20 Dog Breeds That Love to Dig, Including the Alaskan Malamute and Chihuahua

1. Norwegian Lundehund: The Underground Acrobat  

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With six toes on each paw and crazy flexibility, Lundehunds were bred to hunt puffins in burrows. Digging? It’s literally in their DNA. These quirky pups can squeeze into the tightest spots and love turning your garden into their personal obstacle course.  

2. Bedlington Terrier: The Fancy Digger  

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Don’t let their lamb-like curls fool you—these graceful dogs are diggers at heart. Originally bred to hunt vermin in mines, their elegant exterior hides a fierce determination to unearth whatever catches their nose.  

3. Alaskan Malamute: The Snow Excavator  

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These heavy-duty diggers don’t just move dirt—they can dig through snow like it’s butter. In the wild, they’d create snow dens for warmth. In your backyard? Expect them to “help” with your landscaping efforts.  

4. Lagotto Romagnolo: The Truffle Hunter Extraordinaire  

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This curly-coated Italian breed was made for sniffing out truffles underground. If they catch a scent, they’ll dig like their life depends on it (even if it’s just a squirrel hiding a nut).  

5. Dachshund: The Hot Dog That Goes Deep  

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Those long bodies weren’t just for show—they were designed to dig into badger dens! Don’t be surprised if your doxie starts creating tunnels worthy of a mining operation.  

6. Jack Russell Terrier: The Energizer Mole  

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This feisty breed has energy to burn and digging skills to match. Originally bred to hunt foxes, Jack Russells can turn any yard into a moon crater. It’s not destruction—it’s instinct!  

7. Australian Terrier: The Compact Excavator  

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Small but mighty, this Aussie native was bred to tackle rodents. They may look like your garden’s worst nightmare, but really, they’re just keeping pests in check.  

8. Beagle: The Nose-Powered Digging Machine  

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Beagles follow their noses—straight into the ground. Whether it’s a rabbit hole or a faint whiff of something interesting, they’ll dig until they find the source.  

9. Border Collie: The Intelligent Gardener  

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Border Collies are clever enough to outsmart you, and that includes digging. They might start digging out of boredom or as part of a grand plan to “help” with yard chores.  

10. West Highland White Terrier: The Fluffy Mole Hunter  

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“Westies” were bred to sniff out and dig up burrowing prey. They may look like little clouds, but they’ll happily get down and dirty in the soil.  

11. Siberian Husky: The Arctic Tunneler  

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Huskies are escape artists, and digging is their go-to strategy. Whether it’s to cool down or to find freedom, their digging instincts run as deep as the tunnels they create.  

12. Miniature Schnauzer: The Determined Digger 

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Don’t let their size fool you—Mini Schnauzers are tenacious diggers. Their terrier ancestry gives them the drive to “excavate” anything suspicious.  

13. Airedale Terrier: The King of Digging  

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Known as the “King of Terriers,” Airedales are versatile workers with a penchant for digging. If there’s something hiding underground, they’ll make sure to uncover it.  

14. Cairn Terrier: Toto’s Dirty Little Secret  

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Toto from *The Wizard of Oz* wasn’t just a cute sidekick—he was a skilled digger! Cairn Terriers are pros at rooting out rodents and will happily turn your garden into their playground.  

15. Golden Retriever: The Happy Helper  

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Golden Retrievers love a good dig, especially if they think it’s helping you. Planning to plant flowers? They’ll “assist” by pre-digging all your holes (whether you want them or not).  

16. Labrador Retriever: The Curious Excavator  

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Labs are curious and playful, and digging is just one way they entertain themselves. If they’re bored, they’ll start digging for hidden treasures in your yard.  

17. Fox Terrier: The OG Digging Machine  

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True to their name, Fox Terriers were bred to flush out foxes. Their digging instincts are so strong, they might just uproot your entire flower bed looking for a “fox.”  

18. Staffordshire Bull Terrier: The Enthusiastic Excavator 

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“Staffies” are strong, energetic, and determined diggers. If they sense something interesting below ground, they’ll go after it with gusto.  

19. German Shepherd: The Hardworking Digger  

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German Shepherds are driven to work, and sometimes that work involves digging! Whether they’re cooling off or guarding a “treasure,” their digging comes with purpose.  

20. Chihuahua: The Tiny Tunneler 

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Surprised? Despite their size, Chihuahuas have terrier-like tendencies to dig. They may be small, but their enthusiasm for unearthing things is mighty!  

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