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The Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Sun
I work in a doggy daycare and would never own these 10 breeds – they're stinky, unhealthy, fart & attack me at work
IT can be hard to know which dog breed is best for you - but one professional has given her advice. May, who has worked at a doggy daycare for eight years, shared 10 breeds that she would never have herself. 5 5 On her @notnutmeggyy account, she shared a video which has racked up 46,000 likes, of the dogs that have some off-putting drawbacks, in her opinion. She added that her list is from her 'personal experience' and not every single dog from that breed shows the negative traits. The first up was an English bulldog, which, although it can be adorable, was one to avoid due to being 'stinky' and 'so unhealthy'. She added that the one had even tried to attack her recently which was another strike against the breed. French bulldogs were also on her banned list for being 'unhealthy' and 'overbred.' Next up was a German Shepherd, who made the list due to their 'crazy anxiety'. She added that she would not be able to keep up with their energy and she would only consider getting a senior one. Fourthly, was a Chow Chow, as she said they aren't great with anyone other than their owner. On a side note, she said their 'purple' tongues 'freak' her out. Pugs also made the list for 'not being healthy', barking too much, 'farting' too much and shedding. Foxhounds were also a no-go, although she said she loves them other than the fact they are 'too loud.' Pitbulls, staffies and bullies also made the list as "aggression" is in their genes. In the UK, it is against the law to own certain types of dogs, including the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. Additionally, XL Bully dogs are banned in England and Wales. It is also illegal to sell, abandon, give away, or breed from any of these banned dogs. May added that pitbulls are nearly always on Apoquel or anxiety medication, and also have allergies. The next dog on her list was a Pomeranian as they can be 'aggressive' and 'way too loud.' 5 5 5 Another gripe she had was how much grooming they require. Dog number nine was a husky as they are 'loud af', she doesn't live in a cold climate and 'shedding goes crazy.' Finally, she recommended people don't buy Jack Russells as she's encountered so many "aggressive" ones and also she 'doesn't want to play fetch 24/7.' While many people agreed with her selection, the list also ruffled a few feathers with dog owners. One said: 'As I sit here on the couch with my 3 pitties who have zero allergies and no aggressive tendencies.' Another added: 'I won't tolerate English bulldog slander! They're wonderful dogs.' And a third commented: 'Worth noting that the majority of these qualities aren't found in well-bred versions of these dogs.' Britain's favourite dog breeds HERE are the top ten dog breeds in the UK.... Labrador Retriever Renowned for their friendly and outgoing nature. Popular as both family pets and working dogs. French Bulldog Known for their distinctive bat-like ears and affectionate temperament. Ideal for city living due to their small size. Cocker Spaniel Beloved for their playful and loyal disposition. Excellent companions for active families. Pug Recognised for their charming wrinkled faces and sociable nature. Adaptable to various living environments. Staffordshire Bull Terrier Valued for their courageous and loving character. Strong and muscular build, yet gentle with children. Dachshund Adored for their distinctive long bodies and lively personality. Comes in a variety of coat types: smooth, wire, and long-haired. Border Collie Celebrated for their intelligence and energy. Excellent working dogs, especially in herding. Golden Retriever Known for their friendly and tolerant attitude. Great family pets and skilled in various service roles. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cherished for their gentle and affectionate nature. Small size makes them perfect for lap dogs. German Shepherd Admired for their loyalty and versatility. Commonly used in police and military roles due to their trainability.
Forbes
29-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
How To Keep Your Dog Comfortable And Your Home Clean On Rainy Days
Welcome to Pet Peeves, a monthly series that aims to provide pet care solutions and expert advice for challenging scenarios that involve your beloved animal companions. Walks in the rain when you have a dog are often unavoidable—and when the weather is warm, you might want to keep your pup out longer than you would the wintertime, which means more potential for mud and mess. Even if you have outdoor space that they can use, you still need to take measures to dry them off and keep muddy paw prints from getting all over your home. Not to mention that many pups can also be fearful of thunderstorms (or simply not want to do their business in the rain because they don't like the feel of it), which can add another layer of stress for dog guardians during inclement weather. Dogs and rain aren't the most pleasant combo, but we rounded up tips for how to make the best of wet ... More weather, including how to keep your pup comfortable and your home clean. Whether you're a longtime dog owner dealing with the challenges of a senior pet in wet weather or have a new pup in the home, I've rounded up some expert tips (plus a few tried-and-true products) to help navigate rainy days with your pooch. I chatted with Dr. Andrew Findlaytor, chief veterinarian at Roo, about what to keep in mind when it comes to potential health issues that rainy weather can contribute to or exacerbate, as well as Juliana DeWillems, owner of JW Dog Training, for advice on keeping fearful pups comfortable during storms. While booties can be a big help in keeping your dog's paws clean and dry when it rains, pups are notoriously finicky about their tolerance for them. I've used Pawz dog boots, which work well (if your dog keeps them on); Forbes Vetted baby and kids gear writer Alicia Betz also used these when her dog Silas had a cut and it needed to stay covered. 'They stayed on his feet really well and kept them completely dry,' she says. If your pup isn't a fan of boots, though, you might instead want to invest in a paw cleaner like the Mudbuster, which Betz swears by as well. It comes in three sizes and uses silicone bristles to remove any dirt. Just add a little water, twist gently around your dog's paws and pat dry. Amazon Raincoats can also help keep much of your dog's body dry, and you don't have to break the bank to find one that's functional. This adorable doggie raincoat does an excellent job at protecting your pup in wet weather, it's easy to take on and off, and it also features a hood—which, again, will come in handy so long as your dog doesn't mind the feeling of it. Otherwise, Findlaytor recommends using an oversized umbrella for the most efficient rain coverage. Amazon If you have a dog with touch sensitivity, DeWillems advises keeping a snuffle mat by the door and crumbling a bunch of treats into it to keep your pup busy while you wipe them off. (Here's a video of this in action.) Another option, she notes, is to stick a suction lick mat on a door and smear peanut butter, cream cheese or any other treat on it while you dry their paws and body. (See what that looks like here.) 