I’m a dog specialist and there’s three breeds first-time owners should avoid – a popular pooch is always biting kids
A DOG specialist has revealed three breeds that he believes first time owners should never buy.
Choosing the perfect pooch for you can be an incredibly tricky task, and it may be tempting just to pick whichever dog looks the cutest.
However, there are so many factors to consider when finding the right breed for you, such as how often they need to be walked, and how easy they are to train.
Will Atherton, a clinical canine behaviourist, works with dogs who have behavioural issues every day, so is well versed on which breeds first timers should avoid.
Japanese Akita
Taking to TikTok, Will revealed that his training centre is flooded with unruly Japanese Akitas.
Akitas are known for being aggressive towards other dogs, and for becoming possessive of food, toys and even their owners.
“They’re just a breed that I don’t recommend for the vast majority of people, let alone first time owners”, he said.
Working Line German Shepherds
Will revealed that although certain lines of German Shepherds may be a good choice for first time owners, working line dogs are not the best choice.
Working line German Shepherds have been bred for specific tasks, so their high energy, strong instincts and need for extensive training mean they can be difficult for first time owners to look after.
Border Collie
Border Collie’s are a very popular breed with dog owners, but Will revealed that he is constantly seeing them in his behavioural clinic.
“I’m seeing them all the time, and unfortunately it’s around the biting of children,” he said.
Collies have very high energy levels, with experts from PDSA noting that they can often get bored.
This can be bad news, as bored Collies are prone to chewing things up.
Will’s (@iamwillatherton) video has likely struck a chord with many people, as it has racked up over 472,000 views on the video sharing platform.
TikTok users raced to the video’s comments section to share their thoughts, with opinions divided.
One person said: “My two border collies are great with my kids!”
Britain’s favourite dog breeds
HERE are the top ten dog breeds in the UK....
- Labrador Retriever
- Renowned for their friendly and outgoing nature.
- Popular as both family pets and working dogs.
- French Bulldog
- Known for their distinctive bat-like ears and affectionate temperament.
- Ideal for city living due to their small size.
- Cocker Spaniel
- Beloved for their playful and loyal disposition.
- Excellent companions for active families.
- Pug
- Recognised for their charming wrinkled faces and sociable nature.
- Adaptable to various living environments.
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Valued for their courageous and loving character.
- Strong and muscular build, yet gentle with children.
- Dachshund
- Adored for their distinctive long bodies and lively personality.
- Comes in a variety of coat types: smooth, wire, and long-haired.
- Border Collie
- Celebrated for their intelligence and energy.
- Excellent working dogs, especially in herding.
- Golden Retriever
- Known for their friendly and tolerant attitude.
- Great family pets and skilled in various service roles.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Cherished for their gentle and affectionate nature.
- Small size makes them perfect for lap dogs.
- German Shepherd
- Admired for their loyalty and versatility.
- Commonly used in police and military roles due to their trainability.
A second person said: “I got a German shepherd as my first dog.
“She is now two and I devoted 100% of my time to her and she is thriving.”
A third person chimed in: “My border collie rounds my children up and herds them to their bedroom.
“If they don’t comply he bites them!”