You give Fido a bone.
And you think…
“That’ll keep them out of trouble, right?”
But then you come out to the yard.
And you find a mess.
They dug up holes to bury their treasure…
While all dogs can do this, some breeds do it more.
Is your pooch on the top of the list?
Read on to find out:
- Reasons why your dog buries bones.
- How to stop your pooch from doing that.
- 13 dog breeds that bury bones more than others.
- And so much more…
Table of contents
Why do dogs bury bones?
Dogs bury bones because of their natural survival instinct to store and preserve food. They also do it to hide their food from other hungry creatures in the area. Additionally, dogs can also bury things they consider valuable to keep them safe and protected.
13 dog breeds that bury bones
#1: Beagles
Beagles are fun-lovers.
And one activity they consider fun is digging.
Why is that?
It’s because it’s in their blood to dig.
To explain, let’s take a look at the Beagle’s history.
These pups have been hunting dogs as early as 55 B.C.
Then, in the 1500s, they were mainly used for hunting rabbits and hares.
They’d hunt in packs.
Then they’d use their first-class nose to find these creatures.
And when it comes to that, they’re one of the best.
They have one of the best senses of smell in dogdom.
In fact, they’re almost on par with the Bloodhound.
Interesting fact: According to research, Beagles can even detect lung cancer with 97% accuracy.
Also, once Beagles get a scent, they become focused on that.
Nothing else can distract them.
And that’s why they make excellent rabbit hunters.
Now, once they find the dens, that’s when they dig.
And they won’t stop until they get to the rabbits.
Nowadays, they aren’t out hunting as much anymore.
But, the digging instinct remained with them.
So they might dig in your garden.
And they might also create a den with your blankets.
More often than not, they bury bones while digging.
Sometimes, this behavior is driven by instinct. Other times, they do it out of boredom.
Moreover, your Beagle can also be seeking attention.
To curb this, they need enough exercise. And they need plenty of mental stimulation.
For that, you can give them dog puzzles.
And you could also teach them tricks.
#2: Cairn Terrier
A little silliness is great once in a while, don’t you think?
With Cairns, you’ll get plenty of that.
These pups are kings of silliness.
However, they can manifest that by burying treats.
If you give them treats, you won’t find them chewing on the goodies.
Instead, they’ll be busy looking for a hiding place for them.
Their number one spot is the yard.
And second to that are the corners of the house.
There, they’ll cover up the treats with rugs or carpets.
“What happens if I find their treat stash?”
Oh, they won’t give up hiding it.
Your pup will just dig it up.
Then, they’d find a new place to hide it.
So don’t be surprised if your yard is filled with holes.
Unfortunately, it can be hard to reprimand them.
They’re just too sweet and cute.
However, your yard and home can get too messy.
To prevent this habit, you can switch treats.
Instead of bones, I recommend giving easy-to-eat treats.
This way, they won’t have anything to store.
#3: Basset Hound
This droopy and dopey pup can look lazy.
But they’re quite the opposite.
That is especially so if you put them out for hunting.
See, these pups were built to hunt, literally.
Their breeders wanted a scent hound that was low to the ground.
In their minds, this would make a better hunting dog.
And they weren’t wrong.
That’s because everything about Basset Hounds improves their hunting ability.
For one, they already have a great sense of smell.
In fact, the AKC says that they’re only second to the Blood Hound.
Then, they have long ears and wrinkles.
“How do those help them be better hunters?”
Their long ears guide the scent up to their nose.
And their droopy skin helps keep the smell close.
Combined, all of these make them great trackers.
However, as natural hunters, they’re also natural food hoarders.
Why?
To answer that, let’s go back to their wild ancestors.
Those dogs lived from meal to meal.
And they never knew when they’ll get another meal next.
So they gorge themselves on their food for the day.
Then, if there’s a surplus, they bury it.
That way, they can go back to it when there’s no food.
However, now, that’s not how most Basset Hounds live.
But still, the instinct remains.
And they continue to keep a food stash.
#4: Dachshund
Did you know?
In German, “dachs” means badger.
Meanwhile, “hund” means dog.
So Dachshund literally means badger dog.
They were named this because they helped hunt badgers.
“But they’re so small.”
Well, that’s actually their advantage.
Their size gets them into badger dens.
And this allows them to flush the creatures out.
That’s after a lot of digging.
Don’t believe it?
Check out how deep these little pups can dig in this video:
This is the reason the habit of digging is just natural to them.
Additionally, they find it fun.
And they make it extra special by adding a bone or treat to bury.
So if you find them deep in the earth, don’t fret.
They’re just keeping their treasure safe.
#5: Miniature Schnauzer
These pups look so sweet and adorable.
But don’t let that fool you.
Schnauzers love adventure. And they won’t mind getting into trouble for it.
Also, they used to hunt rats.
To do that, they dug up burrows of small creatures.
With that, their adventure can come in digging and burying bones.
However, they can wreck your yard.
And they can make it look like a mini warzone.
To prevent that, you can assign a designated dig area for your pooch.
“How do I do that?”
First, you need to till the earth in a specific area of your yard.
Or you can purchase a sandbox.
See, dogs love to dig in soft or sandy soil.
After setting up, sprinkle or bury some treats in the area.
You can also hide toys in their dig pit.
Then, if they dig there, reward your pup.
But remember, be consistent.
Continuously bury treats in the same area.
This will make your pup love digging and burying there and nowhere else.
