Breeds of dogs demonstrating a strong predatory instinct
High Prey Drive Dogs: A Guide for Potential Owners
Owning a dog breed with a high prey drive comes with both advantages and challenges. These dogs, often bred for hunting, herding, search and rescue, or law enforcement, make excellent, energetic, and trainable partners in these roles. However, their strong instincts require careful management to ensure a safe and harmonious relationship.
Pros
High prey drive dogs are known for their intelligence, alertness, and confidence. Many of these breeds excel in tasks that require tracking, chasing, or agility. For example, the Plott Hound, bred for tracking big game like bears, is highly skilled in its role. These dogs also form strong bonds with their families, often being loyal and protective, especially towards children.
Cons
The downside to a high prey drive is the tendency to chase anything that moves, which can lead to safety risks like injury, getting lost, or fights with other animals. High prey drive dogs respond better to positive reinforcement and structured activities rather than punishment. They are also prone to escaping enclosed spaces if bored or under-stimulated, requiring secure fencing and constant supervision. Without sufficient outlets for their energy and instinct, these dogs may develop problematic behaviors.
Examples of Dog Breeds with High Prey Drive
- Plott Hound: Bred for tracking big game like bears; has high prey drive and a shrill bark.
- Australian Shepherd: Strong herding/escape drive; fast, intelligent, requires constant mental/physical activity.
- Border Collie: Intelligent herding breed with strong prey/chase instincts.
- Terriers: Generally have strong prey chasing instincts.
- Retrievers: Strong hunting and retrieving instinct, also high prey drive.
- Spaniels: Bred for scent hunting, typically have active prey drive.
- Pointers: Developed to locate and pursue game; high prey drive.
- Beagles: Scent hounds with an instinct to chase small animals.
- Malamutes: High prey drive despite being a non-hunting breed; strong drive to chase.
- German Shepherd: High prey drive, used in police and protection work.
- Siberian Husky: Strong prey drive, independent and active; natural hunters.
- Pit Bull Terrier: Strong prey drive; requires structured engagement to manage it.
- Greyhound: High prey drive due to racing/hunting background.
- Rottweiler: Protective breed with prey instincts.
In summary, breeds with a high prey drive make excellent working and highly active companion dogs, but they require dedicated training, secure management, and substantial mental and physical stimulation to manage their instincts safely. Potential owners should assess their ability to meet these needs to ensure a safe and harmonious relationship.
If not given enough physical activity and mental stimulation, high prey drive breeds could develop behavioral problems. For example, the Alaskan Malamute, with its strong prey drive, can be a joy to have around and is surprisingly playful and gentle within its family pack, but it requires lots of mental and physical stimulation to keep it happy and healthy.
The Doberman Pinscher, originally bred in 1890 by Louis Dobermann for its strength and fearsome nature, is another example of a high prey drive breed. Similarly, the Border Collie, a hyper-intelligent herding dog known for its deep-seated herding instinct and strong prey drive, can involve chasing down anything that moves.
High prey drive breeds can be harder to train due to their distraction tendencies, making recall training particularly tricky. However, for owners who understand the needs of these dogs and can provide a good outlet, these high prey drive breeds make for excellent companions.
The Greyhound, known for its speed and gentle nature, has been bred for coursing, greyhound racing, and hunting, resulting in a very high prey drive that remains incredibly active. Expert guidance from a professional dog trainer may be beneficial for owners of high prey drive breeds. Experienced dog owners often find high prey drive breeds to be highly rewarding companions.
Dr Rebecca MacMillan, a qualified vet with more than 15 years of experience, discussed the pros and cons of owning a high prey drive breed. She emphasized the importance of understanding the breed's needs and providing ample mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy and well-behaved.
The Jack Russell Terrier, originally developed for fox hunting, has a strong prey drive and a hunting instinct that can result in chasing down anything that moves, including cars. Similarly, the Weimaraner, a German hunting dog, has a high prey drive due to its history as a gun dog, which can manifest in chasing small animals like squirrels, rabbits, and cats.
High prey drive breeds are usually intelligent working breeds that require plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation. With the right care and management, these dogs can make loyal, protective, and highly skilled companions.
- Intelligence, alertness, and confidence are some of the key traits of high prey drive dogs.
- These dogs are often bred for roles that require tracking, chasing, or agility.
- The Plott Hound, for instance, is skilled in tracking big game like bears.
- High prey drive dogs form strong bonds with their families, being loyal and protective.
- A disadvantage is the tendency to chase anything moving, leading to safety risks like injury, losing, or fights.
- High prey drive dogs respond better to positive reinforcement and structured activities.
- They are prone to escaping enclosed spaces if bored or under-stimulated.
- The Australian Shepherd is another breed with a high prey drive, requiring constant mental and physical activity.
- Border Collies also have strong prey/chase instincts and are intelligent herding breeds.
- Terriers generally have strong prey chasing instincts, too.
- Retrievers and Spaniels, bred for scent hunting, typically have active prey drive.
- Pointers are developed to locate and pursue game, also having high prey drive.
- Beagles are smaller scent hounds with an instinct to chase small animals.
- Malamutes have high prey drive despite being a non-hunting breed.
- German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies have high prey drive and are used in police and protection work.
- Pit Bull Terriers require structured engagement to manage their high prey drive.
- Greyhounds have high prey drive due to racing/hunting backgrounds.
- Rottweilers also have prey instincts, being protective breeds.
- Training and managing high prey drive breeds require dedication and substantial stimulation.
- Without sufficient stimulation, high prey drive breeds may develop problematic behaviors.
- The Alaskan Malamute needs lots of mental and physical stimulation to be happy and healthy.
- The Doberman Pinscher, originally bred for strength and fearsome nature, has a high prey drive.
- Border Collies have deep-seated herding instinct and strong prey drive, which can lead to chasing anything that moves.
- High prey drive breeds can be harder to train due to their distraction tendencies.
- Recall training, in particular, might prove tricky with these breeds.
- Owners who understand and provide for the needs of high prey drive breeds find them fulfilling companions.
- The Greyhound is known for its speed and gentle nature, having a very active prey drive.
- Expert guidance from a professional dog trainer may benefit owners of high prey drive breeds.
- Dr Rebecca MacMillan, a vet with more than 15 years of experience, emphasizes understanding the breed's needs and providing ample stimulation for their well-being and behavior.
- The Jack Russell Terrier, originally developed for fox hunting, has a strong prey drive and hunting instinct, possibly leading to chasing cars.
- The Weimaraner, another hunting dog, has a high prey drive due to its history as a gun dog, which can manifest in chasing small animals.
