Cause of death in dogs according to breed: a necropsy survey of five breeds.

The final necropsy diagnoses, obtained between 1985 and 1999, were compared among 1,206 golden retrievers, boxers, German shepherd dogs, Labrador retrievers, and rottweilers. A significantly larger proportion of boxers and golden retrievers died of neoplastic disease than the other three breeds. The ages at death were not significantly different among golden retrievers, German shepherd dogs, and Labrador retrievers. However, rottweilers and boxers died at a younger age from both neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases. Although boxers were already known to be at a higher risk for neoplasia, a similar index of suspicion for neoplasia should now be used for golden retrievers.