Worst Dog Breed For First Time Owners

Getting a dog is a big decision and it can be hard to know which breed is right for you and your family but there are breeds that can be a lot harder to work with from the get go.
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Here on The Will Atherton Canine Show we make videos about man’s best friend so if this is your first time here don’t forget to subscribe! These videos are made and aimed at adults in a stage of their life to purchase or adopt a dog, we want to help them choose the right breed and become excellent canine leaders to help end the number of dogs that end up in shelters.

[@austyn5004]

Sooooo many people have Belgians in my area (southern CA). I noticed this trend a few years ago and I made a comment to my husband about how they’re going to become overbred and an issue. Sure enough, they’re quickly on their way to becoming the now poorly bred neurotic GSD.

[@hilario6128]

I’m aware of the Caucasian Ovcharka popularity in the UK and it’s really sad and it’s not going to end well for the breed. I had giant dogs all my life, but I waited until I was around 50 years old and really experienced to own my first Caucasian. He was lovely with the 5/6 people he loved all his life and a genocidal maniac towards the rest of the world. This is not a dog for the majority of people, this is not a Rottweiler or a Pitbull, this is a huge, powerful dog that doesn’t need to learn how to bite humans. Police in countries like Russia or Serbia don’t use them for a reason: they don’t have recall and one has to physically remove them from the target. I lost my beloved monster last year to old age. Now I have a even bigger Alabai but he’s the coolest dog I ever had.

[@dubara7759]

Stubborn as hell

[@ObeyAndBePrey]

Fila Brasileiro is the scariest breed I've ever came into contact with or ever heard of.

[@dougmitchell5435]

We had a RottXFila that rescue did not ID correctly. I figured it out pretty quickly. He was a joy around the house with us, but an unholy terror in public. He got walked in a muzzle, yet folks still thought he was a handsome devil and wanted to pet him. I miss him all the time, but there is no doubt he was very dangerous to others.

[@akitaadventures]

I'm a bit shocked the Akita is not on here. Not that they're worse than these dogs, but they're just as difficult PLUS they are among the most beautiful of dogs, that many find appealing, AND they have a popular movie about the breed that does send many unprepared people to bring an Akita into their home. My male especially is difficult. I've delved deeply into dog training to learn to be a strong consistent pack leader, and even with my developing skills it has been very tough at times with my boy. Not an easy dog. However, this is one thing I love about Akita owners. It is very common for people who own and adore Akitas to tell other people "DON'T get one". Akita owners are GREAT at telling people to go a different route unless they're absolutely prepared. Unlike Pitbull owners who always seem to tell people how wonderful Pits are (and they are, but also should be taken seriously.)

[@zenvariety9383]

It's common sense to research a dog before getting said dog. As a single man, I don't have the time right now for a dog. That's why I don't want one until I at least start a family.

[@sladiewolf]

Got a rescue GSD - and I'm so thankful that despite her horrible condition, she was still professionally trained. She's only one and horribly emaciated. My third dog, second sog as an adult. My first big dog was a wolf hybrid. I only now feel I have enough experience for a GSD intensity

[@TheMatizyahu]

From my experience with Tibetans (and Caucasian Shepperds) they are less about neutralizing threats. More like... Oblitorate them. Very difficult dogs - i had Caucasian Shepperd and he was well trained and still sometimes he could snap just because someone was looking at him for too long.

[@vladimirfloroff154]

Yeah I knew the Caucasian Shepard was going to be on this list. I've seen mine go into kill mode once to protect his human, luckily not me. I was not aware dogs were capable of hate till that night. They are an issue for experienced giant breed owners never mind first time owners. The level of power and aggression is an experience and mine is generally very friendly.

[@tokageG7199]

💯

[@veronicahinojosa8821]

Awesome dog content and the best voice on KZbin . Thanks

[@WildieHere]

Blue/Red heeler Akita (both Japanese and American) Any kind of Wolfdog Border collie WL German shepherd

[@austyn5004]

I got two heeler littermates as my first personal dogs. Luckily I grew up with nothing but working line GSD and understood what I was getting into. Heelers are amazing dogs, but man if they sense any type of weakness in you or a family member, they’ll steam roll you every chance they get.

[@WildieHere]

@@austyn5004 yep,I thought of owning one but I think it's not the best idea right now... Maybe later!

[@teresatanasi5143]

As the owner of “hard” herding breeds for 6 decades, Australian Cattle Dogs are wonderful dogs I would recommend to about 1% of the population IF that. I had Belgium Shepherd as a child and have had “hard” herding breeds for many years. My ACDs will alert me to a fledging dove on the ground. They will bite the hell out of anyone who comes near THEIR livestock. I had my first ACD dog die for me, literally. They will stop eating to work. They can move untamed cattle and a 20 oz bantam chicken, BUT they must have an owner who they respect. They are freakishly smart, stoic, intense dogs. I am sure there are some show lines that aren’t this way, but a solid working line should be a “difficult” dog for the average owner. These dogs were bred to move wild cattle on unforgivable terrain for many miles. I don’t get people not investigating breeds. They are the third most PTS dog in my area:(

[@lindanorris2455]

jack russell terrier : absolute nightmare for 1st time dog owners!

