9 Naughty Dog Breeds That Will Destroy Your House

Photo by Alex Zotov from shutterstock.com

We are all familiar with the feeling of horror when we walk into a room, and we’re greeted with the huge mess created by our dog. It’s like a rite of passage for our puppies to ruin an entire room simply for their pleasure.

However, you should know that not all dog breeds are like that, in fact, some are very calm and don’t have the energy and desire to ruin your home.

Don’t get us wrong we love all of them and we think the best of them, but there are certain breeds that have a destruction tendency, and here’s which ones:

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82 thoughts on “9 Naughty Dog Breeds That Will Destroy Your House”

  1. Jean Ann Spillman

    Your article is right on target. I live on a 3 acre lot. My two year old beagle, Sister, went to the neighbor’s house and stole his cell phone from the picnic table, bringing it to my carport. She also procured a pair of men’s boxers from somewhere (I’m a widow.) . Of course, she has brought me various road kill also. It has been a chore, but after adding chicken wire to my pipe fencing, I think I have her contained. She is very smart and probably figure an escape eventually. She also has been very difficult to housebreak. Since I have another old chiweinee that has never been in a crate, I hate to crate her. BUT she is a very cute and loving dog.

    1. The story about your beagle showing up with a pair of men’s boxers had me laughing. My last beagle, Penny, had once stolen a pair of my underwear when she was a puppy and was running through our back yard with it! My current beagle, Lucy, had a thing for shoes when she was very young. She’s mellowed out as she’s aged, but she still loves to roll in stinky things. And she has chased and killed a handful of wild rabbits in our yard (we live only a few blocks from a wooded trail, so we get a lot of them in this area, and they like to hide under our deck). I’ve had to put a muzzle on her when she goes outside to do her business. I hope your dog will take to the crate okay. I’d crate-trained both Lucy and my coonhound Abby without any real issues. In fact I leave the door open during the day with blankets and they both like to lounge in it.

    2. My 10 year old beagle can still climb up a 6 ft fence !! If we don’t have him tied up he escapes every time !! Ithink he has a girlfriend because I find him at the same spot every time !! I take a piece of sweet baloney along to bribe him into the car !! He likes that better than her and he hops in every time !!

  2. The Maltese that I once owned was very smart. If I would leave him in my car, for what he thought was too long, he would press and beep the horn. He wouldn’t do it long….but if
    my car was the only one on the lot…I knew who (what) was blowing the horn. He definitely was a great lap dog, and loved to be groomed!!

    1. Wish mine loved to be groomed! My little girl is very well behaved except the barking to get her own way and hates to be brushed. She is perfect for the main reason I wanted a dog, although I wasn’t thinking Maltese. When I take hearing aids out at night I don’t hear but she hears everything! She was given to me at 4 years old and most training was done and I can’t imagine life without her! She is now 13.

    2. Omg!!!! I have the same dog and she’s very territorial about me even when it comes to kids and grandkids and will tear the bathroom garbage up🤣🤣🤣

  3. Yes they drag everything in. I had one many years ago along with a cat. The cat disappeared for about 3 months. Here came the beagle dragging what was left of her in.

  4. I have a Huskimo (Siberian husky and American Eskimo) that is a very naughty breed, she eats the door trim and baseboards, potholder, muzzles, chairs (wood and cloth and stuffing), she actually ate a razor from the bathroom even the blades were chewed up, but they were not swallowed, thank God. She actually eats anything that she can get to. She plays with the cat, but she was with him since she was 4 months old so she doesn’t try to eat him, but they play pretty rough, when he gets tired of playing with her, he just goes some place high so she can’t reach him. They actually love playing together, both of them love it.

