Most people choose their favorite dog breeds based on their physical friendliness and desirable personality traits. But veterinarians have a unique perspective. Their work provides first-hand insight into which breeds suffer the most health issues and have less-than-perfect temperaments.
Ben Simpson-Vernon, a vet in Chigwell, Englandshares useful tips for pets Well the vet on TikTok. He recently racked up nearly seven million views — and many conflicting comments — when he shared a video titled “5 Dog Breeds I Would Never Own As A Vet.”
The topic of “best” and “worst” dog breeds is very subjective. You’d be hard pressed to find two dog lovers who agree on the top (or bottom) five. What makes Dr Simpson-Vernon’s video all the more controversial is that it includes some of the world’s most popular puppies.
He takes care to start the video with a warning:
“Remember, this is ultimately my opinion. You may disagree.
But viewers are still excited. Let’s see if you agree with the canine doctor’s list.
RELATED: The 20 Most Demanding Dog Breeds
5. Chow Chow
Chow Chows are hardy, loyal and deliciously fluffy, but as Ben the vet points out, they can be difficult to handle.
“I’m sure there are some good ones out there,” says Dr. Simpson-Vernon. “But I just find that they often don’t have a very good temperament, they can be really aloof and they are often very aggressive at the vet.”
He notes that they are prone to eye problems and their large faces make it difficult to apply a muzzle for safe handling. The doc also points out that the Chow Chow’s “purple tongue can be unnerving.”
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The American Kennel Club describes the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as “affectionate, gentle, and graceful,” with top marks for his love of family and his behavior with children and other dogs. Unfortunately, they are prone to a host of health issues, including heart disease, eye conditions, patella luxation, hip dysplasia, ear infections and a neurological condition called syringomyelia.
Ben the vet immediately recognizes that the Cavvies “are the most beautiful dogs” and that he would probably have one himself if they were healthier.
“They have a lot of problems,” he says. “Nearly all of them have the same type of heart condition, called mitral valve disease, which means they mostly spend their last days sputtering and struggling to breathe.”
3. Dachshunds
Dachshunds are adorable, energetic, and love to entertain their beloved humans with their playful antics. Unfortunately, a physical trait makes race a no-no for Dr. Simpson-Vernon.
The vet describes ‘sausage dogs’ as some of his favorite patients, but one in four suffer from back problems due to their unusually long spines. For some dachshunds, it’s just a simple sprain. For others, it’s herniated discs, paralysis, permanent pain, and even risky (and expensive) spine surgery.
There is “too much risk of heartache”, says Ben the vet.
2. Shar-Pei
The AKC states that the ideal Shar Pei is “an amalgamation of strange physical traits. These include “a broad hippo snout; a blue-black tongue; small, sunken eyes with a scowl; small triangular ears; profuse folds of loose skin around the head, neck and shoulders; and a tall, tapered tail, all covered in a hard coat of sandpaper.
These dogs are so wrinkled that they need to have their eyelids nailed in place to keep the eyelashes from rubbing painfully on the surface of their eyes. Shar Peis are also prone to skin problems and have “tiny and narrow” ear canals that are difficult to clean and care for.
And these feisty dogs challenge vets in more ways than one:
“They often try to bite off the faces of all the staff,” remarks Dr Simpson-Vernon.
1. Pugs, French Bulldogs and Bulldogs
Dr. Ben cheats a little when it comes to the number one race he would never have owned. Instead of a particular breed, it lists “any flat-faced or brachycephalic breed of dog,” such as bulldogs, French bulldogs, and pugs.
“They’re so prone to so many problems,” Simpson-Vernon says.
He lists spinal problems, skin problems, eye problems and the fact that more than half of these flat-faced dogs need caesareans to give birth safely.
“The Cesarian thing is enough of an ethical issue that I never want to have one,” Simpson-Vernon says.
Not to mention how expensive it can be to properly care for a brachycephalic breed.
RELATED: 5 Health Problems Specific To Brachycephalic Dog Breeds
@ben.the.vet 5 Dog Breeds I Would/Could Never Own As A Vet #dogsofttiktok #learnontiktok #veterinary #bonyhevet ♬ Waiting for heartache – BLVKSHP
What breeds does Ben The Vet recommend?
Due to popular demand, Dr Simpson-Vernon created a follow up video of the top 5 breeds he had. to like have. Check it here!
Image selected via instagram
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