[@andreeatane6214]

It's so sad that people are getting these breeds and not knowing what to do with them. I'm not in any way a professional and would not have gotten my Malinois if I did not find her emaciated on the street. Near 2 years old when I got her with a litter of puppies, she was thrown away while pregnant. The advantage with her is that she's so starved for learning that she picks up a lot from my GSD when they train together (they both get individual time as well). But even so, keeping up with both is quite a lot. (the good news is that the puppies now all have responsible forever homes)

[@JJJ-uq6ed]

Love the videos bro, can you do a video on American bully / pocket bullys and if their great family dogs ?💯

[@bennbanes6359]

Love MY Mali. Glad she's on the list Defo not a dog for most people. Luckily our girl is super with the our kids, our cat, our other dogs, our goats, our donkeys. And yes, we live on a small holding/ranch. So she has the whole mountain to explore and own. She comes everywhere with me, she loves coming to the local cafe in the morning after her run and puts other dogs to shame with her obedience and intelligence. But this has taken ALOT of work to achieve and even more work to maintain. I'm fit as a fiddel now, thanks to our girl. ❤️❤️🙌🙌

[@yuriykaraivan8310]

William, I have watched you for some time and never heard you talk about Belgian Sheepdogs, aside from Maligators that is. Interested in Groenendael dogs but you never talked about them!!!! Great chanel and thank you for insight

[@cabottaxi]

I came across a dog owner out walking a female Caucasian. I was told by him not to come near as the dog he had was not very friendly. He had 2 but one had to be put to sleep due to aggression issues.

[@Oldfatbastard57]

A friend of mine had many working dogs over the years the 2 breeds that never really worked out were the Caucasian and the Fila Brasileiro both had very strong temperaments and extremely protective but not much of barkers and would wait till you got near the fence around his property before they would lunge at you with very little warning. Also both breeds tend to be very dog aggressive .

[@Jasonrm92]

Followed your channels for years dude but personally feel the new editing style in your videos (including the other related channels) is far too much. There’s too many constant transitions imo. Just some feedback. I preferred the og waffling 😂

[@The_S1ug303]

IK in the United Kingdom where your at has had to put down many COs (Caucasian ovcharka) due to poor training and aggression also they weren’t bred in USSR they were basically taken by the USSR also if you want a livestock guardian that’s more first time friendly you might want to start looking at Aussies berners and boarder collies

[@mauriceschwinn7498]

I watched this video because the thumb nail shows what appears to be an Irish setter. Lacking anything on this breed, what can you tell me about this? 1st dog, I am in Alaska if this helps.

[@sama5946]

My Mal is next level it’s a full time job Bloody love it but! But the amount up for adoption here in aus is phenomenal

[@ms-ht1cj]

I totally agree on Malinois. My brother has this dog and while I like the dog, he's exhausting. He is rarely still, jumps, bites, runs... (Also he drools unexpectedly much). Even when he seems to be tired, he really isn't. He keeps going and going and... I'm not a beginner when it comes to dogs, but I would never ever buy a dog of this breed. No, thanks. 😂 Seriously, people. Don't buy Malinois unless you are 200% sure you can handle it. I've never seen dog behaving with such energy level. It's restless. Like constantly on drugs. Annoying even.😅

[@malinoisamericanakita2022]

mines just stubborn atm .

[@zenvariety9383]

When I was growing up I had a golden retriever. Yet I'm probably not gonna get a dog until I have a family of my own. Yet I wouldn't get a Caucasian shepherd as a dog if I decided to get a dog and I had young children. I would probably get a Keeshond and a year later an Australian cattle dog. Or perhaps a Malamute and a Bernese Mountain dog. A Caucasian Shepherd is a dog you get once your kids are teens or at least older children.

[@idahoplantlady]

Runner up- Border collie.

[@ladyhellfire75]

Those aren't necessarily dangerous but definitely a handful. Couldn't count the number of times I'd go to my vet and a local one would show up. Shed cross 5 lanes of traffic in a posted 55 mph zone. But this is Texas and it's only gotten marginally better as it's businesses have grown up.