    1. My Doxie does the same thing even though she has numerous squeeze and chew toys she loves to chew and many cloth ones she loves to disembowel…

  5. I own Yorkshire terriers and if left alone for too long they are very destructive. I tell people I believe they have a little beaver in them. Mine have chewed through the support on my wooden dining chairs, chewed the corners on all my kitchen cabinets, and my wooden doorframes, they have dug holes in my drywall next the back door and torn the weather stripping from the door frame, they love to shred paper and rip apart every stuffed toy or dog bed I’ve ever given them. But they are great companion dogs. And excellent watch dogs. They are very alert and will sound the alarm if they hear anyone touch your door.

    1. My Yorkie Spike the worse he ever did was pull kleenex out of my little garbage can next to my desk and shread it lol now that’s he’s older he no longer does that. He did kill all his stuff toys stuffing all over and even all over him. Basically the most loving, loyal, best dog I’ve ever had he’s my buddy and now 15yrs old.

    2. I also have Yorkie, when I 1st got him he chewed the light cord that was plugged in, I mean chewed to the wire & I took him to the vet to be checked, but everything was fine, he done it again, one that wasn’t plugged in and he chewed the end off of it! He does love chewing paper, he got up on my night stand & got a 100.00 dollar bill, a 20.00 bill a couple of ink pens! Chewed up a lot of his toys, but I had to tell him he can’t do that, it was chore training him, but now the only thing he chews up kleenex or other papers he finds, but for the most part he is a very good 🐕, I just can’t break him of the barking! Any clues? I won’t use shock collars, I tried one on my SHITZOO & he did a flip, so I touched my chest with it and it really shocked me! Never used it again very inhumane! They should take them off the market!

    3. We have had several small dogs. We crate trained them from infancy. They have all grown up thinking that the crate, with cushion and cuddly blanket, and a chew toy, is a safe and cozy place to be! No destruction in our house!

  6. I can’t even find the article about the nine dog breeds. All of the advertisments open up just fine, even when you don’t want to see them. the internet is great for research. Social media and headline articles that are hidden somewheres in the way too many ads are horrible. By the way, i’ve had Jack Russels for many years. They are incredibly smart, but you better keep them occupied, or they will seriously tear up stuff.

  7. I have had Beagles most of my life. I was raised with them and later married and owned my own, a rescue, ,( who lived long but died of liver disease.) .
    They are the cutest breed imaginable , but absolutely the naughtiest. Shoes, leather bags, belts cushions, parquet floors – . you name it, they chew it. I love them BUT, they steal, bring you “;trophies” from the garden, and if they get in your pantry, take anything edible. . My mother’s beagle once stole a whole hard cheese – long story short, he required emergency veterinary treatment to disimpact him! We had a pair of beagles who ran loose along the beach. Imagine how I felt when they came back with some unfortunate bather’s clothing and presented it to me! BUT PLEASE BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THEY ALL ADDED GREAT JOY TO MY LIFE.

  8. I can’t agree with everything said about the Dachshund. Yes, they can be stubborn, but I have been a Doxie mom for 53 years and have had no problem housebreaking them or teaching them certain commands. Like all dogs, it takes patience. Keep in mind that dachshunds were bred to be independent thinkers and tenacious. They were bred to hunt badgers and small game underground, corner them, and hold said animals at bay. That takes courage and tenacity, sometimes called stubborness.

  9. My husband brought home a purebred Shi Tzu pup about a year old, and he has been impossible to housebreak, not to mention how destructive he is. He is high energy, very sweet and affectionate and gets along with our cats and 2 dachshunds. He will grab anything and chew it to pieces. I have raised many dogs from puppyhood and never had such destructive behavior from any dog. I am a disabled retired teacher so I am home all day. It’s not a matter of separation anxiety. I believe he needs more exercise than what my husband gives him.

  10. Martin Versteeg

    Our Boston/ Brussels Griffon tore up toys, scattering the fuzz out of stuffed toys in the living room as a pup.
    When we are gone, he stays in the laundry room and doesn’t damage anything. He is a great dog.

