Maybe you don’t want to admit this, but when your dog rushes to chase a squirrel or a small cat, it’s not to catch the latest piece of animal gossip. Your well-behaved pup… wait for it… has a prey drive! Dogs from all groups (hound, herding, terrier, and sporting dogs, etc) can sometimes feel the itch to stalk something.
As PetMD puts it, prey drive is an instinct in dogs to get involved in the “chase-capture-kill sequence”. Some pups will just be interested in the “chase” (we’re looking at you, herding dogs!).
Should you be worried if your mutt suddenly gets obsessed with a bird or an animal while you’re just trying to have a decent walk outdoors? Many dog breeds specifically bred to have hunting and preying instincts will retain this tendency to be a drama queen around small objects.
However, it can become an issue if it’s posing a risk to small animals, other pets, humans, or the dogs themselves. Proper training, using a leash, and keeping your doggos in fences can help manage their strong prey drive.
If you want to know which breeds are more likely to try and go after a perceived prey, this review will guide you through just that.
Dog Breeds With Strongest Prey Drive Instincts
1. Greyhound
Greyhounds’ genes and hunting background have definitely left a lot of prey drive instincts in these canines. Greyhounds have been multi-talented hunting dogs; their speed and sighthound abilities were ideal for this job.
Elegant and lean, these dogs are a marvel with their “inverted S” bodies and long legs that help them sprint like mad. They stand 27-30 inches tall and weigh between 60-70 pounds. They’re generally very sweet and well-rounded around their humans, which is why it can come off as a shock when they show their prey drive.
No training can pull off a full expulsion of prey drive, but socialization and obedience training do help manage it. Give them enough room and opportunity to use their marvelous legs, and they’ll stay in better behavior.
2. Border Collie
If you think herding breeds don’t have a prey drive, you haven’t met a Border Collie. They’re famously affectionate and enjoy fun-filled time, including outdoor walks with their pet parents; however, be prepared for them leaving you where you are to go after a little animal.
They’re lovey-dovey pets with a penchant for keeping stress off your life with their fuzzy and caring presence. Their huggable bodies come with height and weight ranges of 18-22 inches and 30-55 pounds. They have been dedicated to a fault as livestock herding dogs, which explains why they still try to go after small animals.
So when your Collie freaks out at a cat after running after it, they were probably triggered into herding mode by its sudden movement. Chill out, Cat! But really, this high-energy pup needs enough physical and mental stimulation to stay happy; taking care of these needs can wean it off the chasing habit.
3. Afghan Hound
From large animals to smaller ones, the Afghan Hound has tackled them all as a hound. This dog stands with a confident fit for royalty and leaves us awestruck with its long tresses that cover its powerful body.
The AKC states, “Afghan hound is a special breed for special people”. Adaptable and strong, this canine can grow to be 25-27 inches tall and has a weight range of 50-60 pounds. It’s surprisingly affectionate when it comes to being a companion or family dog, despite its independent nature.
A strong instinct to chase prey is an essential part of what they are, and they will express this by running after small animals at times. The good news is, they’re generally quite trainable and love to please their owners, which is something you can use to manage their prey drive.
4. Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes used to be the sled-pulling dogs for the Malemiut people of Alaska; these pups were built to be resilient against the harsh climate.
While your Alaskan is for sure a pleasure to cozy up with, you might have wondered if it’s chasing birds and cats when you’re not looking. This Spitz-type breed tends to be a high prey drive dog, which makes sense considering it’s survived in harsh environments.
Alaskans have a gorgeous, weather-proof, thick coat and stand 23-25 inches tall. Under the furred-up appearance, they can grow to be 75-85 pounds.
If your neighbor keeps knocking to complain about your Alaskan chasing its small dog or cat, it can be embarrassing. This pup can have a stubborn streak, but it will show you respect if you’ve asserted your status as the “pack leader”. Training them patiently and early will help you curb some of their not-so-cool chasing instincts.
5. Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinscher defines “alertness” with its athletic build, perky ears, and sharp mind. It’s a badass protection dog (Dobies were literally built to protect), and a loyal sidekick.
Dark and graceful with rust markings and a shiny coat, the Doberman Pinscher is one of the most gorgeous pups. It stands 24-28 inches tall and weighs between 60-100 pounds. High energy playmate, tireless guardian, and fan of playing fetch, this mutt has all that it takes to be awesome.
As protective dogs, be ready for your Dobie to not be cool with strangers all the time. As per Petplan, they tend to chase wildlife and livestock whenever they get a chance; caution is strongly recommended.
6. Jack Russell Terrier
While your JRT might be looking at you with its puppy eyes as if saying, “I didn’t do it!”, it probably did chase your neighbor’s pet rodent. Jack Russell Terriers might not look the par,t but they are one of the high prey drive dogs.
This pooch can grow up to 12 inches tall and weigh up to 15 pounds. JRT is really playful and loves to be around its pet parents or cuddle up in their laps. This dog’s prey drive is a leftover of its history as a ferocious rodent catcher and small fox hunting dog (Yep, this very pup!).
This little dog needs to be on a leash when outside, and it’s better to watch them if you have smaller pets in the house. It’s impossible to completely curb their desire to chase, but it can be handled with proper socialization and obedience training.
7. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rhodesian Ridgeback is another hound dog with a strong, natural prey drive that will pop its head when you’re least expecting. If you’re adopting this woofer, you better have a fenced area where it can put its strong legs to use without running off to chase other people’s pets.
These dogs were originally bred in Southern Africa to hunt big game and even got the name of the “African lion hound.” These canines stand 24-27 inches tall and weigh between 70-85 pounds, as per Britannica.
They have strong innate desires to run after small animals; if they haven’t received early training, they can become hard to manage for inexperienced owners. They love to be their own person (sorry, dog), but can also learn to be really obedient if trained properly.
Conclusion
These strong and resilient dogs might enjoy chasing prey for their own reasons, and it’s important to know when they’re doing it. While these habits might seem normal to some extent, make sure they’re kept in check.
A well-raised dog is more likely to control its prey drive instincts; if you’re adopting a new pup, make sure you get in touch with a reputable breeder or rescue center.
