You go out for a walk with your furry friend, and suddenly your pet spots a bird. In no time, instinct takes over the control, and he starts chasing that bird. And you are left with your mouth wide open, and that day, you found that your pet is one of the high prey drive dogs.
As per PetMD, a dog’s innate urge to chase down prey, often small animals, is known as prey drive. Some dogs have a very active prey drive, whereas others are calmer and less likely to go after any prey.
It would be difficult to control a dog with a high prey drive if not trained properly. Their prey drive can be positively redirected, although it can never be fully trained out of your dog. Moreover, with the right tips, they can be raised to become obedient and delightful pets.
In this blog, we will discuss the high prey drive dog breeds and which measures should be taken to raise them to become obedient and delightful pets.
Dog Breeds with the Highest Prey Drive
1. Greyhound
Known for their speed, slim heads, and smooth coats, you probably would see these high prey drive dog breeds chasing any ball or small animal in the yard. Because they have high speed and excellent sight, which was very useful, as they were originally bred for hunting and running. Consequently, leading to high prey drive.
According to the AKC, the king of sprinters, the Greyhound, makes for a surprisingly gentle and good-natured companion around the house. But this dog’s prey drive is considerably high. Due to this instinct, it can be difficult to walk if you’re in a place with lots of squirrels and rabbits, or neighborhood cats.
The plus point here is that they are not vicious or aggressive. Due to their affectionate and gentle temperament, these dogs do get on well with other dogs and can be in the ownership by seniors.
2. Border Collie
Descending from traditional sheepdogs and originating on the Anglo-Scottish border, the Border Collie is a super intelligent herding dog. As workaholics, they have a good reputation.
This affectionate dog makes for a wonderful companion and is one of the smartest dog breeds. You only need to ensure that the dog is adequately physically and mentally stimulated.
Stemming from their deeply entrenched herding instinct, these herding breeds have a strong prey drive. This can make them chase down anything that moves, such as other animals. Even in some instances, they start chasing humans and vehicles as well.
They can be difficult to walk around small animals, because of the fixation and high prey drive. Training and socializing must begin immediately, although they are good family dogs.
3. Jack Russell Terrier
Jack Russell Terriers are tireless and full of energy, despite their small size. They are eager to please their owners and have big personalities. They aren’t afraid to challenge a dog twice their size, as they are confident dogs.
They thrive on attention and enjoy retrieving games such as fetch. Appropriate toys for sharp little teeth are necessary because they chew a lot, especially as puppies.
Although some Jack Russell Terrier breeds will forever be chasing and barking at cats if they co-exist with them in a household. But some will get on well with other dogs and can live in homes with cats as well.
They are not appropriate pets for homes with small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, etc, as they were bred to chase rats and other small prey. These lively Terriers can get carried away and can be a bit too much for young children.
4. Rhodesian Ridgeback
As for their name, Rhodesian Ridgebacks were named after their place of origin, Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe), and after the stripe of backward hair that lines their backs, as reported by AKC. Moreover, Rhodesian ridgebacks were bred to hunt lions.
When walking or playing at the park, these fierce and strong dogs may cause difficulties. Because they see any small animal as an opportunity to hunt and chase due to their high prey drive instinct.
They are territorial, and children should never crawl on them or in their crates because they see that as their safe place to escape to when needed. They do best in homes with older children and no small pets, though they are good family dogs.
These dogs are alert and strong-willed. They need firm training and a minimum of 45 minutes of activity, through exercise and play, per day, as they are also athletes. They have minimal grooming needs and vary in color, ranging from brown to red.
5. Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is originally from the city of Weimar; hence, it got this name. Dating back to the 19th century, this German hunting dog was bred. Moreover, the Weimaraner is a sleek all-purpose gun dog and popularly known as ‘Gray Ghost’.
They are extremely smart dog breeds that have excellent speed and stamina. As they have been bred to hunt, point, and retrieve game, these gun dogs have a high prey drive. But this smart, attractive dog can make an excellent pet with positive reinforcement training.
To keep their intelligent brains busy, they do need a substantial amount of mental and physical stimulation, although they also love living indoors with their family members. Owners need to get them occupied or moving, as a bored Weimaraner is a problematic dog that will bark excessively.
6. Doberman Pinscher
In 1890, Louis Dobermann, a tax collector who was the one that bred this dog to assist him in his work, as per Britannica. Basically, it’s a strong, well-muscled dog.
Moreover, Dobermans have a strong prey drive and have a strong body, a long muzzle, and a graceful gait. They are one of the world’s best protection dogs as they are smart, fearless, and excellent vigilant dogs. In the past, often used for police work, but they’re also loyal, curious, and affectionate.
These dogs are suitable for families and active homes. People who work long hours or can’t give their dog a lot of attention aren’t suitable for this breed, because they don’t do well on their own for long periods.
7. Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute has a similar appearance to a wolf but is domesticated. They were bred to pull heavy sleds and have the endurance and energy for it. These dogs are hard workers who need a leader, who must be their owner.
They will take on the role and become difficult to manage if they don’t see their pet parent as an outgoing leader. Because they are strong-willed, stubborn, and highly intelligent.
They require at least one hour of exercise every day and need space to run and play. It is a good idea to take them to puppy training, due to their strong personalities.
They are not a good choice for inexperienced dog owners, but in the right home, they can be very loving, loyal pets.
Conclusion
A lot of exercise and mental stimulation are key to preventing destructive and problematic behavior of dogs with high prey drives. They tend to live harmoniously with cats when introduced slowly and from a young age.
However, dogs with high prey drives shouldn’t be left unsupervised with smaller pets. Training from puppyhood and strong recall are essential for these types of dogs. They must be supervised at all times because of their high prey drive. Their instincts may overpower them at any time.
