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I’m a vet… here’s the five dog breeds I would never own – they’re difficult to manage
A VET has ranked the five dog breeds he would never own because they're difficult to manage.
Ben shared his list of "five types of dog people underestimate" in a TikTok clip.
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1. Husky
The dog expert said huskies are "super cute puppies" and "beautiful dogs".
He added that they can make very loyal pets.
"But they are really not for everyone. A few years ago there was a massive boom in their numbers.
"They and other wolf-like dogs were used in huge movie franchies and shows like Game of Thrones and Twilight.
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"In the years that followed, rehoming shelters saw more and more of these dogs being relinquished to them because their owners couldn't cope."
He said they need lots of exercise and a five or ten-minute walk around the block isn't enough.
"You have to remember that these dogs are bred to pull sleds - long distances in cold weather conditions," he added.
"If they're not kept active or stimulated enough, they just get bored and start showing unwanted behaviours.
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"They very easily become overweight - so unless you've got two hours free every day to exercise your dog, a husky might not be for you."
2. Rescue dogs
Ben said rescue dogs weren't going to be for everyone.
He added: "I meet a lot of pet owners who have rescued street dogs from eastern European countries like Romania.
"This can seem like a really nice thing to do and is often an easier process than rescuing from a UK shelter.
"But many of these dogs are not suited to life as pets."
He added that many former street dogs turn out to be "extremely anxious" and have "serious behavioural problems".
"Much of the time this is simply because they haven't been socialised with humans," he added.
"This has to happen before the age of three to four months if a dog is not going to be scared of people."
3. Cockapoo
These dogs make "fantastic family pets" but are "highly energetic". he said.
He added: "I think they make fantastic family pets - but they are frequently underestimated.
"By this I mean that some people think they're going to be automatically easier to have as pets because they're a small dog.
"But they're a cross between a poodle, which is highly intelligent, and a highly energetic cocker spaniel - so they're definitely not lap dogs.
"There's also a common misconception that they're hypoallergenic and fine to live with for people with dog allergies.
"But there's very little evidence to back this up."
4. German Shepherd
Health is an important factor in taking care of a German Shepherd, he said.
"There is a long list of health problems that they're genetically predisposed to.
"Many of these can't be tested, but hip and elbow dysplasia are a massive dysplasia are a massive issue in the breed - and they can be screened.
"So make sure, if you're going to get one, that both parents have been screened for these problems and have good results.
"They're often very protective of their owners and can be quite aggressive at the vets.
"They're big boisterous dogs so it's important they're well-trained and socialised at a young age - especially if there are any children in the house."
5. French Bulldog
The expert said French Bulldogs can be very expensive.
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"The chances are that your vet bills over your dog's lifespan are going to be significantly higher than average.
"Having a dog that is never fully well and may have a shortened life expectancy can also have a massive emotional strain on pet owners."
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