Most Destructive Dog Breeds: Top 5 Crazy Canines, According To Experts

There are a whopping 221 different breeds of dog to choose from, along with numerous crossbreeds. So, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition. One consideration, in particular, is how destructive a breed may be. It isn’t ideal for anyone to have a furry friend who chews everything from your socks to your couch. We have saved you the research and found five of the most destructive dog breeds.

If a dog is destructive, it’s not because they aren’t smart. Chances are, it’s because they are bored. Dogs are actually smarter than you think. Have you ever caught a dog giving you a strange look after you made a mistake? It turns out they’re quietly judging you and your apparent incompetence, at least if they’re female, a new study reveals. Researchers in Japan have found that female dogs “judge” people after watching them make an error or act in an incompetent manner.

Aside from imparting judgement on their owners, certain dogs may exhibit destructive behavior when not properly trained or exercised. These dogs can have powerful jaws and a strong desire to chew, which can lead to damage to furniture, belongings, or even their surroundings. It’s essential for owners to invest time and effort in training and providing mental and physical stimulation to prevent destructive habits.

When looking to welcome a pup into your home, beware of the breeds that could tear your house apart. Our sources helped us discover the top five most destructive dog breeds. Let us know of any sneaky dogs you may have owned in the comments below!

The List: Most Destructive Dog Breeds, Per Canine Experts 

1. Labrador Retriever

Even the most well-behaved Labrador Retriever will do some damage. Whether due to boredom, or pure clumsiness, the road to destruction is paved with good intentions. “One of the biggest factors that make them destruction experts is their energy level. Anything they can wrap their chewers around is going to get damaged,” warns Pupvine.

There’s no doubt that labs are adorable, but they can be fierce and they always want to keep busy. “This type of active breed needs lots of interaction, otherwise, when left with nothing to do all day, they could very well turn to chewing the closest thing they can find. This is nothing a game of fetch can’t solve, along with some of the best durable dog toys to keep them challenged when indoors. Remember, a mentally and physically stimulated dog is a happy (well-behaved) dog,” says Pets Radar.

Because Labradors are bred as retrieving dogs, it’s almost like they need to have something in their mouth. “Labs are a very energetic and exuberant breed, always wanting to do something and keep themselves busy. Therefore, if you have an active breed with lots of energy that’s used to mouthing things that don’t have anything to do in the day, there’s going to be chewing involved. Strong, long-lasting chews with flavor and variety and plenty of exercises are recommended with these top chewers,” shares Tasty Bone.

2. Beagle

Beagles were bred as hunting dogs, and they love to eat pretty much anything they can find. Pets Radar says that this includes “stuffed toys, clothing, shoes, you name it, they’ll try to eat it! To keep beagles occupied, you can try giving them lots of treats, and get them some of the best cheap dog toy deals, so it won’t matter if they destroy them within five minutes of getting their paws on them.”

Beagles love eating so much that it doesn’t matter whether it’s edible or not. “Beagles tend to follow their noses and chew on anything they perceive to be tasty. For these adorable little chewers, we recommend a toy with some kind of treat placed inside to keep their inquisitive noses busy. We also recommend giving them a treat, infused with delicious flavors to the core to keep their taste buds satisfied all day long,” suggests Tasty Bone.

In addition to eating, Beagles are also well known for their excellent sense of smell. “A Beagle’s remarkable sense of smell can sometimes lead them into trouble. Beagles have been known to tear apart trash bags, dig into laundry, or chew through food containers in search of an interesting scent. If there’s something that smells good to a Beagle, they’ll likely stop at nothing to find it,” informs terrierowner.com.

3. Collie

Collies are known for their intelligence. Think the iconic TV dog, Lassie. “Collies are wonderful dogs with a few potentially destructive habits. Originally bred for herding, Collies have a lot of energy and need for mental stimulation. Without enough exercise or activities to keep them engaged, they can become bored, and a bored Collie can quickly turn into a destructive one,” says terrierowner.com.

“Their high energy levels require plenty of daily exercise. They are also more prone to struggle with intense boredom when alone. This can often lead to destructive behavior and excessive barking. Offering these pups at least 45 minutes of daily exercise can help decrease behavioral struggles. Additionally, try to spend quality time with your Border Collie each day,” offers A-Z Animals.

Many dog owners may be surprised to see the Collie on this list, possibly due to their flawless response to commands. “A breed that is famed for its sheep and livestock herding abilities, and pin-sharp hearing. No doubt it worked its way up the charts because when a Collie does get destructive, its strength and cunning let it cause true chaos,” says Country Life.

4. Chihuahua

Don’t underestimate their size, Chihuahuas are small but feisty! “The Chihuahua has a very sassy temperament, and they like to be the center of attention. They’ll likely chew their way through anything to get you to notice them, and they won’t be sorry about it. Chihuahuas can often experience separation anxiety and get bored easily, which is what leads them to chew on things, especially when you’re not there,” says Pets Radar.

Chihuahuas are just as prone to nibbling their way through your favorite shoes as bigger dogs are. “Chihuahuas, in particular, are prone to boredom, separation anxiety, and nervousness. This leads to them chewing objects to help alleviate this. So if you have a Chihuahua, we recommend taking them on long walks to see if the extra exercise helps,” offers Tasty Bone.

It’s amazing how much damage a tiny Chihuahua can do if it’s bored. “Their tiny sharp teeth can cut through carpets, clothing, and furnishings before you can say ‘Where’s the dog?’ Best to keep these wee destroyers well entertained,” suggests Scotsman.

5. Staffordshire Bull Terriers

While adorable, Staffordshire’s are known for being one of the clumsiest breeds. “You might want to take your delicate ornaments off the coffee table before bringing a Staffy into the house. These pups don’t rate highly for their spatial awareness, with 1 in 20 mentions of broken phones, plant pots, glasses, and more linked to the breed – oops,” says Hello Magazine.

Because Staffordshire Terriers are very strong dogs with powerful jaws, they can wreak a lot of damage in a short amount of time. “This breed is born with a penchant for chewing things; perhaps even more so than some other breeds. Because of this, it is critical to ensure that your Amstaff has access to a lot of toys that can stand up to the regular, intense chewing that is a hallmark of this particular type of dog,” informs Wag Walking.

“From digging up flower beds to chewing furniture, these loveable pups have destructive tendencies that will keep their owners busy,” adds Country Living.

You might also be interested in:

• Most Energetic Dog Breeds
• Most Trainable Dogs
• Best Water Dogs
• Most Loyal Dog Breeds

Sources:

• Pupvine
•  A-Z Animals
• Pets Radar
• Tasty Bone
• Terrierowner.com
• Hello Magazine
• Country Life
• Country Living
• Scotsman
• Wag Walking

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.