[@idahoplantlady]

@@ladyhellfire75they are sweet dogs but not for a first time dog owner. The energy and bearding instincts are off the charts

[@superpig5000]

​@idahoplantlady I use to tire mine out no dog can keep up with my constant need to fight my pet 😅

[@ricric1]

Akita my favorite dog breed

[@thegamerboneless2864]

You got your comments back, 😂 good to see. But seeing some of these comments, I see why you blocked comments. It’s like these clowns search through KZbin, see a breed, then for the day they are experts on that breed. I seen a comment about a fila bras, and Boer boels, like come in these breeds are far and few, here in the states. I mean do they really think people believe them or are that gullible. Didn’t add nothing to the topic of good first time dog breeds, just weirdos 😂

[@texasbeast239]

All 3 give me the heebie-jeebies, even without the video. I guess I have good dogdar.

[@ladyhellfire75]

All dogs I know would be too much for me to own. I like a challenge but I know my limits.

[@christianrodriguez8182]

Lol I know my limits as well. Like, for example, I would like to own a Cane Corso- they’re appearance just stands out to me as majestic. But I know I wouldn’t be able to handle such a powerful breed, especially as a first time owner lol

[@ladyhellfire75]

@@christianrodriguez8182 yeah first time wouldn't be recommended. You need to know how dogs can learn and like a child, consistency is key. You also need to be able to learn their body language and be able to read if a situation is going south before it does and how to redirect. I don't know how to really explain it because I was raised with dogs from a young age and always have known how my actions cause reactions good or bad. I've worked with all kinds of dogs and never been bitten to this day except once and that was my fault (and it was a Chihuahua so I don't really count that, lol). I could handle a Corso and similar dogs, but these guys are next level.

[@christianrodriguez8182]

@@ladyhellfire75 yeah, I agree, it’s not just training- but also knowing and being able to read body languages (with lots of research)… oh, and uh, it had to be a chihuahua huh lmao 😂 those little ones are chaos lol

[@ladyhellfire75]

@@christianrodriguez8182 you need an easier dog to start with. There are some things that you can be prepared by doing research but first hand knowledge is best. So do research and prepare yourself. When you are ready choose one of the dogs suggested for first time owners and prepare to lose your heart. I personally would suggest a lab (if your space allows) because they are easy to train, laid back, loyal, forgiving with just enough stubbornness to give a challenge. But happiness for them is water, so they should be a hoot in summer. But watch out for ear infections because water is equally cool and gross😂

[@lilp4000]

The fact he always talk down on the Caucasian shepherd make me worried to get one I grew up with pitbulls even some retired ex frighting ones my dad got from friends they always loved me and listened but I'm worried the way he describes the Caucasian shepherd it'll be to much for me

[@TS-jd9qs]

Caucasian Shepherd owner here - they are VERY different from pitbulls - much more intelligent, more dominant and more stubborn. They take a lot of work, but if you can put the time in, have endless patience and a firm commitment to cosistency - they are wonderful dogs. One thing that is so important is socialising them LOTS before they are 1 year old - otherwise they'll be reactive to other dogs on walks - they will always defend your home with ferocity though - they are very aware of being on their own property.

[@hilario6128]

@@TS-jd9qs I completely agree with you but I would like to say that most of them, no matter how much you socialize it, will change between 1 and 3 years of age and become very aggressive towards strangers or even trucks 😂😂😂 The thing is, someone who really wants one needs to be prepared for a huge, huge commitment. No vacations if he has food aggression - rampant in the breed - or if he doesn’t accept more than the household people, understanding that he’s not a dog to show to your friends and extended family because they may lose a limb, and so on. Especially with dogs coming from countries of origin, it’s like having a bear. I cannot stress enough the importance of not putting the dog in a position that is going to end bad for him.

[@TS-jd9qs]

@@hilario6128 Yep completely agree with everything you've said! I should have clarified - if they are socialised LOADS - they won't rip off other dogs heads on walks 😂 nice to meet another knowledgeable owner!

[@tokageG7199]

They are more than dogs.I call them bear-wolves. Be prepared to change your life around,possibly your whole persona.

[@plastikloser]

Working dogs need to work. If you don't have a job for its instincts, dont get it. You dont need a dog just because it looks cool. A sedan and Ferrari will both get you where your going. But the power behind the Ferrari can get you in a wreck

[@GLL-Ratnik]

Even if I fully agree with u, u are stating the obvious

[@lp9476]

It *should* be obvious, but if you spent any time in a rescue centre in the UK, you'd see how often this stuff has been overlooked by first-time owners who overestimate their own skill. Huge LGDs are on the rise in shelters and Malis are advertised for rehoming on the daily on the Mali forums. It's a sad state of affairs!

[@jamieoliver3262]

People just need to be sensible and give a breed plenty of thought. Too many people are on the malinious now, and cannot handle them at all and unfortunately put into shelters or passed around unsuitable homes more Importantly unsuitable PEOPLE!% TRADGIC %

[@superpig5000]

That's because people think they are more active than they actually are 😂 people live to think they are this ball of energy yet they spend hours on the internet.