Dog Breeds to Avoid At All Costs

Dogs are not all the same, regardless of their breed. Dogs have their special needs and need attention and care, and most people assume that getting a dog will be all fun and joy. Raising a dog is similar to raising a child. Despite being the most intelligent and most loving pets to own and being extremely loyal and sensitive to their owners, they also depend on their owners for both love and comfort, as well as material resources to survive and thrive. There are many different types of dogs, each with its own temperament and special requirements. If you want to choose a pet, you should not just choose based on its looks, but also based on what type of lifestyle it suits best. You must be sure you are capable of handling the responsibilities of owning a dog before you decide to take one in as a pet. No one is saying that any of these breeds is “bad”. Some of these animals are difficult to care for under normal circumstances and are not suitable as house pets, so they should be avoided. Unless you are 100% sure you want them, here are ten dog breeds you shouldn’t adopt.

10 Dog Breeds to Avoid At All Costs

Weimaraner

Their athleticism and intelligence make them a remarkable breed. If properly trained, they can become extremely disciplined, intelligent, and strong dogs. This training, however, must be rigorous. A Weimaraner is usually a very proud dog, to the point of being rather obstinate and stubborn. As a consequence, their owners must enforce a strict discipline similar to that of a military. Because they are highly active, a city environment may not be able to accommodate all of their needs. The countryside is a better place for them to train since their hyperactive tendencies and above average intelligence can easily make them bored. It is not uncommon for a Weimaraner to become moody and destructive when bored.

Siberian Husky

There are many beautiful breeds of dogs in the world, but Huskies are among the most beautiful. In order to survive harsh environmental conditions, they have developed highly developed survival instincts. Huskies are known as good hunting companions for their capability as working dogs. Usually, they are bred for pulling sleds in cold climates. Therefore, they are not suited to small city homes with limited space. It is in their nature to thrive in the wild and lead an active lifestyle. Siberian Huskies are also big dogs, so they are not suitable for households with small pets or children. Furthermore, they shed throughout the year, as well as being incompatible with warmer climates.

Saint Bernard

Saint Bernards are a traditional family pet with laziness and size to make them even more endearing. However, their size poses many potential challenges. If your house is cluttered, or if you have a small child, they may cause trouble inadvertently. St. Bernards, being gentle dogs, aren’t suited to the busy lifestyle of city dogs. They thrive better in a large and lazy country setting. The Saint Bernard also takes longer to mature when compared to other dogs. Therefore, a relatively prolonged and rigorous training program is required from a young age. Only consider a Saint Bernard if you live in a quiet town, do not have small children or pets for a while, and are willing to train your dog. You know, they are so adorable!

Australian Shepherd

Originally bred to hunt, bird and guard livestock, Australian Shepherds are also capable of providing assistance with hunting, birding, and farm work as well. Their energy is infectious, and they really, truly believe they are invincible. In their free, open spaces such as a farm or a field, they tend to engage in hyperactive activities and injure themselves quite frequently as a result of this tendency. For a multitude of reasons, confining them to city dwellings and urban spaces could prove devastating to their well being. As an Australian Shepherd, he is bred to herd and may just want to begin herding your children, your friends’ children, or joggers at a park. You might want to think twice about getting a dog like this unless you like the idea of moving to the country.

Chow Chow

Despite what you may think, Chow Chows aren’t always the adorable fur balls they seem to be. These little breeds of canines were originally bred in China as guard dogs, and are incredibly intelligent, but can be quite stubborn if not properly trained. A neighborhood with many small children and their pets might not be a good place to keep one. They can also be quite aggressive towards other pets and strangers. Despite having excellent survival instincts, they can sometimes cause destructive results when their instincts kick in at the wrong times. Consequently, owners need to properly socialize them, which is not an easy task.

Akita

Japanese breeds of Akita were bred as helper dogs. Akitas are naturally hard workers. The term ‘silent hunter’ was not coined for nothing. This breed thrives in the wild and is a natural pack leader. The breed is naturally dominant and assertive, and is thought to be an alpha breed. They must therefore train disciplinedly and exercise vigorously every day to remain fit and healthy. Dogs of this breed can grow up to unmanageable dimensions for city dwellers. Even though they are beautiful, they shed a lot, which makes them undesirable as house pets. Akitas, however, can be very loyal, and when trained properly, can become keen and intelligent companions. You should only adopt one if you have some training experience.

Shih Tzu

This breed is perfect for adults who want a lap dog. Despite this, Shih Tzus are susceptible to a condition known as the ‘small dog syndrome’. They can be a bit stubborn and self-absorbed, easily grumpy and demanding of a lot of attention. Puppies are not recommended for households with young children. They may cause injury to an infant if allowed to play unsupervised. As a result of being easily excited and frightened, they have been known to nip at things and people alike. When teething as puppies, Shih Tzus will also chew or bite randomly.

Pekingese

The Pekingese is a small dog. Children shouldn’t be left with this small dog if you intend to keep it as a pet and for your children. Because of their small size, kids may easily grab at their abundant hair or tail, and the dog will eventually become irritated even if it doesn’t react at first. It is a good lap dog if an adult is willing to devote their attention to them and train them well so they don’t develop the “small dog syndrome”. Having a Pekingese around small children or other pets may make it difficult for them to adjust well, as they may compete for attention. As they are naturally aggressive and snappy, they may become aggressive with their rivals, humans or not. Because they are small and furry, they also require frequent grooming appointments at the salon for maintenance, which may not be feasible for all families.

Chinese Shar Pei

There are very specific concerns for Chinese Shar Peis. The breed is aggressive, hard to train, and has a number of health issues. Their natural cleanliness makes them the best house dogs, however they do not adapt well to being outside. Shar Peis are thus unsuitable for large open farms or in the countryside. Their owners need to devote a lot of time to them because of their intense social needs. Consequently, they can become quite territorial and very protective toward their owners. Small children and other pets may thus be aggressive toward such dogs, seeing them as rivals for their owners’ affection. To be properly social, a Shar Pei needs disciplined training, which may be beyond the abilities of people without experience in training.

Chihuahua

Chihuahuas have specific needs that are closer to those of a human child than any other dog. They are the world’s tiniest dogs and can be very needy. Their care and attention make them good lap dogs for people who are able to pamper them. However, a small dog like this isn’t the best choice for a busy family with young children because it won’t be the most active dog. Chihuahuas enjoy calmer, lazier environments at home, where they command the attention of their owners. It is easy for them to become jealous or stressed when they sense a rival and begin to nip or bite at them, whether it is another pet or a child. They are often frightened and act out when excited, as are most other small dogs. Chihuahuas are also susceptible to health problems, making regular vet visits essential.

Should I avoid these dog breeds at all costs?

Dogs of these breeds are not dangerous. They do, however, require a great deal of attention. This may not be the best choice to consider unless you are certain you like this type of dog. This is especially true if you are getting a dog for the first time. If you are a first-time dog owner, look instead at dog breeds that are suitable for newbies. Such dogs are easier to care for.