rabbit killer

[suttonsue]

Today I witnessed my dog chase and kill a rabbit. She has always had a chase instinct but I've probably been under the complete misapprehension that she would ever kill anything. Today I was proved wrong. This was in our local heathland/woodland park and it is one of the most wonderful places to walk a dog off lead. I love seeing her bound over logs, heather and generally enjoying herself but of course it is primarily due to the chase being rabbits or squirrels. Now I'm worried that she might mistake a very small dog for a rabbit, particularly if it is up for chasing. Do dogs recognise their own species automatically or do I have cause to worry. If so what do I do about it?

[Pawzk9]

Some dogs do mistake fast moving little dogs for prey. Many do not. My dogs are good with the inside cats, but I think if those cats were in the yard, some of my dogs would chase them, and might harm them before they realize what they are. I had one dog who would carefully herd escape cats back to the door. Some of my dogs will definitely kill bunnies if I'm not right there to call them off (in our fenced yard - I figure those must be darwin bunnies). I consider that normal canine behavior. I'd work on getting a really good "leave-it" and a great "recall" and I wouldn't let him be chasiing wildlife.

[Fundog]

My two dogs, who love to hunt, and have successfully bagged a rabbit, know the difference between small dogs and other species quite well. They do not view other smaller dogs as prey, although they might find them to be a bit of a nuisance, and be tempted to squash them. Remember that dogs have an extraordinarily keen sense of smell, and all species, even individuals within those species have a particular scent that sets them apart from all other beings. This is why hunting dogs are able to not only chase prey by sight, but can also locate them by using that keen sense of smell, even though the animal is well hidden, especially if the dog is conditioned to track certain kinds of prey.

Just for fun, if you're interested, in the General Chat section, there is a fun thread about Hunting that we had a few pages back-- it did make for rather fascinating conversation, and many of us learned a lot-- check it out!

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=5680

[Mattie]

I used to have a dog that killed rabbits, voles, pheasants, squirrels, etc but she never attempted to chase a small dog. She taught another of my dogs how to hunt and kill, he never attempted to chase a small do. I have an ex racing Greyhound, I often hear that they will kill small dogs, they have been taught to chase a hare but many live with other dogs and cats. I had a small dog and Merlin had no problems with her, in fact she was his rock, he needed her.

It is normal dog behaviour to chase anything that runs, if a rabbit doesn't run my dogs didn't chase it.

Just because your dog has chased and caught a rabbit, doesn't mean he will do the same to a small dog.

[Helen2009]

I agree with the above. My dog has caught and despatched a rabbit, he's never attemtped to do that to another dog. Mind you, my dog is bred to hunt so it comes quite naturally to him!!

[emmabeth]

YOu are right to consider this, but I wouldnt be overly concerned.

The cases where one dog hunts down and kills another 'accidentally' really do tend to occur just with dogs who havent been socialised with small fluffy 'rabbity' looking dogs AND have spent much of their lives chasing and catching for a living.

The other time this can occur, again generally with dogs not well socialised with smaller dogs, is when you have a pair of dogs running together.

Thats not to say it doesnt occur in other situations from time to time but it is rare indeed in well socialised dogs, well trained who are not ex racers.

I hope she got to eat the bunny for tea!

[doglover228]

I know how you feel I had a Jack Russell/beagle mix and she killed a chicken and a rabit but she never attacked our yorkies and some of them are really small. I don't think that your dog will but it might be good to have her know the "leave it" command just in case.

[suttonsue]

Thank you for your answers. She was with my son's small crossbreed so they probably were acting as a small pack as both are chase orientated. I checked to make sure the rabbit was dead and noticed that it had a large closed eye so probably was already ill and had no chance. I usually put her on a lead when we meet small dogs as she is inclined to chase them so better to be safe than sorry.