12 Dog Breeds Likely To Steal Your Food (And What To Do About It)

It's no surprise that some dogs are more food-motivated than others. Yet, some breeds take their love of eating to the next level by stealing morsels from their owners -– sometimes literally right from under their noses! Giant breeds, like Irish wolfhounds, may use their size to their advantage when swiping eye-level treats off the counter. In a similar vein, some scenthounds may be powerless to resist their overwhelming sense of smell, leading to mischievous antics in the pursuit of handouts. Never underestimate the determination of a beagle faced with a pie cooling on the counter!

When successful, stealing food leads to instant gratification for dogs. After snatching something from the kitchen, whether it's a slice of pizza or a half-eaten sandwich, the canine gets an immediate reward, further reinforcing the behavior. What's more, unless you catch your dog in the act, addressing the behavior can get complicated, as they won't make the connection between a stern reproach and a move they made hours ago.

While every dog's proclivity for counter surfing boils down to their individual temperament, some breeds are just more likely to transform into furry food-snatching burglars. What motivates these dogs, and how can you prevent them from stealing your food?

As one of the largest dog breeds, great Danes measure up to 32 inches at the shoulder and tip the scale at as much as 175 pounds. While not necessarily disobedient, many owners describe their great Danes' appetite as bottomless, feeding them 6 cups of dry food a day! Needless to say, with a stomach that big, great Danes will always take a quick snack. Thanks to their impressive size, any food at eye-level could make it on the menu.

Unfortunately, surprise snacking can lead to serious health issues in great Danes. These deep-chested dogs are prone to bloat, a dangerous medical condition that results from eating or drinking too quickly, causing the to stomach to fill with gas and twist on itself. If left unaddressed, this blockage can halt blood flow to vital organs and cause death within a matter of hours. To prevent a worst-case scenario vet visit, you should regulate your great Dane's food and water intake, which may mean going the extra mile to prevent food theft.

Thankfully, you have many options for discouraging your great Dane from stealing snacks. For starters, place food in a secure container, like hard plastic Tupperware or a refrigerator-friendly canvas bag. You may also take this opportunity to brush up on basic commands like "no" and "leave it". That way, if you catch your great Dane red-handed, you can correct the behavior and reinforce your home's boundaries.

Don't be fooled by those beguiling almond-shaped eyes and wolf-like characteristics; Siberian huskies are one of the biggest mischief-makers of the dog world. While this has resulted in numerous hilarious memes certain to delight husky lovers, these intelligent canines need constant mental stimulation. A bored husky will go to incredible lengths to entertain itself, which could include anything from escape attempts to stealing food. If you have multiple bored huskies, you're in for trouble, as these pack-oriented dogs may work together to pull off a food heist!

As medium-sized dogs, huskies generally don't have enough height to access food that's stowed out of reach. Yet, they may jump from surface to surface (think chair to table to counter) in search of a tasty snack. To prevent your husky from stealing food, you'll have to get inside its head. Ask yourself: What lengths would your dog go to nab what is certain to be a tasty reward? If you were about 2 feet tall, could you snatch that tempting loaf of bread?Use the answers to these questions to adjust your kitchen layout accordingly.

Ranked as one of the United States' most popular dog breeds, golden retrievers have earned a reputation as loving family dogs suitable for many types of households. However, that doesn't mean they can go without training. They have a natural desire to retrieve objects (it's in their name, after all), which can, in turn, lead to stealing everything from decor to your food. However, you can use this trait to your advantage.

Take a few minutes every day to play retrieving games with your dog. This may involve bringing back a frisbee or fetching a toy. Do not grab the object from your golden retriever's mouth –- this isn't tug-of-war! Instead, encourage them to drop it at your feet, rewarding them each time. Exercises like this fulfill a golden retriever's instincts, making them less likely to engage in attention-seeking behaviors. They may also become less inclined to forage in the kitchen as a way to entertain themselves.

Picture this: You're walking downtown with your beagle and catch a whiff of burgers as you stroll past a fast food place. The scent is so strong that you can imagine the meat sizzling on the grill. Your beagle is having a much more intense experience. While you may only smell the burger, they can smell the grease, french fries, and day-old granola bar in the break room trash.

