The Most Overrated Dog Breed, According To Vets

Some veterinarians see more than 50 dogs a day, including designer breeds and rare dog breeds you've probably never heard of, so it doesn't take them long to decide their favorite and least-favorite breeds. Of course, "favorite" is subjective, but many vets have shared their opinions on the most overrated dog breed on social media. Interestingly, many had the same answer: doodles.

As the name implies, a doodle consists of a cross between a poodle and another breed. However, some breeds have "poo" in the name in place of "doodle." Poodles can be large or small, so doodles also come in a range of sizes. A few of the most-popular types of doodle dogs include Labradoodles, goldendoodles, and Bernedoodles. Not every doodle owner has the same list of reasons for choosing this designer breed; some assume they're hypoallergenic, and others just love their fluffy fur and teddy-bear-like appearance.

These and other reasons have led to a rise in doodle ownership in the U.S. over the last few years. In 2021, Rover reported that the goldendoodle jumped from the ninth to the fifth spot on the list of 10 most-popular dog breeds in the nation. Progressive confirmed this upward trend, sharing a popularity increase of 347.4% in goldendoodles, 196.5% in labradoodles, and 160.3% in all other poodle mixes from 2013 to 2021. That said, many veterinary professionals don't think they're worth the hype.

One Alabama-based veterinarian went viral for a TikTok video in which she shared her five least-favorite dogs based on health problems, temperament, and behavior. Doodles made the list, as she considers these breeds to be "high-maintenance" due to them requiring regular grooming, unlike short-haired breeds. She added that doodles are also susceptible to ear infections, and some are "aggressive" or overly energetic.

A Dallas-based veterinarian chimed in on TikTok, confirming doodles' high-maintenance nature. The user said that many of them also shed, contrary to popular belief, and are prone to matting. Unpredictable temperament is another issue the user sees at their practice, but they added that they've also encountered some who were "a joy to work with." Another vet described doodles in a Medium article as "big floppy bundles of neuroticism" and saw her share of ear infections as well. An entire team of veterinarians and technicians addressed the topic of overrated dogs in yet another TikTok video. When asked what they considered the most overrated dog breed, seven out of eight said "Labradoodle" or just "doodle."

Despite the popularity of this "overrated" perspective among veterinary professionals, responses to these TikTok videos indicate that many doodle owners disagree. Perhaps you're one of them. Regardless of your beliefs, remember that veterinarians base their opinions on multiple doodle patients, some of which see a vet only when there's a problem. Doodle owners, on the other hand, typically base their perspective on only one or two doodles (their own) and can attest to many more positive experiences with the breed.