Not all dogs are motivated by spending time outdoors or playing with their friends at the dog park. Some of them are motivated by only one thing, and that is food! They are food-obsessed dog breeds and would do anything for it.
Where some dog breeds have genetic conditions that lead to an insatiable appetite, for others, it’s just a love for good flavours. They will keep a good eye on all the spaces where you place their snacks and will sneak in to get a few of them as soon as you are out of sight!
Well, yes, obsessing over food and eating the favourite meal at whatever chance they get can make dogs obese. But this love for their food isn’t useless. Rather, you can use it for their training.
You can easily train these seven dog breeds to learn new commands and skills efficiently, even if they will do anything for food.
7 Dog Breeds That Will Do Anything For Food
1. Labrador Retriever
Labs LOVE food!
This food-obsessed dog breed would do ANYTHING to get their paws on their favourite meals.
But it’s not just their love for food that always keeps them eager to eat more. Rather, there is a genetic mutation in them that impacts their POMC gene. With this abnormality, the dogs are not able to regulate their appetite. No matter how much they eat, they just don’t feel full.
Training these dogs in the field for being hunters gets easier when it involves a lot of their favourite treat. Labrador Retrievers will follow your commands and negotiate emotionally to get more of their favourite snacks.
Also, as they are super intelligent, opening the drawer where you put their snacks is not tough for them. You’ll often spot them opening the drawers and trying to pick out their favourite cheese.
Use positive reinforcement training for these dogs, and you’ll never be disappointed. These friendly dogs can’t stop eating, and their genes are to be blamed for it. Give them regular exercise sessions and they won’t get obese!
2. Dachshund
The Dachshund is a famous pet dog that was originally meant to hunt badgers. Hunting big game needs a lot of energy and stamina. These food-obsessed dogs eat like they are about to go after a badger and hunt it down.
Even if that’s not true, and all they do is curl up on their rug and doze off after lunch!
However, it is the fast metabolism of Dachshunds that makes them hungry frequently. They take multiple snacks a day just because their previous food item has been digested instantly.
While you are training the dog, make sure you have lots of snacks stocked up. Whenever this food-obsessed dog showcases good behaviour, reward him with a treat, and he will display it repeatedly.
When hungry, these dogs get cranky. After finishing their dog food, they may even end up devouring your leftover sandwich as well. Also, as they have sensitive noses, they will easily sniff out all the places where you have ‘hidden’ their favourite snacks!
The only thing you need to be cautious of is that they can easily develop back problems, such as IVDD. This mostly happens when they get overweight. Give your dog enough activity time a day so it stays fit and healthy.
3. Pug
Two things that a Pug loves the most are its food and a comfy couch on which it can snuggle after having its stomach full. Compared to other dogs of this size that are energetic and active, this one waits for its meal to be served royally! If you don’t do that, you may witness a big tantrum.
These are ultimate lap dogs, Purina says. They are not bred to work or do something meaningful. Rather, they’ll just watch over your home, and in return, they need lots and lots of food to consume!
These dogs are generally not picky about what they eat. BUT, make sure that it is served on time, or else they will give you the most heartbreaking look with their soulful eyes and grumpy expressions.
Pugs are also prone to becoming overweight. This is because the whole day is spent eating and sleeping! It is very easy for folds of fat to cover their bodies quickly. This is why you must give them regular workout sessions. This will keep your dog healthy both physically and mentally.
4. Beagle
One thing that sets the Beagle apart from other dogs is its strong sense of smell. You could be opening a pack of chips in your backyard, and it will smell it! Yes, they are that good at it!
Once they smell something delicious, they would do anything to have it! They supposedly have bottomless stomachs and can eat to their heart’s content when compared to other breeds.
From human food to the frozen chicken that you cooked and placed in the freezer, this dog would have absolutely anything. Free feeding is its favourite activity!
This Reddit thread discusses Beagles’ obsession with food in detail.
Though they would eat anything, real and wholesome meat is their absolute favourite. As a pet parent, you should provide your food-obsessed dog with a high-protein diet, as it will support its active lifestyle.
Being highly food motivated, they will do ANYTHING if you offer them their favourite snacks in return! They will also give you a loud cheer out of love and happiness as soon as they see the snack.
5. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are fun-loving dogs that have a strong food obsession.
They are real hard workers who were originally bred for hunting and retrieving, as per the AKC. Hence, naturally, their bodies are made up for strenuous activities and a fast metabolism. Golden Retrievers digest the food pretty fast and then start waiting for the next meal.
At home, they won’t find a prey, obviously, but they’ll surely hunt for your sandwiches and steaks. Their love for food also makes them some of the most trainable dogs. Offer them their much-loved pieces of meat and they would do anything! This makes teaching them new commands and skills easy.
However, be sure to maintain a healthy weight, as the dog may develop various health problems, including obesity and bone diseases, if not. Portion control and regular physical activity throughout the day can help prevent unnecessary weight gain.
6. Boxer
If you thought it’s only you who loves beef and chicken with a strong taste, you’re wrong.
Boxers love food and will do anything to have it! This furry friend of yours is obsessed with good-flavoured meals. They are truly a food-obsessed dog breed that loves their dog food.
Additionally, this athletic, large breed is a working dog with a lot of energy. This is why, just like most dogs of this category, they also have a high metabolism.
Generally considered to be calm and gentle dogs, Boxers will, however, throw an absolute fit when they don’t get food on time. They will yelp till the time you make the meal, put it in their bowl, and place it in its spot.
Their response towards food is marvellous. The more food they get, the better behaviour they will exhibit.
The only thing you need to be cautious of is their food sensitivity. They are prone to getting allergies. Hence, it’s always better to check out the ingredients and let go of the items that have harmful substances in them.
7. Cocker Spaniel
This hunting dog also loves to eat as much as it loves to go after its prey.
Cocker Spaniels that are given their favourite food items to consume exhibit better behaviours than others. They are hard workers outdoors. When they are indoors, they will work hard to find the breadcrumbs that fell off your sandwich.
Even table scraps are not safe from this pup.
Positive reinforcement, lots of praise, and an abundance of snacks keep this dog motivated. Like many dogs that love food, this food-obsessed dog breed also enjoys food treats after food and would do anything to get their favourite snack.
The American Cocker Spaniel is overall a healthy dog; however, they can easily gain weight and become obese. It is necessary to prevent overeating and offer smaller portions of meals so they don’t turn stout.
Conclusion
Food obsession in some dogs is real! They adore the idea of devouring their favourite meals and consuming snacks repeatedly. Labrador Retrievers, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and Great Pyrenees are also some of the most popular breeds in the dog world, known for their love of food.
Some of them think their stomachs are specifically designed to consume as much food as possible. These dog breeds just love their dog food, and they will throw a tantrum if you do not serve them on time or according to their will.
