A vet has shared his “brutally honest” advice for those considering which breed of dog to adopt.
On TikTok, South African veterinarian Amir Anwary advised potential pet owners to think twice before choosing which dog they would choose to become the next member of their family, urging them to be careful with some popular breeds.
According to the pet expert, several popular dog breeds, including Labradors and dachshunds, can be prone to health problems that can make them expensive to maintain.
He warned that even some of the loveliest breeds can require enormous amounts of time, attention and money and that he would stay away as a result.
“Here are five dog breeds I wouldn’t own as a veterinarian,” he said at the beginning of the video, beginning the list by admitting that some viewers might want to “fight with me over these.”
The first breed he said he would not own was a dachshund.
Despite having been voted fifth most voted popular dog in the UK, adorable dachshunds can have a host of undesirable traits, vet has warned.
‘Let me tell you, they can be a lovely breed. But they can be very stubborn, they can bark all night if they want to, and they can have really bad separation anxiety.
A vet has shared his “brutally honest” advice for those considering which breed of dog to adopt (pictured South African vet Amir Anwary)
According to the pet expert, several popular dog breeds, including Labradors and dachshunds, can be prone to health problems that can make them expensive to maintain.
“They are also prone to a condition called IVDE, which is an intervertebral disc disease that is basically back problems.”
This problem can exacerbate another less desirable trait of the breed: its tendency to gain weight easily.
‘And they can also become very obese, which makes back problems much worse.
“So if you have a dachshund, you have to keep an eye on it,” he urged.
The French Bulldog was second on Mr Anwary’s list and the vet warned owners about a number of potential health problems.
Despite their irresistible faces and charming nature, French Bulldogs are not known for their soundness when it comes to health.
‘This cute little adorable abomination. If they are not respiratory problems, they are skin problems. If they’re not skin problems, they’re back problems, and they’re very expensive to get in the first place.
‘As a veterinarian, I see these dogs come in all the time for many different medical problems. “I would never have a French Bulldog, but they are adorable,” she said.
Last on the list was none other than the beloved family dog, the Labrador.
A lesser-known dog on the list was a Belgian Malinois who, according to Nr. Anwary, is “not a dog” but “a machine.”
‘Requires constant physical and mental stimulation. I work full time, there is no way I can give this type of dog the attention he deserves to thrive.
“And if it doesn’t thrive, it becomes destructive,” the veterinarian warned.
Fourth on the list of “banned” dogs, according to the vet, was another popular breed loved by millions of Britons: the border bollie.
‘Lovely, lovely dog. But he’s actually a working dog and basically all of them have ADHD. They are always active, they always need physical and mental stimulation and you would not be able to provide a border collie with the mental stimulation they need to be happy.
“And if he is not happy, he becomes destructive,” he warned.
Last on the list was none other than the beloved family dog, the Labrador.
‘I know you guys will say, ‘Are you crazy? Labradors are amazing,’ and yes, they are. But Labradors are dogs that are very prone to being overweight.
“And they are also a breed of dog that loves to eat absolutely everything, so they are very interested in food.”
‘So what do you get? When you have a dog that wants to eat absolutely everything, with a dog that gets fat when he eats anything? “You get a dog that’s always overweight,” he said.
Fourth on the list of “banned” dogs, according to the vet, was another popular breed loved by millions of Britons: the border bollie.
A lesser-known dog on the list was a Belgian Malinois (pictured: archive image) which, according to Nr. Anwary, is “not a dog”, but “a machine”.
Anwary admitted that he is a “weak owner” and would struggle to keep up with a dog who should be limited on treats.
‘I love giving my dog treats, my Labrador would be rolling around everywhere. That’s why I could never have a Labrador.
However, the vet’s opinion quickly sparked controversy among viewers, with many maintaining that their dogs were “worth the effort.”
One passionate commenter wrote: “You lost me with the Border Collie,” while another implored: “The lab should NOT be in this category.”
Another wrote: “Every time I get a dachshund I swear I’ll never get another dachshund and the moment I die I get another dachshund.” It’s a pain, but above all it’s worth it.
Although some agreed with the honest opinion with one writing: ‘As a border collie owner, I can honestly say that I love border collies, but DO NOT buy them if you can’t get plenty of exercise on a daily basis!’