“Prey drive” refers to a dog’s natural instinct to chase and capture prey. While that instinct can be a real asset for hunting breeds, it also makes certain dogs a less ideal fit for homes with other pets. Breeds like Border Collies and German Shepherds, for instance, tend to have notably high prey drives.
Other breeds, though, carry a much lower prey drive, making them a better match for multi-pet households. These dogs are generally able to coexist peacefully alongside cats, birds, and other small animals.
That said, no breed can ever be guaranteed to never chase another animal. Prey drive can still be managed effectively through regular exercise, consistent training, and early socialization, regardless of a dog’s natural tendencies.
Here are 7 dog breeds known for their low prey drive, making them great options for multi-pet households.
Dog Breeds with Low Prey Drive – Perfect Pets
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
With their gentle, affectionate personality, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels make wonderfully happy companions. They thrive on togetherness and form close bonds with their people, which also means they don’t do particularly well when left alone for long stretches.
Cavaliers are highly adaptable, getting along nicely with kids, other pets, and even strangers. Their relatively low prey drive makes them a solid fit for multi-pet households too, though it’s still possible for them to chase after smaller animals occasionally.
Thanks to their small size and easygoing nature, these adorable dogs also make wonderful apartment companions. As Spaniel dogs, though, they still carry a good amount of energy and need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.
According to Hill’s Pet, Cavaliers genuinely love to run and play, and many excel in canine sports like agility, rally, and obedience.
2. Maltese
Originally bred purely as companion dogs, Maltese are cherished for their beautiful, long, silky coat. That coat is also hypoallergenic, making them a great option for allergy-prone households. Deeply loyal by nature, Maltese tend to form strong, lasting bonds with their people.
This isn’t a particularly high-energy breed, so exercise needs stay pretty minimal. A few short walks or some indoor playtime is usually plenty to keep a Maltese happy and stimulated. They’re also wonderfully adaptable and easygoing overall.
Chasing after small animals just isn’t really their style. Between their laid-back nature and undeniably cute presence, Maltese tend to make excellent apartment dogs, behaving well around both kids and unfamiliar faces.
Their luxurious coat does need daily brushing to stay free of mats and tangles, and regular bathing helps keep things clean and tidy too. On the bright side, Maltese are quick learners and generally easy to train, picking up new commands with relative ease.
3. Shih Tzu
These little pups were originally bred as companions for the Chinese royals. Their historical background is reflected in their temperament and appearance. They may be small in size, but have big personalities.
Shih Tzus make incredibly loyal companions with children and other pets, according to PetMD. Thanks to their low prey drive, they are an excellent choice for homes with other pets.
Shih Tzus are highly adaptable. They can adjust well in sedentary households as well as with active owners. Having a sweet disposition, they thrive on love and affection from their humans. Leaving them alone for too long can lead to separation anxiety.
Shih Tzus are smart dogs who love to please their family members, so you can easily teach them new commands using positive reinforcement techniques.
4. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frises are calm and affectionate dogs who make playful and peppy companions for many homes. They are quite energetic and highly adaptable to their surroundings. Bichons are social butterflies.
They make new friends easily and get along nicely with children and even strangers. Bichons stay calm around other pets and do not have a high prey drive. It makes them well suited for multi-pet households.
Bichon Frise love to play with their humans and are pretty relaxed at home. They thrive on attention and affection and can develop separation anxiety when left alone for too long. These highly trainable dogs can happily spend hours resting in your lap.
Like Maltese and Shih Tzus, these toy dogs also have luscious locks. Bichons are hypoallergenic, making them ideal pets for allergy sufferers.
5. Pug
Pugs are charming, affectionate, and food-motivated canines. These toy dogs are friendly and eager to please and love spending time with their humans. Pugs are sweet, good-natured, and highly adaptable.
They can adjust well to many different living situations, including homes with kids and older adults. Pugs also get along nicely with other pets. Even your feline friends are safe and sound with Pugs.
Their small size and minimal exercise needs make them well suited for apartment living. Pugs are loved for their smooshed muzzles and wrinkly skin, but their flat faces make them prone to certain breathing issues.
Pugs are brachycephalic dogs, so you have to be careful. Do not over-exercise them or take them out in hot and humid weather.
6. French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are playful, smart, and adaptable little fellows. You can instantly recognize them by their bat ears and smooshed muzzles. These wrinkly dogs do not bark much and make great watchdogs for small homes.
According to the American Kennel Club, Frenchies thrive with singles, couples, or families and do not require extensive exercise. They are calm and relaxed around other house pets and do well in homes with multiple pets.
Frenchies are always up for playtime and love entertaining their humans with their goofy antics. They may want to chase smaller animals sometimes, but you can overcome this behavior through proper training and early socialization.
7. Havanese
Originally bred to be small and people-friendly, Havanese have a reduced prey drive. These sociable canines are great around kids and smaller pets and do not end up chasing or herding them. In fact, Havanese make loving playmates and companions.
They are outgoing, funny, and intelligent, having the instincts of a born clown. Havanese are couch potatoes who love snoozing in your lap. They need only minimal exercise to stay healthy and content.
Only a few short walks and indoor play sessions would suffice for them. They are quite popular among apartment dwellers and first-time dog owners. Havanese also thrive in multi-pet homes. They bond closely with their humans and do not like being alone.
Havanese are best known for their fluffy and long coats. The coat needs plenty of grooming to look good, but their cuteness is worth all the effort. Havanese are hypoallergenic dogs, well suited for allergy sufferers.
Conclusion
While some dogs have a naturally high prey drive, others have a low one. Dogs with low prey drive do not have a desire to chase, herd, or capture moving objects. It makes them quite suitable for multi-pet households.
They are calm and gentle around other animals and do not harm them. In fact, they love playing with them. Remember, every dog has a little urge to follow moving objects. This tendency can be managed by proper training and early socialization.