  11. The Brittany is also one who can’t be left alone, especially when they are young. They will chew your furniture and even window sills. They love to dig and just generally cause chaos. But as with the others, proper training and lots of exercise wins the day and you will have a companion like no other!

  12. How about Yorkies. I have a 6 month old Yorkie that has chewed holes on the wall and the cat trees, destroyed 3 throw rugs, and I can’t even leave a remote or my phone on the end table for literally 30 seconds because she grabs it and hides it. I’m hoping she will outgrow these behaviors but as of now I’m very pessimistic. She is smart and knows what leave it and no means, you just chooses to ignore me.

  13. I absolutely disagree about Jack Russell’s! Apparently, there are bad owners if they are on the list. They are a high energy dog and between the 17 we have have/had in our home and all our relative’s homes they were all trained, were smothered with much love were treatted very well and mind well! But, if you can’t handle “small children” you shouldn’t be owning a jack russell. They are one extremely smart dog! You must exercise them and be able to keep up with them, keep their attention and continue to train and go throughtheir basics consistently with positive reinforcement which is why all 17 of ours and our family’s dogs have been exceptional!

  14. Ann Louise Onton

    How about a Labrador Retriever who 5 minutes after being left alone would pick up and chew up everything not nailed down including rugs, kids toys, pillows, etc., while running madly around the house knocking over everything in his path (chairs tables, etc.]?

  15. We had a Jack Russel live next door. He was convinced he lived with us. Every morning, after his run, he returned to our back door. What a cutie pie.

  16. You forgot German Shepherd Dogs. Left unattended, they can destroy furniture in minutes, and eat walls and window sills. If they get bored, they can be VERY destructive! Even a trained GSD will destroy your house if they get a wild hair. But they’re still cute. 😛

  17. I have beagle lab mixes. One dog acts more lab and the other acts beagle. They chew up everything. I call them super chewers. Hard to house train but I keep trying. Mine are horrible on leashes and they are litter mates so they like to fight but they love each other. The lab is so lovey dovey and the beagle is a good watch dog. They are super high energy. They are called begadors

  18. Interesting to note that most of the breeds (save the Husky) are small, high-strung types.
    I’ve had a Keeshond and Samoyed. Both well behaved and loyal.

  19. What I see that is common among these dogs is they were bred to do a job. Hunt vermin and small animals. Pull sleds. Herd livestock. Guard property and farm. These dogs are intelligent, have high energy and get bored easily. Hence ” destruction” if not occupied with something engaging. All dogs need training, exercise and interaction from their owners. Bringing them to a dog park then being self absorbed with one’s smart phone is not owner interaction for them.
    I have owned 3 of the breeds on the list. Yes, they did destroy some items- my fault for not putting the items away. As soon as I saw they attempting to go after an item that was not their toy, I’d tell them ” No, not yours” then give them one of their toys to distract from the off limit item. It took a while to train them but ended up withgood dogs that if they did destroy something, ut was their toys. Consistent training, praise, exercise and play time works.
    BTW, I’m a Credentialed Veterinary Nurse.

  20. Ive had shelties my entire adult life. This is so UNTRUE about shelties!!! Where do you get your information?!?!?

  21. Austrian cattle dogs ,
    You can’t leave them a lone for to long they would eat the house they need play time and running

  22. Next time you make this list please add Basenji’s at the top …..I’ve owned 2, and they are incredibly agile, tuned into their wild hunting instincts & destructive, even when they have access to outside and are exercised regularly. I’ve also had 2 beagles, and think putting them at #2 is a bum rap …with regular leashed walks, my beagles had very good inside behavior. They wanted to please in a way the Basenji’s never did!

  23. I would like to leave a remark, BUT BECAUSE OF THE ADS I CAN’T READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE! Where is the list of dogs? FU your horrible website and phony lead.

  24. yup – I can testify this one is true (pitties) – anything hard plastic – remotes, glasses. But I love this guy dearly.

