Veterinary Surgeon Reveals Cat And Dog Breeds He’d Never Buy And Explains Why
Interview
If you’re an animal lover, I’m sure you have your personal preferences of what dog or cat breed is best. “I think Australian shepherds are the perfect dogs because they are so mild-mannered and smart!” “Well, I think dobermans are the best dogs because they are loyal and will always protect me!”
Whether you want a cuddly companion, a partner for outdoor adventures or an animal to help ease your anxiety, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into before adopting a dog or cat. It’s always wise to do some research online to help determine the perfect breed for you, perhaps even on TikTok.
Veterinary surgeon Ben, or Ben the Vet on TikTok, has recently shared videos noting which cat and dog breeds he would personally never own and why. Below, you can find Ben’s full explanations, as well as an interview we were lucky enough to receive from him and some of the replies his videos have received from viewers who wanted to chime in. We would love to hear your thoughts on the comments as well, so feel free to let us know if you’ve ever had any of these breeds. Then if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article noting which popular pet breeds are prone to devastating health problems, you can find that right here.
More info: TikTok
Ben the Vet has been sharing which dog and cat breeds he would personally never buy to inform viewers of potential behavioral and health issues
@ben.the.vet And now its the cats’ turn! 4 breeds I wouldn’t buy as a vet #learnontiktok #catlovers #miaow #veterinary #benthevet ♬ Waiting For Heartache – BLVKSHP Image credits: ben.the.vet
Ben first notes that he might adopt these animals if they were in a shelter, but he would not go out of his way to purchase them
Image credits: Helena Jankovičová Kováčová
He then broke down which cat breeds are not his personal favorites
Image credits: Alexey Demidov
Image credits: Vadim B
Image credits: Dan Dennis
Image credits: ben.the.vet
Later, Ben shared another video noting 5 dog breeds that he would not choose to purchase
@ben.the.vet 5 dog breeds I would/could never own as a veterinary surgeon #dogsoftiktok #learnontiktok #veterinary #benthevet ♬ Waiting For Heartache – BLVKSHP Image credits: ben.the.vet
He went on to explain his reasoning for preferring other dog breeds over these
Image credits: SHARMAINE MONTICALBO
Image credits: Steshka Willems
Image credits: Pixabay
Image credits: Richard Callupe
Image credits: Matthew Henry
Image credits: ben.the.vet
It can be tempting to choose a pet purely based on what looks most adorable, but that is not always the most ethical choice. To gain more insight on this topic, we reached out to Ben the Vet via Instagram. First, we wanted to know why it’s so important to be aware of the health risks before welcoming a new pet into your family. “Health is too often overlooked when people are choosing what breed they are going to get. But it’s such an important consideration,” Ben told Bored Panda. “Nobody wants their pet to get sick – it’s horrible for the pet and their owners. But sadly some of today’s most popular dog (and some cat) breeds are sadly very prone to particular health problems, that are linked to their appearance, or due to their genetics.”
“You might fall in love with a breed, but doing your research and finding out a particular breed is prone to health issues might encourage you to choose a different breed that is less likely to suffer problems,” Ben explained. “Or if you are set on a particular breed, you can make sure you pick the right breeder who does their utmost to reduce the risk of health issues – and make sure you are prepared financially to treat their health problems, should they arise.”
But health isn’t the only important factor to consider before getting a new pet, Ben says. “You also need to make sure that the dog you want to buy, or adopt, is appropriate for your lifestyle,” he noted. “If you live in a flat in the center of a city, and don’t have 1-2 hours a day free to exercise a dog, a Vizsla wouldn’t be for you, for example.”
When it comes to what breeds Ben would recommend, he has a TikTok discussing his top 5 dog breeds right here. And while he doesn’t currently have a dog because him and his wife work long hours and also have a one-year-old to take care of, he says that one day he would like to get a rescue dog, as they end up with strays or unwanted dogs at his vet clinic from time to time.
“But if I was going to choose a particular breed, I’ve got a big soft spot for Labradors,” Ben shared. “They do have some health issues they are particularly prone to though, especially joint problems hip and elbow dysplasia, so if I was buying a puppy I would make sure the parents had been fully screened for some of these issues. I’m also a greyhound fan – they’re gentle giants, and there are so many needing homes after their racing careers end that I would definitely have to consider one.”
