13 Dog Breeds with High Prey Drive

A lot of dogs have a high prey drive. While this can pose a challenge for dog parents, it’s a normal behavior for certain breeds. Having a high prey drive doesn’t have to be a negative thing, as long as the dog’s human can handle it. So, if you’re looking to get a dog, it’s important to familiarize yourself with dog breeds with high prey drive so you can find the best dog for your lifestyle.

Remember that while certain breeds are more likely to display a high prey drive, every dog is unique. I’ve seen plenty of instances of two dogs of the same breed behaving completely differently. For example, my rescue Shih Tzu has a very high prey drive even though that’s not typical of her breed. Thus, I always recommend getting to know a dog’s individual personality before adopting them to determine how much of a prey drive they have.

What is High Prey Drive in Dogs?

A high prey drive in dogs is a strong desire to chase and capture prey. These behaviors are most common when dogs see wild animals, but prey drive could also cause dogs to chase small pets, cats, and even other dogs. If your dog frequently chases other animals or gets into a stalking position, they likely have a high prey drive.

Should You Own a Dog with a High Prey Drive?

Owning a dog with a high prey drive requires special care. You need to ensure your dog gets plenty of physical and mental exercise to prevent them from being destructive out of boredom. You’ll also need to keep up with training and be mindful of your surroundings so you can have control over your dog when animals are present. Of course, these are things all dog owners should do, but they’re even more crucial for dogs who love to chase.

If you don’t have a lot of time or energy to commit to exercise, mental stimulation, and training, a dog with a high prey drive probably isn’t best for you. Breeds known for prey drive are adorable, but you should never choose a dog solely based on looks. Make sure you research the breed’s care requirements to decide if you can handle their needs.

Dog Breeds with High Prey Drive

Below are some dog breeds that commonly have a high prey drive due to what they were bred for. This is only a small list, so there are plenty of other breeds that fit into this category. Sporting dogs, herding dogs, terriers, and hounds are all known for having a prey drive.

1. Australian Cattle Dog

As the name implies, Australian Cattle Dogs were bred to herd cattle. They do this by nipping at cows’ heels to guide them. Even without living on a farm, these dogs have an instinct to nip and chase, so they’re not ideal for homes with small pets and young children. If they don’t get to herd, they need at least an hour or two of other intense, engaging activities daily, such as running, hiking, agility training, or lure coursing.

2. German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointers often chase small animals because they were bred to hunt, so it’s instinctual. Anything they perceive as prey could be a target, such as squirrels, birds, and rabbits. To make them less likely to bolt, it’s important to give them plenty of intense exercise and keep them leashed in public areas.

3. Border Collie

Border Collies are one of the most intelligent dogs, but they can be a handful if not properly trained and exercised. They were bred to herd sheep, running toward them and guiding them in the right direction. Without sheep to herd, these dogs need other ways to get their energy out in a home environment. If not properly trained and controlled, they might run off trying to herd animals, people, or moving objects like cars.

4. Greyhound

Since Greyhounds are sighthounds, they were bred to use their sight to locate and catch prey. If they see a small animal, they may take off without warning to catch it. Since they can run over 35 miles per hour, it can be tricky to catch them once they take off. If their exercise needs are met, they’ll likely lounge around more often than not, but it’s best to keep them on a leash in areas where there might be animals to chase.

5. Saluki

Like Greyhounds, Salukis are sighthounds, so they’re likely to chase down small critters when they see them. The Saluki is a very old breed that has been around for thousands of years. They were used for hunting in nomadic tribes, where they hunted foxes, rabbits, and even gazelles. So, they have a long history of chasing things, causing those instincts to still come through in a household setting.

6. Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terriers may be small, but they love to chase wild animals. They were bred for fox hunting. They’re brave dogs that can fit into fox dens, allowing them to chase the foxes and scare them out of their dens. In a home, Jack Russells need a lot more exercise than other small breeds, and they should be kept on a lead to prevent them from running after squirrels.

7. Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherds are great at herding sheep and cattle, making them high-energy dogs. While their herding and chasing instincts can sometimes go away with proper training and socialization, it’s in their nature to run and nip at heels. They’re ideal for an active family who loves to run and hike since they need lots of intense exercise daily.

