Vet warns against owning five dog breeds
The vet explains why these five breeds are problematic (Image: SolStock via Getty Images)
A well-known vet has shared the five dog breeds he would never own, and some on the list may come as a shock, given they’re firm favourites amongst dog enthusiasts.
Dr Amir Anwary is a practising vet in South Africa and goes by the name Amir The Vet. With nearly 967,000 followers on TikTok and approximately 460,000 followers across his two Instagram accounts – Dr Amir frequently shares animal-related content, particularly about dogs, on his social media platforms.
In one such reel entitled ‘5 Dog Breeds I Would Not Own As A Veterinarian’, the animal expert has outlined the top five breeds of dogs which, in his opinion, would not make particularly good pets.
The doctor’s rationale encompasses a range of factors – common health complications, dietary concerns, and the reality that as a practising vet, he himself wouldn’t have sufficient time to provide certain dog breeds with the additional stimulation they desperately require.
In the two and a half minute clip, Dr Amir outlines the “five dog breeds that should be avoided as a veterinarian” and they are: Dachshund, Labrador Retriever, Shar Pei, Belgian Malinois, and French Bulldog, reports Birmingham Live.
Dachshund’s are first on the animal doctor’s list (Image: Getty Images)
Dachshund
Providing comprehensive explanations for the drawbacks of owning each dog breed, the vet initially clarifies why he wouldn’t opt for a dachshund: “Guys, I love dachshunds, but they’re prone to back problems, namely a condition called Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).
“This can range from mild back pain to full paralysis of the hind limbs. It can be fixed with surgery, but it’s extremely distressing and expensive, so I as a dog owner, would not want to risk getting a dachshund for this reason. 1 in 4 Dachshunds will be affected by IVDD, so it’s a no for me.”
This family-favourite breed is on the vet’s no-go list (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Labrador Retriever
He then discusses how Labrador retrievers, despite being an exceptionally popular breed, are not ideal to own in his view: “Next is labradors, also a very very nice breed, I do really like them, but their problem is two things for me. One is that they’re very food-driven. They love food so much they will find food anywhere, they will pick up anything on the floor.
“Secondly, they’re very prone to getting overweight. This is actually a genetic thing with labradors. Now, you have the combination of a dog that loves to eat everything and is very food-motivated with a dog that also gets overweight when it eats anything.
“This is why labradors are always so overweight, it’s nearly impossible to keep them skinny. I know as an owner, I will give them that extra treat. I may not be able to take them for a walk every single day because I work so much. My labrador would get fat – it’s not for me.”
Shar Peis are on the list owing to their characteristic skin folds (Image: Getty Images/Flickr RF)
Shar Pei
Shar Peis are the following dog breed on Dr Amir’s list of breeds to avoid. “Shar Peis are bred to have these characteristic skin folds. The risk of these skin folds is they can get skin fold dermatitis, which is basically an infection in between the skin folds because they capture moisture, which is not ideal.
“They also suffer with a condition called Entropion, which is basically where their upper eyelid folds in onto their eye, causing damage to the surface of the cornea. So I find this to be very unnecessary and I would not own a Shar Pei just for that reason,” says the vet.
Belgian Malinois need a lot of mental and physical stimulation (Image: Getty Images)
Belgian Malinois
Fourth on Dr Amir’s list of dog breeds he wouldn’t own is the Belgian Malinois.
Explaining how this highly intelligent breed requires additional stimulation and is extremely “needy”, the animal doctor shares: “These dogs are way too clever and require way too much mental stimulation and way too much exercise. There are not enough hours in my day to keep a Belgian Malinois happy and stimulated.
“If you don’t keep them stimulated, they will become destructive. This is an extremely needy breed that I would not risk owning because I simply do not have the time to invest into this breed.”
According to the vet, French Bulldogs are allergic to everything (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
French Bulldog
The final dog breed on Dr Amir’s ‘do not own’ list are French Bulldogs. Whilst acknowledging he adores Frenchies, the doctor reveals the health complications that render them a no-go on his personal list.
“I love French bulldogs, but they are allergic to planet Earth. If it’s not allergies, it’s back problems. If it’s not back problems, it’s breathing problems because of their brachycephalic (flat-faced) nature,” the doctor says.
He further states: “I would not own a French bulldog purely because there’s no way I can confirm it’s going to be a healthy dog, and it’s very possible I may be treating it for chronic conditions for the remainder of its life.”
