Prey drive is the instinct of a hunting dog that helps find, locate, and collect prey. Having wolves as their ancestors, every dog has some level of prey drive, which helped them to survive. Some dogs have a very high prey drive, while others tend to be much calmer.
Usually, hunting and herding dogs are equipped with a high prey drive. Such dogs are usually very intelligent and curious. They love to explore their surroundings. High prey drive dogs are not well-suited for multi-pet households.
It is better to keep such dogs on a leash and never let them free outside a fenced yard. They need proper training and socialization to turn into well-behaved pets and loving playmates. In the absence of regular mental and physical stimulation, they can become destructive.
Have a look at these 7 dog breeds driven to hunt, due to their high prey drive.
Dog Breeds Driven to Hunt – High Prey Drive List
1. Irish Setter
Originally bred as a gun dog, Irish Setters are known for their graceful appearance and flashy red coat. Irish Setters are high prey drive dogs with an energetic nature. Thanks to their hunting history, they enjoy chasing small animals.
It makes them unsuitable for multipet households. However, if raised together with small cats and dogs, Irish Setters see them as family, not prey. In such cases, they are happy and content chasing toys. Their beautiful coats need moderate grooming.
Irish Setters need plenty of exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation. This can come in the form of long daily walks and play sessions. Irish Setters also enjoy taking part in canine sports like agility, tracking, and obedience.
These sensitive dogs understand their owners’ feelings and emotions, due to which they make excellent therapy dogs.
2. Border Collie
Border Collies were bred specifically as herding dogs who know how to control a flock of sheep with their eyes and movements. One of the smartest canines in the dog world, Border Collies thrive on having a task to do.
Their sharp herding instincts make them high prey drive dogs. But their focus is on chasing and moving animals and objects instead of killing. Sometimes, they may try to chase and herd small children. Thankfully, this behavior can be overcome with proper training and socialization.
Their high intelligence, athleticism, and trainability make them ideal for various canine sports like agility, herding, and obedience training. Border Collies need at least two hours of exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation.
Border Collies are amiable with friends, but tend to be a bit reserved towards strangers. This intelligent dog breed is highly trainable.
3. Greyhound
Champion sprinters of the dogdom, Greyhounds are gentle, noble, and sweet-tempered canines. They were bred for hunting and use their excellent sense of sight and high speed to chase their prey. Greyhounds are dogs with a high prey drive.
However, they get on well with other dogs. Greyhounds are perfectly happy to lounge around the house all day. They can use their energy and speed to chase a tennis ball or a cousring lure other than their potential prey.
Their streamlined, slender, and strong bodies enable them to run swiftly after the prey. Greyhounds are gentle companions for people of all ages. They lack protective instincts and make poor watchdogs. They are extremely loving towards their owners and bond firmly with them.
It makes them prone to separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods. Proper training and socialization are important to turn them into well-behaved pets.
4. Bluetick Coonhound
Bluetick Coonhounds are sweet and affectionate dogs with a strong instinct to hunt. They are relentless, bold, and determined hunters. Bluetick Coonhounds have tremendous prey drive. Their excellent sense of smell helps them do well on the trail.
Bluetick Coonhounds have sleek and well-muscled bodies, which enable them to efficiently chase their prey. They crave affection from their humans and do well with individuals who can provide them with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
Bluetick Coonhounds were bred for work and can become destructive if they are not given enough to do. They use their loud and mournful bark to inform their handlers once they have successfully chased and trapped their prey. However, they are too friendly and scent-driven to serve as guard dogs.
According to the American Kennel Club, they enjoy play sessions with their owners in a fenced yard and also like spending time snoozing at their handler’s feet.
5. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are dignified and even-tempered dogs that were bred to track and hunt lions in Africa. They are recognized by a ridge of hair on their back growing in a direction opposite to the rest of the coat.
With their owners, Ridgebacks are quite sweet and gentle. Their alert and strong-willed personality, combined with their high prey drive make them an excellent companion for a hunting expedition. These enthusiastic athletes require plenty of exercise for stimulation.
PetMD recommends at least 45 minutes of daily physical activity for Rhodesian Ridgebacks to stay healthy and content. They need consistent and firm training to turn into well-behaved canines. Ridgebacks form strong bonds with their owners.
They are aloof towards strangers and have a territorial nature. Due to these traits, they make excellent guard dogs.
6. Weimaraner
Often known as ‘Gray Ghost,’ Weimaraners are sleek dogs with a velvety blue or gray coat. Originally bred for hunting bears and other big game. Their hunting history is the main reason behind their high prey drive.
Having a fearless nature, Weimaraners love to chase every moving object and can perform as pointers as well as retrievers in the field. Weimaraners love to live indoors with their families but need lots of exercise and mental stimulation to be content.
A bored Weimaraner can become destructive and start barking excessively. WCA notes that Weimaraners are smart and learn quickly, but that includes good as well as bad behaviors. They have a loving nature and get along well with kids.
7. Basenji
Basenjis are smart and independent dogs with high prey drive. They are popular for their fastidious cat-like behavior and distinctive yodel-like sound called a baroo. Basenjis have a long history of serving as hunting dogs.
They tend to chase every moving object and animal. Therefore, it is better to keep them on a leash or in a securely fenced yard off-leash. The Basenji is an intelligent breed, but it can easily get bored. So, it is better to keep training sessions fun.
Basenjis have a keen sense of smell and a curious nature. They are not a great choice for homes with young kids or smaller animals due to their instinct to chase. Interestingly, their almond-shaped eyes convey human-like emotions.
Conclusion
Dog breeds belonging to herding and hunting groups usually have high prey drive due to their historical roles. High prey drive dogs love chasing every moving object, animals, and even small kids around them. It makes them unsuitable for multipet households.
Their high energy levels, athleticism, and enthusiasm drive them to hunt. Such breeds need plenty of exercise for physical and mental stimulation. With proper training and socialization, they make wonderful family pets.
