Dog digging

8 Small Dog Breeds that Love to Dig (Solved & Explained)

Why do dogs dig holes? This is a question that comes to mind many times when you find your puppy digging in the dirt. While it’s always a good idea to keep your puppy from digging up your carpet, you also have to think about your pet’s own needs.

Some dog breeds are genetically predisposed to digging while other dog breeds simply enjoy digging. This can be a very difficult issue to deal with as they will both have different needs. In order to solve this problem, you need to understand why your dog wants to dig in the first place.

Dogs have a natural instinct to create an area for them to go and hide, but if their home isn’t secure than they may find themselves using the space available to them. Some dog breeds, especially the ones that are more active, are simply naturally inclined to dig in the ground.

For these dog breeds, try making a secure digging area for them where they are allowed to do their digging. Make sure the area is large enough so that your puppy has plenty of room to exercise and dig safely without you having to go digging around your home.

Another possible reason for dogs dig holes is because of boredom. If your puppy doesn’t have anything to do, he may choose to dig in his crate. If this is your case, take him out and get him something to play with, such as a ball.

Top 8 Small Dog Breeds That Love To Dig

Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is an adorable small dog that has its roots in the history of fox hunting in Britain. It’s generally white-colored, with some black markings on the chest, legs, or tail.

Jack Russell’s are small dogs that love to dig and tend to be gentle, quiet, and extremely intelligent. They are very versatile because they are often used for agility training.

In fact, Jack Russell’s was even given a name by their creator, John Russell, who named them after an earlier Fox Hound called the Fox Terrier. 

The Jack Russell is in fact one of the most entertaining and lively of all terriers. With a short coat, an undercoat that are thick, and a high-muscle body, the Jack Russell is in fact an excellent choice for people who want a dog that will love to bark and get involved in all kinds of activities, including agility training.

Airedale Terrier

Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier is also known as Bingley Terrier or Waterside Terrier and the first Airedale was sold as a hunting dog in England during the eighteenth century. In the West Riding of England, a small breed was bred to hunt the rabbits.

Because of its strong physique and great physical agility, the Airedale is the most sought after dog by professional hunters throughout the world. They are bred to be very athletic, but can also be playful and fun-loving.

Airedale terrier makes a great choice for someone who does not want a large dog that will need a lot of space and attention. Although they may look like a smaller dog, an Airedale terrier will grow up to be a larger dog than some terriers.

Finally, if you are looking for a dog that is not too aggressive, an Airedale may be the dog for you. They will not be aggressive to other dogs, children, cats, and people.

Beagle

Beagle

The Beagle is an excellent breed of small haired hound which is closely related to the larger foxhound. They are generally a gentle and affectionate breed but can also be active.

The Beagle was originally bred as a hunting dog, but today they are used as a family pet. The Beagle originated in Germany and is one of the oldest known breeds of dog.

The Beagle is an excellent companion for many people and is very intelligent with a playful, energetic nature. A well-trained Beagle can be a faithful friend and loyal companion, and may be as much fun to watch as the dog is to train.

As they are generally very affectionate towards their owners, This small dog breed needs a lot of love and care. The Beagle is not a good candidate for a first-time owner, as it requires a lot of patience and commitment from the owner.

Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terrier

The Cairn terrier is amongst the oldest working dog breeds, having originated in the Scottish Highlands and being recognized as a leading working dog of Scotland. The breed was originally given the English name of Cairn as the purpose of its breeding was to hunt rabbits between the cairn.

This early description is still used today as it helps the dog in its hunting, however in modern times the Cairn is more likely to be found as an indoor working dog. This breed is usually large with a strong build.

Although it is generally friendly and mild tempered, they are nonetheless capable hunters and very much like to bark and chase after animals, although they do not bark excessively or at every noise. They will also not be a nuisance to neighbors, however in urban settings they can often become an annoyance to some.

Because Cairn terriers are generally considered to be intelligent, they can make excellent pets. Their intelligence, agility, energy and enthusiasm are apparent and their love for their owners make them happy companions.

Dachshund

Dachshund

The Dachshund breed, sometimes called the shaggy dog, the dachshund dog, or the dog with one-legs, is a medium-sized, long-legged, short-haired dog breed that was developed by Germany in the late nineteenth century. They can be either long, sleek, or short-haired.

They are usually black and are used for hunting small animals such as rabbits and squirrels, as well as for their agility skills. The dogs were originally bred as sharpshooters, but they are now used for hunting smaller animals. It is believed that the breed originated from Russia but no evidence of the genealogy is available.

The dachshund breed can be found all over Europe and many countries in America. The first Dachshund dogs were bred to be hunters, but they later became known for their agility skills. 

In addition to its popularity, the dog has many characteristics that make it unique from other dog breeds. The breed is known for being strong and capable of agility, but it is also gentle and affectionate. 

Fox Terrier

Fox Terrier

The Fox Terrier is actually two separate breeds of this dog breed type: the Smooth Fox terrier and the Standard Fox terrier. Both of these dogs originated in a small group of dogs that were originally bred in the late 19th century by a handful of different dogs that are closely related to other common white terrier types today.

Fox terriers are known for their intelligence. Their long and strong body allows them to be strong enough to protect their owner in any kind of situation. They love to be the center of attention and can make for an exciting pet that everyone will enjoy when they are around.

These dogs also have a sweet personality that make them very easy to train, and some can even be trained to be police dogs. They need lots of exercise to stay healthy, but they love to live in a house or on their own so long as their environment is well-kept and well-maintained.

The Fox terrier is known to have a very high level of intelligence, which makes them great companions for older people. 

Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzer

The Schnauzer is considered a very intelligent dog. This makes it an excellent companion for people with an active lifestyle. This breed loves children and has an affinity for all people, even when they are young.

When left alone with a child, a Miniature Schnauzer will spend most of its time playing fetch and chasing balls around the home. Because of its intelligence, it is not uncommon for them to become involved in play fights with other dogs, especially those of larger breeds.

Another aspect that makes this breed of dog popular amongst people is they’re great family dogs. This dog is a wonderful and loving pet that will not harm a child, or any pet.

They also make great watchdogs, as they are very alert, and are quite capable of alerting on any impending danger. Because of their great dogs, their temperaments, and their loyalty to humans, this dog is considered a good choice as a family pet.

Bassett Hound

Bassett Hound

The Basset Hound comes from the hound class of dogs. The original hound breed of England was primarily bred to hunt the wild and dangerous hares and to catch other animals such as squirrels, mice and other game.

The Bassett Hound is an especially strong scent hound and is also the most highly prized of all breeds of hounds because of their excellent tracking abilities, and their ability to track and bring down hares and other game animals.

While the Basset Hound is popular as a hunting dog and as a show dog, they can also be used as a loving family dog. This breed is also known for being very loyal, and as a result they do not need a lot of training to be obedient or to become a loving companion.

In fact, these dogs tend to get along with just about anyone. They make good family companions for children and adults alike. 

Author

  • Karin S

    Welcome to All About My Small Dog, where my love for small dogs and years of hands-on experience meet your need for trusted information. As a dedicated small dog enthusiast and pet parent, I'm deeply committed to sharing expert insights, reliable advice, and a community of support. Every blog you read here is crafted with the utmost care, guided by my passion and expertise. You can trust that you're in the right place for valuable insights and a warm community that understands the unique joys and challenges of small dog ownership. Together, we'll make sure your small dog's world is filled with love, care, and knowledge.