Have you ever thought of bringing home a beautiful little puppy?Dogs have shared a timeless and unbreakable bond with humankind, but can the man’s best friend ever be his worst companion? It’s time to find out.It is extremely disheartening for dog lovers even to think that some dog breeds are not fit for taking back home as lovable pets. Dogs have served humanity with compassion and loyalty for centuries. A dog doesn’t only mean having a pet to cuddle and play around with. It brings along a plethora of emotions and feelings - the sense of responsibility and duty, undying love, discipline, innocence, faithfulness, caring, and so much more. A dog can completely change your life for the better, given that it is offered the perfect environment and showered with proper care.However, before taking this major life-changing step, the to-be dog owners should have some clarity about the breed characteristics, nature, behavior, grooming as well as medical requirements of the dog breed that they’re considering for adoption. It is particularly crucial for first-time dog owners to be informed about all the pros and cons of adding a furry member to the family. If you’re a novice and have little knowledge about the dog world, then these informative titbits would help you in gaining insight into some of the popular breeds across the world.If you enjoyed reading about the worst dog breeds, you could also check out these engaging facts about extinct dog breeds and aggressive dog breeds.Worst Dog Breeds To OwnThe fact that some breeds can prove to be the worst for companionship is pretty unpalatable for any animal lover. However, all dog enthusiasts need to be acquainted with the fact that all dog breeds are not ideal pets.All dogs tend to be sensitive to their surroundings. Most are intolerant of high-pitched screaming sounds and often display aggressiveness by barking loudly. They know how to distinguish between children and authoritative adults. Also, most dogs suffer from separation anxiety and some health issues that need to be taken care of. Bad dogs are produced by insensitive pet owners who are clueless about handling them. Properly trained dogs need not be avoided at all.Did you know that several countries have already banned the American pit bull terrier? Although the dog is known for its intelligence, it has caused human deaths too. The pit bull terrier has to be kept under constant surveillance when kids are around, as they can even overpower older kids.On the other hand, the Jack Russell terrier can be a better choice as it is very affectionate and always eager to please the members. The breed’s obedience and loyalty make it the perfect family-friendly pet.The blue heeler or Australian cattle dog is another very uncommon dog breed. When contrasted with the pit bull, this breed mingles well with both smaller and older children. It has a calm and friendly disposition. However, it is also inherently stubborn and highly energetic with a strong drive for adventure. The Australian cattle dog is capable of rendering the best experience of having a pet around when nurtured with the right diet, training, grooming, and attention.The Akita is renowned for its loyalty and sweet nature. However, as the history of the breed reveals, these dogs have been bred to serve as guard dogs. Although they’ve adjusted well in cozy home spaces, the guarding and leadership instincts are still inherent. Moreover, Akitas are heavy shedders, and training them can be quite tasking for a first-time dog owner. They need daily exercise or just a simple walk for a minimum of half an hour.These dogs have a huge stature and are very sturdy, which also makes them difficult to handle. Since they have a powerful prey drive, a strong leash is mandatory as they have the ability to overpower their handlers. They tend to take up the dominating position as the pack leader who can prove to be risky in the presence of toddlers or some other animals. The temperament of this big dog varies from being calm to aggressive. Hence, the dog breed is ideal only for experienced dog owners.Bred to be guard dogs, the Rottweiler exhibits protective instincts. They’re very dangerous dogs owing to their aggressive temperament, which includes snapping and biting tendencies, and are hence incompatible as a family dog, especially when the owner is an amateur in dog handling. These dogs must be avoided at all costs because their presence can be threatening to the owner as well as the family members.Worst Dog Breeds To TrainNo dog can be qualified as a bad dog. Just like children, dogs need proper care and training from the very initial stages of their growth. If a dog doesn’t get these basic requirements, it starts to show signs of hostility, weariness, disobedience, and other unwanted qualities. Dogs are undoubtedly the best partners one can have to make life more fulfilling, but it also goes without saying that not all dogs come with a gratifying experience. Here are a handful of those exceptions.All dogs are not equally receptive to training. Some are very difficult to train. Bringing up the bulky 100-130 lb (45.4-59 kg) Bullmastiff can be difficult for the first-timers as training them is a huge challenge. These dogs are very athletic and energetic. While on a playdate, a Bullmastiff can actually injure a kid in excitement. If you have toddlers around, then think twice before getting this breed.Did you get the opportunity to catch a glimpse of this large teddy-like Chow Chow? Isn’t it too cute? It is also called Songshi Quan that translates to ‘puffy lion dog’. Well, this Chinese breed actually isn’t as