Is your pup on this power list?
A veterinarian on TikTok broke down the five best dog breeds that he would “personally consider getting” and the list has gotten some viral attention online.
The animal expert — known on the platform as the UK’s Ben the Vet with more than 103,000 followers — made it clear that the chosen canines come only from his own opinion.
“And I am also not saying that these are the five possible healthiest dog breeds because every dog breed has some issues that they are prone to,” he said.
“These are also not the only five I would consider,” Ben added, expressing that his choices mainly come around the dogs’ probable healthcare needs.
5. Greyhounds
Fifth on his list are greyhounds, a breed Ben describes as having “strong attachments with people'” and often in need of homes after their racing careers end.
“They may not look very cuddly but they are really gentle and there are so many of them needing home after their racing careers end,” he said. “They will happily plod along on a walk but they would like the opportunity to sprint around so make sure you give them that opportunity.”
Though, the vet also advised that greyhounds are known for their poor teeth, advising pet owners to “put in the effort from the beginning to get their teeth brushed.”
4. Border terriers
Ben put “scruffy little” border terriers at four as an excellent selection for owners looking for pocket-sized pups.
“In my experience they are quite affectionate little dogs and compared to other terriers maybe they form slightly strong attachments with people,” he said.
Another positive is that they are “quite robust health-wise” breed, according to the vet.
3. Vizsla
Next he adds the Hungarian wire-haired Vizsla because of their “really lovely temperament.”
“This is a little bit of a niche choice because there are not many of them around but the ones I met have a lovely temperament,” Ben said.
“Again moderate and unexaggerated in their appearance but they can be prone to some joint issues such as hip dysplasia,” he said of the hip socket abnormality that can cause arthritis.
Another key point about the usually brown haired breed is that “they do need lots and lots of exercise and stimulation,” he added. “I would only get one if I had the time to take them out for two long walks a day.”
2. Labradors
No. 2 on the list is Labradors for their “gentle, affectionate, loyal, and funny” ways as “amazing family dogs.”
“However I am slightly conflicted about them because they are unfortunately genetically prone to a few different problems,” Ben said. “One of their biggest issues is joint problems so I would definitely make sure both parents have been hip and elbow scored.”
Labs “are also very prone to getting fat,” according to Ben. “I would be extremely careful to keep them trim.”
1. Mongrels
Last but surely not least, the No. 1 type of dog breed that Ben would get is a mongrel, as they are less prone to illness.
“The downside is the unpredictability in terms of adult size, temperament and activity levels that you get with a pedigree dog,” Ben said.
“But what you do get is diverse genetics who is, by virtue of being less inbred, is less prone to diseases that have an inherited component and for me as a vet that’s very important.”
Previously, Ben ranked the five breeds he would never own in a clip that’s gotten more than 7 million hits on TikTok.
Among that unlucky quintuplet were: Chow Chows, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, dachshunds, Shar Peis, and flat faced breeds like French bulldogs.