Finally, Ben urges readers to resist the temptation to get a dog breed based on looks or being in fashion. “Think especially carefully before getting a brachycephalic/flat faced breed,” he added. “I treat enough of them to know why they are so popular – but I see so many of them suffer with multiple serious health problems and sadly have seen many pass away at a young age. No dog should have to suffer so much because of their appearance – it’s heartbreaking.”
If you’d like to learn more about what it’s like to be a vet or gain more knowledge about your favorite animals from Ben, be sure to follow him on TikTok right here.
And if you’re ever unsure about whether or not you should be supporting the breeding of a certain animal, why not head to your local animal shelter instead? There are always dozens of precious dogs and cats just waiting to be adopted into the perfect homes, and you don’t have to worry about supporting any questionable breeding practices. We would love to hear your thoughts on Ben’s videos in the comments. Have you ever owned any of these breeds? And if you’re still interested in this topic, you can find another Bored Panda article breaking down the most health-issue prone animal breeds right here.
Many viewers chimed in with their thoughts in the comments, with some sharing their personal experiences with these breeds
I highly stress #2 because all Scottish folds have that defect. At some point in their lives, they will be in immense pain. Don't support Scottish fold breeding, I beg of you. I also want to add pure white cats to the list, especially those with blue eyes. Because it is highly likely they will be deaf, photophobic, and have bad eyesight in the dark. 20% of white cats are deaf, if they have 1 blue eye, it's already 30-40%, and with 2 blue eyes 60-80%! While cats are amazing at adapting to circumstances, even being completely blind, deaf or missing limbs, and still being able to live happy lives, I do think we should stop breeding sick cats just for their looks. :(
in Germany pure Scotish Folds are forbidden to bred - usally they are mixed up with British short. I prefer my cats from the shelter anyways. If some people sense there is money to make, the animals suffer.
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yeah i was surprised they weren't on the list! poor things, ugh...
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He forgot to mention with the Cavi's the Chiari-like malformation which is an abnormal growth of bone that develops in the back of the skull, making the skull too small for the brain. Sometimes the brain is literally being forced out the back of their skull causing chronic pain and tons of issues. I am more of a mutt fan. Finally, I disagree with the Sphynx comment...those little vocal skin bags are the BEST huggers even without the fluff!
Sphynxs require special care for their skin, though. A lot of people aren't prepared for that and they end up rehomed.
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The best breed is Mutt ----- my gramps. And I can't tell you what my cats or dogs are except on rare occasions when we rescued a known purebred (e.g., our Samoyed or Newfoundland). Just let animals have noses and eyes and so forth that will let them *live* FFS.
I am all pro shelter dog and all my dogs are/were mutts (1 a oops from a sheep farm, 2 shelter dogs), but they can be problematic if the wrong breeds are crossed health or character wise. In my opinion one should ask a trainer or vet for advise before buying/adopting if they have no experience. You don't want to surprise a new dog owner with a high energetic or protective dog.
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As for the Sphynx, I can give some reasons as to why some people may want to reconsider owning a Sphynx. The pro's of having a sphynx is that they're a unique breed, they're very loving, affectionate, social and playful.. HOWEVER, they require a LOT of special care, ranging from high quality foods to reduce the oiliness of their skin, as too much oil in their skin may lead to skin problems/disease/infections, they need bathing occasionally to help keep clean, thus you need special shampoo for this, you also need to keep their ears clean of wax and their paws clean. Sphynx cats are also prone to ear infections, and can develop heart issues, so you may need them screening regularly. They're also unfortunately prone to dental issues, not to mention You also need to make sure they're protected from the sun and the cold as they don't regulate their temperature as well as other cats. Owning a Sphynx is a massive commitment, one that I admit I didn't realise when I rescued my own Sphynx baby
but I personally wouldn't trade her for the world. They are fantastic, they just require a lot more care than people realise, and this obviously isn't for everyone.
Load More Replies... I'm old enough to remember when Persian cats had noses. I was taken to a cat show by my mother when I was about 10 and most of them looked like normal cats. There were one or two that had the flat faces, and unfortunately that has become the norm. I'd add the extreme Siamese to the list of breeds to avoid - that extremely narrow head isn't good for health either.
