Veterinarians see the best and worst sides of every dog breed. While they dedicate their lives to caring for all animals, some breeds pose challenges that make them less appealing as personal pets.
Health issues, high-maintenance needs, or behavioural difficulties can all influence a vet’s perspective. This doesn’t mean these dogs can’t be wonderful companions, but it does highlight the importance of knowing what you’re getting into before bringing one home.
This article is for general knowledge only and is based on information from online sources. Every dog is unique, and not all individuals will face the same health or behavioural concerns. For breed-specific advice, consult a qualified veterinarian or trainer.
1. English Bulldogs
Those adorable smushed faces come with a lifetime of respiratory distress. English Bulldogs struggle to breathe, exercise, and even sleep comfortably due to their severely shortened airways, a condition called brachycephalic syndrome.
Most require expensive surgery just to breathe normally, and that’s before addressing their skin fold infections, eye problems, and joint issues. Their average lifespan barely reaches 8-10 years, with many suffering from poor quality of life throughout.
2. Pugs
Behind those bulging eyes and snorting sounds lies a catalogue of health concerns that make veterinarians wince. Pugs cannot regulate their body temperature effectively, making even mild heat potentially lethal.
Their eye sockets are so shallow that their eyeballs can actually pop out during play or minor trauma. Chronic skin infections develop between their facial folds, requiring daily cleaning. The cherry on top? Significant neurological issues often develop as they age.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Those soulful eyes hide a tragic reality, nearly all Cavaliers develop mitral valve disease by age 10, leading to heart failure. Their small skulls often can’t properly contain their brains, resulting in syringomyelia, a painful condition where fluid-filled cavities form in the spinal cord.
Watching these gentle companions progressively decline breaks veterinary hearts. The breed’s genetic issues are so widespread that finding a truly healthy bloodline has become nearly impossible, despite their wonderful temperaments.
4. Great Danes
Towering and majestic, Great Danes capture hearts with their gentle souls. Unfortunately, their massive frames come with massive health problems. Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat) strikes these dogs with terrifying frequency, a painful, often fatal condition requiring emergency surgery.
Heart disease plagues the breed, with dilated cardiomyopathy being particularly common. Perhaps most heartbreaking is their tragically short lifespan of just 6-8 years. Many veterinarians can’t bear loving a dog they know will leave them so quickly.
5. Shar Peis
The distinctive wrinkles that make Shar Peis famous also cause them misery. These deep skin folds harbor bacteria, yeast, and moisture, creating chronic infections requiring lifelong management with medicated wipes and frequent bathing.
Shar Pei Fever, a breed-specific inflammatory disorder, causes recurrent fevers and can lead to kidney failure. Their tiny ear canals are prone to painful infections, while their tight eyelids often require surgical correction. Veterinarians see these issues repeatedly with little genetic improvement over generations.
6. Dachshunds
Those adorable elongated bodies are a spinal disaster waiting to happen. One in four Dachshunds will suffer from intervertebral disc disease, where spinal discs rupture and compress the spinal cord, causing excruciating pain and potential paralysis.
Many vets have witnessed owners carrying their suddenly paralyzed Dachshund into emergency clinics, facing the choice between expensive surgery or euthanasia. Even with successful treatment, recurrence rates are high. Their stubborn personalities and tendency toward obesity only compound these back problems.
7. Rottweilers
Powerful and loyal, Rottweilers make devoted guardians but face devastating health challenges. Cancer strikes this breed at alarming rates, particularly osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer that spreads rapidly and has poor prognosis even with amputation and chemotherapy.
Hip and elbow dysplasia affect many Rotties, leading to early arthritis and mobility issues. Their size and strength demand consistent training from day one. Veterinarians who’ve treated numerous Rottweilers through painful cancer journeys often choose to spare themselves this particular heartbreak.
8. German Shepherds
The sloped back that gives German Shepherds their distinctive silhouette is actually a structural nightmare. This exaggerated angulation contributes to debilitating hip and elbow dysplasia, often leading to arthritis before age five.
Degenerative myelopathy, a progressive spinal cord disease similar to ALS in humans, affects many GSDs in their senior years. Their thick double coat requires constant maintenance. Veterinarians who specialize in orthopedics see countless German Shepherds struggling to walk comfortably despite their young age.
9. Chow Chows
Behind that lion-like mane lies a perfect storm of medical and behavioral challenges. Chow Chows are notoriously difficult to examine, many vets require muzzles just for basic care. Their thick coats hide skin problems until they’re severe, while their deep-set eyes are prone to entropion and glaucoma.
Autoimmune disorders run rampant in the breed. Their blue-black tongues can make assessing health difficult. Many veterinarians have battle scars, both emotional and physical, from treating these beautiful but challenging dogs.
10. Boxers
Energetic and playful, Boxers capture hearts with their expressive faces and boundless enthusiasm. Tragically, cancer claims nearly half of all Boxers, with mast cell tumors, lymphoma, and brain tumors being particularly common.
Cardiomyopathy affects many Boxers, causing sudden death even in young, apparently healthy dogs. Their short muzzles lead to breathing difficulties and heat intolerance. Veterinary oncologists see so many Boxers in their practice that the breed has become synonymous with cancer treatment.
11. Saint Bernards
Famous for alpine rescues, Saint Bernards face a mountain of health issues. Their massive size (often exceeding 180 pounds) puts tremendous strain on joints, leading to early-onset arthritis and mobility problems.
Bloat strikes frequently, requiring emergency surgery to prevent death. Heat intolerance means they struggle in warm climates despite their thick coats. Drooling reaches epic proportions, creating skin fold infections around their jowls. Most heartbreaking is their brief lifespan of just 8-10 years.
12. Cocker Spaniels
Those silky, flowing ears create the perfect warm, moist environment for chronic infections. Most Cocker Spaniels require weekly ear cleaning and many need long-term medication for persistent bacterial and yeast overgrowth.
Aggressive forms of glaucoma can cause sudden blindness, while their coats demand professional grooming every 4-6 weeks to prevent painful matting. Rage syndrome—a form of seizure disorder causing unpredictable aggression—affects some lines. Veterinary dermatologists often joke that Cockers keep their practices profitable.
13. Irish Wolfhounds
Majestic and ancient, Irish Wolfhounds stand as living legends but rarely live past 7 years old. Dilated cardiomyopathy claims many before middle age, with hearts simply too strained by their massive frames.
Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) strikes frequently and aggressively. Their deep chests make them prime candidates for life-threatening bloat. Veterinarians who’ve owned these gentle giants often say the same thing: “The only problem with Wolfhounds is that they break your heart too soon.”
14. Basset Hounds
Those long, droopy ears aren’t just adorable. They’re chronic infection sites requiring weekly cleaning and frequent medication. Their shortened legs and elongated spines make them prone to intervertebral disc disease similar to Dachshunds.
Obesity compounds these issues, as their short legs struggle to support extra weight. Skin fold infections develop between their facial wrinkles and under their heavy jowls. Many veterinarians see Bassets regularly for the same recurring problems throughout their lives.
