A popular dog breed is not suitable for bustling family homes, according to a canine behaviour expert. Will Atherton, a dog behaviour specialist with over 900,000 followers on TikTok, provides advice on which dog breeds are best suited to certain owners, based on lifestyle and temperament.
In response to a fan’s question of, « Why do you hate spaniels so much? », Will clarified in a recent video: « I promise you that isn’t the case whatsoever. »
Drawing from personal experiences, he said: « One of the things I enjoy more in the dog world more than nearly anything else is when I take uncle Sully [his dog] and we’re working out in the field, doing some gun dog stuff, and you see a spaniel beating up game, flushing through thick heather and thick hedgerows. »
He described watching spaniels hunt as nothing short of « beautiful », adding: « There are not many things in the dog world that are more awesome to see than that. »
However, this is precisely what makes them unsuitable for family homes in his view.
He continued: « The problem is, when you bring that kind of energy into a busy family home, it rarely meshes very well. It wouldn’t mesh well at my home with my family and my lifestyle, that’s way too much energy. »
His video garnered thousands of views, with people commenting to share their own experiences with spaniels. One said: « I have two spaniels and I completely agree with you to be honest. »
Another pet owner chimed in: « 100% agree! Our Springer is coming up to two years, needs super engagement and enrichment, thankfully she runs with me and that burns off a lot of that energy! »
Meanwhile, a third said: « We got a cocker without much research and he hums with enthusiasm and energy, but we mesh somehow – he crazy though! ».
This follows as a British vet has shared online which dog breeds he would have as a pet.
The video, posted on the TikTok account @ben.the.vet, was a follow-up to one where he listed five dog breeds that he would consider adopting.
In the initial video, Ben revealed that the five breeds he would « consider getting as a pet » are Labradors, Wirehaired Vizslas, Greyhounds, Border Terriers, and Mixed Breed.
Ben also listed Doodle crosses, such as a Cockapoo, which he said would « definitely » be on his consideration list, despite there being « so much doodle hatred online ».
According to Ben, many people claim that « you cannot responsibly breed » the dogs but the idea is mostly based on misconceptions.
He explained: « There is nothing inherently wrong with crossing two breeds of dog together. Actually many pedigree dog breeds are dangerously inbred so this is a positive thing for their genetic health.
« Where it goes wrong is where these breeds are targeted by people in it for the money, selling designer dogs for high prices, breeding them in poor conditions with no consideration to the temperament or health of the parents, but they can be bred responsibly.
« Bear in mind that even though some of these crosses may be small they’re not lap dogs. Cockapoos, think of the parent breeds, a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, they’re intelligent, active breeds. They need lost of stimulation and where this doesn’t happen they can have a tendency to develop behaviour problems and become anxious. But they can make brilliant family dogs, much to the contrary of what many people say online. »
