10 Notorious Dog Breeds Known for Their Destructive Chewing

Written By

Mathew Abraham

Updated on

Mathew Abraham

Meet Mathew, Cat Dad and Animal Advocate! Mathew is the editor at PawDown, overseeing content strategy and quality. He's in charge of carefully curating the best pet stories, tips, and advice for you.

A close-up of a Siberian Husky
Monika/Pixabay

Chewing is an instinct for dogs, but some breeds take it to a whole new level! If you’ve ever come home to find your favorite pair of shoes shredded or your couch torn up, you know how frustrating it can be. Many dogs chew because they’re bored, anxious, or simply because it’s in their nature. If you’re considering bringing a dog into your home or already have one, it’s important to know which breeds are more prone to chewing destructively. Here are 10 dog breeds that are notorious for their destructive chewing behavior.

1. Boxer

a brown and white Boxer dog with a curious expression
boxerdogmadness/pixabay

If you have a Boxer, you know that these dogs are full of energy and love to play. But if they don’t get enough physical exercise or mental stimulation, your furniture might be their next chew toy. Boxers love to chew, so it’s important to provide them with plenty of durable chew toys. When your boxer isn’t kept busy, they might take out their energy on your shoes, pillows, or anything within reach. To keep your boxer from chewing up your belongings, make sure to give them regular playtime and training. 

2. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retriever
Ray Bilcliff/Pexels

Labradors are playful, goofy, and love attention. However, if they’re left alone without something to do, you might come home to find your favorite pair of slippers destroyed. Labs are known to chew when bored, so it’s important to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Regular play sessions and chew toys can help direct their chewing behavior away from your items. If you own a Labrador, make sure to engage them in daily activities like fetching or playing with puzzle toys. Keeping them busy will help prevent them from chewing on things they shouldn’t!

3. Labradoodle

Labradoodle
Freddy/Pixabay

Labradoodles, a mix of Labrador and Poodle, are friendly and playful dogs with lots of energy. But when they don’t get enough attention or stimulation, they can become destructive chewers. Their playful nature and need for constant engagement make them prone to chewing. To keep your Labradoodle from chewing up your things, make sure you spend time with them every day. Early training and socialization can help direct their energy, and make sure to keep them busy with games and activities to keep destructive chewing at bay!

4. Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier
Christiane/Pixabay

Jack Russells are small dogs with huge amounts of energy. They were originally bred for hunting, and they have a high prey drive. Because of this, they can chew on anything they can get their paws on, including your shoes or your favorite cushion. To prevent your Jack Russell from becoming a destructive chewer, make sure they have enough exercise and provide them with a variety of toys. Taking them outside for regular playtime and walks will help keep them out of trouble. Additionally, mental stimulation through puzzle toys or training can help redirect their chewing instincts.

5. Beagle

Beagle
Michel Hermens/Pixabay

Beagles are highly curious and have a strong sense of smell, which can make them prone to chewing on things they find around the house. If you’re not careful, they might chew through your shoes, socks, or even furniture. Beagles were bred as hunting dogs, and without enough physical and mental stimulation, they may resort to chewing when they’re bored. To keep your beagle from chewing on your items, make sure to take them on walks and offer interactive toys. Their strong sense of smell means they’ll need a lot of stimulation to stay happy and calm.

6. Border Collie

Border Collie
Saskia Plötz/Pixabay

Border Collies are incredibly intelligent and energetic dogs that require constant stimulation. If they don’t receive enough mental challenges and physical exercise, they may become bored and resort to chewing on furniture, shoes, or anything they can find. If you have a Border Collie, it’s important to keep them engaged with interactive activities like agility courses or fetch. They flourish when given a job to do, so regular exercise and mental stimulation are essential for managing their chewing habits.

7. Chihuahua

Chihuahua
Herbert/Pixabay

Chihuahuas may be tiny, but they have large personalities! They can be feisty and chew on anything to get your attention. Chihuahuas often suffer from separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive chewing when you’re not around. To prevent your Chihuahua from chewing out of boredom or anxiety, provide them with chew toys and try to keep them engaged when you’re home. Consider crate training to help them feel secure when you’re not around. Regular socialization with other dogs can also reduce anxiety and keep their chewing behavior in check.

8. Bulldog

Flat-Faced Dog
Cyril/Pixabay

Although bulldogs may appear tough, they are gentle and affectionate dogs. However, they can also experience separation anxiety, which may lead to chewing when they’re left alone. Bulldogs may chew on anything from pillows to shoes to calm themselves down. Before leaving your bulldog alone, make sure they’ve had a good walk to tire them out. Providing them with interactive toys or even a robot companion like the Skymee Owl Robot can help soothe their anxiety and keep them from chewing on your belongings.

9. Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever
Helena Lopes/Pexels

Golden Retrievers are known for being friendly and easygoing, but they can also become destructive chewers if left alone for too long. These dogs are natural retrievers and love to have things in their mouths, so if you leave them unsupervised, they might chew through books, papers, or even furniture. To prevent your Golden Retriever from becoming a destructive chewer, make sure to give them plenty of attention and playtime. Keep them busy with chew toys and engage in outdoor activities to prevent them from chewing on things they shouldn’t.

10. Weimaraner

Weimaraner
Martin Tajmr/Pixabay

Weimaraners are large, energetic dogs with a strong prey drive. If they don’t get enough physical exercise and mental stimulation, they will chew on anything in sight. These dogs are known for their stubborn temperament, which can make them challenging to manage when it comes to chewing. To keep your Weimaraner from chewing destructively, make sure they have plenty of exercise and interactive toys. They love long walks, runs, and playtime, so keeping them tired out will reduce their chances of chewing on your furniture or shoes.

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