Dogs may be mankind’s best friend, but not all breeds are equally easy to live with. Millions of people around the world welcome dogs into their homes every year, drawn in by loyalty, affection, and the simple joy of canine companionship. However, choosing the right breed is far more complicated than picking the cutest face in the room. A professional dog trainer is now sounding the alarm about three wildly popular breeds that consistently cause their owners the most trouble.
Will Atherton, a clinical canine behaviorist who has built a large following online through his expert advice, shared his observations in a recent TikTok video. He noted that his work gives him a unique vantage point because he receives an enormous volume of help requests from dog owners on a daily basis, which allows him to spot patterns across breeds. “These are the worst-behaved among the most popular dog breeds, and I say this as a clinical canine behaviorist,” Atherton stated plainly. His words struck a nerve with dog owners across the internet.
According to Atherton, three breeds keep surfacing again and again in his caseload. “Of the most popular breeds in the world, the one I’m currently seeing the most is the dachshund, followed by the collie, and then the German shepherd,” he explained in the video. He also raised an important question about his own data, wondering whether these breeds appear so frequently simply because they are popular and therefore generate more requests, or whether they are genuinely more predisposed to behavioral problems. “Now the question is, am I seeing a ton of behavioral issues in those breeds because they’re popular, so naturally I get more queries? Or does it have to do with the fact that those breeds are specifically more prone to behavioral issues, or is it a combination of both?” Atherton mused.
@iamwillatherton Which popular dog breeds are the worst behaved? This might surprise you. The three breeds I get asked for help with the most are: Dachshunds. Border Collies. German Shepherds. Now here’s the real question… Is that because they’re badly behaved? Or is it because they’re extremely popular – so there are simply more of them? Dachshunds are bold, stubborn little hunters. Border Collies are intense, driven working dogs. German Shepherds are powerful, intelligent and highly responsive to their environment. All three are brilliant breeds. But they’re also breeds that need structure, clarity and leadership. Without that, behaviour problems show up fast. So what do you think? Is it popularity… Or are some breeds genuinely more prone to problem behaviour? Let me know in the comments and I’ll answer properly in a future video. #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #leadershipislove #dogbreeds ♬ original sound – Will Atherton (MSc)
The comment section erupted with responses from owners who found his words all too relatable. One dachshund owner was particularly emphatic in her agreement. “I have a dachshund and I agree 100,000 percent. It’s essentially a hunting breed, they’re incredibly smart and can be wonderful dogs if you put in the work. Because they’re so popular now, many people get them because they’re cute and small, expecting a calm-natured dog, and they are anything but that,” she wrote. Another commenter added that many collies simply do not get enough stimulation and end up bored, while poorly bred German shepherds and dachshunds compound the problem further.
A strong thread running through the discussion was the idea that behavioral issues in dogs are rarely the animals’ fault. “Dogs don’t have behavioral problems, they have bad owners,” one person commented bluntly, and the sentiment was widely echoed. Another user put it simply: “Their breed-specific needs aren’t being met. The problem is always the people. Dogs are just dogs.” Atherton’s video clearly resonated with people who had witnessed this dynamic firsthand, whether in their own homes or in those of people they knew.
The broader takeaway from Atherton’s message is that prospective dog owners need to do serious homework before bringing any dog home. Energy levels, mental stimulation needs, historical working instincts, and trainability all vary enormously between breeds, and what looks adorable in a video does not always translate to an easy living situation. Training is not optional for most breeds; it is an absolute necessity. Not every dog is suited to a first-time owner, and recognizing that upfront can save both the human and the animal a great deal of frustration.
Dachshunds were originally bred in Germany in the 15th century specifically to hunt badgers underground, which is why they are built so low to the ground and have such a surprisingly bold, stubborn personality. Collies were historically used to herd sheep across the Scottish Highlands, meaning they are wired for a level of mental and physical activity that a quiet apartment simply cannot satisfy. German shepherds, meanwhile, were not developed as pets at all but as working police and military dogs, a legacy that shows up in their drive and intensity every single day.
If you have one of these breeds at home, share your experience in the comments.
