Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Congestive heart failure is one of the more common heart diseases seen in dogs, especially smaller breeds. A variety of signs may be present with CHF. This disease is normally seem in senior or geriatric age dogs. A sometimes insidious chronic cough develops over time and the pet may exhibit reduced exercise tolerance.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a complex and serious condition defined as the heart's inability to function normally, leading to excessive retention of water and salt causing fluid build-up in the lungs. "The most important sub-group that can develop this disease is the older small breed dogs, such as miniature poodles and dachshunds," says Dr. Daniel Hogan, veterinarian and cardiology resident at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana.