There are many reasons for the dog to dig: some to relieve stress (eg: Shelties and Border Collies); some dig to create sleeping places to stay warm or to cool off (eg: Huskies, Malamutes, Chows and other Spitz type dogs); and some by genetic instinct (eg: terriers and small scent hounds). Here are top 10 dog breeds have strong digging instincts.
#1 – Dachshund
The Dachshund is a very famous small breed and is called with many other names such as: Doxie, Weenie Dog, Wiener Dog, Sausage, Teckel, Dackel. They come in two sizes: standard-sized or miniature, and they can have one of three coat types: smooth, wirehaired, or longhaired. Dachshunds have strong natural digging instincts, they can dig a hole to sleep or hunt or simply because they feel happy to do that. In addition, Dachshunds are friendly, emotional, energetic, but sometimes stubborn dogs. They always tend to want to be touched, cuddled, sit on their owner lap.
#2 – Cairn Terrier
The Cairn Terrier is one of the oldest terrier breeds, originating in the Scottish Highlands. The Cairn Terrier tends to be a digger and is always vigilant in looking for underground rodents. Previously, this breed was used to hunt foxes or other small prey between the cairns in the Scottish highlands. The Cairn Terrier has a harsh weather-resistant outer coat that can be black, cream, wheaten, red, sandy, gray, or brindled in any of these colors. And a notable characteristic of Cairns is that brindled Cairns frequently change colour throughout their lifetimes. In addition, the Cairn Terrier is loyalty, cheerful, alert, independent dog and also a good watch dog with lots of close family contact.
#3 – Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier is a small terrier that has its origins in fox hunting in England. They have white-bodied and smooth, rough or broken-coated and can be any colour. The Jack Russell Terrier is a working dog breed of terrier and high-energy dog. They require a lot of exercise and attention, if not working or playing will make them bored, can chew everything and can become destructive. These are also dogs with strong natural digging instincts.
#4 – Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working dog breed native to the northeast of Siberia. The Siberian Husky was previously used as a sled dog in cold places. Today, they are more popular as pets, human companions. The Siberian Husky is a friendly, energetic, active, mischievous, loyal, outgoing dog and when they’re bored, they often chew anything, including the floor or walls. Some Siberian Husky also tend to like to escape and roam (and quite difficult to call them back when they are not playing enough). In addition, Siberian Huskies have an dens outdoor digging instinct and this behavior is quite difficult to break so you may notice your dog digging in bed or in a crate.
#5 – Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is the smallest of the Schnauzer breeds of German origin. The Miniature Schnauzer has eyebrows and a beard that greatly impresses people at first sight. They are also breeds of thick, soft double coat, and sheds very minimally, hypoallergenic, as their other Schnauzer brothers. The Miniature Schnauzer is also a friendly, intelligent, docile and easy to train dog. And like other Terriers, they have a digging instinct and enjoy it.
#6 – Smooth Fox Terrier
The Smooth Fox Terrier is a dog breed of the terrier type that originated in England. In the past, Smooth Fox Terriers’s profession are fox bolting. They drove the foxes out of hiding and into the line of sight of the larger dogs and hunters. And like some other Terriers, Smooth Fox Terriers also have skills for hunting small prey and have strong natural digging instincts. In addition, the Smooth Fox Terrier is a friendly, energetic, independent dog but they can bark a lot and chase small animals because of their hunting instincts.
#7 – Rat Terrier
The Rat Terrier is small sized dog breed originating in The United States of America. They are bred mainly for hunting rats, for pest control and as pets in the family. The Rat Terrier has a compact, well-proportioned appearance with a smooth, shiny coat that has a variety of patterns that make them suitable for warm weather. The Rat Terrier is an intelligent, active, loyal dog that likes to receive a lot of mental stimulation and exercise. In addition, Rat Terriers also have strong natural digging instincts.
#8 – Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier is a dog breed of the terrier type that originated in Australia. The Australian Terrier is a small dog with short legs, with a medium length shaggy harsh double coat that is not normally trimmed. And like other true terriers, Australian Terriers have a strong natural digging instinct and loves to chase small animals. The Australian Terrier is an affectionate, human-friendly, alert, spirited dog, but may not get along well with other dogs in the house.
#9 – Norfolk Terrier
The Norfolk Terrier is one of the smallest of the working terriers that originated in Great Britain. The Norfolk Terrier has a wire-haired coat that is hard, wiry, and straight. Norfolk Terriers are compact and moderately well-proportioned dogs. They have an agility with with small prey hunting skills and a strong digging instinct. The Norfolk Terrier is fearless, alert, independent, fun-loving dog. They get along well with other dogs, love people and make good pets.
#10 – Border Terrier
The Border Terrier is a small, rough-coated breed of dog in the terrier group. The Border Terrier has an otter-shaped head, V-shaped ears on the sides of the head, a moderately short muzzle and a common coat color is grizzle-and-tan, blue-and-tan, red, or wheaten. Although sometimes stubborn and strong-willed, the Border Terrier is an intelligent, loyal dog, easy to train and eager to please. And like other Terriers, Border Terriers have a natural digging instinct and they can dig everywhere in your garden.
