Vet settles debate on 5 dog breeds you should never have as a pet

A vet has shared the five dog breeds she wouldn’t own herself, including one that’s “cute and unique” but prone to a common spinal issue. Dr. Rachel Siu is a veterinarian based in Texas who works with a wide variety of exotic pets, dogs and cats.

But alongside her practice she has established a large social media presence, posting as Dr Rachel and sharing tips and insights for pet owners. In a video shared with her 254,000 subscribers on YouTube in 2022, the animal expert named five types of pooch she wouldn’t want to own herself, whilst identififying issues associated with them that prospective owners should know.

The first breed she highlighted in the video are huskies, which she said people are drawn to because they’re “beautiful”, “intelligent” and “fun to be around”.

But she flags that as working dogs, they “need a job to do”, and she knows she wouldn’t be able to provide the level of attention the breed needs. They also love the cold, making them poorly suited to living somewhere like Texas, which is known for its hot and humid weather conditions.

Additionally, they’re known to be big shedders, and she cautions adopters that it’s important to go with a breed that suits both your lifestyle, and location.

Next up are dachshunds, which Dr Rachel says are “really cute, and really unique” but their long backs mean they’re “really prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), the most common spinal condition that occurs in dogs.

Because of this vulnerability, owners are told to be very careful with them and ensure they don’t jump down from high surfaces.

Such is the risk of serious spinal issues, she recommends owners put some money aside in case they need back surgery – which doesn’t come cheap.

Her third pick is the great Dane, which Dr Rachel said are loving goofballs, but there’s a sad reason why she wouldn’t have one.

Her only issue with them is that they don’t live very long. The vet says they grow quickly and “develop health issues really early on in life”, so owners need to be prepared for that.

The animal lover also said she couldn’t have a doodle, a term used to describe a Poodle crossed with another breed.

She says the breed is perceived to be hypoallergenic (i.e. less likely to trigger allergic reactions), not big shedders, and low maintenance.

But in her experience it “couldn’t be further from the truth”. The pet expert says they’re “often mixed with shedding dogs, so they do shed” and need a lot of grooming to stop them getting painful matting.

She recommends people looking for a high-maintenance dog with a similar look to just get a poodle and get it a doodle-style cut.

Additionally, the medical expert noted that while some have nice temperaments, she has come across others with “serious behavioural issues”.

Her last pick is bulldogs, or any breed that are brachycephalic, referring to short-headed dogs that suffer various health problems due to the way they’re bred.

The most obvious issue is that they “struggle to breathe with their elongated soft palette, and shmooshed faces”, Dr Rachel said.

The vet said if she ever did rescue one she would ensure they get airways surgery to improve their breathing and quality of life.

Like dachshunds, they’re also particularly at risk of developing IVDD, as well as being prone to allergic reactions, and are “just not a healthy breed”.

Dr Rachel encouraged prospective owners to explore alternative breeds if they can.