Popular dog breed not suitable for family homes, says top dog trainer

Canine behaviourist Will Atherton has taken to social media to reveal why he wouldn't recommend one popular breed for a bustling family household

An expert dog trainer, with an army of almost a million followers on TikTok, has revealed he wouldn't recommend spaniels for bustling family homes due to their high energy levels.

Will Atherton, a well-respected canine behaviourist, is known for sharing his expertise about which dog breeds fit various lifestyles.

In response to an accusation from a viewer asking "why do you hate spaniels so much?", Will clarified in his latest post: "I promise you that isn't the case whatsoever."

Drawing from personal experience, he shared: "One of the things I enjoy more in the dog world more than nearly anything else is when I take uncle Sully [his dog] and we're working out in the field, doing some gun dog stuff, and you see a spaniel beating up game, flushing through thick heather and thick hedgerows."

Will described the sight of spaniels at work pursuing prey as "beautiful" and pointed out: "There are not many things in the dog world that are more awesome to see than that." Despite this appreciation, he argues it's this very zeal that can make spaniels a poor fit for family households.

Explaining further, Will said: "The problem is, when you bring that kind of energy into a busy family home, it rarely meshes very well. It wouldn't mesh well at my home with my family and my lifestyle, that's way too much energy."

His frank insights have stirred thousands into viewing and debating his opinions online, with one follower echoing: "I have two spaniels and I completely agree with you to be honest."

Another person chimed in, saying: "100% agree! Our Springer is coming up to two years, needs super engagement and enrichment, thankfully she runs with me and that burns off a lot of that energy! ".

Meanwhile, someone else confessed: "We got a cocker without much research and he hums with enthusiasm and energy, but we mesh somehow - he crazy though."