I’m a Veterinarian and There Are Five Dog Breeds I Would Never Own – One Could ‘Drop Dead’
A vet has listed five popular breeds he would never consider getting – so, how’s your dog doing?
Welcoming a four-legged friend into your home is a big decision everyone has to make, especially if you have kids running around.
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However, if you insist that you can provide a dog with the ideal environment and lifestyle, you may want to listen.
This is because there is one expert in this field, known only as Be the Vethas taken to TikTok to draw attention to five popular breeds he would never own due to a plethora of health concerns.
Doberman
The first choice to make it onto the list was the Doberman – and as ‘beautiful’ as this breed can be, Ben warned that Dobermans are prone to a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
The condition causes the heart muscle to become larger and weaker, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood efficiently.
“It’s usually quite poorly diagnosed and I’ve even seen a Doberman drop dead in front of my eyes before I could intervene because of this problem,” the veterinary expert opened up about the “traumatic experience” in his video.
Border collie
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In general, Border Collies are energetic, even-tempered and eager to please, making them an excellent choice as a pet.
But while Ben described the breed as ‘fairly healthy’, Border Collies are ‘a bit prone to epilepsy’ – a chronic brain condition that causes seizures, which are brief episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
“I just find that they’re a breed of dog that doesn’t adapt very well to the sedentary life of a pet – their brains need to be constantly stimulated, they want to work and if they’re not looked after they can go a little faint.”
Boxer
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They are quite affectionate, especially towards their human family members, and Boxers are generally said to be a good choice for a family dog.
However, the vet said that ‘the list of problems they are genetically predisposed to is quite shocking’, with one book listing as many as 74 diseases.
Some of these include aortic stenosis – also called a failing heart valve – brain tumors, skin tumors and spontaneous corneal ulcers, Ben said in the informative segment.
Great Dane
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Another breed that ended up in the video was the Great Dane, which is best suited to active households due to its high energy.
Ben warned that owning a Great Dane can come with high vet bills “because of all the drug doses that are dosed by weight.”
Moreover, the large dog ‘can often only live for seven years’.
Flat-coated retriever
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Although Ben described this breed as a “great family dog,” the Flat-Coated Retriever is unfortunately “prone to a type of aggressive cancer called histiocytic sarcoma” that attacks the immune system.
According to the expert, as many as 50% of all Flat-coated Retrievers die from cancer.
”I would just like to avoid this sadness if I can, but like I said […]If someone needs to be saved, I would absolutely consider it.”
Should I hire a professional dog trainer and how much will it cost?
If you’re wondering whether you should hire a professional dog trainer, here’s everything you need to know…
Benefits of hiring a professional dog trainer:
Expertise: Professional trainers have specialist knowledge and experience in dealing with various breeds and behavioral problems.
Personalized training plans: Trainers can tailor their approach to your dog’s specific needs and temperament.
Efficiency: A professional can often achieve results faster than an inexperienced owner.
Behavioral improvement: Addressing issues such as aggression, anxiety or excessive barking can lead to a more harmonious household.
Socialization: Trainers can help your dog get along well with other dogs and people.
Costs of professional dog training:
Private sessions: This usually ranges from €30 to €100 per hour, depending on the experience and location of the trainer.
Group lessons: It usually costs between £10 and £30 per session, often as a course over several weeks.
Board and train programs: These intensive programs, where your dog stays with the trainer, can cost between £500 and £1,500 per week.
Online courses: More budget-friendly options, ranging from £50 to £200 for a full course, although less personalised.
When considering a professional dog trainer, weigh the benefits versus costs to determine what works best for you and your furry friend.
Thousands of dog lovers flocked to the comments to share their views, with one writing: ”As a Border Collie owner I agree 100%. They are not for the faint of heart.
“We didn’t do our research and because of that our lives had to change dramatically!”
Someone else interjected: ”I saw a Dalmatian drop dead in front of me due to dilated cardiomyopathy. It was so sad. It happened so quickly.”
Another wrote: ‘My Doberman could almost read my mind. Great companion.
”Never aggressive, never growling. But not for me anymore; crazy food driven, nails too hard. ”
