The best and worst dog breeds according to a vet: why owners should go for mutts over poodle-mixes

A veterinarian has revealed the five dog breeds she would never own – while sharing her top five picks for a future pet. 

Dr Whitney Terrell, from Alabama, caused a stir online after sharing her least favorite types of dogs in a now-viral TikTok video, with the popular Goldendoodle, or poodle mixes, topping her list of least favorite breeds.

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 rate short-snouted pooches like French Bulldogs, pugs and Shih Tzus. 

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

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

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

Dr Whit’s top five least-favorite dog breeds 

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.’

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. 

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’

‘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,’ she said of chihuahuas.

Poll

What is your favourite dog breed?

  • Basset hound 414 votes
  • Mixed-breed or mutt 1901 votes
  • Golden retriever 2312 votes
  • German shorthair pointer 445 votes
  • Great Pyrenees 375 votes

‘I don’t really like hairless animals, they’re zitty, they’re kind of greasy, same with cats – kind of feel like a ball sack – no from me.’ 

The clip racked up 8.3 million views and some of the doctor’s dog-breed opinions angered animal-lovers in the comments with many disagreeing with her hot takes. 

‘I can’t believe the golden doodle is your #1! I’m shocked! I’ve had a ton of dogs in my lifetime. This is the best dog ever and best family dog,’ one viewer wrote.   

‘Goldendoodle is literally the best dog I’ve ever owned and ever been around. Literally like a human and ridiculously smart and sweet. Byeeee,’ said another. 

‘I grew up with only German Shepherds and they were the best dogs,’ replied a third while a fourth commented: ‘My chihuahua is the sweetest boy ever’. 

However not everyone was upset with Dr Whit’s controversial opinions. 

‘Doodles, most expensive mutts in the world… agree with you from a fellow vet!’ one woman responded.

In a follow up clip, the animal doctor also shared her most-liked dogs including golden retrievers, mixed-breed pups and even basset hounds

She said golden retrievers make the perfect family pet because of their calm temperament

In a follow up clip, the animal doctor also shared her most-liked dogs including golden retrievers, mixed-breed pups and even basset hounds

‘FACTS. Sorry doodle owners, your dogs are NOT the best dogs,’ a second asserted.  

In a follow up clip, Dr Terrell shared the top five dog breeds she would get with the basset hound or any type of hound coming in at number one. 

Dr Terrell  owns a basset hound herself and said despite being ‘smelly, loud and have ear, back and weight problems’ they are the ‘best’ pets. 

‘I love them they’re so sweet. Mine is the best dog ever he comes to work with me every day,’ she said.  

She also recommended getting a mixed-breed or mutt dog as they have fewer underlying health issues as well as golden retrievers as their calm temperament makes them a great family pet. 

Veterinarian Dr Terrell’s top five favorite dog breeds

1.  Basset Hound and any kind of hound 

‘They’re smelly, they have a really deep loud bark, they can have ear, back, weight problems. 

They can sometimes be a little crotchety at the vet but I love them, they’re so sweet. Mine is the best dog ever he comes to work with me every day.’ 

2.  Mutt/mixed breed/strays

‘For number two, I don’t have a picture because it is a mutt, they can look like anything. They are fantastic dogs. 

They usually don’t have as many genetic or hereditary problems like pure breeds do. They are thankful they have a home. Highly recommend a mutt.’

3. Golden Retriever

‘Love this breed, they are so beautiful, so kind great family dog, this is a good first dog, especially for families. Good temperament, easy to train, love them.’ 

4. German shorthair pointer

‘These are beautiful super athletic happy dogs. I honestly can’t think of one I have seen that was not happy. 

Definitely high energy though, you do not want to own these if you are sedentary, if you do not like adventure, if you do not like taking them for walks every day. 

These are athletic dogs, they need to be exercised or they will destroy stuff. Love them, great dogs beautiful dogs.’

5.  Great Pyrenees

‘They don’t necessarily do great at the vet typically because they are herding dogs. They are out there with the goats, sheep, farm animals, if they’re actually doing a job so a lot of them aren’t used to being inside or around people. 

They’re not necessarily the best at the vet but I love them I’ve had several, they’ve been the best dogs, I love them so much.’

Source: dr.terrellpetvet/TikTok 

For number two, I don’t have a picture because it is a mutt, they can look like anything. They are fantastic dogs,’ she said. 

‘They usually don’t have as many genetic or hereditary problems like pure breeds do. They are thankful they have a home.’ 

At number four was the German shorthair pointer and in at five was the Great Pyrenees. 

‘These are beautiful super athletic happy dogs. I honestly can’t think of one I have seen that was not happy,’ she said about German shorthair pointers. 

‘Definitely high energy though, you do not want to own these if you are sedentary, if you do not like adventure, if you do not like taking them for walks every day.’