These dogs may not be man's best friend.
British vets who treat all kinds of dogs have revealed which breeds to avoid, citing common health problems that could lead to costly expenses or, even worse, heartache.
Alex Crowe shared his insights in a video he posted. On TikTok And his list was created based on the dog breeds he encounters more frequently in his work.
In an article titled “5 Dog Breeds to Avoid as a Veterinarian,” Crowe, who is Net Vet's Chief Veterinary Officer, advises against owning the following breeds of dogs, according to his LinkedIn page:
Shar Pei
Alex said the China dog's wrinkly skin was causing many of the puppies' health problems.
“While many people find wrinkles adorable, they can trap bacteria and cause serious skin infections,” Crowe says.
Veterinarians say they also have narrow ear canals that make them prone to ear infections.
He added that the breed often requires surgery like a facelift to stop its eyelids from rolling forward, and also suffers from a condition known as “Shar-Pei fever.”
Flat faced dog
Flat-faced dogs such as French bulldogs, pugs and bulldogs are also on the banned list because their short, compressed respiratory tract can cause breathing difficulties, overheating and acid reflux.
These problems often require “extensive, invasive surgery” to fix, which can put a big strain on owners' wallets, he said.
They are prone to skin and ear infections, allergies and spine problems, according to Crowe, and also have eye problems because of their “bulging eyes.”
“In my opinion, if a dog needs multiple surgeries to live a normal life, then those surgeries probably shouldn't exist,” Crowe said bluntly.
German Shepherd
Crowe added the popular German shepherd, but acknowledged the addition was purely a “personal opinion.”
Crow explained that dogs “need a very specific lifestyle to thrive.” This includes lots of exercise and “mental stimulation,” the lack of which can lead to anxiety and behavioral problems. Crow said he's found that many owners “are not providing the lifestyle their dogs need.”
He added that they are also more prone to hip and elbow dysplasia and other joint problems.
Great Dane
Another large dog he warned about was the Great Danes, because these “gentle giants” are prone to a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy.
He also noted that because of their large size, they have a short lifespan of just seven to eight years.
“It will be very hard to say goodbye after such a short time, especially as they have such lovely personalities,” Alex said.
Dachshund
Veterinarians put this lovable breed last on the list thanks to its shape.
Their long backs and short legs make them prone to “severe back problems” such as herniated discs, and they can also suffer from joint problems and an inherited eye condition called progressive retinal atrophy.
“While they often do have good personalities, their size makes them prone to a lot of health problems and it's heartbreaking to see them suffer like this because of the way they're kept,” he said.
He acknowledged that there is diversity within all dog breeds and that there is a tendency to see “the worst” in these breeds, but stressed that “many dogs suffer because of the breeding practices that we encourage simply because we think certain traits are cute.”
“More education and barriers need to be put in place to prevent these issues,” he said.
He then asked his viewers if they agreed with the list.