We are the very proud owners of Betty the French Bulldog. She’s a car crash of an animal, she’s friendly, noisy, daft as a brush and has had multiple health issues. We rescued her from a puppy farm where she was kept in a tiny cage and had been used to breed multiple times. When she first joined our family she didn’t know how to play, she was frightened of her own shadow and even now after 3+ years she’s still working through issues from her mistreatment. She exhibits all of the negative traits associated with her breed. Do not buy these dogs, do not encourage the breeders. Our Betty is a much loved member of the family, along with her partner in crime Bruce the Staffy / Whippet cross, but we only took her on to give her the best life we could, she deserves it, but I implore anyone who is thinking of buying a Frenchie, don’t.
The sad part is that most of these problems are the result of breeding. It's not the animals fault, and I think it's really sad that these poor animals have to go through just because someone wants their dog or cat to look a particular way.😥
rule of thumb: average looking, no big changes to the breed in the last half century, big gene pool- e voila: better chance of healthy breed
There's a website, sorry I don't have the address, that shows pictures of breeds 100 years ago and now. It's very instructional. Some breeds have only slight modifications, while others are almost so different you can hardly tell it's the same breed.
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I have never paid for my cats. Either ,they were dumps,strays, or rehomed. The point is they should be loved.,and treated with care. Btw, my husband and I recently adopted twin cats from under a neighbors front yard . They had been living under the bushes..
One of our very very best cats was a save from a vacant block covered with junk. She was wonderful :-)
Load More Replies... When I was a girl: Persians did NOT have flat faces. Shorter in the snout that Siamese but otherwise within the normal range. Dachshunds had legs that kept their private parts off the ground and were good enough for going down Badger holes and other tunnels. Labradors had a good weather-proof coats and were trim taut and terrific, not like today’s soft overweight blobs. German Shepherds very fit working dogs, not cripples. The trouble is the Kennel/Cat Clubs that keep changing the standards for fashion reasons rather than for practicality and health.
Here in belgium there is a ban to breed the french bulldog because of there issues.
As someone who was supposed to just foster a Persian kitten found wandering the streets, for the love of God stop breeding smushed faces! I can already see this scragglemuffin costing me thousands over his lifetime. But imma do it because it's not his fault humanes are stupid.
I fully agree on the Scottish Folds. I adopted two ten-year-olds and between their medical issues and researching the breed I now cringe every time I see a picture of one. Folds are cute as heck but looks don't justify pain and deformities that range from the preferred Fold look to much much worse.
As far as the flat faced dogs, I agree. People should not continue to breed them as they are. Our bulldog came from a friend that was ethically breeding an English bulldog with a Victorian bulldog. End result was our wonderful bulldog who lived much longer and healthier than a typical English. That said, he still some typical bulldog health problems towards the end of his life. It’s a start. If breeding must continue, ethically start breeding to undo the damage humans have done.
Any wild-domestic animal hybrid should be on the list. They shouldn't be bred. Not that they aren't beautiful animals, but it's just un-necessary and most owners aren't prepared to care for a hybrid animal.
Not always. I foster extensively and have very challenging cases that just never get adopted because of severe behavioral issues. The best breed is the one that fits your honest lifestyle and type of commitment you are willing to put forth in a pet.
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The world doesn't deliberately breed 2 humans with known genetic defects in order to make money. My part of the world actually forbids marriage between brothers and sisters and in many states first degree cousins can't marry, at least in part due to fears about the increase in passing along genetic issues. The guy didn't say don't breed cats and dogs, he said these breeds have known genetic issues and people should avoid buying them to help discourage the breeding of an animal what is very likely to suffer from genetic conditions and by suffer, I mean live in a pain.
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Both my cats are moggies, I took them from a shelter. Don't really see the point of breeds.
Well done. I'm 78 and have had dogs and cats all my life and never bought any, all adoptees and none had congenital issues. All lived to a good age. Why people buy pets is beyond me when there are so many free and lovable creatures needing homes no matter where you live. No guarantees that they will be free of health troubles but they will be much better off adopted than in a shelter cage.
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I have 2 Sphinx and they both are cuddle bugs! They are always super warm!
I have a question. Has anyone ever had a pickapoo? My brother had one and it was so nervous and excitable it seemed that no one would possibly like this breed.
It's probably not so much the "breed" as where it came from. These dogs tend to come from puppy mills or back yard breeders who just crank them out as fast as possible with no attempt at socialization or research into genetics.