8. Rhodesian Ridgeback

Rhodesian Ridgebacks were named for the unique line of fur on their backs that goes in the opposite direction of the rest of their fur. They have a high prey drive because they were initially bred to hunt lions. Of course, they’re no longer used for that purpose, but they still have the capabilities to do it. So, they may chase any animals that they see moving quickly, which is why training, socialization, and exercise is so important for them.

9. Weimaraner

Weimaraners were originally bred to hunt large animals, including bears, boars, and deer. Now that hunting large game is less popular, they more commonly hunt birds, rabbits, and foxes. They have a high prey drive even when they’re not used as hunting dogs due to their instincts. It’s often best to keep them in a home without any small pets just to be safe.

10. Siberian Husky

Even though Huskies were famously bred to pull sleds, they’re still a dog breed with a high prey drive. When used as sled dogs, they would often roam free when they weren’t working, hunting small animals in cold climates. Those behaviors are part of their instincts even as pets. While some Huskies might not stalk animals when they’re well-fed, others have a tendency to chase critters and even cats.

11. German Shepherd

German Shepherds have been great candidates for lots of jobs over the years, including police work, military service, search and rescue, and even service dog roles. However, they’re one of the dog breeds with the highest prey drive because they were originally bred to herd sheep. They’re intelligent dogs that can easily locate and chase down prey, and they require lots of training to prevent unwanted hunting behaviors.

12. Beagle

Beagles are sweet, silly little dogs that can make great family dogs. However, they have a high prey drive since they were bred to hunt rabbits. They spend a lot of time sniffing, and if they smell a rabbit or another small animal, they might take off running. As friendly as they are, they can be very stubborn, so it’s important for their humans to have control over them in public settings.

13. American Staffordshire Terrier

American Staffordshire Terriers, which are commonly labeled as “Pit Bulls,” were unfortunately bred for bull baiting and dog fighting. While these sports are extremely inhumane and illegal in many places, these dogs can still have an instinct to lunge at other animals. This doesn’t mean they’re bad dogs, but it does mean that they require a lot more training and socialization than other breeds.

These are just a few of the many breeds that have a high prey drive. If you’re unsure if a dog you want to adopt has a prey drive, ask the organization for more information. If you’re able to take the dog for a walk in an area where squirrels are present, that can help you determine the severity of their prey drive.

Are There Dog Breeds with Low Prey Drive?

Yes, there are plenty of dog breeds with a low prey drive, but remember, it depends on the individual dog. If you’re looking to adopt a dog with a low prey drive, pay attention to their behaviors to determine if they’re fixated on small animals or not.

As a general rule of thumb, here are some dog breeds that typically have low prey drives:

• Bichon Frise

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

• English Bulldog

• French Bulldog

• Golden Retriever

• Great Pyrenees

• Havanese

• Maltese

• Papillon

• Pomeranian

• Pug

• Saint Bernard

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Prey Drive Be Trained Out of a Dog?

You can’t eliminate a dog’s instinct to chase prey, but with training, you can control it. It’s important not to scold your dog for chasing prey since it’s a natural behavior. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement training to redirect their behaviors.

When Do Dogs Develop Prey Drive?

It depends on the dog. Some puppies develop prey drive as early as six weeks while others start showing it when they’re closer to a year old. Their environment and early experiences can play a role in their desire to chase.

How Do You Tell If a Dog has a High Prey Drive?

If a dog stares intently at moving objects or stalks wild animals, they likely have a high prey drive. Look for these behaviors when adopting a dog to determine how intense their prey drive is.

Why Do Terriers Have a High Prey Drive?

Most terriers were bred to hunt small prey, so they still have those instincts even when they’re not trained as hunting dogs. They might not do well in homes with cats or small pets for this reason.

Dog Breeds with High Prey Drive Require Special Care

Dog breeds with high prey drive can be great companions. Yet, it’s important for people to be aware of their desire to chase before adopting them. These dogs require specialized training to effectively manage their behaviors. 

While every dog is unique, it’s always a good idea to research the breed(s) of a dog you’re interested in to get an idea of how they might behave. That way, you can more easily tailor your training methods to fit their behaviors.