Prey Drive
- (Picture Credit: Haydn West - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)
Dogs who were bred to hunt, such as Terriers, have an inborn desire to chase--and sometimes kill--other animals. Anything whizzing by, such as cats, squirrels, and perhaps even cars, can trigger that instinct. Dogs who like to chase need to be leashed or kept in a fenced area when outdoors, and you'll need a high, secure fence in your yard. These breeds generally aren't a good fit for homes with smaller pets that can look like prey, such as cats, hamsters, or small dogs. Breeds that were originally used for bird hunting, on the other hand, generally won't chase, but you'll probably have a hard time getting their attention when there are birds flying by.
Dog Breeds That Have Higher Prey Drive
Afghan Hound
Airedale Terrier
Akita
Alaskan Klee Kai
Alaskan Malamute
American Bulldog
American English Coonhound
American Foxhound
American Hairless Terrier
American Leopard Hound
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Kelpie
Australian Shepherd
Australian Terrier
Azawakh
Basenji
Basset Hound
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound
Beagle
Bedlington Terrier
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Sheepdog
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bichon Frise
Black and Tan Coonhound
Black Mouth Cur
Blue Lacy
Bluetick Coonhound
Bolognese
Border Terrier
Borzoi
Bracco Italiano
Braque du Bourbonnais
Brittany
Bull Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Cane Corso
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Carolina Dog
Cirneco dell’Etna
Clumber Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel
Collie
Curly-Coated Retriever
Dachshund
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Danish-Swedish Farmdog
Deutscher Wachtelhund
Dogo Argentino
Dogue de Bordeaux
Drentsche Patrijshond
English Cocker Spaniel
English Foxhound
English Setter
English Springer Spaniel
English Toy Spaniel
Entlebucher Mountain Dog
Field Spaniel
Fila Brasileiro
Finnish Lapphund
Fox Terrier
German Pinscher
German Shepherd Dog
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Spitz
German Wirehaired Pointer
Giant Schnauzer
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Gordon Setter
Great Pyrenees
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Greyhound
Hamiltonstovare
Hanoverian Scenthound
Harrier
Havanese
Hokkaido
Ibizan Hound
Icelandic Sheepdog
Irish Setter
Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Wolfhound
Italian Greyhound
Jack Russell Terrier
Kai Ken
Karelian Bear Dog
Kishu Ken
Korean Jindo Dog
Lagotto Romagnolo
Lakeland Terrier
Leonberger
Lhasa Apso
Lowchen
Maltese
Maltese Shih Tzu
Manchester Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer
Mudi
Newfoundland
Northern Inuit Dog
Norwegian Elkhound
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Otterhound
Papillon
Patterdale Terrier
Pekingese
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
Pharaoh Hound
Plott
Pointer
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
Puli
Pyrenean Shepherd
Rat Terrier
Redbone Coonhound
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Saluki
Samoyed
Scottish Deerhound
Shih Tzu
Silken Windhound
Silky Terrier
Skye Terrier
Sloughi
Small Munsterlander Pointer
Spinone Italiano
Stabyhoun
Standard Schnauzer
Swedish Vallhund
Taiwan Dog
Toy Fox Terrier
Transylvanian Hound
Treeing Tennessee Brindle
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Weimaraner
Welsh Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Whippet
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Xoloitzcuintli