When choosing a dog breed, you want to be certain that their personality fits with your lifestyle, but many people don’t realize how naughty particular breeds can be. This can be a handful, so we’ve outlined the 17 naughtiest dog breeds in the world so that you are prepared.
Beagle
The beagle’s incredible sense of smell makes it adept at picking up scents. However, the beagle will often relentlessly try to track down the source of the smell, which can result in restlessness, digging to escape, and getting into trouble!
Dachshund
According to Country Living, Dachshunds’ original breeding purpose was to hunt and chase animals in the dark. This natural instinct means they love to dig and can be extremely stubborn during training. Dachshunds often rebel by refusing to listen and doing their best to escape.
Jack Russell Terrier
Despite their small size, Jack Russell terriers have bags of energy, which can make them exhausting for owners not prepared for so much stimulation. This energy also leads them to dig up or even destroy gardens. They’re also known for being very vocal when left alone.
Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies have a knack for escaping even from the most secure yards. Their high prey drive means they always make time for running and chasing small animals, which can be difficult to control. If you’re looking for a breed that won’t be destructive when bored, the Siberian husky isn’t it!
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are known for having some of the biggest, and even most aggressive, personalities despite their small size, and a lot of this depends on how owners train them. They’re known for excessive barking and being extremely possessive over their toys and owners.
Border Collie
The Border Collie is a very popular dog breed, but it’s also one of the naughtiest if not given enough mental stimulation. Thanks to their high intelligence, they can be very destructive if you don’t exercise them enough or stimulate them through their natural need to herd.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are known for their healthy appetites, which means they’re often the naughtiest breed when it comes to stealing food from tables. Their need to chew also means they make the most destructive puppies, and their energetic nature means they’re very likely to knock things – or even people.
Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds “exhibit an irresistible impulse to herd anything: birds, dogs, kids”, says the American Kennel Club, which can mean they’re very difficult to handle for owners not able to give them enough exercise. Their high risk of boredom also means they can be very destructive.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are known for being one of the most stubborn breeds, which means they can be incredibly naughty when it comes to training. If they’re left alone, their excessive barking will let the whole neighborhood know, too.
Poodle
Poodles are known for being fantastic choices for those who want an intelligent breed without dealing with excessive pet hair – but they’re also one of the naughtiest! They can be very fussy about their environment, which means they’ll let you know if they’re bored or unhappy.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are prime examples of small dog syndrome. Psychology Today informs us that this occurs when smaller breeds compensate for their size by growling, lunging, barking, and jumping. They also have a reputation for digging and chewing when they’re most anxious.
Boxer
Boxers are highly energetic breeds that require a hefty amount of exercise if you want to avoid their worst behavior. They’re known for jumping on people, too, which can be difficult to control without proper training. Leaving them alone also means that destruction is inevitable!
Basset Hound
Basset Hounds are amongst the best breeds for sniffing something out. Their incredible sense of smell is both a blessing and a curse, however – at least for owners – because they’ll often escape to track a scent. Not to mention their tendency to bark and howl relentlessly.
Weimaraner
The highly energetic Weimaraner needs a large amount of exercise from its owner if there’s any hope of diverting its naughty tendencies. It’s known for having a strong prey drive, meaning that chasing smaller animals is very likely – as is its destructive behavior when understimulated.
Dalmatian
The Kennel Club discusses how Dalmatians were originally known as dogs of status. They walked beside carriages, guarded stables, and even cleared the route for horse-drawn fire engines. Ultimately, this has led to a high sense of importance that makes many Dalmatians stubborn and difficult.
Miniature Schnauzer
Don’t let their small size fool you: miniature schnauzers are known to be very problematic, particularly with digging, chewing, and barking nonstop. They can be a very stubborn breed, which also means naughtiness is guaranteed when attempting to train them.
American Pit Bull Terrier
Last but not least on our list of the naughtiest dog breeds is the American Pit Bull Terrier, known for its high levels of energy that can turn problematic if not stimulated enough. Their need to protect their owners can also turn into possessive behavior if not trained properly.
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