be active and agile, or quickly become couch potatoes depending on their owner’s mood which makes them great family pets. 

Shih Tzu

These small dogs were bred to spend most of their day inside royal palaces being cute, and that’s exactly what they do today! Weighing between 9 to 16 pounds, and standing between 8 and 11 inches, the Shih Tzu, also called “little lion,” is easily the smallest dog on our list of short-legged dogs. 

Australian Terrier 

Just like with most terrier breeds, the Australian Terrier is a feisty little hunter who can take down any rat, mouse, bird, or squirrel that comes their way. These tiny but strong dogs love digging and running around to chase critters through the backyard, so they keep themselves plenty fit. 

Summary

In summary, Chondrodystrophic dog breeds are short-legged dogs that have been bred with this characteristic for aesthetics or working purposes such as hunting and herding. Chondrodystrophic breeds exist as a categorization of dogs because these breeds often have similar needs of care and possible health conditions. 

Tips for owning a short-legged dog breed involve reducing stress on their spines, as they often suffer from Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). Recommended ways to do this include proper diet, exercise, and providing easy ways for your pup to get around such as stairs or ramps to limit their amount of jumping. 

The Wrap

You may not realize it, but some of the most popular dog breeds in the United States fall into the Chondrodystrophic category. Some of the most popular short-legged breeds are the French Bulldog, Shih Tzu, and Basset Hound. We hope you enjoyed this article on petite pups! Come back for more helpful dog lover information. 

Sources:

https://amp.hillspet.com/dog-care/healthcare/chondrodystrophic-short-legged-dog-breeds

https://www.wisdompanel.com/en-us/blog/short-legged-dogs

https://be.chewy.com/behavior-breeds-6-short-legged-dog-breeds/