A dog is for life, so finding the right breed for you is essential. Of course, with and the correct diet, a pooch's environment can massively dictate their behaviour and attitude towards humans and other furry friends. However, genetics can also play a big factor.
Over the last few years, horrific stories about pets savagely attacking their owners and even mauling children to death have shocked the nation. In October 2023, the infamous breed was added to the Dangerous Dogs Act list, meaning it is now a criminal offence to own one in England and Wales without an exemption certificate. It's is also an offence to sell an XL Bully dog, abandon one, let it stray, give it away, breed from one, or have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle.
Many are also plagued with health issues, most commonly due to the way they have been bred. To avoid unnecessary heartache and sky-high vet bills, it's worth taking into consideration the potential medical needs of certain dogs too.
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Taking to TikTok, user Ben The Vet - who has amassed a whopping 208,000 followers online due to this trusty pet advice - revealed five types of he would personally never own. Coming in at number one was the Chow Chow - an ancient breed from northern China.
These designer dogs are renowned for their fluffy coat and teddy bear-like appearance, with breeders selling pups in the UK for as high as £3,500. "I'm sure there are some nice ones, but I just find they often don't have a very nice temperament," Ben warned. "They can be really aloof, and they're often very aggressive at the vets - but it's quite hard to fit a muzzle onto their face."
The expert pointed out that Chow Chow dogs also suffer quite commonly with eye problems including entropion - a deformity of the eyelids that causes discomfort and pain. "And, the purple tongues are a bit unnerving," he added.
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Vet reveals dog breeds he'd never ownIt's worth noting that none of these breeds were listed due to being aggressive, but due to health concerns (although Ben did criticise the temperament of the Shar Pei). He warned against getting a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel due to a common heart condition they suffer with and pointed out that one in four Dachshunds end up developing back problems.
When it comes to French bulldogs and pugs, Ben added: "Society has normalised the fact that these dogs snorting means that they can't breathe very well... They are so prone to so many problems [such as] spinal issues, skin problems, and eye problems. The fact that over half of them have to have a caesarean to give birth is enough of an ethical issue for me to never want to have one."
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