Vet settles debate on 5 dog breeds you should never have as a pet

A veterinarian has shared the five dog breeds she wouldn’t own herself, including one that can have "serious behavioural issues". Dr Rachel Siu is a vet based in the southern US state of Texas who has worked with a wide variety of exotic pets, dogs and cats.

But alongside her practice, she has built up a massive social media presence, posting as Dr Rachel and sharing tips and insights for pet owners. In a video shared with her more than 250,000 YouTube subscribers, the animal expert previously named five types of pooch she wouldn’t want to own herself, whilst identifying issues associated with them that prospective owners should know about.

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The first breed she highlighted in the video are huskies, playful, loving creatures that people are drawn to because they’re “beautiful”, “intelligent” and “fun to be around”.

But she flags that as working dogs, they “need a job to do”, and she knows she wouldn’t be able to give a husky the level of attention it deserves.

They originated in the harsh Arctic climate of Siberia and have an insulated double coat that makes them very well-suited to the cold.

But it also makes them poorly equipped for living somewhere like Texas, which is known for its scorchingly hot and humid weather conditions, particularly in the summer months.

Additionally, they're known to be big shedders, and she cautions prospective dog parents that it’s important to select a breed that suits both your lifestyle, and location.

Next up are dachshunds, which the animal lover says are “really cute, and really unique" but vulnerable to a number of serious health issues.

She notes that their long backs mean they’re “really prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), the most common spinal condition dogs suffer from.

Because of this vulnerability, owners are warned to be very careful with them and make sure they don’t leap down from high surfaces and sustain serious injuries.

The risk of serious spinal issues is so great that she recommends anyone who does get a dachshund to put some money aside in case they need back surgery - which doesn’t come cheap.

Her third pick is the Great Dane, famous for being one of the biggest dog breeds in the world.

Dr Rachel said the breed are loving goofballs, but there's a sad reason why she wouldn't have one herself.

Her only issue with them is that they have comparatively short lifespans.

The vet says the breed, which can grow almost 90cm tall at the shoulder and weigh up to around 90kg, grow quickly and “develop health issues really early on in life”, so owners need to be ready for that.

The vet also said she couldn't own a doodle, a term used to describe a Poodle crossed with another breed.

She says the breed is perceived to be hypoallergenic (i.e. less likely to spark allergic reactions), not big shedders, and low maintenance.

However, in her experience, it “couldn’t be further from the truth”. Dr Rachel says they’re “often mixed with shedding dogs, so they do shed” and a lot of grooming is required to stop them getting painful matting.

The medical expert recommends people in the market for a high-maintenance dog with a similar look just get a poodle and get it a doodle-style cut.

Additionally, she noted that while some have nice temperaments, she has encountered others that have “serious behavioural issues”.

Her last pick is bulldogs, or any breed that is brachycephalic (a term referring to short-headed dogs that suffer various health problems due to the way they’re bred).

Dr Rachel says the most obvious issue with them for her is that they “struggle to breathe with their elongated soft palette, and shmooshed faces”.

The vet said if she ever did rescue one, she would make sure they get them airway surgery to improve their breathing and quality of life.

Like dachshunds, they’re also particularly at risk of developing IVDD, as well as being prone to allergic reactions, and the vet says ultimately, they're “just not a healthy breed”.

Dr Rachel encouraged prospective owners to explore alternative breeds if possible.