Status: 14.10.2023, 15:29 PM
By: Sophie Kluß
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Cute and intelligent dog breeds that everyone would like to have at home are familiar to most. But hardly anyone talks about dogs that can cause problems. On TikTok, a veterinarian clarifies.
1 / 10Regarding the Chow Chow, Ben, the veterinarian, says, "I'm sure there are some nice ones among them. But I just think that they often don't have a very nice temperament. They can be very aloof and at the vet they are often very aggressive. It's quite hard to muzzle them and they suffer from eye problems quite often. The purple tongues are also a bit annoying." © perspektive/Imago
2/10"They are the most adorable dogs and if I were to pick a breed of dog, I would choose the Cavvy if it didn't have so many health problems. Pretty much everyone gets the same type of heart disease: mitral valve disease, which means that many of them spend their last days coughing and stuttering, gasping for air, and eventually dying of heart failure. In my opinion, it's not fair to breed a dog that has such a high chance of getting sick," veterinarian Ben says of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. © Zoonar/Imago
3 / 10The veterinarian wouldn't choose a dachshund either: "Dachshunds are also really lovable dogs and some of my favourite patients are 'sausage dogs', but one in four of them will develop back problems over the course of their lives, which can range from simple pain to complete paralysis. This often means that they have to have surgery on the spine, which is of course a huge undertaking and entails a very long recovery time. They're fantastic personalities, too, but they just have too much potential for heartbreak." © VWPics/Imago
4 / 10The Shar Pei is also one of those dog breeds that veterinarian Ben would not get: "They even have a disease named after them, called Shar Pei fever. There are people who breed less exaggerated Shar Peis, but most of them are too wrinkled. They are so wrinkled that you have to staple their eyelids so that the hair doesn't rub against their eyes. They get skin problems all the time and they have tiny, narrow ear canals. At the veterinarian, they often try to bite the staff. Most of the Shar Peis I see have a lot of health problems." © imagebroker/Imago
5 / 10Flat-faced or brachycephalic dog breeds: "Dog breeds such as French Bulldogs or Bulldogs or Pugs: Society has normalized the fact that these dogs snort because they cannot breathe well. There are specimens that are healthier than others. But they are so susceptible to so many problems. Problems with the spine, skin problems, eye problems. The fact that more than half of them have to have a C-section in order to give birth is ethically questionable enough that I would never want one. If you're okay with that, that's fine, but I personally don't think it's very fair." © Panthermedia/Imago
6 / 10Ben would never get a Doberman in his private life: "I've met a lot of really nice people, but it's shocking how many of them get a heart condition called 'dilated cardiomyopathy'. More than half, or the majority of Dobermans, get this type of heart disease. The prognosis is usually quite bad and I have already seen a Doberman who collapsed dead in front of my eyes before I could intervene. It was traumatic enough to never want to own one." © Panthermedia/Imago
7 / 10Surprisingly for some, the Border Collie is also one of those dog breeds that Doc Ben would not buy: "They are quite healthy, they are a bit prone to epilepsy, but I just think that they are a dog breed that cannot adapt well to life as a pet. Their brains need constant stimulation, they want to work, and if they're not constantly occupied, they can quickly go crazy. I've seen some colleagues who have been very anxious or have developed compulsive behaviors, such as going around in circles all the time. I'd get one if I were a shepherd, but I'm not one, and I don't think my way of life could give them what they need." © Shotshop/Imago
8 / 10The veterinarian wouldn't choose a boxer for himself as a puppy either: "I've met a lot of really cute fellows, but the list of problems they're genetically susceptible to is pretty shocking." According to a book he holds up to the camera, there are 74 conditions to which boxers are susceptible: These include aortic stenosis, brain tumors, skin cancer or corneal ulcers. "I've seen too many boxers with all these issues and I just don't think it's fair." © YAY Images/Imago
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9 / 10In the same way, Ben counts the Great Dane as one of the dog breeds that he considers problematic: "I think, deep down in my heart, I'm just not a fan of big dogs. My car is not big enough, just like my house, the vet bills are gigantic because all medications are calculated by weight, which costs more money. Often they only live to be about seven years old and it would be hard for me to love a dog and then lose it in such a short time, but everyone as he thinks." ©
10 / 10Although veterinarian Ben thinks the Flat Coated Retriever is a wonderful family dog, he wouldn't get it privately: "I just know too much. If you're a veterinary oncologist (which I'm not), you get to see a lot of these dogs. They are very susceptible to an aggressive type of cancer called histiocytic sarcoma. They are the showpiece of this disease: around 50 percent of all flat coats die of cancer. Of course, they have to die from something, but I personally would want to avoid that heartbreak." © imagebroker/Imago
In two video posts on TikTok, veterinarian Ben (@ben.the.vet) explains which ten dog breeds he personally would never buy. However, he emphasizes that the clips only reflect his opinion and do not claim to be universally valid. Everyone should form their own opinion about the four-legged friends. The videos have already reached millions of users, making them a viral hit on the social media platform.
In both videos, however, the veterinarian adds that he would of course also take in the dog breeds mentioned if they needed help. According to his own statement, his list refers exclusively to the purchase of a puppy from the breeder.
Hint:
If you are interested in a puppy, make sure to choose a reputable and trustworthy breeder in your search. Particularly important: careful breeding practices, healthy dogs (what do the dogs look like?, do they have a pedigree, health certificates and vaccination certificates?) and that hygiene standards are respected. If the breeder's terrain makes a messy impression, it's better to keep your hands off it. Make sure that the breeder of your choice looks after the health of their dogs and takes care of their well-being. In addition, obtain information regarding the health of the parent animals.
It is important that the puppies are not the result of so-called backcrosses (also called re-mating: mating of the offspring with their parents). The serious consequence would be an enormous reduction in the gene pool, which in turn could lead to serious health problems.
Don't forget that there are thousands of animals waiting in the shelters for adoption and a new home.