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!
Start Shopping for Dog Supplies!
Black And White Dog Breeds
Dogs’ coats can be many different colors; however black and white coats are always one of the most popular. The contrast created by these two opposite colors can really make for an eye-catching canine. So here are some of the top black and white dog breeds you’ll want...
Austrian Dog Breeds
People all over the world have bred dogs to do a variety of different tasks, such as herding, guarding, hunting, and even just laying on someone's lap! As a result, there are hundreds of breeds that hail from countless different countries. Austria has created several...
Dogs That Look Like A Carpet
The best part about dogs is that there's a breed out there for every kind of person. If you're searching for dogs that look like a carpet, you'll be surprised to find that there are quite a few breeds that fit the bill. So here are nine different carpet-looking dogs!...
Hungarian Dog Breeds
When looking to adopt a dog, you might be overwhelmed by all of the choices. After all, there are hundreds of different breeds to choose one, and each is just as adorable as the next! Not only do dogs come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, but each dog also...
Dogs That Look Like Dingoes
Black Panther Looking Dogs
One of the many wonderful things about dogs is that they come in all kinds of colors, sizes, and personalities. If you want a dog that looks a certain way, you have hundreds of breeds to choose from! If you are searching for a dog that looks as sleek and powerful as a...
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Dogs are the most popular pets in the entire world, with an estimated 33% of the earth's population owning at least one adorable pooch. Unfortunately, no matter how much you love dogs, there is one thing that can get in the way of you enjoying a canine of your own;...
American Dog Breeds
While dogs, as we know them today, are all ancestors of the wolf, different countries have carefully selected certain traits to create numerous different breeds. Just because some breeds were created in the same country, however, does not necessarily mean they will...
Tricolor Dogs
Part of what makes dogs so charming is that no two dogs look exactly alike! They come in so many different sizes, shapes, and of course, colors. One popular trait that many owners adore is tricolor dogs. Tricolor dogs have a coat that comes in three colors. The dog's...
Dogs That Look Like A Mop
With so many breeds on the planet, it’s no surprise that canines come in a wide variety of different coat types. However, seeing a dog that looks like a mop isn’t an everyday occurrence. So for those who love dogs with coats that are totally unique, here are the top...
Dogs That Look Like Wolves
Humans have been breeding dogs for centuries. With such adorable breeds as pugs and Pomeranians, it can be easy to forget where all of these dogs are descended from. Many modern dog breeds don't look anything like their ancient ancestors; wolves. However, there are...
Fox Looking Dogs
There are so many dog breeds in the world today that it can be overwhelming to choose one to take home with you. Different breeds come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and colors, but those differences don't make any one breed less adorable than the other! Of...
Dogs That Look Like Lions
The lion is considered to be the king of the jungle. Yet while they may appear regal, lions are at the same time powerful and fearsome predators. Having a lion at home isn’t an option however there are many lion-like dogs that make fantastic pets. Therefore, lion fans...
Chinese Dog Breeds
All dogs are descended from the same breed: Canis lupus familiaris. However, over time, humans were able to domesticate dogs to have different physical features and temperaments. Today, there are around 360 officially recognized dog breeds, which come from all over...
African Dog Breeds
Dogs are undoubtedly the most popular pets in the entire world. With over 360 recognized breeds today, it's no wonder different breeds have origins from every country imaginable. The continent of Africa has contributed many different dog breeds, as well. So here are...
The Cleanest Dog Breeds
Are you considering getting a dog, but don't want to deal with too much mess? Then you've come to the right place! Dogs make wonderful pets because no matter what you want in a furry companion, you're sure to find a breed that works for you. Today, we're going to take...
Dogs That Look Like Bears
When it comes to comparing canines to other animals, most people automatically think of examples such as wolves, and foxes. However, there are actually many dogs that look like bears. From those that look similar to black bears, grizzlies, polar bears, and even teddy...
Dogs That Look Like Polar Bears
Many dog breeds look similar to other types of animals. For example, there are breeds that remind us of lions, foxes, wolves, and even bears. And a few special canines closely resemble polar bears. So here are the top dogs that look like polar bears and what you’ll...
Dogs With Purple Tongues
Most canines have pink tongues. Amazingly, however, there are actually a few different types of dogs with purple tongues. This is a highly unusual trait. So here are the only dog breeds with purple tongues on the planet, along with what you’ll want to know about them....
Dogs With Pointy Ears
Let’s face it, there’s something special about the look of pointy-eared dogs. Luckily there are many breeds that have this appealing physical characteristic. So here are some of the best dogs with pointy ears and what to know about them. Corgi Both types of Corgi, the...