The average human has five million smell receptors; beagles have a whopping 225 million. As a result, these dogs are ruled by their sense of smell, making your meals and snacks too tempting to resist. It doesn't help that beagles are strong-willed and resourceful, a remnant of the breed's long history as a working scenthound.

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You can prevent your beagle from eating your breakfast by placing food out of reach, keeping a lid on storage containers, and staying mindful of where you leave eye-level snacks. Your beagle might view your attention to detail as a cruel injustice, but you're ultimately doing them a favor, as they number among the dog breeds prone to obesity. By ensuring they only eat their allotted daily calories, you can keep your furry friend free of secondary health problems, such as gaining too much weight.

Jack Russell terriers are the kangaroos of the dog world, capable of jumping up to 5 feet in the air. This amazing skill, combined with their tenacious nature, make Jack Russells skillful (if adorable) food thieves. So, how can you keep your pantry safe?

As small dogs, Jack Russells only reach a height of about a foot and typically weigh 15 pounds at the most. With this petite frame, you probably won't have to worry about your Jack Russell swiping food off of countertops and high tables. However, you should keep chairs and other low surfaces away so they don't leap from object to object. These dogs are surprisingly agile!

You may also consider whether their jumping capability will enable your Jack Russell to steal food. If so, you can utilize positive reinforcement training to discourage this behavior. That means ignoring a Jack Russell when it starts jumping, emphasizing basic commands like "down," and dishing out praise when they keep all four paws on the floor.

With fleshy jowls and sad eyes, the Clumber spaniel seems like an unlikely candidate for a food heist. These laid-back, funny dogs beloved for their gallant nature have a stocky build that doesn't lend itself to scaling kitchen counters. However, the Clumber spaniel has a knack for finding food in places you wouldn't think twice about securing. For example, a Clumber spaniel may raid trash cans in search of chicken bones or even force open a refrigerator door, achieving access to what is essentially an all-you-can-eat buffet.

As voracious eaters, Clumber spaniels will even attempt to consume non-food items like dish rags or socks. Unfortunately, this behavior (called "pica") can lead to bowel obstructions, a common issue in the breed. To keep both your food and Clumber spaniel safe, use diversion-based training methods. If you see your Clumber spaniel about to eat something it shouldn't, divert its attention using a chew toy or treat. Such actions send the message that they can chew or eat one item but not another. Curbing this behavior won't happen overnight; you must stay on top of your Clumber spaniel, continuously set boundaries, and offer safe diversions. These dogs can prove stubborn!

It's no secret that border collies are one of the most intelligent dog breeds. Not only are these canines highly biddable, but they can quickly master complex puzzles and commands. This is a major reason why they're such popular faces in certain sports, such as agility and rally. Yet, with their intellect comes a notable downside: a food-motivated border collie will use its intelligence to outsmart its owners and steal anything from snacks to articles of clothing.

Barriers like latches and doors don't stand a chance against a determined border collie. That means that even your pantry's contents may not be safe! Keeping your food out of the jaws of a hungry border collie takes a concentrated effort and consistent mindfulness. It may involve using barriers (such as baby gates) to keep your border collie from entering certain rooms or working with a dog trainer to teach your pet that some items are strictly off-limits.

It's a common misconception that because of their diminutive size, small dogs are less likely to steal food than their larger counterparts. While size can certainly hinder food-stealing efforts, some canines can overcome the disadvantages of their stature and nab snacks behind their owners' backs. One such pint-sized thief is the Papillion, a charming dog known for its affectionate yet tenacious manner.

What makes the Papillion such a sneak? They are extremely agile and able to use low surfaces as platforms to scale high countertops and tables. In fact, a border collie-papillon mix named Nimble won first place at the Westminster Kennel Club's agility competition in 2024 –– the first mixed-breed dog to cinch the title. These spaniels are also fairly fast; good luck chasing down a Papillon with a chicken wing in its mouth!

As with other small dogs prone to food stealing, preventing theft involves ensuring that food remains on surfaces out of your dog's reach. This may involve considering how your pet could access certain areas. If you want to prevent your Papillion from nabbing your food, you'll have to think like one!