teddy-like as it appears. This dog is known to be pretty stubborn and can portray aggression towards other unknown dogs and cats.This Chow Chow breed is pretty intolerant towards kids who scream and jump around a lot. Even too much hugging and cuddling is not too preferred by the breed. Actions like these can also trigger some amount of aggression among these dogs if not provided with proper social training. Obedience training is indispensable for this breed, and if you already do not have first-hand experience in training dogs, then the training process can be terribly frustrating and annoying with this one.Worst Dog Breeds To AdoptAre you thinking of getting a cute little puppy for your family? Dog ownership can undoubtedly render the most memorable experience of your life but choosing the right dog breed is a major step that would lead to that experience. In general, while choosing a dog for your family, try to avoid too small or too large dogs as they’re not ideal for small children or other small pets.There’s some difference between purebred and mixed breed dogs. It is believed that purebred dogs have a weaker immune system and come with more health problems when compared with hybrids. Since the hybrids are developed by cross-breeding, they enjoy genetic diversity.The demand for these beautiful hybrid designer dogs like Puggles and Labradoodles has therefore doubled with time, and people are ready to pay exorbitant prices for these breeds. However, there’s no guarantee that these breeds are completely immune to genetic diseases. For instance, the Labradoodles have inherited Addison’s disease along with elbow dysplasia from their parent breeds (Poodle and Labrador retriever).While both German shepherds and Australian shepherds are commendable companions, the former is the showstopper. Are you aware that the German shepherd ranks second among the most popular breeds in the US? You must have seen a German shepherd hanging around with police or military personnel. This military dog is popularly called an Alsation by the Americans. They are also excellent guide dogs but are they perfect for the first-timers? The answer is absolutely not. These dogs are highly intelligent, in fact, considered to be the third most intelligent breed. It is due to their intelligence that German shepherds trained to be military or police dogs. Did you know that the force of this dog’s bite exceeds 1,060 newtons? However, they’re prone to hip dysplasia and some neurological problems too.The famous St. Bernard is also a gentle-natured dog. They have a giant fur-covered body that weighs around 120-180 lb (54-82 kg) which implies that they’re absolutely not suitable for small apartments. Yet, they’re extremely sensitive with children and prove to be the favorite family pets. Despite its massive stature, it enjoys cuddling with family members. Nevertheless, it suffers from some ailments like eye diseases and hip dysplasia. Heatstroke is one of the major health problems that severely affect the dog. A sudden change in temperature can cause great distress to the breed.Worst Dog Breeds For SwimmingDid you know that all dogs are not adept at swimming? Let’s check out the ones that are non-swimmers.Who doesn’t adore the pretty-faced bulldog? The breed has never failed to steal the hearts of pet lovers. However, casting aside the adorable appearance, the temperament and traits of bulldogs are to be considered before adopting a bulldog puppy. Unlike dogs that require intensive training and exercise, these dogs can’t put up with exercise, stress, or heat. These dogs come with innumerable health issues that include food allergies and bacterial infections (called interdigital cyst). Surprisingly, they’re not even swimmers. They can never be your swimming partner as they might even drown in water. In these circumstances, training these dogs can be extremely tough, especially for a newbie. They also need to be groomed with immense care, where grooming includes frequent cleaning of the tail pocket and wrinkles on the folds of the skin. This can be quite overwhelming for a beginner.Worst Dog Breeds For College StudentsIf you’re a college student with not much time and money in hand, then you should definitely avoid these dogs while getting yourself a companion.Small breeds like the Shih Tzu and Pekingese, who were originally bred to offer companionship to the Chinese imperial families, are not the perfect choice for college-goers. Although both Shih Tzu and Pekingese are adorable lapdogs, they come with several disadvantages.Firstly, the breeds are pretty expensive to maintain because of their grooming requirements. The gorgeous shiny coat has to be brushed regularly to prevent tangling or matting and eventually skin infections. Training from the puppy stage is essential as a Shih Tzu tends to be very stubborn and mischievous.Health conditions like patellar luxation, cataracts, hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, corneal dryness, and retinal detachment are common to the Shih Tzu, whereas the Pekingese also suffer from breathing troubles. Although these small breeds are pally with children, they cannot be left alone with toddlers as they’re mostly at the receiving end, sometimes leading to serious health conditions.On the other hand, the Shar-Pei is known to be extremely territorial. The natural tendency of the dog is to develop deep bonding with a few people or just one person, due to which they can’t trust or mingle well with the others, sometimes growling or barking in aggression. Also, the Shar-Pei gets bored very easily, so you need to shower the dog with lots and