These breeds are all over your feed, but they come with a laundry list of issues most people skip right past.
The dog park might be packed with them, but so are vet waiting rooms and emergency clinics. Some of the trendiest breeds right now come with built-in health problems, sky-high maintenance needs, or behaviors that can make daily life more chaotic than cute. Vets have tried to warn people, but the aesthetic is winning. If you’re thinking about getting one of these dogs, just know you’re signing up for more than cuddles and compliments.
1. French Bulldogs are barely able to breathe but still top every trend list.
French Bulldogs are the poster pups for cuteness over function. Their flat faces, oversized eyes, and snorty snores make them social media gold, but vets aren’t as charmed. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, their brachycephalic airway syndrome puts them at serious risk for lifelong respiratory struggles, even without exercise. That adorable snuffling? Often a sign of airway obstruction. Add in spinal issues, chronic skin infections in their wrinkles, and heat intolerance, and you’ve got a dog that requires constant vigilance just to stay functional. People still love them, but most have no idea what they’re signing up for until it’s way too late.
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are sweet but quietly falling apart.
Everyone’s obsessed with their sweet temperaments and dreamy eyes, but that soft exterior hides one of the most heartbreak-prone breeds on the planet. Cavaliers are prone to mitral valve disease, and it starts showing up way too young. As stated by the Royal Veterinary College, more than 90 percent of Cavaliers will eventually develop the condition, which affects the heart and often leads to early death. They’re also at risk for syringomyelia, a neurological condition that causes pain due to skull malformation. So even while they’re curled up beside you looking like royalty, their insides might be waging war—and most people have no idea. The breed’s popularity just keeps rising anyway, source and all.
3. Dalmatians have unique genetics that turn them into vet regulars.
They’ve got the iconic coat, the retro charm, and the 90s Disney factor going for them. But underneath all that speckled glam is a very tricky genetic blueprint. Dalmatians are the only breed with a known fixed defect that prevents them from processing uric acid properly, which can lead to recurring bladder stones and urinary tract problems. It’s a lifelong management issue. Reported by the AKC Canine Health Foundation, this problem can be partially addressed through special diets and careful hydration, but many owners don’t realize how expensive and ongoing the care can be until their dog is already in pain. That, plus their high energy and stubborn nature, makes them a tough breed for anyone who isn’t fully committed.
4. Chihuahuas have a reputation for being scrappy, but their bones say otherwise.
People think they’re low maintenance because they’re small and portable, but Chihuahuas are basically walking toothpicks with attitudes. Their bones break easily, especially the legs, and they’re prone to luxating patella—a condition where the kneecap slips out of place mid-run. They also tend to have dental issues that need real upkeep, not just the occasional dental chew. People often forget how long these dogs live too, which sounds great until you realize you’re budgeting for nearly two decades of vet visits.
5. Great Danes steal hearts quickly, then break them just as fast.
You can’t meet a Great Dane and not fall in love. They’re mellow, affectionate, and surprisingly sensitive. But their size is their biggest enemy. Their joints, heart, and digestion all struggle to keep up. Bloat is a serious, life-threatening risk, and it can happen with no warning at all. Most people are never truly prepared for how expensive it is to feed and medically support a 150-pound dog with a two- to eight-year life expectancy.
6. Shar Peis carry more than just wrinkles—they carry chronic issues.
The folds are cute. The upkeep is not. Shar Peis often suffer from skin infections and allergic reactions tucked deep in those rolls. On top of that, many develop something called Shar Pei Fever, which causes sudden swelling and inflammation. It sounds made up, but it’s a very real immune condition. Vet bills stack fast, and if you’re not prepared for daily care and monthly treatments, things can spiral quickly.
7. Huskies may look majestic, but the chaos is constant.
Instagram loves them, but most vets groan when a first-time dog owner gets one. Huskies shed like it’s their full-time job, and their stubborn, high-energy personalities aren’t exactly apartment compatible. Without insane amounts of daily exercise and mental stimulation, they become destructive and escape-prone. People get one for the aesthetics and end up with a lawsuit when it tears through drywall or bolts after a squirrel across traffic.
8. English Bulldogs are built more like medical experiments than pets.
There’s no gentle way to say this—they’re genetic trainwrecks. The shape of their skull, the structure of their hips, the folds, the skin, the breathing, the teeth—everything requires medical intervention at some point. Breeding them has become so unsustainable that some countries have banned the practice entirely. Yet they’re still a top breed in the U.S., proving again that humans are visual creatures who ignore every red flag.
9. Border Collies are geniuses but their needs break the average household.
They’re wildly intelligent, and that’s the problem. Border Collies are constantly bored, and boredom makes them neurotic. Without a farm, job, or 24/7 engagement, they’ll turn their brilliance into property destruction, compulsive behavior, and anxiety. They’re one of the breeds that actually gets worse the smarter they are, because most homes simply aren’t stimulating enough to keep up. Herding your kids and circling furniture isn’t enrichment. It’s burnout.
10. Cocker Spaniels look like show dogs but act like wild cards.
They’re pretty, they’re affectionate, and they’re sneakily intense. Cocker Spaniels are prone to ear infections because of their long ears and can be surprisingly unpredictable behaviorally. Some lines are known for sudden aggression, especially when overstimulated. It’s not that they’re bad dogs, but they are misunderstood ones—and when you combine that with their grooming needs and medical sensitivities, things get messy quickly.
11. Toy Poodles aren’t as easygoing as their size suggests.
Tiny, curly, and allegedly hypoallergenic, Toy Poodles seem like an easy win. But they’re often anxious, hyper-intelligent, and needy in ways people underestimate. Their grooming needs alone are a full-time commitment, and their alertness makes them chronic barkers without solid training. The personality is big, and without enough structure, they end up ruling the house with a paw so tiny you didn’t even see it coming.
12. Shiba Inus will never be the cuddly anime dogs people expect.
They’re gorgeous, foxlike, and photogenic. But Shibas are not snuggle bugs. They’re aloof, territorial, and extremely independent. Most aren’t interested in cuddling or socializing, and they’re infamous for the “Shiba scream”—a high-pitched howl when handled against their will. It’s funny online, less so in your living room. Training them requires a full shift in expectations. They’re not for beginners, no matter how cute they look in a bandana.
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