  25. I have a 7 month old Doxie who has destroyed my very expensive couch set. I love her to death and have had and loved Doxies for over 50 years. But yes, she can be a handful. She also has refused to be potty trained even though we have a 3 year old standard poodle who does her business outside but unfortunately my Doxie will not follow her example. The are a very intelligent but stubborn breed and only do what they “feel like” doing! LOL!

  26. The only way I get my Huskies to not rip my house to shreds? Tire them out in the am with 2 hours of high-intensity exercise (4 hours in the winter). Then they sleep until I’m done with work. Best. Life. Hack. Ever!

  27. My brother and SIL have had shelties for many years. Their current one, when he was a baby chewed through many leashes, but none of their shelties ever ruined things in their house.

  28. I’ve had two shelties, and neither one was destructive. They were very good dogs, had some quirks like being afraid of storm drains, But otherwise, very smart and easy to train. One of them watched TV, and was inseparable from our other dog, who was a rescue dog. Both died of cancer, however, at the age of 12.

  29. your top ten leaves a lot to be desired;

    Boxers, Alsatians, Great Danes, Standard Schnauzers, Airedales, Dalmations and Bulldogs are all miffed you didn’t include them on your list;

  30. The majority are hunting dogs, the rest are working dogs, regardless of their size, none of them are suitable for inside dogs.

  31. I would like to add a Great Pyrenees to your list of dogs that can destroy your home. They need a lot of training. I do mean a lot. I have cats and he still thinks that he is the only one who should catch them and bring them back. They grow fast so you really need to train early before they start to get too big to handle. She is a love and loves children. But gets excited when they run around. She loves to chew the pillows and edges of the couch. She hates to be left alone and barks a lot. I have now put the TV on so she feels some one is home. Loving sweet but an over sized two year old at times If you are not tough enough forget this dog. Blessings

  32. you forgot golden retrievers. we had one and she tore up everything. she dug up some pipes and I had to call the plummer 3 times in one summer. she tore some molding off our house. most destructive dog. I have several maltese and they will tear up paper towels if u leave them down. but overall not even close to the golden. also I knew someone with a Labrador and he was even worse than the golden.

  33. Like all breeds that were bred up to be active workers with their people, border terriers can destroy doors, fences, kennels, furniture, etc. I n addition, they are escape artists. Given at least an hour a day of exercise and plenty of play and snuggle time, they are perfect charmers. I could not live without them.

  34. My family has owned both Dachshunds and Corgis. Sweet, affectionate dogs and never a trace of destruction. Were we just lucky?

  35. You missed the basenji! Basenji owners share stories of all the things their dogs have destroyed!

    I had one that tore up my headliner, seat and seatbelt in my truck when I left him alone for 5 minutes. And another that tore up every throw pillow we tried to put in the living room.

    I’ve heard stories of them digging their way through an outside wall in a house! Through drywall, insulation, and wood siding!

  36. I adopted a 6 year old beagle. With beagles there are a couple rules to follow. Always lock up your trash and his dog food drawer, or the dog will leave you a mess. Don’t leave any food out on the counter, the dog will eat it. Beagle can jump up and get things off your counter. The most important one: Never leave any food or food wrappers in your pockets. Beagles will chew a hole in you clothing to get the food or the food wrapper. Beagles can also chew off the plastic lid on your jar of peanut butter.

  37. Samoyeds are WAY worse then almost all of those. Almost all breaders have contracts in order to be put on wait list and one of the items in those contracts is agreeing to never leave a Samoyed without a person for longer than 2 to 4 hours depending on breeder.

  38. I disagree- I’ve had 4 previous dachshunds and currently have a mini dachshund. None of mine tore up my house- this little girl does like to dig but only if she gets bored. They are a great breed and if she has lots of toys, she doesn’t bother anything else

  39. I had one Toby and he was a total destruction machine. I love him but Never again! He was red smooth hair. Rest in peace my little man!

