A professional dog trainer has shared a list of five breeds he advises first-time owners to steer clear of, with one breed banned in the UK under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Content creator and dog behaviour expert Casey Ray, who has over 30 years of experience, said he would not recommend these breeds even for more experienced owners in some cases.
Topping the list is the Dogo Argentino, a large, mastiff-type breed with a background in dog fighting, which is banned in the UK. Ray described them as 'stunning' and 'high energy' with a 'strong prey drive' that 'equals aggression towards other animals'. He said: 'This is a big, powerful breed – and you really got to understand what you're getting yourself into.'
The Anatolian shepherd took the second spot, recognised for its fierce loyalty and guarding instincts. Ray described them as 'very large, very powerful, very aloof' and noted 'most people don't know how to handle them'. He added: 'This is like a lifetime package because they need to understand what to do all the time and it's ongoing.'
The Belgian Malinois, bred for work, was placed third. Ray, who owned one himself, said they have 'zero chill' and are 'not for 99% of homes'. The Akita, a Japanese breed with powerful protective instincts, came fourth, requiring consistent training and early socialisation to prevent aggression. Ray said: 'It needs to go right into training, and you, the handler, needs to understand exactly what needs to happen for this dog.'
Rounding out the list is the Australian cattle dog, a high-energy herding breed that can nip at children's heels. Ray advised: 'If you don't have a farm or a ranch, you don't need these dogs.' He added that he has seen this breed become more reactive than any other due to unfulfilled energy.