lots of attention. This breed needs an adept handler who can train and command them authoritatively.The black-and-white spotted Dalmatian has grabbed all the limelight after starring in the 1996 movie named ‘101 Dalmatians’. Nevertheless, the breed might not live up to your expectations if not handled properly. The shedding problem is one of the greatest issues with this dog.Although the breed is believed to be an excellent watchdog, its high energy levels can be too much to handle for small children. This beautiful dog can develop destructive behavior and hyperactivity out of mental inactivity when the dog owner doesn’t engage the dog in adequate exercise and other stimulating activities. This can be pretty demanding for a college student.Considered to possess a very high intelligence quotient, the Weimaraner is also one of the most active dogs that need some sort of engagement at all times. These dogs crave a lot of attention and cannot remain alone at home for prolonged durations due to separation anxiety. The presence of this dog can be a threat for other small animals such as Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, or even cats.Worst Dog Breeds For Hot WeatherA few canines can’t survive in hot weather. They develop serious health conditions when exposed to too much heat.The popularity of the Siberian huskies has skyrocketed in the current generation owing to their regal appearance. However, they were historically bred to assist in pulling sleds and traveling long distances through snowy, ice-covered tracks. They’re high-energy dogs that require equally high amounts of physical engagement through training and exercise regimes. A short walk or morning jog would do no good to this breed.Moreover, they cannot adjust to small living spaces - they need big, enclosed gardens or yards to move about freely. Also, they prefer to stay in cool places and might develop health problems in too hot climates. The prey drive is very strong among these dogs. It has to be ensured that they’re never off-leash; otherwise, they might pursue some animal that attracts their attention.The Alaskan malamute has the reputation of an extraordinary pet. Nevertheless, veterinarians suggest that this breed should not be taken up by a novice owner. It is a considerably skilled escape artist, so keeping them off-leash can be troublesome. Since the breed was developed to travel very long distances on foot, their exercise requirements are pretty high. Also, due to its excessively thick fur coat, the dog is prone to heatstroke, so the owner has to be very careful while handling this breed.Worst Dog Breeds For Cold WeatherApart from the Tibetan mastiff and Siberian husky, the majority of the other breeds do not prefer cold weather.One of the worst dogs for the cold weather is the Chihuahua. These miniature dogs are so irresistibly adorable that many people are enticed to adopt them for their kids. However, the appearance of the dog is pretty deceptive as this breed is known for its aggressive barking and biting tendencies (in defense).If you have children or other large-sized pets around then, you should definitely steer clear of this breed as it becomes really unsafe for the dog as well. Although these dogs possess a small size measuring around 6-9 in (15-23 cm), and can easily be carried to places, they’re extremely difficult to handle because of their agility and swift reflexes. Also, some Chihuahuas demonstrate unsocial behavior towards strangers or outsiders.Since the Chihuahuas are originally from Mexico, they prefer warm, sunny temperatures. Other breeds such as bull terriers, Dachshunds, Great Danes, Boxers, whippets, and pugs are also intolerant towards cold temperatures.Worst Dog Breeds To Have With CatsWhat to do if you love both cats and dogs and want to have both? Not all canines are compatible with families, especially when it comes to sharing home space with children and other small pets. While some are great family dogs, others fail to gel with family members. So, before adopting a puppy, you should know about the nature and tendencies of dogs to derive an idea about the one that would be the best for your family. Then, all you can do is choose your pet wisely.Unlike the Golden retriever or Labrador retriever, the Siberian husky doesn’t display a sociable nature naturally. It has to be trained. In the absence of proper obedience training and socialization, the Siberian huskies might turn violent and destructive. Small animals such as cats, rabbits, squirrels, and birds must be kept at a safe distance as the dog might end up chasing them around. They’re pretty talkative and often engage in howling. They’re proficient in escaping, so if you have a garden, it should be secured by proper fencing.One of the most beautiful breeds, the Afghan hound, is considered to be a great family pet. Even though the Beagle is more preferred among hound dogs, the Afghan hounds can prove to be loving members of the family when trained properly. The dog doesn’t have excessive shedding tendencies, but its long, smooth coat needs regular brushing to keep tangles at bay. This large-sized breed requires lots of space to move about. It also exhibits chasing instincts like the Weimaraner and husky, so cats cannot be maintained together. The breed can adjust and socialize well with members if it is the only dog or pet that the family owns.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for worst dog breeds then why not take a look at dog breeds that look like wolves, or the most affectionate dog breeds.
Have you ever thought of bringing home a beautiful little puppy?
