I understand that dogs can and do catch Lyme disease from ticks and suffer from it much like humans. But maybe not picked up or seven suspected, by some vets.
Lyme Disease
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
Dogs can display several forms of Lyme disease, but the most common symptoms are lameness, swollen lymph nodes, joint swelling, fatigue, and loss of appetite. In addition, serious kidney complications have been associated with Lyme disease in dogs.
Clinical signs of Lyme disease in horses include shifting-leg lameness, generalized stiffness, hypersensitivity to touch, weight loss, and poor performance. Sometimes, the bacteria can infect the central nervous system, leading to neurologic symptoms.
There are also reports of Babesiosis in some areas of the UK attributable only to indigenous ticks now carrying it.
I think it is better that I take precautions to prevent that. Current (new) dog is a standard poodle, so grooming him is much more of an effort than previous dogs with flat coats, not to mention keeping him clipped.