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I am so glad dachshunds were on this. I’ve got two and I don’t think they’re gonna be busy he bet etarter rigs but I grew up with them. They are the hardest to potty train, like my dogs try and poop on the table whenever we’re not there. But maybe it’s how we raised them, I think was 4 when we got our last two. They are the whiniest thing ever, or at least my big guy is. Don’t get me wrong I love them. They are my world.
All my cats have been shelter cat and had no health issues. Shots and yearly check ups is all they ever needed. However they've all been convinced that they're aristocratic, pure bred, blue bloods and demand to be treated as such.
In the past i owned a dachshund. For my Lucky mine didnt have Back disorders. The vet told me that with exercise he wont have it. But i read other owners that have the breed that have them.
Purebred anything isn't going to be as healthy. Mixing different gene pools produces MUCH healthier offspring.
I’ll also add long haired cats to the list. My grandma had one and as he got older, he wasn’t able to groom himself anymore and got matting. Long haired cats also shed like crazy and can develop mats and sores from those mats even before they get old. And remember, adopt! All my cats have been from the humane society or my backyard and they’re all a bunch of tabby mutts.
A lot of breeds are bred simply for their looks, and without considering animal's health as important factor. It needs to stop. And I would like to add. adopt, don't buy. And if you're afraid that dog or cat from shelter might have behavioral issues, getting puppy or kitten is nothing difficult.
I have a Bengal. She is the sweetest of all the cats I ever met...BUT these are the kind of cat that need huge territories and near constant presence at home. She's literally in love with my rottie and I know for sure that the day he leaves (he's 12) I will have to get another pet no matter my grief cause she'll fall in depression
If I were just getting a pet, I'd happily adopt. But my dog is a service dog, and I need to know whether that particular breed is going to meet my needs. There is a place for breeds, many still do valuable jobs, it's the breeding for "fashion" that's too blame. There are plenty of reputable breeders out there. Sadly, there are too many that are not. Remember when German shepherds were four-square balanced dogs, not the sloping misfit of today? I've seen this change in my life time. And that's a long time.
Another problem with the Dachshund; They tend to be Very aggressive. They we're originally bred to go into badger dens and kill the badgers, or at least flush them out. They probably won't be aggressive to their owners, only Any Other Living Thing in their surroundings.
I apparently have a negative Chow Chow gene, because every one I have ever met has tried to attack me, completely unprovoked. One actually came charging across the backyard at me - as I was walking with it's OWNER!
I second that! Those breeds need to be bred out of dear sweet kitties and dear dogs for the health of those dear pets!
I absolutely agree with you. The modern 'breeds'; of cats and dogs are a disaster. I love German Shepherds, but I would never buy a current 'Champion' type, Not anything like the Von Stefanitz type, and with major problems.
I disagree with the Bengal. We had one. He was the nicest, most friendly cat I've ever had. He was good with our dog, our other cats, strangers, etc.
I disagree with what was written about Bengals too. Not the part about friendliness. Mine is kind of aloof and not snuggly. But she shows no signs of having more intelligence than the average turnip.
Load More Replies... Breeding "cuteness" into animals for the pleasure of owners or to win prizes at dog/cat shows is little different from the medieval practice of mutilating children to make dwarves for royal courts. It is monstrous and should be penalized.
5 doxies later, no back problems We don’t have stairs, they are not allowed on couches/beds, also they are running and walking for a few kilometres everyday.
5 doxies later, no back problems 👍 (We don’t have stairs, they are not allowed on couches/beds)
When it comes to the Sphynx cats and Bengal cats, I don't really think they should be on this list, they would be better of on a "do some research before adopting these pets" list. Just to make sure you have everything needed and can teach them good behaviours
i agree with everything except the sphinx. i dont have one but i cat sat one and it wanted to be held and cuddled constantly. it was the sweetest, kindest cat i ever met and her skin was so soft you barely notice the lack of fur.
My Cody was a cavalier king Charles. Fortunately heart disease wasn't his issue. He did have bad arthritis though.
Shame on him for not naming pit bulls. Wiki: 'pit bulls are responsible for more than half (65.6%) of dog bite incidents among all breeds despite comprising 6% of pet dogs.'
I have owned pit bulls all my life. They were loving and gentle. Never had a biting or aggressive incident.
