Dr. Amir Anwary, a practicing veterinarian in South Africa, posted a short TikTok in which he named five dog breeds he would avoid as pets; the clip has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times. The video, which has circulated widely on social platforms, lays out the list plainly and cites the clinical cases and patterns Anwary says he repeatedly sees in practice. For additional coverage of this same incident, see 5 Dog Breeds You Don’t Want as Pets, According to a Veterinarian.

In the brief clip Anwary singled out French Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Belgian Malinois, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Chihuahuas. For each breed he offered a concise explanation tying medical or behavioral concerns to his recommendation that many prospective owners consider avoiding them. What are some common health issues associated with certain dog breeds?

On French Bulldogs the veterinarian pointed to breathing difficulties and frequent skin infections alongside spinal problems. Those issues are consistent with known conditions affecting flat‑faced or brachycephalic breeds, including brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome and eye problems commonly reported in Pugs and Bulldogs, conditions that can require ongoing veterinary care.

About Dachshunds, Anwary warned they are especially vulnerable to spinal injuries. Their elongated backs and short legs predispose them to intervertebral disc disease; when injuries occur, he said, dogs can be left “in pain or needing expensive surgery.”

Regarding Belgian Malinois, Anwary emphasized behavioral demands, saying they “require constant training and structure to avoid becoming destructive and reactive.” The point underscored his view that temperament and owner capacity are central to whether a breed is an appropriate match for a household. How can potential dog owners assess which breed is right for their lifestyle?

Describing the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Anwary highlighted cardiac concerns, noting that many “go into heart failure young.” That observation aligns with the high prevalence of degenerative mitral valve disease documented in the breed, an inherited heart condition that can lead to congestive heart failure in some dogs.

His characterization of Chihuahuas was brief and stark: “reactive, anxious, and unpredictable.” Anwary framed his list as personal and professional guidance based on cases he encounters, adding, “As a vet, I just wouldn’t want to go through that,” and, “I’ve seen too many end up in pain.”

The video presents the recommendations directly and without broader context about ownership, breeding practices or the range of individual variation within breeds. Veterinarians and animal commentators sometimes circulate breed‑specific cautions tied to the prevalence of inherited disorders or to typical behavioral profiles; Anwary’s short clip follows that pattern by highlighting conditions and tendencies he says he observes in his work.

Potential dog owners can assess which breed best fits their lifestyle by evaluating living space and size suitability, activity level and exercise needs, family dynamics, work schedule, grooming requirements and experience level. Organizations such as what percentage of dogs in shelters are purebred versus mixed breed? commonly recommend prospective owners consider these factors before choosing a dog.

Separately, some readers have asked how common purebreds are in shelters. Older widely circulated estimates often claimed around a quarter of shelter dogs were purebred, but more recent research using genetic testing of U.S. shelter dogs has suggested a substantially lower true purebred proportion, on the order of only a few percent.

Anwary’s video does not offer a comprehensive primer on breed selection, but it does reflect a clinical viewpoint shaped by recurring cases. Readers who want to view the clip or read a fuller account of Anwary’s list can find reporting that summarizes his TikTok in a longer piece on VICE.

As with many breed‑focused cautions, the veterinarian’s comments illustrate tensions between popular demand for certain looks or temperaments and the medical and behavioral realities some breeds face. Anwary described his recommendations as rooted in the cases that come through his clinic rather than as categorical rulings for all potential owners.

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