A dog behaviourist has warned first-time pet owners off a popular breed that could make their introduction to pet parenting more challenging than necessary.
Will Atherton, who took to TikTok to share his insights, advised those looking to take on the responsibility of a pet to think twice before choosing certain breeds. Speaking from Las Vegas, Will has been assisting new dog owners but has noticed a concerning "trend".
He talked about well-meaning individuals who have "amazing intentions" in rescuing dogs, but sometimes find themselves out of their depth. Will pointed out that many who are "rescuing dogs" are overlooking a vital factor which could lead to issues down the line.
READ MORE: 'My brother refuses to let me bring my dog to his wedding – it's not fair'
He explained: "I definitely do see a trend of people with amazing intentions that are rescuing dogs which is absolutely awesome, forgetting that even with rescue dogs breeds absolutely do matter. And it is a difficult one because I absolutely love people that are willing to rescue dogs, but it's counterproductive if you rescue a dog that you're not capable of being able to manage because you haven't built up that experience and skill yet".
Will shared this advice as he hopes to prevent both dogs and owners from experiencing the distress of repeated rescues. He suggests opting for more manageable breeds and cautioned against guardian breeds for novices.
Will added: "With the boom in popularity of working line shepherds and working line malinois lots of them are ending up in rescue centres. Amazing people want to help rescue them, but they're finding themselves way over their head in managing such a serious breed."
Comments left on the post agreed with Will, with some suggesting easier breeds for first-time owners. One comment suggested a "Labrador" was a solid breed to start with as another user revealed they were struggling. They wrote: "I have trouble with balance when walking so what would be a good puppy to keep me safe on walks? " Another user noted Malinois and huskies have to be near the top" of the list for first-time dog owners.