  40. My German Shepherd is extremely destructive when I leave him alone. He is very attention seeking and loves to have people right beside him at all times otherwise he might eat everything on the counter, including non-edibles. He is an extremely loving dog, but I have never had as much trouble satisfying a dog as I do him.

  41. FRANKLIN FULLERTON

    I have a beagle sitting beside me right now, and it has been a long time since I haven’t had a beagle. If you remember Uno the beagle, first to win best in show at Westminster in 2008, this is a beagle from “Lambur” blood line, so a beautiful dog. That doesn’t mean she’s not destructive, like every beagle I’ve had. I can’t even find toys that will stand up to their destructive behavior.

  42. My Sheba Inu was a rescue and never stops shedding. It’s ridiculous! The love they offer is unmatched. Mine tolerates the cats who live in our house and plays when we’re not looking. The feral cats who hang nearby her fenced in yard, have no hope if they cross the barriers

  43. I have a “silky cocker/cockertese…… his parents were both silky cocker bred from a cocker spaniel and Maltese.
    He is beautiful, refuses to be brushed, and looks like it come grooming day.
    He’s about 25 lbs and if I’d stop treating him for just being cute he might look better at 22 or 23. But oh brother does he become vocal when he wants something and you ignore him. He’s 4 yrs old and it took every day of those 4 years to house break him. He’s really lucky to be alive !!!
    But he loves to be touching me. He lays on my feet, lap and anywhere he can sleep while touching me at night. I wouldn’t trade him for the world….. oh oh oh barking…..I taught him to whisper !!!! And he does !!!!! Hilarious !!

  44. I have a Sheltie (now 7 years old). He does love to rip tissues, paper towels and boxes if you let him but he is not destructive at all.
    He is trained to “leave it” and he does. It is all how you train ANY breed.

  45. you forgot Pinschers mine can take things out of my purse and chew, she loves books, letters , sofas filling and whatever is chewable

  46. I have a Cardigan Corgi / Jack Russel mix. While intensely curious and shed moments after being brushed the only destructive tendencies she has is digging…

  47. I had a male corgi; he was the sweetest, cuddliest, and brightest I have ever had. He did shed a lot but did not destroy the house. I sure miss my Spencer boy!

  48. Rottweilers can efficiently destroy anything within reach if they are bored or feeling vindictive, lol. Mine took the siding off of my house before we got him under control.

  49. I’ve had two dogs from the list, a Siberian and a Dachshund. They were both well-behaved, though Nikki, the Husky, had her moments when it came to house-breaking and her love of running.

    Still, nothing compared to my Great Pyrenees. It doesn’t matter if it’s trash, pillows, clothes, shoes, the list goes on, she’ll run off with it until it’s in shreds, or she becomes bored with it. I have to order new TV remotes at least once a month, and I buy several at a time. I hide them, put them where I don’t think she can reach, but it doesn’t matter; she always finds a way.

    Sadie thinks she’s a lapdog and can be troublesome when she climbs on top of me when I’m sleeping. Snuggling is wonderful, but when she lays across my face and neck, it can be too much. I love her to death and she’s beautiful. But she’s so large, heavy and strong that waking up with her on top of you, refusing to budge, it’s an experience!

  50. I would have added golden retrievers and labadors . Great with children but I have never owned an dog that can destroy so much property in such a small amount of time.

  51. Whoever wrote this knows nothing about dogs, doesn’t write well, and should stop trying to pretend they know something when they don’t. As for Beagles, the owner has to be smarter than the dog.

  52. My dad and our family raised & Bred Beagles growing up at home & we never had any issues with any of ours! They were always well behaved, never chewed up anything! We also had a Sheltland Sheepdog & no issues with him! I think it is how they are brought up! At one time we had 10 beagles all were very well behaved dogs! We left them alone During the day why us kids were in school, My Dad working & Mom was always gone uptown visiting a friend & Shopping! We did have a area they could go outside & go to the bathroom, but they could roam the house any other time!

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