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10 Dog Breeds that Eat Poop

Pug Puppy Pooping

Coprophagia (the scientific name for poop eating habit) is the most disgusting practice your dog can do. Dogs don’t do that to gross you out but it is a really irritating experience for dog parents. Although any dog can develop this bad habit, the following are some of the dog breeds that are more likely to fell prey to Coprophagia.

Dog Breeds that Eat Their Own Poop

Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier

The “American Gentleman” was originated in the 1890s as a non-sporting dog. Since then, it has been a really popular breed, primarily due to its tuxedo-like markings. The affectionate and gentle demeanor has allowed them to adjust well as domestic dogs.

Eating their own poop is one of the few issues with these canines. However, it can have a huge impact on your relationship with the pet. There are many reasons (like hunger and nutritional deficiency) that might instigate a Boston Terrier to eat their feces.

Bull Terrier

Bull Terrier

This fighting dog was also developed in the 19th century. Later on, they became fashionable companions for gentlemen. Nowadays, Bull Terriers are a popular domestic choice due to their friendly nature.

These canines are considered one of the clowns of the dog world. In fact, this breed is also referred to as “the kid in a dog suit”. Although it can be a little hard to train and socialize a Bull Terrier, the biggest problem is that he eats poop.

Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terrier

Hailing from the Scottish Highlands, Cairn Terrier is one of the oldest terrier breeds. These working dogs were used to eliminate vermin from farmlands. They had (and still have) all the necessary characteristics (intelligence and tenacity) to get the job done.

These sensible canines have also done really well as family dogs because of their independent and friendly nature. However, Coprophagia can be an issue with this breed.

Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolfhound

This historic sighthound from Ireland was originally used to drag men off horses in war. In addition to that, they were used for hunting large game like bear and wolves. Similarly, Irish Wolfhounds were also used for protection’s sake.

This adaptable dog breed adjusted amazingly with the modern world as they proved an exceptional family companion. Having said that, they do need a lot of physical activity and boredom can lead them to negative behavior. Eating poop is easily the most disgusting habit of an Irish wolfhound.

Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russel Terriers were originally bred in England some 200 years ago. This white-bodied terrier has a famous background in fox hunting. Given their association with the fox, these dogs are pretty clever and lively. Similarly, they have an affectionate and charming personality that makes this breed a successful domestic one.

Generally, this dog breed is only recommended for experienced parents as these dogs can be a little challenging to train. Negative habits like Coprophagia can create some serious problems for amateur owners.   

Pharaoh Hound

Pharaoh Hound

The national dog of Malta is more than 5,000 years old and is traditionally used for rabbit hunting. Prior to its arrival in Malta, this dog of kings used to hunt gazelles with pharaohs. This was the reason why this breed was named as the ‘Pharaoh Hound’.

These dogs have an affectionate and joyful personality as they like to please their people. The fact that they can actually blush separates them from the rest of the dog breeds. On the negative side, stool eating is quite common among Pharaoh Hounds.

Rat Terrier

Rat Terrier

This American breed was originally developed as a farm dog. Additionally, it was also used for hunting ventures. The name of these dogs came from President Theodore Roosevelt after his terrier dog eradicated the rat infestation at the White House.

Rat Terriers are typical terriers with an energetic, funny, and vermin-chasing personality. Stubbornness can be an issue with this breed which makes them a little hard to train. For instance, they like to eat their feces and it can be hard to counter this bad habit. For this reason, the best possible solution is to scoop the poop immediately.

Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdog

This breed is commonly known as the Sheltie. They originally come from the Shetland Islands of Scotland and served as herding dogs. In addition to that, farmers also used these dogs to guard their gardens against birds and sheep. Nowadays, they use this expertise to make some outstanding achievements in dog sports.    

According to research, the Shetland Sheepdog is the most likely dog breed to be coprophagic. This habit of these family companions is really irritating for the owners. You can try to train your canine out of this habit if there is no underlying medical cause.

Scottish Deerhound

Scottish Deerhound

This “Royal Dog of Scotland” was originally bred to hunt the Red Deer, who is at least two times bigger than the dog. Scottish Deerhound is quite similar to the Greyhound (in appearance), but the former is a bit larger in size. Likewise, their coat is a little rough than that of a Greyhound.

Despite its massive stature, this dog breed doesn’t make a good watchdog. The reason for this is their ultra-friendly nature. Although they are quite active in the early years, they turn into a potato couch as they grow old. If you are planning to adopt a Scottish Deerhound, make sure that you have a solution for its coprophagic habits.

Whippet

Whippet

This medium-sized dog was developed, in England, as a hunting companion. Thanks to their fast pace, they were able to track down rabbits and other animals. Nowadays, whippets are doing wonderfully well as family dogs, due to their gentle demeanor and friendly nature. Similarly, this all-purpose dog has achieved great success in dog sports, like agility and lure coursing.

Unfortunately, whippets are also among the list of dog breeds that eat poop. You can try a lot of different techniques to counter this negative habit. Using specialized additives and training are the most common ones.

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