The term “prey drive” is mainly used to describe and analyze habits in dog training, which is an instinctive tendency to find, chase and catch prey. In different breeds, they exhibit different prey drives such as: stalking, chasing or grab biting. Here are top 10 dog breeds that have a high prey drive.
#1 – Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is a hunting dog originating from Afghanistan. The Afghan Hound is a sighthound with a high speed and a high prey drive so they tend to chase small animals. In addition, they are adapted to the harsh climate of Afghanistan with hot weather during the day and cold at night. The Afghan Hound is an ancient breed with a regal appearance with long and silky coat, very low shedding and is considered hypoallergenic. The Afghan Hound is a typical temperament dog that can be aloof and dignified, but happy and clown when playing.
#2 – Airedale Terrier
Airedale Terrier, also known as Waterside Terrier, is a dog breed of the terrier type that originated in England. It is traditionally called the “King of Terriers” because it is the largest of the terrier breeds and like other terriers, they love to dig and have high prey drive. The Airedale Terrier has a medium-length black and tan coat with a outer coat is hard, wiry and stiff, the undercoat softer and the coat is hypoallergenic. The Airedale Terrier is an intelligent, independent, strong-minded, loyal, sometimes stubborn dog and they can be good with cats and other small animals.
#3 – Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is a large working dog originating from United States (Alaska). Previously this breed was bred for use as sled dogs in cold places because they have strength, endurance and adaptation to the cold. The Alaskan Malamute also has a high prey drive, which can cause them to stalk and chase small animals. In addition, the Alaskan Malamute is an affectionate, intelligence, loyal, Independence and playful dog. However, their thick, coarse coat to keep them warm makes them a heavy shedding dog.
#4 – Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier is a dog breed of the terrier type that originated in Australia. The Australian Terrier is a small dog with short legs, with a medium length shaggy harsh double coat that is not normally trimmed. And like other true terriers, Australian Terriers have a strong natural digging instinct and a high prey drive that make them love to chase small animals. The Australian Terrier is an affectionate, human-friendly, alert, spirited dog, but may not get along well with other dogs in the house.
#5 – Border Terrier
The Border Terrier is a small, rough-coated breed of dog in the terrier group. The Border Terrier has an otter-shaped head, V-shaped ears on the sides of the head, a moderately short muzzle and a common coat color is grizzle-and-tan, blue-and-tan, red, or wheaten. Although sometimes stubborn and strong-willed, the Border Terrier is an intelligent, loyal dog, easy to train and eager to please. And like other Terriers, Border Terriers have a natural digging instinct and a high prey drive that make them love to chase small animals.
#6 – Beagle
The Beagle is a small scent hound (are a type of hound that primarily hunts by scent rather than sight) originating from England. These hunting dogs have high prey drives, they may tend to follow the scent or chase small animals. Beagles have large ears, a cute face, and a tail often erect. The Beagle is friendly, fun, gentle, and also a bit curious. Because of the dog’s excessive friendliness, so they are not a good guard dog. In addition, the Beagle is also easy to take care of and requires almost no grooming, but they also require exercise to avoid obesity. What you need to pay attention to is that their long, soft ears can become infected by being moist and not well ventilated.
#7 – Borzoi
The Borzoi is a Russian breed and their name comes from an old Russian word meaning fast. The Borzoi is similar in shape to a greyhound, and is also a member of the sighthound family with high prey drives. In addition, Borzoi has also been called the Russian Wolfhound, but they are very calm and pleasant. The Borzoi is an affectionate, loyal, independent, gentle and highly sensitive dog. Most Borzois rarely bark and are quite reserved with strangers.
#8 – Smooth Fox Terrier
The Smooth Fox Terrier is a dog breed of the terrier type that originated in England. In the past, Smooth Fox Terriers’s profession are fox bolting. They drove the foxes out of hiding and into the line of sight of the larger dogs and hunters. And like some other Terriers, Smooth Fox Terriers also have skills for hunting small prey with high prey drives and have strong natural digging instincts. In addition, the Smooth Fox Terrier is a friendly, energetic, independent dog but they can bark a lot and chase small animals because of their hunting instincts.
#9 – Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan Hound is a medium-sized hunting dog originating from Ibiza (Balearic Islands, Spain). Ibizan Hounds were known to be a good hunter of rabbits, they were agile, they could hunt on all types of terrain and working by scent, sound and sight. This breed is well-adapted as a dog breed for warm weather. The Ibizan Hound is an intelligent, sweet, active, somewhat sensitive dog that is generally good with children, and other dogs. However, they are also a bit independent, can be a bit stubborn, have a high prey drive and are often not suitable for homes with small animals.
#10 – Dachshund
The Dachshund is a very famous small breed and is called with many other names such as: Doxie, Weenie Dog, Wiener Dog, Sausage, Teckel, Dackel. They come in two sizes: standard-sized or miniature, and they can have one of three coat types: smooth, wirehaired, or longhaired. Dachshunds have a strong natural digging instinct and have a high prey drive. In addition, Dachshunds are friendly, emotional, energetic, but sometimes stubborn dogs. They always tend to want to be touched, cuddled, sit on their owner lap.
