'I'm a dog trainer and I see a lot of problem behaviours in these 2 popular breeds'

A dog behaviourist has issued a stark warning about the two breeds he is seeing the most 'problem behaviours' with - and both are soaring in popularity. According to Will Atherton, there are two increasingly sought-after dog breeds that display the "most problem behaviours".

Will regularly shares dog training advice and guidance on which breeds may be best suited to prospective owners, and has now built up a following of more than 984,000 people on TikTok. In one video he discussed "breeds that right now I'm seeing the most problem behaviours with". Will revealed that he receives daily messages from followers concerning their dogs, prompting him to highlight the breeds that appear to be causing the greatest difficulties at present.

What are the two dog breeds Will Atherton has warned about?

Dachshund

The Dachshund, also known as the Sausage Dog, topped his list. Will said: "The question is, is this just because they are booming in popularity right now and they're not prone to additional behaviour, or is it that they are prone to additional behaviour? My personal belief is that it's a combination of both situations."

Cocker Spaniel

Secondly, Will revealed he sees Cocker Spaniels displaying "extreme barking, extreme reactivity, and extreme pulling" on a daily basis. He cautioned that "extreme fear and anxiety-based behaviours" are also a significant concern with the breed. He said: "And I believe this is because people are getting working line Cocker Spaniels, and they are not even coming close to being able to provide them with the output that they need."

According to pet insurance provider Petplan, Dachshunds and Cocker Spaniels are the seventh and eighth most popular dog breeds in the UK, respectively. German Shepherds are the most popular, followed by Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Alaskan Huskies, Border Collies, and Cockapoos. Rottweilers and Beagles come in ninth and 10th, respectively.

Will elaborated on his reasoning in the comments section, noting that he consults "some of the best trainers in the world" to understand why they repeatedly encounter the same breeds.

"My thoughts are that it's a combination of both things, and although all dogs with the right genetics, socialisation, training and, most importantly, leadership in their life can thrive, my years of experience and thousands and thousands of dogs I've helped make me strongly believe that choosing the right breed from a good breeder, or taking your time to rescue a dog that's a great fit, is the most important decision you can make," he said.