A veterinarian has shared a list of dog breeds he would never own, including one that's 'cute' but 'so stubborn'. Dr Amir Anwary, a South Africa-based vet and content creator on TikTok, singled out five breeds that wouldn't work for him and why.
1. Sharpei
His first pick is the Sharpei. Dr Anwary noted that they can be 'incredibly stubborn, making it very difficult for them to train'. He also says if they're not well socialised, they can become 'quite aggressive'. The vet cautions that they're prone to skin infections due to their distinctive skinfolds, including pyoderma, skinfold dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis. Many also suffer from allergies that are expensive to treat and usually lifelong. 'They're also prone to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia,' he added.
2. Siberian Husky
Next up is the Siberian Husky, which Dr Anwary warns are 'so vocal' and 'do not ever keep quiet'. As with Sharpeis, they can be stubborn and difficult to train. 'And there's also extremely, extremely, high energy, so if you're not giving them enough exercise every single day, they will become naughty, they will become destructive.' He also says they're 'escape artists': 'If they want to, they will find a way to get out of your house.' He concluded it would be a 'big stress' for him.
3. Cocker Spaniel
His third pick is the Cocker Spaniel. 'Let me just say, there are so many amazing, amazing Cocker Spaniels out there, but there are also several Cocker Spaniels that almost seem like they have a screw loose in their heads,' he said. From his perspective, the breed comes in three types: happy-go-lucky, anxious aggressive, and anxious anxious. He says they can be very nervy and prone to separation anxiety. In rare cases they have a condition called Cocker Rage Syndrome, 'where Cocker Spaniels have these sudden bouts of extreme aggression'. 'And the thing is, as an eight-week-old puppy, you never know what you're going to get.' Health-wise, they're fine for the most part 'other than a few ear infections and maybe some hip problems'.
4. Golden Doodle
Dr Anwary's fourth choice is the Golden Doodle, a crossbreed between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. He understands the appeal, as they're like big teddy bears, but flagged them for high vet bills. They are prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and allergies—chronic conditions that often need lifelong treatment. They also suffer from 'really bad separation anxiety', making it hard to leave them at home.
5. Chihuahua
Dr Anwary's final word of caution is on Chihuahuas, a tiny breed he has been frank about not being the biggest fan of. 'But from a health perspective, they're actually pretty good,' he added, noting exceptions of dislocated knee caps and tracheal collapse. His issue is with their behaviour: fear-based aggression due to their small size—'they're basically scared of everything'—making them aggressive often. They are difficult to socialise and give medication to, so he couldn't have one himself.
