The Next Must-Have Breed (And Why Not To Get One)

Wolf Dogs

There is a definitive correlation between types of dog breeds that actively appear in the media, and those that are more sought after as pets.

When the television series, 'Game of Thrones' was first released in 2011, it featured Northern Inuit dogs heavily throughout the programme.  This sparked a sharp increase in the amount of similar breeds being purchased.  

Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Akita's, German Shepherds and crosses of the them, were all bred and sold more than ever before, as people were desperate to own their own version of the Game of Thrones canine stars.  However, what many new owners did not realise, was that these breeds are often high maintenance, requiring lots of physical exercise and mental stimulation.  

As a result of these dogs not receiving the level of care they deserved, many of them ended up developing behavioural problems, rendering them too much for their owners to handle.  Therefore, as quickly as they were purchased, they were relinquished to rescues all over the country.  

You only have to look at the types of roles these breeds are bred for, to recognise that they are unlikely to be suitable to be living in a high-rise flat, or be left on their own for 8 hours plus per day, without them experiencing a decline in their mental health and wellbeing.  Yet still, they were purchased without any thought, except for 'they look like the wolf from TV.'  

This whole situation could have been avoided, if only people had thoroughly researched these breeds, and were totally honest with themselves as to how much time and energy they could truly commit to these beautiful dogs. 

Dalmatians 

Next up we have Dalmatians, who are a breed that is very close to me. The first dog I ever learned to train was a friends Dalmatian called Ellie. She taught me a lot! She was stubborn, strong-willed and superbly intelligent and she often thought and acted a lot faster than I did. These traits are shared amongst the breed as a whole, and again they require a lot of mental and physical exercise. Dalmatians are also susceptible to health conditions such as deafness, skin allergies, dietary sensitivities and urinary stones to name a few. It is therefore vital that before breeders choose to breed a litter, the parents are thoroughly health tested to reduce the risk of these issues being passed on to the litter.

When the film '101 Dalmatians' was released in originally in 1961, but has been re-released many times since then. Each time, everyone wanted their own 'Pongo' or 'Purdita' and rushed out to purchase one.

Again, this was done without a great deal of research or careful consideration for the amount of dedication required to own such a wilful breed. The result? Hundreds of Dalmatians in rescue centres once again.

The new remake of this classic film, 'Cruella' has recently been released towards the end of May 2021, so there should be great emphasis that Dalmatians are not suitable for every home and they certainly should not be purchased on a whim without in depth research into their breed needs first.

Celebrity Toy Breeds

It is not just films and TV shows that have a direct affect on popular dog breed choices. Celebrities often have huge followings of very dedicated fans who wish to share the same lifestyle as those those they admire.

Celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Madonna, Britney Spears and Reese Witherspoon are all well known for owning Chihuahuas. They were often photographed carrying their tiny canine companions in their arms or in handbags. Their dogs were also often dressed in expensive designer outfits, which I am sure will have cost more than anything we have in our own wardrobes!

This caused a huge demand for these so called 'handbag dogs' who were wanted only to look pretty and as an accessory to their owners lifestyle. This in itself caused huge issues for the dogs behaviourally, as many received little to no training and instead were over-indulged and in turn very stressed and anxious a lot of the time.

Although small in stature, toy breeds such as the Chihuahua, still require mental and physical stimulation, just like any other dog. This is something that is often over looked by owners, leaving them susceptible to experiencing behavioural issues with their dogs. They are actually very capable little dogs, who are happy with a lot more physical exercise than you might think.

Raised correctly, toy breeds can make the ideal companion, but this should never be at the detriment of their own wellbeing and happiness.

Dachshunds

There has been a more recent trend in the popularity of Dachshunds, or Sausage Dogs as they are affectionately known. Celebrities such as Adele and David Hasselhoff both own Dachshunds, and they are also increasingly used in TV adverts and in social media advertisements.

This is another breed I am personally very fond of, as I grew up with two standard Dachshunds as a child. However, I am all too aware that they are not for the faint hearted owner, or one who cannot commit to their training fully. They are strong willed, can be barky, and are bred to dig, so you can say goodbye to a tidy garden if you don't give them a suitable outlet for these needs. So do not let their cute, pocket-sized exterior lure you in, unless you are able to truly dedicate your time and energy to them.

Dachshunds are also prone to issues with their spines, due to them having such a long back paired with such short legs. In serious cases this can result in total hind end paralysis and incontinence so this should be considered before choosing them as your next canine companion.

Doodles

Doodle is a broad term to include any breeds that are crossed with a Poodle.  The most common include Cockapoos, Labradoodles and Cavapoos but there are lots more variations too.  

These mixes originally started out in the late 80's when Labradors were crossed with Poodles, in an attempt to create the 'ideal' assistance dog for those who may have allergies to dogs.  Since then, their popularity has increased dramatically, not specifically to working dogs, but mostly as pets too.  Now, you can get pretty much any dog that has been crossed with a Poodle and expect to pay a hefty price tag for them in the process.  So much so, the popularity as intensively bred dogs has also increased, as unscrupulous breeders attempt to cash in on the nations new found fondness for these mixes.    

However, there is no guarantee that these cute curly-coated puppies will actually be hypoallergenic, as many people claim.  Just because they have been crossed with a Poodle, does not automatically mean that they will shed little to no hair as their Poodle parent does.  They may well take after their other parent genetically when it comes to coats and how much hair they shed.  

Doodles are often comprised of two very intelligent breeds, meaning they can easily get frustrated if they do not have plenty of mental stimulation and activities to keep their minds busy.  So be sure to factor this into their daily routine if you decide they are the right fit for your lifestyle.

Brachycephalic Breeds

Brachycephalic is the technical term given to flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus and Lhasa Apsos, all of which have gained popularity over recent years.

People are attracted to their large eyes and short muzzles, possibly because they are akin to human babies. Although they are undoubtedly very cute, this often comes at a huge detriment to their health in order to make them look this way.

Many of these breeds suffer greatly from severe breathing difficulties which is often only rectifiable through surgery. They can also have dental issues, due to the compressed nature of their mouth and jaw, forcing their teeth to be misaligned or for there to be not enough room for their tongue in their mouths.

For those with tightly curled tails, such as the French Bulldog, this can also cause serious health issues. As the tail is an extension of your dog's spine, this cause progressively worsening pain, and may lead to incontinence or even paralysis of the back legs in severe cases. This is known as Hemivertebrae or more commonly as 'Screw Tail.'

Purchasing or adopting a dog of any breed is a huge, lifetime commitment, so it is vital that you do your research and are completely honest with yourself as to if they are truly the right fit for your lifestyle.  

These dog breeds all have their plus and minus points, as does any dog, but I urge you to thoroughly research your chosen breeds traits, health information, exercise requirements and any other special considerations before opting to adopt or purchase one.  

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