Dogs chew for a number of different reasons, from boredom and separation anxiety to developing their teeth.
But not all dog breeds are the same and it is important for owners to know which breeds are more likely to chew, whether they already have a pooch in their lives or are considering getting one.
Nylon dog chew toy specialists TastyBone has revealed five of the most notorious chewers out there.
> Labrador
Labs are big dogs with plenty of energy. They were historically bred as retriever dogs and so are used to carrying things in their mouth. The breed is famous for being affectionate, energetic and extremely playful, which makes them more prone to chewing through boredom or loneliness. Labradors need to be kept occupied and given plenty of exercise throughout the day to make them less likely to eye up your sofa.
> Golden retriever
Similar in size to Labradors, golden retrievers have a similar breeding background, so bringing things to and from their owner in their mouth is a natural behaviour. Playful and extremely eager to please, they like to stay close to their owners and are prone to becoming stressed and anxious when left alone for long periods. Retrievers are a breed notorious for ‘mouthing’ to keep their mouth stimulated, making it important to keep them busy.
> Jack russell
Although small in stature, these boisterous breeds have a destructive nature and like to chew. Jack russells have a desire to work and explore, giving them incredible amounts of energy and stamina. As a result, training such a breed is essential to maintain a happy balance at home, while incentive-based exercises can help teach them what is okay to chew and what isn’t.
Beagle
Beagles are a medium-sized breed of dog that make fantastic companions for families, and get on well with adults and children alike. Like many dogs, Beagles are particularly keen on using their nose to navigate and explore, and are happiest when following a scent. This can lead to them chewing things in your house, so providing them with a sturdy and tasty alternative can help keep your dog content, happy and active.
> Chihuahua
One of the smallest breeds of dog, but with certainly one of the biggest and feistiest personalities, chihuahuas can travel almost everywhere with you and they make terrific watch dogs due to their territorial nature. However, the fact they hate to be left alone, and get bored very easily, makes them more likely to nibble important items. A regime of extensive exercise and long walks can help alleviate those nervous traits.
Steph Green at TastyBone said: “While these breeds are more likely than others to take a shine to chewing your furniture or clothes, no dog breed is a bad breed and all dogs bring love and affection to any family or household.
“Chewing is an inherent habit of all dogs; it is quite simply in their nature and, to an extent, they will always display that sort of behaviour, no matter what mood they are in.
“But while these behaviours can be frustrating, they are easily managed and something as simple as providing the right chew toy can be the difference between destructive and constructive chewing.”