Load More Replies... I'm gonna stick to the house hippos myself. The endless cuddles and absolutely goofy smiles are perfection. Even my current hippo who is afraid of absolutely everything is just a delight in his old age.
Petsitter/walker opinion: For a vet that's a lot of biased and personal feelings, not all of them based on facts. First Bengals- yes they need more activity so you take them for walkies, they are great for people who want dog software installed on cat hardware (like allergies to dogs' proteins but not to cats' or just don't have a job that lets them be around your dog every 3-4 hours to go walkies) Next- dashounds- NOT designed for running up and/or down the stairs. when you acknowledge this simple fact you're good, a most importantly- your sausage dog is good (I do carry my mum's sausage up and down 4 flights of stairs if she's staying with me for the time being) Then chow-chows- because purple tongue is unnerving? Man, what do you do when you see blood? :D The rest I can agree with, especially breeds with flat faces (cats and dogs alike)- they really struggle to breathe properly- even more so when older
I'm pretty sure all the health and congenital issues he talked about ARE based on literal facts. He said that Chows are aggressive (they are) and it's hard to muzzle them - due to their muzzle and head shape, which is a fact, not an opinion. He doesn't like the purple tongue? Sure that's his "biased" personal opinion, I guess. And sorry, but even "dashounds" that never go up or down a flight of stairs in their lives can and will develop spine issues. It's congenital. It has nothing to do with how many flights of stairs they walk up and down in their lives.
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The Bengal comment is pretty incorrect at this point. They did start as hybrids, however, the breed has now been around so long the vast majority of Bengals are SBT and don’t have an ounce of “wild cat” blood in them. You can’t show Bengals, or Savannahs for that matter, until they are SBT. I am sure you could find an f1-f5 Bengal somewhere, but they aren’t the norm. Bengals are a very intelligent, high energy breed, but they are just kitty cats. Savannahs are quickly getting to the most are SBT stage, too where you can have all the spots and the doglike personality without the Serval. I have 2 F2 Savannahs and they are a lot of cat, I would not recommend them for first time cat owners, or owners without a strong sense of humor. Savannahs at this level are destructive when they don’t mean to be, are crazy smart, and crazy in general. Like furry 2 year olds. Just know what you are getting!
the sphynx is not a real motivation, it's a personal opinion, should not be in the list
Why? It's a list made by one guy containing breeds he would never buy. His opinion is totally valid. He never said that it's a list of worst breeds or something.
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I cannot disagree with what he said , but for myself, I will always own Pugs and Persians . They are gorgeous, have amazing personalities and while they sometimes are pretty expensive to keep them healthy, it's totally worth it.
I highly stress #2 because all Scottish folds have that defect. At some point in their lives, they will be in immense pain. Don't support Scottish fold breeding, I beg of you. I also want to add pure white cats to the list, especially those with blue eyes. Because it is highly likely they will be deaf, photophobic, and have bad eyesight in the dark. 20% of white cats are deaf, if they have 1 blue eye, it's already 30-40%, and with 2 blue eyes 60-80%! While cats are amazing at adapting to circumstances, even being completely blind, deaf or missing limbs, and still being able to live happy lives, I do think we should stop breeding sick cats just for their looks. :(
in Germany pure Scotish Folds are forbidden to bred - usally they are mixed up with British short. I prefer my cats from the shelter anyways. If some people sense there is money to make, the animals suffer.
Load More Replies... yeah i was surprised they weren't on the list! poor things, ugh...
Load More Replies... He forgot to mention with the Cavi's the Chiari-like malformation which is an abnormal growth of bone that develops in the back of the skull, making the skull too small for the brain. Sometimes the brain is literally being forced out the back of their skull causing chronic pain and tons of issues. I am more of a mutt fan. Finally, I disagree with the Sphynx comment...those little vocal skin bags are the BEST huggers even without the fluff!
Sphynxs require special care for their skin, though. A lot of people aren't prepared for that and they end up rehomed.
Load More Replies... The best breed is Mutt ----- my gramps. And I can't tell you what my cats or dogs are except on rare occasions when we rescued a known purebred (e.g., our Samoyed or Newfoundland). Just let animals have noses and eyes and so forth that will let them *live* FFS.
