Although any breed can be safe and well-behaved in the right circumstances, the trainer mentioned that one particular breed lacks a good ‘off switch’
A canine expert has spoken out about one ‘adorable’ breed he despises, warning it could be a ‘terrible choice’ for pet lovers. Will Altherton, from Derbyshire, runs a behaviour modification and training centre for dogs with numerous attitude issues, including biting and barking.
Although he consistently stresses that any pooch can be secure and well-controlled in a good environment, he claims that one breed lacks a sufficient ‘off switch’. Therefore, anyone hoping to unwind on the settee during evenings might face a disaster if they own this particular dog.
“This is why I hate the Springer Spaniel,” Will said to his 950,000 TikTok followers. “Now, I’ll let you in on a little secret. There isn’t actually any breeds that I hate, but I just strongly believe that breeds have a purpose and for some people a Springer Spaniel might be a great choice and for some people they might be a terrible choice.”
While Springer Spaniels seem cute, Will explained that it’s vital to consider what these canines were originally bred for. Due to their sharp scenting ability, excellent speed and capacity for training, Springer Spaniels were, and remain, regarded as superb hunting companions.
Grouse stalking and pheasant shooting are amongst the activities they are conventionally employed for, mastering how to locate game before ‘flushing’ them from their concealment. According to the Mirror, Will therefore cautioned that this inherent hunting instinct may render them challenging to own.
He continued: “I think the reality is… for most people, the Springer Spaniel is a terrible choice, and a lot of people get them because they look awesome, these ears are adorable, and they match a Barbour jacket, which makes it cool for Instagram pictures.
“However, what they were actually bred for, which is to work non-stop like frenzied lunatics through barbed wire, thistles, thorns and all sorts. Using their nose [for] non-stop working means that they don’t have a very good off switch.
“….Bringing a dog like that to try and chill on the sofa with you is very hard to do and is rarely achievable, which is why I see so many here with problem behaviours at my canine behaviour centre.”
Alongside the Springer Spaniel, Will also harbours concerns about numerous other breeds, including the Border Terrier, which possesses a similarly intense prey drive. Despite their compact stature, they frequently exhibit a ‘reverberating bark’ and become destructive when left unstimulated.
Speaking in a separate video whilst holding a Border Terrier, Will said: “Now, how on Earth could you actually hate a puppy as cute as this? Because this Border Terrier is absolutely a sweetheart.
“However, when she came into my centre for a day of training this morning, this wasn’t lovely, cuddly kisses. This was mauling my beard, my face, my fingers and my clothes, which is the main problem with Border Terriers and all terrier breeds for that fashion.
“…If you don’t know how to handle and manage the prey drive that comes with serious little working breeds like these guys, you are going to have a nightmare on your hands like the owners of this beautiful girl did this morning.” In the caption, he added: “Now I grew up with multiple terriers, so I’ve always been very aware of the reality of these dogs, but if you haven’t, it’s easy to be fooled by their cuteness and forget they’re actually high-level athletic killing machines.
“And if you’re not ready for that, it’s easy to get caught up in behaviours you weren’t expecting! So, always do your research on your breed history and make sure you’re ready to harness and control it, especially if your breed has any form of hunting origins.”