Everyone has their perfect dog breed in their mind. However, there are a few things you need to consider before buying certain breeds. Two vets Dr. Ben and Dr. Terrell share their opinion and say that you should be carful when choosing these 8 breeds or avoid them completely. They believe people should take this information into account to ensure they don’t feel the need to give up their dog if things get difficult.
1. Chow Chow
These fluffy dogs look like absolute sweethearts, but veterinarians warn that their cute appearance can be misleading. Dr. Ben shared: “I’m sure there are some nice ones, but I just find that they often don’t have a very good temperament, can be really stubborn, and are often very aggressive at the vet.”
2. Dachshund
Unlike the Chow Chow, Dachshunds have wonderful personalities and love their owners. However, they often develop serious health problems that may even require surgery. “1 in 4 of them develop back problems during their lifetime, which can range from just pain to complete paralysis,” the veterinarian revealed.
3. Chihuahua
As for Chihuahuas, they have a reputation for being a bit unpredictable, and Dr. Terrell confirms this. In her opinion, they are typical “ankle biters” and become too attached to just one person. In case you have a larger family or children, these dogs afe not for you.
4. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are very loyal dogs, but they can be a problem as well. Dr. Terrell says “They have the potential to be really great dogs, good police dogs, and good in rescue scenarios, but 95% of those we see in clinics want to bite your face off because they aren’t properly trained. If you’re not ready to train them consistently throughout their youth, you could have very serious problems.”
5. Shar Pei
It’s sad, but this breed is one with the most health issues. The Shat Peis are prone to random fevers and inflammations, commonly referred to as Shar Pei fever. Their wrinkles also cause major concerns. Dr. Ben says: “They are so wrinkly that you have to tack their eyelids in place so the hairs don’t rub against their eyes.”
6. Irish Doodle
According to veterinarians, despite their cute appearance, Irish Doodles can be extremely unpredictable. Dr. Terrell shared: “Many of them are crazy, hyperactive, can’t sit still for 2 seconds, and we’ve even had some really aggressive ones.” She also adds that they often develop ear infections and require expensive grooming.
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Dr. Ben admits that he would absolutely choose a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for himself if it weren’t for their serious health issues. This breed often develops a heart condition called mitral valve disease, meaning they struggle to breathe and can die from heart failure. The veterinarian also added: “In my opinion, breeding a dog with such a high likelihood of disease is not fair.”
8. Pug/Shih Tzu/Bulldog
These are breeds that many people adore, but they are so prone to so many issues like spinal problems, skin problems, eye problems… “The fact that more than half of them need to have a C-section to give birth is enough of an ethical issue for me to never want one.”
And, of course, the obvious problem is that they have breathing issues, which creates even more problems for both the owners and the dogs themselves.
