Vet reveals the dogs to steer clear from… and the worst breeds will shock you
A VET’s honest guide to choosing the right dog has gone viral.
Revealing what animal professionals really think about which dogs make the best pets, the advice suggests “teacup” mutts – currently a furry favourite – do not make good pets.
Described as “tongue-in-cheek”, the advice has arrived just in time for Christmas, which is famous for being the most popular time for bringing dogs home.
Cat Henstridge, who goes by the name “Cat the Vet” on her social media account, shared the candid and straightforward advice for choosing a dog.
The post, titled “What vets really think about which dog you should buy”, reads: “You’re not allowed anything brachycephalic [short nosed] or chondrodystrophic [short legged].
“Anything with an adult size smaller than a cat or bigger than a newborn calf.
“Anything rare (i.e. inbred)
“Anything from working stock, unless you are going to exercise it properly physically and mentally and not just trail it round the park on the end of a lead for 20 minutes once a day.
“Nothing smarter than you. No breeds that were ever used for gripping, guarding or fighting.
“Nothing described on the breed club website as ‘feisty’, ‘aloof’, or ‘fiercely loyal’.
“Nothing that comes with neoplasia pre-ordained [abnormal growths].
“No Shar Peis. No breed with any disease named after it. No English Bulldogs.
“Nothing that costs more because it is a special colour, and nothing with an average lifespan lower than my shoe size.”
The post finishes on a positive note, saying: “Apart from that, you can have any breed you want!”
In an interview with the , Cat said prospective owners can buy toy breeds, but only if they can ensure they have been bred “responsibly”.
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She said: “They are very popular with puppy farmers because of their small sizes and high purchase prices but dogs produced this way are often sickly and will have suffered appalling conditions as youngsters.
“We have recently seen a worrying increase in the popularity of 'teacup' versions of these breeds, which are produced by mating the runts of the litter and their tiny size definitely leaves them vulnerable to problems.”
She also warned against buying stereotypically violent dogs.
Cat explained: “Any breed of dog can be a danger to its owner or people around it, particularly if it has been poorly socialised or badly treated.
"The blame for these attacks most definitely lies with the owner! The issue with the breeds perceived as 'status symbols' is that with their size and incredibly strong jaws, they can do an extraordinary amount of damage even in a very moderate attack.”
Advising against the purchase of dogs for Christmas, Cat told how rescue centres tend to see an increase in abandoned animals after the festive period because the “novelty” wears off.
She urged anyone considering buying a pooch for Christmas to make sure the receiver knows what to expect well in advance.
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