Canine behaviourist Will Atherton has identified three dog breeds he considers least suitable for families, cautioning that one of them 'bites children' and has 'no off switch'.
Expert's Warning on Family Dogs
Will Atherton, owner of the Will Atherton Canine Centre and Training Academy, has over a decade of experience, specialising in helping rescue centres with extreme behavioural cases. He shares tips on his YouTube channel, which has 1.23 million subscribers.
In a short video, he highlighted the breeds he sees going wrong most often, advising families to 'steer well clear'. 'My job is helping fix dogs when they've gone terribly wrong,' he said.
The Three Breeds
His first pick is the Belgian Malinois, a herding dog known for its work ethic and intelligence. Will said these working dogs are 'capable of crazy feats of obedience and training, but that does not mean that they're suitable for families'. He added: 'They bite children, they herd children, they have no off switch, and they want to be go, go, go all the time.'
Next is the Caucasian Shepherd, or any giant livestock guardian breed. Originating in the Caucasus region, these dogs protect homes and livestock. Will explained: 'Yes, they can be protective of the family, but they're much better suited to live outside on a farm, and if you try and bring them in the home, they might not have the patience or the ability to get away from children that they find frustrating.' He noted this 'often does lead to bites on children'.
His final choice is the Dogo Argentino, bred in the 1920s to hunt big game. Known for strength and energy, Will said of all the breeds he loves, 'this is the one that I hear going wrong with children the most'.
