'I'm a vet – five dog breeds I would never own with aggressive traits and health issues'

A vet has revealed the five dog breeds he advises against owning due to their challenging personalities and health issues.

Choosing the right pet is a crucial and complicated process. While some breeds offer loyal companionship, others can disrupt your home life, and it is essential to select a breed that suits your lifestyle and home environment.

Luckily, there's help on hand. Dog doctor Amir Anwary regularly shares his pet advice on TikTok, where he has amassed over 52million views. He aims to educate potential owners about different dog breeds before they decide to bring one into their homes.

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Sharpei

First on his list is the Sharpei. He explained: "These dogs can be incredibly stubborn, making it very difficult for them to train – and if they're not well socialised they can also become quite aggressive."

He also highlighted that Sharpeis are prone to skin infections due to their skin folds, and many also suffer from allergies.

Siberian Husky

Dr Anwary also advised against getting a Siberian Husky. He said: "These dogs are so vocal, like they do not ever keep quiet.

"They're also incredibly stubborn, making them very difficult to train and they're also extremely high energy. So if you're not giving them enough exercise every single day, they will become naughty."

The vet also highlighted that these dogs have a tendency to try to escape. "They will find a way to get out of your house," he added. "It's a big stress for me – I would not own this dog personally," he said.

Cocker Spaniel

The animal expert also revealed that he would not own a popular cocker spaniel. While this breed is undeniably cute, and Amir acknowledges that there are many wonderful cocker spaniels, he cautions that others can be "a bit unhinged."

He explained: "For me, cocker spaniels come in three settings – there's happy-go-lucky cocker spaniel, the anxious, aggressive cocker spaniel and the anxious, anxious cocker spaniel. So they can be very anxious, prone to separation anxiety and they can be quite aggressive."

The vet notes that from a health perspective, cocker spaniels are one of the better breeds you can own. However, they can be prone to ear infections and some hip issues. "It's a really decent dog," he added.

Golden doodle

Also on the vet's list of breeds he wouldn't own is the golden doodle. "I get the appeal of this dog, it's basically like a big teddy bear, but this dog is on the fast track to becoming one of the dog breeds that has the highest vet bills," he explained.

He said they are prone to chronic conditions, hip problems, and allergies. "They often require lifelong treatment that can be very, very expensive," the dog expert added. He also notes golden doodles are very attached to their owners, so they can be affected by separation anxiety.

Chihuahua

"I'm not the biggest fan of chihuahuas," Amir admitted. He notes that the dogs are pretty healthy and he doesn't often find the breed with many serious health problems, but he does find issues with behaviour.

He explained: "They have fear based aggression... and they're also so tiny that they're basically scared of everything, which means they become aggressive towards almost everything. This makes it very difficult to socialise and give them medications."

What dog owners say

The advice video sparked a flurry of comments from viewers who shared their own experiences.

One person revealed: "I'm glad you finally explained my cocker spaniel to me. He did not like my son and was very aggressive with him biting him on more than one occasion."

Another commenter echoed this sentiment, saying: " So totally true about the cocker spaniel. Mine definitely has cocker rage. And if you meet him you will think he’s the sweetest, cuddliest little boy. But if you know him. You'll have seen the rage."

While the vet's insights can be useful when choosing a pet, it's important to do your own research before bringing a dog home. Always consider adopting from a shelter if you can.