The worst dog breed: Why vets don’t recommend shar-peis

Four staff members working at a vet clinic have named the one breed of dog they would never own.

The Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Texas shared a video on Instagram under the handle @avahvet and asked the staff the type of dog they wouldn’t bother owning themselves. 

In the clip the woman behind the camera asked the staff the same question – and each responded with the same answer.  

Surprisingly all of them chose the popular breed shar-pei – a type of dog best known for its excessive amount of wrinkles – because they tend to be quite viscious towards strangers. 

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In the clip the woman behind the camera asked the vets the same question - and each responded with the same answer

The Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Texas shared a video on Instagram under the handle @avahvet and asked the staff the type of dog they wouldn’t bother owning themselves

Surprisingly all of them chose the popular breed shar-pei - best known for its excessive amount of wrinkles - because they tend to be quite viscous towards strangers (stock image)

Surprisingly all of them chose the popular breed shar-pei – best known for its excessive amount of wrinkles – because they tend to be quite viscous towards strangers (stock image) 

In the comments the clinic revealed why the vet staff chose this breed specifically. 

‘They can be super aggressive and reactive. We had one today like that, so it was on everyone’s mind,’ the clinic wrote. 

While these dogs look cute, and are recognised on Purex toilet paper, they can be incredibly defensive and aggressive as the breed was once a hunting dog. 

According to Vets Choice, shar-peis require an experience dog owner to ‘foster a healthy well balanced’ dog. 

These dogs are also prone to a number of health issues – including hip and bone dysplasia, hypothyroidism, skin allergies, and skinfold infections.

They also tend to not be friendly with new people but don’t require much exercise. 

Everything you need to know about shar-peis:

While shar-peis are a cute breed, they can be aggressive towards strangers and other dogs and need to be trained from an early age 

Their wrinkles also make them prone to skin infections 

Other health problems include Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Patellar Luxation, Hypothyroidism, Entropion, Retinal Dysplasia and Glaucoma, Skin allergies, and Shar-pei fever

Originally bred to guard livestock, shar-peis are alert, intelligent and protective dogs who make excellent guardians

They can possess a calm and devoted nature that makes them loving companions. 

Shar-peis tend to be aloof with strangers, but are fiercely loyal and affectionate with their own people and love to spend time in the company of their families

Although shar-peis can be aggressive toward other dogs, early socialisation can help them learn to get along with other pets

Source: Vets Choice & hillspet.com

The video has since been viewed more than 3.3million times and thousands couldn’t help but agree. 

‘Shar pei fever as a result overbreeding for their wrinkles… don’t find they’re aggressive even though they can be dense sometimes,’ one person commented. 

‘Unfortunately the vets are correct I have friends who all work at different clinics and they all agree shar-peis are aggressive towards strangers,’ another added. 

A third said: ‘Wow I had no idea!’ 

It follows after another vet listed the top five dog breeds she’d never consider owning. 

Alabama-based vet Dr Whitney Terrell shared her top five best and worst dog breeds in a viral TikTok clip dividing viewers

Alabama-based vet Dr Whitney Terrell shared her top five best and worst dog breeds in a viral TikTok clip dividing viewers

Dr Whitney Terrell, from Alabama, caused a stir online after sharing types of dogs she would never own due to her experience as a vet in a now-viral TikTok video, with the popular Goldendoodle, or poodle mixes, topping her list.

In second place are German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherds – also known as Belgian Malinois – which Dr Terrell noted require a lot of training in order to be good pets, something that she simply doesn’t have the time for. 

She went on to add that she also doesn’t recommend getting short-snouted pooches like French Bulldogs, pugs and Shih Tzus because of their breathing issues. 

The animal doctor then shared her most-liked dogs, including Golden Retrievers, mixed-breed pups and Basset Hounds. 

The animal doctor caused a stir after sharing her least favorite types of dogs based on her veterinary experience with the popular Goldendoodle, or poodle mixes, topping her list

The animal doctor caused a stir after sharing her least favorite types of dogs based on her veterinary experience with the popular Goldendoodle, or poodle mixes, topping her list

Coming in at number two on Dr Terrell's list was a German shepherd (pictured) or Belgian Malinois she said can be aggressive if not trained properly

Dr Terrell said she doesn't like chihuahuas (pictured) which she called 'ankle biters' as well as Chinese crested or hairless dogs

Dr Terrell’s list also included German shepherds (left), which she said can be aggressive if not trained properly as well as Chihuahuas (right) which she called ‘ankle biters’

Dr Terrell said while some poodle-cross dogs are ‘super sweet’, they ‘can’t sit still’ and are prone to a string of health conditions. 

‘A lot of them are crazy, crazy hyper, can’t sit still for two seconds. We’ve had some really aggressive ones as well,’ she said. 

‘Ear infections out the wazoo, so expensive grooming, they are mixed breed. Too high maintenance for me.’

Coming in at number two on Dr Terrell’s list was a German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois, which she said can be aggressive if not trained properly.

‘They have the potential to be really great dogs, good police dogs, good rescue types scenarios but 95 per cent of the ones that we see in clinic want to bite your face off because they’re not properly trained,’ she said.  

Any breed that is brachycephalic, meaning they have shortened or ‘squished’ snouts, like pugs, Boston terriers, French Bulldogs or Shih Tzus did not come recommended by the vet. 

‘Some of them are so cute and so sweet but they can’t breathe, literally cannot breathe,’ she said. 

‘They snore, I’ve already got a husband that snores, I don’t need anything else. Skin fold dermatitis, allergies, yeasty, smelly, gassy, it’s a no from me.’  

Dr Terrell said she doesn’t like Chihuahuas, which she called ‘ankle biters’, as well as Chinese Crested Dogs and any other hairless dogs.

Dr Whit’s top five dog breeds she would never own

1. Goldendoodles and poodle mixes

‘Some of these dogs are really sweet but a lot of them are crazy, crazy hyper, can’t sit still for two seconds. We’ve had some really aggressive ones as well. 

‘Ear infections out the wazoo, so expensive grooming, they are mixed breed. Too high maintenance for me.’ 

2. German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois

‘They have the potential to be really great dogs, good police dogs, good rescue types scenarios but 95 per cent of the ones that we see in clinic want to bite your face off because they’re not properly trained.

‘I know I would not be able to properly train them because I have no time. If you’re thinking about getting one of these dogs, don’t do it lightly because they need lots of training, lots of attention.’

3. Brachycephalic or short-snouted dogs like French bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers and shih tzus 

‘Some of them are so cute and so sweet but they can’t breathe, literally cannot breathe.

‘They snore, I’ve already got a husband that snores, I don’t need anything else. Skin fold dermatitis, allergies, yeasty, smelly, gassy, it’s a no from me.’ 

4. Chihuahua

‘Not my cup of tea: afraid I’m going to step on them, will more than likely be bit if I had one, they’re usually a one person dog. 

‘We’ve got a few that are super sweet, the rest of them are ankle biters.’ 

5. Chinese crested and hairless dogs 

‘The dogs are fine, I don’t like hairless animals. They’re zitty, they’re kind of greasy, same with cats. It’s a no from me.’