Veterinarians Reveal 8 Dog Breeds They’d Personally Never Own

Everyone is free to choose which dog breed to make a part of their loving family. However, there are some floofsters that can be a bit too high-maintenance or cause trouble for their owners. Veterinarians Dr. Ben and Dr. Terrell went viral on TikTok when they shared their opinions on which dog breeds they’d avoid getting at all costs. They believe people need to take into account this information in order to make sure they don’t feel the urge to get rid of their dog if things get hard.

1. Chow Chow

These fluffy dogs seem like absolute sweethearts, but vets warn that their cute appearance can be misleading. Dr. Ben shared, “I’m sure there are some nice ones, but I just find they often don’t have a very nice temperament, they can be really aloof, and they’re often very aggressive at the vet’s.”

2. Dachshund

Unlike the Chow Chow, Dachshunds have wonderful personalities and make for loving pets. However, they often develop severe health problems that may even require surgery. “1 in 4 of them develop back problems in their lifetime that can range from just pain to complete paralysis,” the vet revealed.

3. Chihuahua

As for Chihuahuas, they have a reputation for being somewhat unpredictable, and Dr. Terrell confirms this. In her opinion, they’re typical “ankle biters” and get too stuck on only one person. So if you have a big family, a Chihuahua might not be the best option for you.

4. German Shepherd

German Shepherds are known for being fiercely loyal and reliable dogs, but it may come at too great of a cost. Dr. Terrell warned, “They have the potential to be really great dogs, good police dogs, and good in rescue-type scenarios, but 95% of the ones we see in clinics want to bite your face off because they are not properly trained.” If you’re not willing to train them consistently throughout their youth, you might have a lot of serious trouble on your hands.

5. Shar Pei

Unfortunately, Shar Peis are one of the most unhealthy dog breeds on our list. Aside from being prone to random fevers and inflammation, which is incidentally referred to as Shar-Pei fever, their wrinkles also pose a lot of concern. Dr. Ben explains why Shar Peis are extremely difficult to care for, saying, “They’re so wrinkly that they have to have their eyelids tacked in place, so the hairs don’t rub on their eyes.”

6. Doodle

According to the vets, sadly, despite their lovable appearance, doodle mixes can be extremely unpredictable. Dr. Terrell shared, “A lot of them are crazy, crazy hyper, can’t sit still for 2 seconds, and we’ve had some really aggressive ones as well.” 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 pick a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for himself if it weren’t for their severe health problems. This breed often develops a heart condition called mitral valve disease, which means they struggle to breathe and may die of heart failure. The vet also added, “In my opinion, breeding a dog with such a high probability of disease is not fair.”

8. Pug/Shih Tzu/Bulldog

And last but not least, there are several breeds that are adored by many people, which include Pugs, English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, and other flat-faced dogs. As Dr. Ben explained, “They’re so prone to so many problems — spinal issues, skin problems, eye problems. The fact that over half of them have to have a Cesarean to give birth is enough of an ethical issue for me to never want to have one.” And, of course, the obvious issue is that they have trouble breathing, which causes even more problems for the owners and the dogs themselves.

Do you own any of these breeds? Have you experienced any of the aforementioned issues with your favorite pets?