A top vet has revealed five dog breeds he would never own after years in the industry.
Dr. Amir Anwaryfrom South Africa, said that although dogs are among the most popular pets, most owners do not do enough research into the breeds they choose.
Border collie
Dr. Anwary said border collies were bred as working dogs and were designed to herd sheep on a farm.
“They need to be physically and mentally stimulated every day and most people who get a Border Collie don’t actually understand this,” he said.
‘It’s difficult to keep them happy in an urban environment.’
The breed is also prone to hip dysplasia and arthritis, which leads to expensive medical bills later.
A top vet has revealed five dog breeds he would never own, including border collies and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
“They are probably one of the most beautiful breeds I have worked with, but they suffer from a genetic disease that can cause congestive heart failure at a younger age,” the vet said.
‘Often dogs are affected as soon as they are seven years old, but this can be delayed until ten years of age, when most Cavaliers are affected.’
The disease can cause the dog to die at a younger age or require heart medication for the rest of its life.
Bulldog or other brachycephalic breeds
Dr. Anwary would never own a bulldog due to the breed’s health problems
Dr. Anwary would never own a bulldog due to the breed’s many health problems.
“I love brachycephalic breeds, but because of their squashed faces they suffer from a condition called brachycephalic airway syndrome,” he said.
‘Because of the anatomical abnormalities with a squashed face, they have difficulty breathing, regulating their temperature and exercising.
‘The exercise intolerance causes them to gain weight, which makes temperature regulation and breathing even more difficult.
“It’s a very bad, self-perpetuating cycle in these dogs.”
The vet revealed that he would never own a Doberman due to the breed’s predisposition to heart disease
Doberman
Dr. Anwary revealed that he would never own a Doberman due to the breed’s predisposition to heart disease.
“Dobermans are prone to a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy, in which the heart muscle becomes thinner and the heart chambers enlarge,” he said.
‘The disease makes it difficult for the heart to pump the heart around the body.’
It also means that the dogs will need regular checkups and may also need lifelong treatment for their heart.
Danish dog
Although Dr. Anwary has owned mixed-breed Great Danes before, he pointed out a serious problem with purebred dogs: their lifespan.
“Purebred Great Danes can only live about seven to eight years, which in my opinion is so little,” he said.