Vet reveals popular dog breed ‘bred to be anxious’ new owners should avoid

A veterinarian revealed a popular dog breed that’s “bred to be anxious” that she would never own herself. British vet Cat has a popular channel on TikTok where she posts to 323,000 followers as @cat_the_vet, sharing tips for pet owners about keeping them healthy and happy.

She also offers advice on how different breeds differ in their behaviour, and why some might not be suitable for some people depending on their lifestyle and how much time they’re willing to invest. In a video back in 2022, she gave a rundown of the five dog breeds she won’t have as a pet, while stressing that her choices are a personal preference and others may be better suited to them.

Cat’s first pick for dogs she wouldn’t own herself are German Shepherds, which she stressed are “absolutely beautiful dogs”, though as a guarding breed they’re “really reactive” due to being “bred to be suspicious and anxious”.

“If they have a bad experience, they never forget it,” she added. “They’re beautiful, but they’re big, they’re powerful and they can be really, really challenging”.

She added that for those reasons they’re “just not for me”.

The medical expert also said she could have any flat-face breeds, due to the health struggles they face.

She said these brachycephalic breeds are “absolutely fabulous little dogs” but they “do not deserve to suffer as much as they do”.

The dog lover added that she could “never contribute to that suffering by deliberately owning one”.

Some dogs, like Border Collies, have been bred for centuries for very specific jobs. The breed, which originates in the Anglo-Scottish border, has long been effective as sheep herders for farmers, and are hard-wired for to be constantly on the move.

And while some people will have the time and energy to keep them occupied, Cat says she could never have one.

“I see quite a lot of these in practice bought from farms and kept as pets,” she said at the time. “Huge numbers of them have mental health problems,” adding, “these are dogs who need a job”.

Given their needs, Cat said she doesn’t have enough free time to “make sure they’re living their best lives with me”

Shar Peis, a medium-sized breed from southern China known for their deep wrinkles also made the list.

Cat said while being a “breed that doesn’t appeal to me personally,’ they also have “lots of health problems and lots of behavioural issues as well which often relate to the fact that because of their health they’re in pain and discomfort”, which results in them being “grumpy”.

Finally, the vet also ruled out ever getting a St Bernard, or “really any large breed dog with loads of jowls” that are prone to slobbering – something she said she “can’t cope with”.

St Bernards are large working dogs that originated from the Western Alps in Switzerland and Italy. And while they can be adorable pets, owners should be prepared for the sight of saliva all over the place.

“I had a client once tell me that she had slobber on her ceilings, I am 5’2, I would need a step ladder to reach it,” Cat said.

The animal doctor said she already has enough to clean in the house without the added stress of mopping down slobber, though they’re “lovely” and “sweet dogs”.