'The underlying theme in both of these tricks is that your dog is kept occupied using an activity and treat that they love—high value treats can be key here,' she says. 'This accomplishes a lot: Your dog stays in one place without restraint, their mouth is occupied so they can't try to grab the towel and a positive association is being made.' As far as keeping your home clean, you might want to consider a furniture cover to use on particularly wet days as an added layer of protection. I'm a big fan of Orvis' products for pets; the brand's couch covers, which come in three sizes and three colors, get rave reviews. (And if you're traveling with your pup in the rain, a dog car seat cover is a must.) If your dog isn't necessarily terrified of thunderstorms but simply won't step outside the door when it's raining (as someone who once had a 50-pound pit bull too scared to go out in even the slightest drizzle, I understand your pain), there are a few tactics you can try. 'I'll tell owners, put your dog on a leash and still walk them out in the backyard, even though it sounds weird,' says Findlaytor. 'I have seen dogs that, just having a leash on, it makes them feel like, 'Hey you're here with me, and I'm here with you, and and I'm okay to do my business.'' If you have a covered porch or patio area, you can also try using a patch of artificial or real grass. I have a subscription to DoggieLawn (it's also available without a subscription via Chewy), which I use primarily for my senior arthritic dog so she doesn't have to go up or down any steps when it's raining. There are also plenty of artificial turf options to choose from. Otherwise, training your dog to use indoor pee pads might be necessary. Chewy Things can be trickier if you've adopted an adult dog who's already rather set in their ways—but if you have a puppy, 'the best time to work on a dog's fear around rain and rainy days is before it starts,' says DeWillems. 'This is a part of puppy socialization that many pet parents don't think about: Getting them used to going outside when it's wet.' She advises using treats and playtime to introduce them to the feeling of wet grass, the feeling and sound of rain and even the sounds of thunder; she recommends using a recording where you can turn the volume way down to start. 'As is the rule with all puppy socialization, exposure alone is not enough," she says. 'It has to be positive.' Both Findlaytor and DeWillems note that the ThunderShirt can be effective for some pups, but it requires regular practice. 'One thing that is important if you use a ThunderShirt is that you don't only put it on your dog when there is a storm," DeWillems says. "That's a great way to teach your dog to worry any time they see the ThunderShirt. Put it randomly as much as you can outside of storms.' Most importantly, be present to help and comfort your dog. 'Our dogs really need our support in these moments of fear and stress,' she adds. Chewy For dogs whose fear of stormy weather is more severe (think: hiding, panting, pacing, trembling), you may want to talk with your veterinarian to see if anti-anxiety medication is an option for them. If your pup shows more mild fear, however, DeWillems recommends calming pheromones and supplements, particularly the bSerene line or Adaptil products. Some dogs may also respond well to sound-reducing ear covers, or you can turn on a white-noise machine or use a box fan to drown out the sound of the storm. Rainy weather brings with it more potential for ear and skin infections, says Findlaytor, so it's important to make sure not just their coat but also their ears are dried well after a rainy-day walk: 'The more water dogs get in their ear, the more I tell owners, it's almost like you're watering little seeds of bacteria or yeast in your dog's ear, so it's easier and easier to get infections in there. Same goes with their skin.' You also want to avoid having your dog drink from any puddles; parasites like Giardia, which cause diarrhea and an upset stomach, can lurk in there, and bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli may be present wherever there is runoff near deer. Leptospirosis is another disease transmitted by animals like deer, raccoon, squirrels and rats via their urine, which can be present in contaminated water; you may want to talk with your vet about vaccinating your dog against it. As a city dweller where rats are seemingly at every corner, I always make sure my pups are up to date on their lepto vaccination. If you have a senior dog, Findlaytor advises avoiding slippery surfaces as much as possible. Walk on grass, gravel or any other stable surface. 'You don't realize it, but when they're elderly, [many dogs are] almost doing a handstand. We'll see that they have really big, kind of almost buff shoulders and really lean hips, because they don't get as much arthritis in their shoulders and elbows as they do their hips and knees,' he says. 'They kind of lean forward, so I tell people traction control is really important.' If your pup is on any kind of pain management for arthritis, he also recommends administering it in the evenings, after your walks are done, if possible—this way your dog doesn't overdo it and is more aware of their own limits. It's also essential to make sure your pup's paws are fully dried off before they come inside, to avoid any accidents on slippery floors. 'The most dangerous time of your walk is right when you're walking back in the door, if you have a slippery surface,' Findlaytor says. In general, yoga mats and runners are great to place around your home to provide more traction for senior and arthritic pets. Findlaytor adds that for pups using wheelchairs, it's especially important to keep them as dry as possible: 'We found that when it rains, that nylon material kind of actually swells … so we'll have a wheelchair that fits really well in dry conditions, but causes a lot of tummy rashes and abrasions when it's wet.' He advises people to try everything they can not to get those wheelchairs wet, or, if they do, make sure to take a blow dryer and dry them out thoroughly. The Forbes Vetted home team covers a wide range of pet products, from litter boxes to the best dog beds, as well as pet care topics, like how to make traveling with pets less stressful and tips for keeping your senior pet comfortable. We strive to help readers make smart, expert- and editor-backed purchases and decisions for their pets. Have a question for us? Email efavilla@ with the subject line 'Pet Peeves.'