#6: Australian Shepherd
Aussies are wiggly balls of energy.
Because of that, it’s easy to assume it’s natural for them to go “down under.”
But digging and burying bones isn’t natural for them.
That’s because they’re herders.
And according to experts, hunting breeds are more prone to the burying habit than herders.
So why do they still love doing it?
More often than not, it’s because they’re bored.
As I mentioned, they’re filled with energy.
And they were bred to be busy.
So they’ll always be looking for something to do.
That’s why they need plenty of exercise.
So if you have an open space they can run around in, that’s great.
And if you don’t, constant long walks are a must.
You can also take them to dog parks or go hiking with them.
Another alternative is signing them up for dog sports like:
- Rally.
- Agility.
- Flyball.
- Dock diving.
These use up their extra stores of energy.
More than that, multiple studies have found that activities have many benefits to their health like:
- Improved bone health.
- Improved coordination.
- Maintained a healthy weight.
- Improved organ and lung function.
#7: Siberian Husky
Huskies are an old breed.
They go back more than 4,000 years.
And in most of that time, they were used as hunting dogs.
Moreover, they worked in the coldest regions of Siberia.
And there, game wasn’t easy to find.
Given those conditions, it became natural for them to hide stashes.
Until today, modern Huskies still continue the practice.
The problem is they’re picky with their hiding spots.
And they can hide their bones in far places.
So if you don’t have a well-fenced yard, your Husky might wander off.
Especially that they’re escape artists too.
So, it’s better to secure your fence.
And if you don’t want them to dig up your entire yard, set a dig spot.
Sometimes, they may also do it out of boredom.
That’s because Huskies love being busy and entertained.
So give do something with them like:
- Swimming.
- Playing fetch.
- Going to the dog park.
- Teaching them new tricks.
Editor’s pick: 101 Husky Memes: They’ll Surely Make You Laugh Out Loud
#8: Border Collie
Border Collies are famous farm dogs.
They’re excellent herders.
But they also have great hunting instincts.
This makes them great hunting companions.
Although, they aren’t great at stealth.
But their strength is in flushing out creatures.
Going back, their hunting instinct also brings about the want to bury bones.
They can do this in your yard.
Or they can bury it under a pillow or a couch.
However, sometimes, Collies dig and bury out of boredom.
It’s one of the ways they let out energy.
To prevent it from getting out of control, make sure to give them plenty of exercise.
This can come in outdoor activities like hiking and long walks.
And when you’re not around, toys can keep them entertained.
Try giving them puzzle toys or treat-filled Kong toys. Dog parents assure you that these work well.
#9: Alaskan Malamute
Malamutes are great, beautiful beasts.
However, they know how to get real dirty.
That’s especially when they’re hiding away a treat.
However, there’s a practical reason for that.
See, these pups came from cold areas.
There, food can be scarce.
And if they find food, they can finish it all off in a heartbeat.
However, there are times when the kill is too big.
Their solution?
Bury it for later.
That way, they won’t go hungry for too long.
Fun fact: The soil prevents dogs’ food from spoiling. In addition to that, it marinates their food. Therefore making it an extra tasty treat to come back to.
#10: Bedlington Terrier
Generally, Terriers are the king of hoarding.
The Bedlington, in particular, is a real master.
They can look like obedient little lambs.
But don’t let that fool you.
Because this pup can tear down your yard to hide their stash.
They owe this to their history of working in mines.
There, they hunted rodents.
And they developed their strong digging abilities.
Moreover, they’re not fond of leaving behind leftovers.
So after munching on bones, they’ll keep it away from everyone.
And they’ll dig a deep hole somewhere to keep it safe.
To minimize this habit, make sure your pup is well fed.
Only then can you give them a few treats or bones.
That’ll discourage them from saving up.
And it’ll encourage them to just gnaw or play with it.
#11: Airedale Terrier
Like the Bedlingtons, Airedales are hunters.
In the 1800s, they hunted ducks and rats.
And that’s where they got all the digging and burying practice.
With their skill, they can make your lawn a golf course.
However, if that’s the case, you might need to tell your pup, “Enough.”
One way you can do this is by redirecting their attention.
To do this, first, call your dog’s name.
Then get them to do a trick. Or get them engaged in another game like fetch.
After that, reward them with treats or affection. This will let them see that the new activity is more rewarding than digging.
#12: Golden Retriever
Goldens are well-loved rays of sunshine.
Surprisingly, their burying habits can make them more precious.
See, they don’t only bury bones.
They also bury toys or objects that they treasure.
This might be the reason some of your things suddenly vanish.
If they just buried it under pillows, you’re lucky.
If they took it to the yard, you’d be in trouble.
But don’t worry.
You can easily prevent this.
One way to do that is by giving them only 1 or 2 toys at a time.
And then rotate the toys throughout the week.
Also, don’t give in to the temptation to give more.
This will teach your pup to keep their toys close rather than hidden.
#13: Australian Terrier
Pristine lawns are great to look at.
But Australian Terriers might not agree with that.
See, these pups are silly.
And they love amusing themselves on their own terms.
Unfortunately, this can mean tearing up your lawn for a spot for their bones.
But don’t fret.
You can prevent that.
One way to do this is to limit their lawn access.
For instance, only let them out when they need to poo or pee.
Another way is to make them a dig-pit.
That way, they can still satisfy their cravings.
But they won’t be destroying your garden.