Vet names the 5 best dog breeds to have as a pet

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, and in the second clip, he prepared to share five more dogs. Ahead of listing the additional breeds, he explained that "there are pros and cons to owning any breed, and this ultimately is just my opinion".

Starting with number five is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The vet said he "had a Staffy called Bessie growing up" and that the pup was a "fantastic family dog".

He added: "If you're looking to rescue a dog, a Staffy might be a good option because there are so many needing homes in rescue centres, partly because of misconceptions over their temperament. They're generally brilliant with people, but they're not always great with other dogs, so if you have another dog already, they might not be the best choice for a rescue, and health-wise, they're pretty sound as well. So thumbs up for me."

Next, the vet chose a Cocker Spaniel, which he says he has a "soft spot for". However, Ben highlighted that they are high-energy breeds that require a lot of exercise.

He said: "I'd only get one if I have one to two hours reliably every day to exercise them, and they are prone to ear infections, so I would, from a very young age, get them used to having their ears thoroughly cleaned out with a cleaning solution every week."

Third on Ben's list is a Miniature Schnauzer, which he recommends for people considering getting a flat-faced breed or smaller dog. He went on to mention the breed's "characteristic moustache" and "unique" looks whilst praising the fact that "they don't have any anatomical exaggerations" that will impact their physical health.

Still speaking on the breed, he said the dogs have "entertaining little personalities", are intelligent and have sound temperament.

However, he warned: "You have to be careful with what they eat. They can be very prone to pancreatitis, which is a problem that can be triggered by eating fatty foods, so be careful if they're a scavenger. They are a bit prone to diabetes, but on the whole, they are a healthier alternative to a flat-faced breed like a Pug or Frenchie."

Coming up to the top two, Ben started with Golden Retrievers.

He said: "A good Retriever is like a big cuddly teddy bear. I definitely have a soft spot for them, and although you can't trust any dog completely around children, on the whole, they tend to be really good with kids.

"My only real reservation is that they are a breed that is quite prone to cancer and they can drool quite a lot so maybe an asterisk bear."

The final dog Ben listed are 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."