Canine behaviourist Will Atherton has revealed the one popular breed he believes isn’t suited to busy family homes - and his controversial opinion has sparked debate online12:39, 22 May 2026Updated 12:39, 22 May 2026A well-known dog trainer has sparked quite a debate after revealing the one popular breed he wouldn't recommend for hectic family households. Canine behaviourist Will Atherton, who boasts more than 900,000 followers on TikTok, regularly offers advice and guidance to dog owners on selecting the right breed to suit their lifestyle.‌In one of his most-watched videos, he responded to a follower who asked, "Why do you hate spaniels so much?" "I promise you that isn't the case whatsoever," Will said, before clarifying that he actually has great admiration for spaniels - just not within the context of a typical family home.‌The video, which has since amassed 1.4 million views, saw him explain: "This is one of those things where I might have accidentally developed a reputation for hating spaniels. And many people think I hate huskies as well, and I promise you, that isn't the case whatsoever."‌He went on to express his genuine enthusiasm for working alongside spaniels out in the field. "One of the things I enjoy more in the dog world than nearly anything else is when I take Uncle Sully [his dog] out and we're working out in the field doing some gundog stuff, and you see a spaniel beating up game, flushing through thick heather and hedgerows, their noses down, quartering, and hunting beautifully," he said.Nevertheless, he cautioned that their boundless energy is frequently too much for an average household to handle. "The problem is, when you bring that kind of energy into a busy family home, it rarely meshes very well," Will continued."It wouldn't mesh well at my home with my family and my lifestyle, that's way too much energy. And they're vibrating and humming with energy."‌The comments, however, sparked a mixed reaction. Most users were in agreement, with one saying: "I have two spaniels and I completely agree with you to be honest."Another wrote: "100 per cent 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!"Yet others had contrasting experiences. One person said: "I think I have the laziest cocker spaniel. Fitted into our home perfectly."‌Another added: "Our cocker is so chilled out at home, I think we really lucked out!"Content cannot be displayed without consentDespite this, experts at Dogs R Dogs maintain that spaniels can become excellent pets, but only when they receive proper training from the outset.Article continues belowThey emphasise that spaniels are bred for hunting and retrieving, and these instincts remain strong even in a domestic environment.Without adequate training, their boundless energy and natural drive can result in problems including poor recall, possessiveness and frustration. They also point out that many owners fail to recognise just how much guidance spaniels require to learn when it's time to settle down.As the experts put it: "The main thing you need to teach a spaniel is how to enjoy doing nothing."