I’m a vet & there are five dog breeds I’d never own – one of them is prone to a disease that can make them ‘drop dead’
A VET has listed five popular breeds he’d never consider getting – so, how is your pooch raking?
Welcoming a four-legged friend into your home is a big decision for any person to make, especially if you have kids running around.
However, if you insist you can offer the ideal environment and lifestyle to a dog, you may want to listen up.
This because one expert in the field, only known as Ben the Vet, has taken to TikTok to spill the beans about five popular breeds he’d never own due to a plethora of health-related issues.
Dobermann
The first pick that had made it onto the list was the Dobermann – and as ”lovely” as this breed can be, Ben warned that Dobermanns are prone to a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
The condition causes the heart muscle to enlarge and weaken, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood efficiently.
”It typically has quite a poor diagnosis and I’ve actually seen a Dobermann drop down dead in front of my eyes before I could intervene because of this problem,” the vet whizz opened up about the ”traumatic experience” in his video.
Border Collie
In general, Border Collies are energetic, even-tempered and eager to please, making them a great choice for a family pet.
But although Ben described this breed as ”quite healthy”, Border Collies ”are a bit prone to epilepsy” – a chronic brain disorder that causes seizures, which are brief episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
”I just find that they are a dog breed that doesn’t adapt very well to the sedentary life of being a pet – their brains need to be constantly stimulated, they want to work and if they aren’t kept, they can go a bit loopy.”
Boxer
Quite affectionate, especially toward their human family members, Boxers are typically said to be a good pick for a family dog.
However, the vet said ”the list of the problems that they’re genetically prone to is pretty shocking”, with one book listing a staggering 74 diseases.
Some of these include aortic stenosis – sometimes be referred to as a failing heart valve – brain tumours, skin tumours and spontaneous corneal ulcers, Ben said in the informative clip.
Great Dane
Another breed that had landed in the video was the Great Dane, which is best suited for suit active households due to their high energy.
Ben warned that having a Great Dane can come with hefty vet bills ”because of all the drug doses that are dosed by weight”.
What’s more, the big dog can ”often only live up to the age of seven”.
Flat-coated Retriever
Although Ben described this breed as a ”wonderful family dog”, the Flat-coated Retriever is, unfortunately, ”prone to a type of aggressive cancer called histiocytic sarcoma” which affects the immune system.
According to the expert, a whopping 50% of all Flat-coated Retrievers ”die of cancer”.
”I would just want to avoid this heartache if I can – but like I said […], if one needed rescuing I would absolutely consider it.”
Should I get a professional dog trainer and how much does it cost?
IF you're wondering whether to get a professional dog trainer, here's all you need to know...
Benefits of Hiring a Professional Dog Trainer:
Expertise: Professional trainers have specialised knowledge and experience in handling various breeds and behavioural issues.
Personalised Training Plans: Trainers can tailor their approach to meet the specific needs and temperament of your dog.
Efficiency: A professional can often achieve results more quickly than an inexperienced owner might.
Behavioural Improvement: Addressing issues such as aggression, anxiety, or excessive barking can lead to a more harmonious household.
Socialisation: Trainers can help your dog learn to interact well with other dogs and people.
Cost of Professional Dog Training:
Private Sessions: Typically range from £30 to £100 per hour, depending on the trainer’s experience and location.
Group Classes: Usually cost between £10 and £30 per session, often running as a course over several weeks.
Board and Train Programmes: These intensive programmes, where your dog stays with the trainer, can cost anywhere from £500 to £1,500 per week.
Online Courses: More budget-friendly options, ranging from £50 to £200 for a complete course, though less personalised.
When considering a professional dog trainer, weigh the benefits against the costs to determine what works best for you and your furry friend.
Thousands of dog lovers flocked to comments to share their thoughts, with one writing: ”As a Border Collie owner I can agree 100%. They’re not for the faint hearted.
”We didn’t do our research and thus our lives had to change dramatically!”
Someone else chimed in: ”I watched a Dalmatian drop dead in front of me because of dilated cardiomyopathy. It was so sad. It happened so fast.”
Another wrote: ”My Doberman could almost read my mind. Wonderful companion.
”Never aggressive, never growled. But no more for me; insanely food driven, nails too hard.”