At first glance, boxers look like a "tough guy" dog, boasting a square head and blunt muzzle with unblinking dark eyes. Make no mistake, however; while initially intimidating, these long-legged canines are among the goofballs of the dog world. What does a boxer love after some good-natured antics? Eating. And that goes beyond what's in its food bowl.

A boxer may rely on its physique and brute strength to achieve its goals, nudging open cabinets with its large head and shredding plastic bags to secure the sweetness inside. Unlike many bulldog-like breeds, boxers are high-energy companions that need a ton of stimulation and exercise to refrain from problematic behaviors arising from boredom. A bored boxer may search for food not out of hunger, but as a means to entertain itself.

To help your boxer thrive (and prevent it from stealing), implement a structured activity routine focused on cognitive stimulation and exercise. These dogs need anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours of exercise on a daily basis to truly thrive, so start brainstorming games, puzzles, and tricks now!

Scottish deerhounds are both curious and intelligent -– two traits that lend themselves to snacking on the sly. You wouldn't think that these dignified dogs would stoop to stealing their owners' food, but looks can be deceiving. Determination and resourcefulness are staples of the breed's disposition, honed carefully over centuries of selective breeding in the Scottish highlands. Not expecting these dogs to sneak a treat would go against their very nature as working canines.

Still, that doesn't mean that you must put up with food stealing. In fact, you shouldn't, as Scottish deerhounds may develop bloat from eating too quickly (which can happen in the heat of raiding the pantry). Excess calories can also put extra weight on your dog's joints, increasing the likelihood of arthritis and other soft-tissue conditions as they age.

You have two options regarding your Scottish deerhound's food stealing habits. The first involves changing a few things about your lifestyle. For example, you could purchase a trash can with an airtight lid that can't be forced open. You may also need to practice some mindfulness when it comes to disposing of food or leaving snacks on accessible surfaces. Secondly, you could use positive reinforcement training techniques to reward your dog for good behavior (in this case, not counter surfing) and ignore successful attempts. Above all else, refrain from harshly punishing your pet. Not only is dominance theory not evidence-based, but deerhounds are especially sensitive to reprimand.

Despite being low to the ground, corgis can be very strong-willed regarding food. Originally serving as herding dogs, they were bred to be resourceful, intelligent, and work independently of their owners. In return, this has led to a tenacious canine that will stop at almost nothing to get what it wants, whether it's an unattended sandwich or a chew toy. Corgis are also known for their sharp observation — no surprise considering the necessity of this trait while herding. However, they may use this skill to learn their owners' schedules and facilitate food stealing.

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The good news? Unlike many other food-motivated thieves, corgis aren't tall enough to access most items. Yet, that doesn't mean you should let your guard down; a corgi may utilize any opportunity (no matter how high the odds are stacked against them) to steal something. What's more, they thrive on attention and may misinterpret redirection or gentle "dog shaming" as positive.

To discourage your corgi from unwanted behaviors, focus more on diverting their attention while they're "in the act" instead of attempting to address it later. This may involve being more on top of your dog's activities and whereabouts, but with correction, they may engage in food stealing less and less until it stops altogether.

Irish wolfhounds are one of the tallest dog breeds. As you can imagine, standing at 30-32 inches lends itself to many opportunities to steal food. Using its powerful head, an Irish wolfhound may open cabinets and even the doors to appliances like the refrigerator and freezer. Many items are also eye-level, and these dogs have an incredible reach when they stand on their hind legs, sometimes towering more than 7 feet tall!

If you own one of these gentle giants, it's absolutely critical to carefully monitor their eating and drinking intake. These dogs are prone to bloat because of their size, and it's a traumatic, frightening medical emergency you don't want your pet to go through. Unfortunately, if your Irish wolfhound makes a habit of stealing food, it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause when a health crisis emerges.

Safeguarding your food involves using durable storage containers behind barriers (think of storing leftovers in Tupperware in the refrigerator) to make it harder for your wolfhound to get to. You may also consider brushing up on basic obedience commands and re-establishing household boundaries; while wolfhounds are known for having an independent streak, consistency will drive home important points and ultimately work to keep them safe.