Canine behaviors are amusing! Some dogs love food—they take their love for food to the next level by stealing morsels from their owners. This food theft is not just a sign of hunger; it reflects the dog’s intelligence, agility, and history.
Giant breeds can dare to swipe eye-level treats off the counter in no time. Successful food stealing leads to instant gratification. The dog gets an immediate response, be it a pizza slice or half a sandwich, which further reinforces the behavior.
However, addressing the behavior can get complicated unless you catch your dog red-handed in the act. The reason is that your dog will remember a stern move instead of an act they did hours ago. Let’s explore the unique traits that make some breeds skilled in this behavior.
Here are the top 7 dog breeds likely to steal your lunch.
Dog Breeds Most Likely to Steal Your Lunch
1. Beagle
Beagles are small hunting dogs with a keen sense of smell. They were originally bred for tracking, due to which they are particularly attracted to the aromas coming from your kitchen. A Beagle can imagine the meat sizzling on the grill!
While you might be able to smell the burger only, Beagles can sense the fries, the sauce, and the cheese as well. Their compact bodies enable them to sneak around quickly and make food stealing easier.
An average human has five million scent receptors, while Beagles have 225 million. Due to their strong appetite and strong noses, you will always find a Beagle in search of food or stealing snacks. Their love for food makes them vulnerable to obesity, explains PetMD.
You can prevent your Beagle from stealing food by keeping it out of reach or keeping it in containers with a lid.
2. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. due to their affectionate and friendly demeanor. These adaptable dogs can adjust to different types of households, but it does not mean they can go without training.
Goldens love food and are a pro at gently snatching it from their human. Their food-stealing antics can be attributed to their instinct of retrieving objects and their historical role as bird retrievers. These joyous and playful dogs can steal anything from food to décor.
Play retrieving games with your Golden Retriever using their favorite toy or frisbee. Do not grab the object; encourage them to drop it at your feet and reward them every time. Exercising like this can help overcome food-retrieving behavior in Golden Retrievers.
3. Siberian Husky
Originally bred to work as sled dogs in harsh weather conditions, Siberian Huskies possess survival instincts, which include foraging for human food. Having almond-shaped eyes and wolf-like characteristics, Huskies are the biggest mischief-makers you will ever come across.
Huskies are intelligent dogs who need constant mental enrichment to stay fit. That is why they find ways to entertain themselves, and it can include everything from escape attempts to food theft. If you have multiple Huskies, these pack animals will work together to steal food.
Cutting it short, these talkative dogs can steal food driven by instinct, boredom, or learned behavior. However, Huskies are medium-sized dogs; they cannot access food that is placed on the top shelves.
But they may jump from surface to surface looking for their favorite snack. To prevent them from pulling off a food heist, you might need to get inside their heads.
4. Dachshund
These small dogs have a big reputation as food thieves. Dachshunds or “badger dogs” were initially bred to hunt small game. Their hunting history contributes to their keen sense of smell and relentless nature.
Due to these traits, Dachshunds are ever-ready to steal that unattended sandwich on the counter. According to the American Kennel Club, they have elongated bodies and short legs. Their body type allows them to navigate through tight places in search of food.
Dachshunds have three varieties depending on the type of fur: classic short-haired variety, long-haired variety, and the scruffy wire-haired Dachshund. Short-haired Dachshunds require minimal grooming, while the other two variants require more grooming.
5. Boxer
These deep-chested and well-muscled dogs look like a tough guy from an action movie. Boxers might look intimidating in appearance, but these canines are known for their affectionate nature. Their playful nature and curiosity lead them to explore areas where food is kept.
Due to their athleticism and intelligence, Boxers can reach places that might be inaccessible for other dog breeds in search of food. These strong dogs nudge open cabinets with their large heads and shred plastic bags to devour the treat inside.
You can prevent your Boxer from swiping food by engaging them in a structured routine focusing on physical and mental stimulation. PetPlan recommends two hours of daily exercise for these upbeat fellows.
However, avoid over-exercising your Boxer as their short snouts make them prone to overheating.
6. Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers are the kangaroos of the dogdom, who might be small in size but are capable of jumping up to five feet in the air. Their excellent jumping abilities, combined with an agile and bold nature, make Jack Russell Terriers the ultimate food thieves.
Their history as fox hunters empowers them with strong drive and determination, which can be directed towards finding and stealing food. Their small size allows them to reach places that might seem inaccessible, and their high energy levels keep them vigilant for a snack opportunity.
Proper training using positive reinforcement methods can help discourage this behavior. It means ignoring your dog when it starts jumping and focusing on basic commands like “down” and praising them when they keep all four paws on the floor.
7. Border Collie
One of the most intelligent dog breeds, Border Collies have excellent problem-solving skills. They can master complex puzzles and commands and excel at dog sports like agility and rally. A food-motivated Border Collie will use its intelligence to steal anything from snacks to articles of clothing.
Border Collies can understand and predict human behavior. They can take advantage of this trait during the food quest. Their agility and speed also make them adept at sneaky heists. A determined Border Collie can cross all barriers, including latches and doors, to get food.
Keeping food items out of your Border Collie’s reach might need a lot of effort and mindfulness. You might need to install barriers like baby doors to keep your Border Collie from entering your pantry. Contact a dog trainer to teach your dog that some items are strictly off-limits.
Conclusion
Every dog is known for its unique personality and behavioral traits. Some dog breeds like snatching and foraging for food from their humans. Food-stealing behavior might be attributed to a dog’s historical background, keen nose, agility, or intelligence.
Some dogs have an instinct to scavenge and explore their environment. Food-stealing antics of these canines seem amusing, but can be troublesome for you in the long run. Proper training, regular exercise, and installing barriers can help overcome this problem.
