‘I’m a vet – these are dogs I would own including one banned breed’

When choosing a dog it’s important to consider your lifestyle and determine if you can give it what it needs when it comes to exercise, attention, and space.

For instance, a breed like a border collie wouldn’t like being trapped in a flat with very few walks as they thrive on being given tasks and plenty of room to run around.

With this in mind, it very much depends on the environment a dog lives in as to how they might behave, and under the right circumstances, any dog can thrive.

If you’re thinking about getting a dog as a pet and are looking for some insight a trainee vet has shared her thoughts on the breeds she would happily adopt, even one which has been deemed dangerous and illegal in the UK.

Vet tech Connie took to TikTok revealing the 11 types of dogs that make the cut. Sharing her post, she first wrote this disclaimer: “Please do not take any of the following breeds as recommendations. Just because I would own it as a veterinary professional does not that it would be a good fit for your lifestyle. Please do your own research.”

First on the list of good boys and girls, is a Golden Retriever. These gorgeous pooches are beloved the world over but in the UK there were over 10,447 annual registrations in 2023. Sweet, calm, and easy to train, they get along with all animals and are great with children.

Connie wrote: “Would do any hiking, swimming, sport with their owner because they’re just happy to be included.”

Next up, is the Greyhound. Good with kids, very gentle and quick at learning, they surprisingly don’t need more than an hour of exercise a day and love being around their family. Connie added: “I love how awkward they are.”

Number three on the list is a standard poodle, which Connie described as “smart and self-aware” and even likened them to being a “human roommate”. Not as clever but just as cute is the boxer, coming in at number four. She wrote: “The sweetest babies ever, I’ve never met a mean one. Their brains are the size of a pea.”

The tiny long-haired chihuahua and very large cane corso also feature on the list. Connie noted that she rarely sees chihuahuas for health reasons, only because their teeth tend to fall out. Connie also revealed she thinks that although a cane corso requires lots of training, they’re “so worth it”.

Another large dog Connie revealed she would own is a rottweiler, as “when bred and raised right they are the equivalent to a potato with feelings”.

Controversially, one dog that Connie said she would have no problem owning was the American pit bull terrier, which has been a banned breed in the UK since 1991 under the Dangerous Dogs Act. The move came after a number of fatal attacks in England and Wales on humans by the breed between 1981 and 1991. Connie said of them: “When raised right they are literally the perfect breed.”

One breed that often gets a bad rep is the American Staffordshire terrier, which Connie says she would happily own. She wrote: “So sweet, they have no idea they’re even a dog – they’re just happy to be alive.”

Last but not least, Connie described the American bulldog as the “best combination of love bug and guard dog,” and are always generally healthy.

People watching Connie’s video were quick to offer their thoughts on the breeds with many agreeing with her assessment. One user shared: “My dad has a Cane Corso. He also has a baby kitten. The kitten is in charge.” Another person wrote: “Greyhounds are perfect if you’ve always wanted a horse that lives in your house. can confirm their simple existence is hilarious.” And a third person penned: “I never understood the golden retriever hype until I worked in the Veterinary industry & now I get it. I’d take a dozen. They’ve sucked me in.”