Canine behaviourist Will Atherton has shared the three popular family breeds he would not personally have in his home. With over a decade of experience, Atherton runs the Will Atherton Canine Centre and Training Academy, and his YouTube channel has 1.23 million subscribers. In a video, he explained why these breeds may not suit every owner.
Spaniel breeds
Atherton's first pick includes Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels, both incredibly popular. He said: "Now, when it comes to the Spaniel breeds, they are breeds that I see a lot in my behavioural work, which means that they do have the potential to go wrong."
He clarified: "It's not that I dislike them at all. I am somebody who partakes in field and country sports here in the UK and I love nothing more than seeing Spaniels working with the retrievers out in the field. It is awesome to behold, and for their job that they do, there isn't a better dog breed on the planet."
However, for that very reason, Spaniels "rarely" make good family pets. He said: "Yes they are usually gentle, they are usually loving, but they are extremely high drive, they are extremely high energy." He prefers a calm and relaxed atmosphere at home after working with difficult cases during the day.
Border Collie
His second pick is the Border Collie, which he says is "magnificent" to see working in the field herding sheep, describing it as "mind-blowing". Yet in his experience, they "rarely make good pets".
Collies can display "very severe behaviour problems, and especially around biting and nipping of children", which "tends to be one of the most common behaviour problems of the Border Collie that I tend to see". As a father, Atherton said he would "never take a risk" on a breed with a "high likelihood to herd children". Combined with their high intensity, high energy, and high drive, they don't fit with the relaxed atmosphere he wants at home.
Dachshund
The third breed is the Dachshund, which has grown in popularity recently. Atherton chose them because they are extremely vocal, a factor that tends to be the main problem in his work with them.
Issues include excessive barking, "separation anxiety-related behaviours", and "extreme reactivity when out on a walk". While he has been able to improve their behaviour, it's harder than with other breeds. He recommends picking breeds whose temperaments and qualities already suit your lifestyle, rather than exhausting energy trying to temper their natural behaviours.