I am all pro shelter dog and all my dogs are/were mutts (1 a oops from a sheep farm, 2 shelter dogs), but they can be problematic if the wrong breeds are crossed health or character wise. In my opinion one should ask a trainer or vet for advise before buying/adopting if they have no experience. You don't want to surprise a new dog owner with a high energetic or protective dog.
Load More Replies... As for the Sphynx, I can give some reasons as to why some people may want to reconsider owning a Sphynx. The pro's of having a sphynx is that they're a unique breed, they're very loving, affectionate, social and playful.. HOWEVER, they require a LOT of special care, ranging from high quality foods to reduce the oiliness of their skin, as too much oil in their skin may lead to skin problems/disease/infections, they need bathing occasionally to help keep clean, thus you need special shampoo for this, you also need to keep their ears clean of wax and their paws clean. Sphynx cats are also prone to ear infections, and can develop heart issues, so you may need them screening regularly. They're also unfortunately prone to dental issues, not to mention You also need to make sure they're protected from the sun and the cold as they don't regulate their temperature as well as other cats. Owning a Sphynx is a massive commitment, one that I admit I didn't realise when I rescued my own Sphynx baby
but I personally wouldn't trade her for the world. They are fantastic, they just require a lot more care than people realise, and this obviously isn't for everyone.
Load More Replies... I'm old enough to remember when Persian cats had noses. I was taken to a cat show by my mother when I was about 10 and most of them looked like normal cats. There were one or two that had the flat faces, and unfortunately that has become the norm. I'd add the extreme Siamese to the list of breeds to avoid - that extremely narrow head isn't good for health either.
We are the very proud owners of Betty the French Bulldog. She’s a car crash of an animal, she’s friendly, noisy, daft as a brush and has had multiple health issues. We rescued her from a puppy farm where she was kept in a tiny cage and had been used to breed multiple times. When she first joined our family she didn’t know how to play, she was frightened of her own shadow and even now after 3+ years she’s still working through issues from her mistreatment. She exhibits all of the negative traits associated with her breed. Do not buy these dogs, do not encourage the breeders. Our Betty is a much loved member of the family, along with her partner in crime Bruce the Staffy / Whippet cross, but we only took her on to give her the best life we could, she deserves it, but I implore anyone who is thinking of buying a Frenchie, don’t.
The sad part is that most of these problems are the result of breeding. It's not the animals fault, and I think it's really sad that these poor animals have to go through just because someone wants their dog or cat to look a particular way.😥
rule of thumb: average looking, no big changes to the breed in the last half century, big gene pool- e voila: better chance of healthy breed
There's a website, sorry I don't have the address, that shows pictures of breeds 100 years ago and now. It's very instructional. Some breeds have only slight modifications, while others are almost so different you can hardly tell it's the same breed.
Load More Replies... I have never paid for my cats. Either ,they were dumps,strays, or rehomed. The point is they should be loved.,and treated with care. Btw, my husband and I recently adopted twin cats from under a neighbors front yard . They had been living under the bushes..
One of our very very best cats was a save from a vacant block covered with junk. She was wonderful :-)
Load More Replies... When I was a girl: Persians did NOT have flat faces. Shorter in the snout that Siamese but otherwise within the normal range. Dachshunds had legs that kept their private parts off the ground and were good enough for going down Badger holes and other tunnels. Labradors had a good weather-proof coats and were trim taut and terrific, not like today’s soft overweight blobs. German Shepherds very fit working dogs, not cripples. The trouble is the Kennel/Cat Clubs that keep changing the standards for fashion reasons rather than for practicality and health.
Here in belgium there is a ban to breed the french bulldog because of there issues.
As someone who was supposed to just foster a Persian kitten found wandering the streets, for the love of God stop breeding smushed faces! I can already see this scragglemuffin costing me thousands over his lifetime. But imma do it because it's not his fault humanes are stupid.
I fully agree on the Scottish Folds. I adopted two ten-year-olds and between their medical issues and researching the breed I now cringe every time I see a picture of one. Folds are cute as heck but looks don't justify pain and deformities that range from the preferred Fold look to much much worse.
As far as the flat faced dogs, I agree. People should not continue to breed them as they are. Our bulldog came from a friend that was ethically breeding an English bulldog with a Victorian bulldog. End result was our wonderful bulldog who lived much longer and healthier than a typical English. That said, he still some typical bulldog health problems towards the end of his life. It’s a start. If breeding must continue, ethically start breeding to undo the damage humans have done.
