Dogs with short legs are often robust and adorable at the same time. While these canines were usually bred for hunting or working, they often make charming family pets, as well. With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the most popular short-legged dog breeds out there!
Sealyham Terrier
The Sealyham Terrier was developed in Wales, where its short legs gave it an advantage when hunting prey like badgers and foxes in their dens. The Sealyham’s short legs provide added flexibility, meaning it is able to twist and turn in tight spaces.
While still playful and energetic, Sealyham Terriers are relatively calm, making them excellent family pets. Looking for a bit of mischief in your life? Sealyham’s are often described as having a good sense of humor!
Dachshund
The Dachshund is a German breed of dog with a long body and short legs. Their hot dog-like shape can be owed to their original job; hunting badgers. Their long bodies and short legs were perfect for slipping into the holes and tunnels of animals like badgers, rabbits, and foxes!
These are incredibly playful dogs that love to spend lots of time around their owners! However, keep in mind that their confident nature can sometimes get them into trouble; they have a habit of not following the rules!
Swedish Vallhund
The Swedish Vallhund, also known as the Swedish Cow Dog, is a medium-sized herding dog with a wolf-like appearance. Their short legs make these dogs the perfect height to nip at the legs of the livestock they herd.
These are intelligent dogs that need plenty of tasks to stay enriched. Swedish Vallhunds are quick learners, and easy to please their owners. This is a fiercely loyal breed that is keen on alerting its owners to any danger.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Like many other dog breeds with short legs and long bodies, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier was bred to hunt tunneling prey such as otters and badgers. Although this breed is fierce while hunting, they make gentle family companions.
They are very adaptable and easygoing dogs that are well-suited to a variety of lifestyles. While their energetic nature means they need plenty of time to play and run around, they’re also perfectly happy to cuddle up next to you on the couch!
Alpine Dachsbracke
The Alpine Dachsbracke is an expert tracker. These dogs were bred for their incredible sense of smell! They were specifically used to track wounded game at high altitudes. Their short legs help them stay closer to the scent trail.
They were once highly revered for their versatility as a hunting dog, and were used to catch all sorts of different animals. The Alpine Dachsbracke is an intelligent breed, although they are known to have an independent and even stubborn side.
Basset Hound
These short-legged hounds are one of the most famous tracking breeds in the world. Their droopy faces, long ears, and baleful eyes, and make them instantly recognizable. They were bred for their short legs so that hunters on foot could follow them more easily through the wilderness.
Basset Hounds are calm and patient creatures. Like many other hunting dogs, they aren’t the most outwardly affectionate of breeds, but they are still incredibly loyal.
Skye Terrier
Skye Terriers were originally bred to hunt underground creatures like badgers, otters, and foxes. Today, however, these medium-sized dogs are more popular as family companions.
They have long, silky fur and a shy demeanor. These dogs do best in a home with adults and older kids (rather than young children) and aren’t well suited to life with other pets. Early training is a must for this breed, as Skye Terriers are prone to being bossy and independent!
Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier is yet another dog breed whose short legs were designed to give them an advantage while hunting tunneling animals like badgers and rabbits. While Scottish Terriers are a small breed, they have been blessed with incredible energy and endurance.
These little dogs are incredibly alert and always ready to work. Scottish Terriers make wonderful watchdogs! Even though these small dogs look adorable, they have a dignified and serious nature.
Cesky Terrier
This short-legged hunting dog is a Czech breed with a long head and short legs. Their short legs make them wonderful at hunting pests such as rodents. Their fur is wavy and soft, their eyes dark and expressive.
Cesky Terriers are playful yet patient, meaning they are often the perfect playmate for children of all ages! Cesky Terriers are also recognized as being one of the calmest terrier breeds, although they can be a bit more difficult to train.
Pekingese
Like other small dog breeds with short legs, the Pekingese is compact yet sturdy. These dogs were bred to be very small, so they would fit on the laps of ancient Chinese emperors. They made the perfect lapdogs of royalty and nobility, and even today, they have a graceful and dignified demeanor.
The Pekingese has long fur and even longer ears. While they are poised and elegant most of the time, they can surprise you with charming bouts of playfulness and mischief.
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a hardworking dog whose short legs made it the perfect height for nipping at the legs of livestock while herding. Like other herding dogs, Cardigan Welsh Corgis are incredibly intelligent and obedient.
They also make affectionate family pets, and are well suited to life with children and other pets. This small-to-medium-sized dog has a loud bark, making them wonderful watchdogs, as well.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of the most popular dogs with short legs. This breed is newer than the Cardigan Welsh Corgi with a much shorter, curled tail. Like the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, they were bred to have short legs in order to nip at cattle and avoid being kicked while herding. They are easy to train and highly intelligent creatures that fit right into any family!
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