The vet shared the breeds he’d never own (Image: fotyma via Getty Images)
Many people contemplate the addition of a dog to their household.
However, one vet has shared his insights on five breeds he would personally avoid owning due to the “heartbreaking” welfare issues they often face.
Ben Simpson-Vernon recognised that his perspective “might upset some people”, but also suggested that if owners of these specific breeds “walked in his shoes”, they might be put off by the “health problems and difficult situations” he regularly encounters.
The vet highlighted that not only do such breeds endure a range of health complications, these problems can also cause significant distress for their owners – as well as being costly to address.
Check out the five breeds he said he would personally steer clear of owning below.
Topping Ben’s list is the Dachshund, a breed he acknowledges is highly favoured amongst families, but one which can present serious health hazards. “Their risk of painful back problems is just so high that I could never own one,” he elaborated.
Ben continued, noting that the breed has a one-in-four lifetime risk of developing IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease), which can result in slipped discs. “Many of these dogs end up paralysed and requiring really expensive invasive spinal surgery,” he cautioned. “Some of them never recover or regain the use of their hind limbs or their bladder control. A lot of people seem to get these dogs and just hope it doesn’t happen to theirs – but one in four is not great odds.”
Not a particular breed, but Ben also raised concerns over “tiny, tiny little dogs”, such as “teacup” Chihuahuas, Yorkies and any other type of dog that is deliberately bred to be as small as possible. He explained: “This is not conducive for a great life as a dog and some of these dogs are so fragile that they can fracture limbs just from jumping off a table.”
Ben noted that he also observes many other health complications in these dogs such as hydrocephalus, which is a build-up of fluid on the brain and hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, something he maintains is extremely common in these puppies, whilst others require liver shunts, and experience dental problems and heart disease.
“I remember the first time I saw a Shar Pei puppy,” Ben recounted as he identified the third breed on his list. “I assumed there was something wrong with it as it looked so facially distorted – but it was just a normal Shar Pei puppy.
However, the vet proceeded to advise potential owners that because of their excess loose skin, their eyelids often roll inwards as puppies, who then need them to be tacked open again using stitches to prevent hair scraping their eyes and ulcerations. “Often they need a facelift-style surgery to permanently correct the problem,” he added.
Ben also highlighted that the Shar Pei’s distinctive look stems from a genetic mutation, resulting in excessive mucin within their skin and consequently placing them at greater risk of skin infections and autoimmune conditions including Shar Pei Fever, which can result in kidney failure. “They are a breed that are literally defined by a genetic abnormality,” he said.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Fourth on Ben’s list is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, which he acknowledged is “many ways is the perfect family dog”. Nevertheless, he also pointed out they harbour a “dark secret” that people are unaware of.
“About half of them are affected by a spinal problem called syringomyelia, where fluid accumulates in the spinal cord and can cause phantom nerve pain and many other signs,” Ben warned. “We truly don’t know how many of these dogs are in chronic pain and it’s all related to their domed skull shape – and as if that wasn’t bad enough, almost all Cavaliers get a heart disease called Mitral Valve Disease, which can lead to coughing and breathing difficulties and is the cause of death for about half of them.”
Rounding off Ben’s list is the French Bulldog, which he acknowledges make “great companions”, but finds it “hard to convey” how much suffering he has witnessed them endure over the years. “One study put their average life expectancy at four-and-a-half years because so many of them die young,” he exclaimed.
Ben continued: “It has become normalised that these dogs snore and breathe noisily – but this is not normal for any dog.” He proceeded to caution that numerous French Bulldogs end up needing surgery on their airways simply to assist them with breathing and “live a half decent life”.
The vet concluded by highlighting that the breed is also prone to slipped discs and other spinal issues that can trigger severe pain and paralysis, eye ulcers, ear infections, sleep apnoea, heat stroke and chronic skin conditions. “The list goes on and on,” Ben said. “It’s obviously unpleasant for the dogs for them to endure this pain and suffering, but it can also be really distressing for the family too.”