Any wild-domestic animal hybrid should be on the list. They shouldn't be bred. Not that they aren't beautiful animals, but it's just un-necessary and most owners aren't prepared to care for a hybrid animal.
Not always. I foster extensively and have very challenging cases that just never get adopted because of severe behavioral issues. The best breed is the one that fits your honest lifestyle and type of commitment you are willing to put forth in a pet.
Load More Replies... The world doesn't deliberately breed 2 humans with known genetic defects in order to make money. My part of the world actually forbids marriage between brothers and sisters and in many states first degree cousins can't marry, at least in part due to fears about the increase in passing along genetic issues. The guy didn't say don't breed cats and dogs, he said these breeds have known genetic issues and people should avoid buying them to help discourage the breeding of an animal what is very likely to suffer from genetic conditions and by suffer, I mean live in a pain.
Load More Replies... Both my cats are moggies, I took them from a shelter. Don't really see the point of breeds.
Well done. I'm 78 and have had dogs and cats all my life and never bought any, all adoptees and none had congenital issues. All lived to a good age. Why people buy pets is beyond me when there are so many free and lovable creatures needing homes no matter where you live. No guarantees that they will be free of health troubles but they will be much better off adopted than in a shelter cage.
Load More Replies... I have 2 Sphinx and they both are cuddle bugs! They are always super warm!
I have a question. Has anyone ever had a pickapoo? My brother had one and it was so nervous and excitable it seemed that no one would possibly like this breed.
It's probably not so much the "breed" as where it came from. These dogs tend to come from puppy mills or back yard breeders who just crank them out as fast as possible with no attempt at socialization or research into genetics.
Load More Replies... I am so glad dachshunds were on this. I’ve got two and I don’t think they’re gonna be busy he bet etarter rigs but I grew up with them. They are the hardest to potty train, like my dogs try and poop on the table whenever we’re not there. But maybe it’s how we raised them, I think was 4 when we got our last two. They are the whiniest thing ever, or at least my big guy is. Don’t get me wrong I love them. They are my world.
All my cats have been shelter cat and had no health issues. Shots and yearly check ups is all they ever needed. However they've all been convinced that they're aristocratic, pure bred, blue bloods and demand to be treated as such.
In the past i owned a dachshund. For my Lucky mine didnt have Back disorders. The vet told me that with exercise he wont have it. But i read other owners that have the breed that have them.
Purebred anything isn't going to be as healthy. Mixing different gene pools produces MUCH healthier offspring.
I’ll also add long haired cats to the list. My grandma had one and as he got older, he wasn’t able to groom himself anymore and got matting. Long haired cats also shed like crazy and can develop mats and sores from those mats even before they get old. And remember, adopt! All my cats have been from the humane society or my backyard and they’re all a bunch of tabby mutts.
A lot of breeds are bred simply for their looks, and without considering animal's health as important factor. It needs to stop. And I would like to add. adopt, don't buy. And if you're afraid that dog or cat from shelter might have behavioral issues, getting puppy or kitten is nothing difficult.
I have a Bengal. She is the sweetest of all the cats I ever met...BUT these are the kind of cat that need huge territories and near constant presence at home. She's literally in love with my rottie and I know for sure that the day he leaves (he's 12) I will have to get another pet no matter my grief cause she'll fall in depression
If I were just getting a pet, I'd happily adopt. But my dog is a service dog, and I need to know whether that particular breed is going to meet my needs. There is a place for breeds, many still do valuable jobs, it's the breeding for "fashion" that's too blame. There are plenty of reputable breeders out there. Sadly, there are too many that are not. Remember when German shepherds were four-square balanced dogs, not the sloping misfit of today? I've seen this change in my life time. And that's a long time.
Another problem with the Dachshund; They tend to be Very aggressive. They we're originally bred to go into badger dens and kill the badgers, or at least flush them out. They probably won't be aggressive to their owners, only Any Other Living Thing in their surroundings.
I apparently have a negative Chow Chow gene, because every one I have ever met has tried to attack me, completely unprovoked. One actually came charging across the backyard at me - as I was walking with it's OWNER!
I second that! Those breeds need to be bred out of dear sweet kitties and dear dogs for the health of those dear pets!
