If you’re in the market for a pet dog, a vet has offered his top breeds he would consider owning — including the most “hated” variety.
Ben, a vet surgeon from the UK, detailed the five family-favourite species, ranging from the types he has a “soft spot” for and the “big cuddly teddy bear” that’s great with kids.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Vet’s top five dog breeds to consider owning.
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“Remember there are pros and cons to owning any breed and this is ultimately just my opinion,” Ben said in his video.
In no particular order, the vet said the playful doodle and cavapoo crosses are among his top picks.
“There is so much doodle hatred online with people saying things like, ‘You cannot responsibly breed these dogs’ or ‘They are all messed up’. But this is most often just based on misconceptions,” he said.
“There is nothing inherently wrong with crossing two breeds of dog together.”
The vet pointed out the positive thing about the crossbreed of the Cavalier King Charles spaniel and the miniature or toy poodle is that it can be bred responsibly.
“Where it goes wrong is when these breeds are targeted by people in it for the money... Selling designer dogs for high prices, breeding them in poor conditions with no consideration to the temperament or health of the parents,” Ben explained.
“They are intelligent active breeds, they need lots of stimulation.
“And where this doesn’t happen, they can have a tendency to develop behaviour problems and become anxious.
“But they can make brilliant family dogs, contrary to what many people say online.”
Golden retriever
Ben raved about the family favourite golden retriever.
“A good retriever is a big cuddly teddy bear,” he said.
“I definitely have a soft spot for them... On the whole, they tend to be really good with kids.”
However, the vet pointed out some things for pet owners to seriously consider before taking one home.
“My only real reservation is they are a breed that is quite prone to cancer and they can drool quite a lot,” he said.
Miniature schnauzer
For anyone after a smaller “flat-faced” dog breed, such as a Frenchie or a pug, Ben suggested the miniature schnauzer could be a good option.
“They’ve got their characteristic moustache so they’re a unique looking dog but they don’t have any anatomical exaggerations (like) a long back or squashed face or anything that is going to physically impact their health,” he said.
“I think they have quite entertaining little personalities, they’re an intelligent breed of dog and they generally have a pretty sound temperament.”
However, Ben warned pet owners they needed to be cautious with what they fed their miniature schnauzer.
“You do have to be careful with what they eat,” he said, adding that this breed can be “very prone to pancreatitis” and can’t be given too much fatty food.
“(Also) be careful if they’re a scavenger, they are a bit prone to diabetes.
“But on a whole, they are a healthier alternative to a flat faced breed like a pug or Frenchie.”
Cocker spaniel
When it comes to cocker spaniels, Ben said he definitely has a “soft spot” for the breed.
But he pointed out they are a “high energy” breed that requires a lot of exercise.
“I’d only get one if I have one to two hours reliably every day to exercise them,” Ben said.
“They are prone to ear infections so I would from a very young age get them used to having their ears cleaned out with a cleaning solution every week.”
Staffordshire bull terrier
As a kid, Ben said he had fond memories of owning a staffy called Bessie.
“She was a fantastic family dog,” he recalled.
“If you’re looking to rescue a dog, a staffy might be a good option because there are so many needing homes in rescue centres, partly because of misconceptions over their temperament.
“They’re generally brilliant with people.”
However, Ben noted the breed was not always great with other dogs.
“So if you have another dog already, they might not be the best choice for a rescue,” he explained.
“Health wise, they’re pretty sound as well so thumbs up for me.”