The best and worst dog breeds according to a vet: why owners should go for mutts over poodle-mixes

A veterinarian has revealed the five dog breeds she would and wouldn’t own – and her list may surprise you. 

Dr Whitney Terrell, from Alabama, caused a stir online after sharing her least-favourite types of dogs in a viral TikTok video with the popular Goldendoodle or ‘oodle’ breeds topping her list of least favourite breeds.

She said German shepherds shouldn’t be owned without proper training and did not rate short-snouted pooches like French bulldogs, pugs and shih tzus. 

The animal doctor also shared her most-liked dogs including golden retrievers, mixed-breed pups and basset hounds. 

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The animal doctor caused a stir after sharing her least-favourite types of dogs based on her veterinary experience with the popular Goldendoodle or ‘oodle’ breeds topping her list

Dr Terrell said while some poodle-cross dogs are ‘super sweet’, they ‘can’t sit still’ and are prone to a string of health conditions. 

‘A lot of them are crazy, crazy hyper, can’t sit still for two seconds. We’ve had some really aggressive ones as well,’ she said. 

‘Ear infections out the wazoo, so expensive grooming, they are mixed breed. Too high maintenance for me.’

Coming in at number two on Dr Terrell’s list was a German shepherd or Belgian malinois she said can be aggressive if not trained properly.

‘They have the potential to be really great dogs, good police dogs, good rescue types scenarios but 95 per cent of the ones that we see in clinic want to bite your face off because they’re not properly trained,’ she said.  

Any breed that is brachycephalic, meaning they have shortened or ‘squished’ snouts, like pugs, Boston terriers, French bulldogs or shih tzus did not come recommended by the American vet. 

‘Some of them are so cute and so sweet but they can’t breathe, literally cannot breathe,’ she said. 

‘They snore, I’ve already got a husband that snores, I don’t need anything else. Skin fold dermatitis, allergies, yeasty, smelly, gassy, it’s a no from me.’  

Dr Terrell said she doesn’t like chihuahuas which she called ‘ankle biters’ as well as Chinese crested or hairless dogs. 

Dr Terrell’s list also included German shepherds (pictured) or Belgian malinois she said can be aggressive if not trained properly as well as chihuahuas which she called ‘ankle biters’

‘Not my cup of tea: afraid I’m going to step on them, will more than likely be bit if I had one, they’re usually a one person dog,’ she said of chihuahuas.

‘I don’t really like hairless animals, they’re zitty, they’re kind of greasy, same with cats – kind of feel like a ball sack – no from me.’ 

The clip racked up 8.3million views and some of the doctor’s dog-breed opinions angered animal-lovers in the comments with many disagreeing with her hot takes. 

‘I can’t believe the golden doodle is your #1! I’m shocked! I’ve had a ton of dogs in my lifetime. This is the best dog ever and best family dog,’ one viewer wrote.   

‘Goldendoodle is literally the best dogs I’ve ever owned and ever been around. Literally like a human and ridiculously smart and sweet. Byeeee,’ said another. 

‘I grew up with only German shepherds and they were the best dogs,’ replied a third while a fourth commented: ‘My chihuahua is the sweetest boy ever’. 

However not everyone was upset with Dr Whit’s controversial opinions. 

‘Doodles, most expensive mutts in the world… agree with you from a fellow vet!’ one woman responded.

In a follow up clip, the animal doctor also shared her most-liked dogs including golden retrievers, mixed-breed pups and even basset hounds

‘FACTS. Sorry doodle owners, your dogs are NOT the best dogs,’ a second asserted.  

In a follow up clip, Dr Terrell shared the top five dog breeds she would get with the basset hound or any type of hound coming in at number one. 

Dr Terrell  owns a basset hound herself and said despite being ‘smelly, loud and have ear, back and weight problems’ they are the ‘best’ pets. 

‘I love them they’re so sweet. Mine is the best dog ever he comes to work with me every day,’ she said.  

She also recommended getting a mixed-breed or mutt dog as they have fewer underlying health issues as well as golden retrievers as their calm temperament makes them a great family pet. 

For number two, I don’t have a picture because it is a mutt, they can look like anything. They are fantastic dogs,’ she said. 

‘They usually don’t have as many genetic or hereditary problems like pure breeds do. They are thankful they have a home.’ 

At number four was the German shorthair pointer and in at five was the Great Pyrenees. 

‘These are beautiful super athletic happy dogs. I honestly can’t think of one I have seen that was not happy,’ she said about German shorthair pointers. 

‘Definitely high energy though, you do not want to own these if you are sedentary, if you do not like adventure, if you do not like taking them for walks every day.’