I absolutely agree with you. The modern 'breeds'; of cats and dogs are a disaster. I love German Shepherds, but I would never buy a current 'Champion' type, Not anything like the Von Stefanitz type, and with major problems.
I disagree with the Bengal. We had one. He was the nicest, most friendly cat I've ever had. He was good with our dog, our other cats, strangers, etc.
I disagree with what was written about Bengals too. Not the part about friendliness. Mine is kind of aloof and not snuggly. But she shows no signs of having more intelligence than the average turnip.
Load More Replies... Breeding "cuteness" into animals for the pleasure of owners or to win prizes at dog/cat shows is little different from the medieval practice of mutilating children to make dwarves for royal courts. It is monstrous and should be penalized.
5 doxies later, no back problems We don’t have stairs, they are not allowed on couches/beds, also they are running and walking for a few kilometres everyday.
5 doxies later, no back problems 👍 (We don’t have stairs, they are not allowed on couches/beds)
When it comes to the Sphynx cats and Bengal cats, I don't really think they should be on this list, they would be better of on a "do some research before adopting these pets" list. Just to make sure you have everything needed and can teach them good behaviours
i agree with everything except the sphinx. i dont have one but i cat sat one and it wanted to be held and cuddled constantly. it was the sweetest, kindest cat i ever met and her skin was so soft you barely notice the lack of fur.
My Cody was a cavalier king Charles. Fortunately heart disease wasn't his issue. He did have bad arthritis though.
Shame on him for not naming pit bulls. Wiki: 'pit bulls are responsible for more than half (65.6%) of dog bite incidents among all breeds despite comprising 6% of pet dogs.'
I have owned pit bulls all my life. They were loving and gentle. Never had a biting or aggressive incident.
Load More Replies... I'm gonna stick to the house hippos myself. The endless cuddles and absolutely goofy smiles are perfection. Even my current hippo who is afraid of absolutely everything is just a delight in his old age.
Petsitter/walker opinion: For a vet that's a lot of biased and personal feelings, not all of them based on facts. First Bengals- yes they need more activity so you take them for walkies, they are great for people who want dog software installed on cat hardware (like allergies to dogs' proteins but not to cats' or just don't have a job that lets them be around your dog every 3-4 hours to go walkies) Next- dashounds- NOT designed for running up and/or down the stairs. when you acknowledge this simple fact you're good, a most importantly- your sausage dog is good (I do carry my mum's sausage up and down 4 flights of stairs if she's staying with me for the time being) Then chow-chows- because purple tongue is unnerving? Man, what do you do when you see blood? :D The rest I can agree with, especially breeds with flat faces (cats and dogs alike)- they really struggle to breathe properly- even more so when older
I'm pretty sure all the health and congenital issues he talked about ARE based on literal facts. He said that Chows are aggressive (they are) and it's hard to muzzle them - due to their muzzle and head shape, which is a fact, not an opinion. He doesn't like the purple tongue? Sure that's his "biased" personal opinion, I guess. And sorry, but even "dashounds" that never go up or down a flight of stairs in their lives can and will develop spine issues. It's congenital. It has nothing to do with how many flights of stairs they walk up and down in their lives.
Load More Replies... The Bengal comment is pretty incorrect at this point. They did start as hybrids, however, the breed has now been around so long the vast majority of Bengals are SBT and don’t have an ounce of “wild cat” blood in them. You can’t show Bengals, or Savannahs for that matter, until they are SBT. I am sure you could find an f1-f5 Bengal somewhere, but they aren’t the norm. Bengals are a very intelligent, high energy breed, but they are just kitty cats. Savannahs are quickly getting to the most are SBT stage, too where you can have all the spots and the doglike personality without the Serval. I have 2 F2 Savannahs and they are a lot of cat, I would not recommend them for first time cat owners, or owners without a strong sense of humor. Savannahs at this level are destructive when they don’t mean to be, are crazy smart, and crazy in general. Like furry 2 year olds. Just know what you are getting!
the sphynx is not a real motivation, it's a personal opinion, should not be in the list
Why? It's a list made by one guy containing breeds he would never buy. His opinion is totally valid. He never said that it's a list of worst breeds or something.
Load More Replies... I cannot disagree with what he said , but for myself, I will always own Pugs and Persians . They are gorgeous, have amazing personalities and while they sometimes are pretty expensive to keep them healthy, it's totally worth it.
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