“Oh, no! What happened here?” This cry of dismay is not unfamiliar to most of us who have owned dogs, because left on their own, our furbabies can wreck havoc in no time flat. From chewed furniture and shoes to strewn garbage to toilet paper everywhere, this scenario has been played out time and again for as long as dogs have been domesticated.
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Yet it seems when notes are compared, certain breeds seem to pop up over and over. It appears that some of our lovely little darlings are more likely than others to top the charts of vigorous vandals. Did your pup make the list?
1. Corgi
This little dynamo, beloved of the Queen of England, can be remarkably destructive without something to keep his intelligent mind busy. He needs a job to do, and when he gets bored, watch out! He also needs a confident human companion who can take charge, or else the strong-willed canine will usurp his human’s position. If you are averse to heavy shedding (which definitely makes a mess), this breed’s not for you. But once you’ve been bitten with “corgi fever,” you’ll probably never want another breed!
2. Beagle
One of America’s perennial favorites, the Beagle is good natured and friendly with everyone. Bred to hunt, this small hound wants to wander and explore. He needs a great deal of exercise and is bound to destroy his surroundings when he doesn’t get enough. Obedience training is an absolute essential or you’re likely to have chaos on four legs. In addition to being destructive when left alone too long, Beagles are notoriously hard to housebreak and tend to bark and howl more than other breeds. If you don’t have a lot of time to spend with your pup, perhaps another breed would be a better choice.
3. Jack Russell
This is the ultimate terrier (often lovingly referred to by his humans as a Jack Russell “terrorist”), full of mischief, interested in everything, a rowdy and enthusiastic athlete. Extremely intelligent, he must be fully engaged in the family and needs lots of exercise, mental stimulation, companionship, and confident leadership. Leaving him alone without enough to do is a recipe for disaster, as he can quickly dismantle and utterly destroy just about anything. If you have two of these little spitfires, separate them when you’re gone or you may come home to injuries because of a disagreement between them.
4. Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is often desired because of his handsome appearance, convenient size, and the fact that he is generally quiet indoors. However, of all the dogs on this list, he may possibly be the most destructive when left alone or if he becomes bored. Notorious escape artists, Shibas love to run and may be difficult to catch once they’re loose. Although he is smart and clever, he is notably aggressive toward other dogs and especially cats. It takes a firm, confident and utterly consistent owner for this dog. Even with his relatively short coat, he sheds a lot.
5. American Pit Bull Terrier
A muscular body and a generally easy-going manner coupled with a confident presence characterizes this intelligent dog. Very loving to his family, his exuberance and buoyant bounce can be an accident waiting to happen inside your house. To maintain his muscles and your peace at home, give him lots of exercise and toys to play with. Don’t skip obedience training with this one, and don’t leave him alone for long periods of time, as he is likely to dismantle his living quarters if bored. Socializing him is an ongoing task, so a run everyday at your local dog park is a good idea.
6. Shetland Sheepdog
Fondly called a “sheltie,” this gorgeous, small, collie-look-alike is extremely smart and loves to learn. It takes a light hand on the leash, though, because these dogs are very sensitive and should be handled gently. The most important thing to remember is that the sheltie needs lots of mental, as well as physical, exercise. When left alone with nothing to do, they quickly become deleterious to their surroundings and may bark excessively. Leaving them alone for long periods of time can also produce neurotic behaviors. Shedding is also an issue.
7. Dachshund
People who love this breed wouldn’t dream of owning another. Known for his clownish behavior, he truly is a delight to own. Dachshunds come in two sizes, standard and miniature. Often kept in pairs, these “weiner dogs” are happiest in company with their own kind. But twice as many means twice as much mischief, too! They love to dig, are notoriously difficult to housebreak, and apt to lay waste to their environment without enough attention. For a person with a firm manner who has their respect, they make wonderful companions.
8. French Bulldog
This comical face has won a million hearts, and his gentle nature and quiet demeanor makes him a great dog for apartment dwellers. He doesn’t need a lot of exercise, but to remain happy he needs mental stimulation. He enjoys chasing balls and working on puzzle toys, but without rather frequent interaction with his humans, he can become a chewer. The biggest issue with being left alone for long periods is one of housebreaking. It can easily take 4 to 6 months of crating to have him trained, but when left too long, he won’t cross his legs waiting for you to get home!
9. Maltese
This bright and engaging ball of fur is loved the world over. He is one of the gentlest of the toy breeds and generally gets along with everyone. Unfortunately, many people treat him like a baby human, spoiling him and making him overdependent, bratty, and insecure. Known for being hard to housebreak, the bigger problem with him is separation anxiety that leads to destructiveness and barking. His beautiful coat, though requiring a lot of grooming, sheds very little.
10. Siberian Husky
A beautiful dog that resembles a wolf, but is gentle and friendly toward almost everyone. He loves the outdoors and needs to hike, run, or bike everyday without fail. He is smart but free-spirited and independent, making training a challenge. Exuberance in young dogs can send things (and people) flying, so giving him fenced room to exercise is important. His intelligent mind requires a lot of stimulation, too; leaving him alone without companionship and mental challenges is a sure-fire way to come home to massive destruction.
These ten breeds—beloved of many—typify the reasons for not leaving your furbaby alone at home without enough to occupy his mind and body. Yet finding a way to keep him happy and engaged while you’re gone is a tough problem. Here at Furbo we have a solution that will put your mind at ease. Our Furbo Dog Camera allows you to see and interact with your pup when you can’t be there in person. You’ll always have peace of mind knowing what Fido is doing and helping him relax as well as keeping his mind engaged, surely one of the better ways to prevent destructive and insecure behavior.
