Breeds good around small animals?

[jupiter11600]

I know no dog is really "GOOD" around small animals, But what breeds are less likely to want to kill everything they see? After the beagle passes on sometime, I want to get another dog to train as a service dog instead of him. I like bostons but how are they as far as other critters? I would like to stay with a smaller (AKA Easier to feed!) dog...

 

[jamesanderson]

Hi,

Generall small dog breeds are easy to trained as compared to large dog breeds. visit here for more info at www.dogbreedscenter.net

 

[anna84]

Uhm it's easier to say what to exclude. I'd never trust a terrier, most sighthounds probably aren't your best bet though I've seen greyhound rescue sites where the dogs are evaluated and some individuals are said to be fine with cats.

I'd exclude most hounds, most toy dogs might be fine with small animals I'm not sure about bostons in particular though. Smaller herding dogs like shelties are really trainable so you could work with them to leave the other critters alone. And it depends on individuals of course, so talk to your breeder or rescue group whichever you decide to go with

 

[Paige]

I'd suggest a sheltie. I had one growing up and have always had a ton of small pets (cats, rodents, rabbits ect). She was actually extremely good with them. I'm not sure if that's rare or not but she use to walk around with my mouse on her head, cuddle the rabbits and G pigs, and follow the hamster around in his ball. She was excellent with other dogs and children. Not good with cats but we didn't have cats when we had her. I took care of a kitten once and she was a dream with that. Never taught anything more then sit and shake a paw but she was actually extremely well behaved. A bit of a yapper though.

Shelties are good dogs. Even better if you put some work into them.

 

[mrose_s]

I actually don't know. But I'd steer clear of sighthounds terriers and any working breeds known to have high drive (ACD, GSD, Husky etc)

Maybe a maltese? Yes, i'm biased, them and silky terriers are the only small fluffy breeds i like.

 

[Laurelin]

Papillons are really good around small animals in general. Mine are fine with my chinchilla when she's out of her cage.

Shelties are okay with them. Just speaking from personal experience. Trey would be absolutely fine, but Nikki would not be. (I've mentioned Nikki's obsession with small animals before)

 

[heartdogs]

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel maybe.

 

[StaceyWebb]

Hi,

Generall small dog breeds are easy to trained as compared to large dog breeds. visit here for more info at www.dogbreedscenter.net

That's not necassarily true.... in fact, I've heard more people complain about problems training small dogs than large, especially housetraining.

My Boxer is great with small animals, but with Boxers it definitely depends on the individual, we get some in who are dedicated cat killers and others who, like mine, adore small animals and are very motherly towards them.

Anything with 'terrier' in the name, might have a higher prey. Most terriers are made to kill small animals. They are good at it, too. :yikes:

 

[jupiter11600]

Yep Terriers I know are off limits!!! But bostons do not have much of the terrier personality from my experience meeting them?

I mean my beagle, Given the chance, Will chase something. But he isn't constantly pacing at the bird/iguana/little critter cage like some dogs do. I can stand how he is, as long as it's in the cage no biggie

What about doxies, Or Poodles I think were mentioned?

 

[Zoom]

Doxies have a prey drive as well, they're essentially terriers.

I'd say Cavalier King Charles or Paillion. Maybe American Eskimo.

 

[FoxyWench]

a poodle so long as properly socilized would make an absolutly fabulous service/therapy dog. they are eager to learn and please, they are a retrieving breed but if you get a puppy and from day one introduce him to the small animals and teach him they are not toys, you shouldnt have any problmes. Poodles are EXTREEMLY smart.

id go with a mini if your looking into poodles, toys tend to be a little more warey and a standard is bigger than you seem to be lookin into.

Doxies are not the best choice, they make great companions in terms of working but were bred to go to ground...meaning Chase small animals into their burrows, they are tenecious and known for facing down animals as feirce as badgers.

Bostons are less drivey than many of the other terriers but they are true terriers in every other way, if you can deal with a terrier personality a boston could work fine, again start from puppy and teach small animals not toys/food and never leave him alone unsupervised and it should be ok...

Pugs are a fun breed that thrive on being with their people, i can see a pug making a good service dog depending on the services your hoping the dog will provide.

Belive it or not, again depending on the services required chihuahuas can make great service dogs, Vixie alerts to seizures...she is trained to respond also but has decided she likes life better at home over working...they are generally good with small animals (not so good with insects which for some reason chis like to chase and eat lol)

of all the breeds, if your up for the grooming though a mini poodle would probably be perfect, smart, easy to train, eager to please, none shedding (good for service dogs as noone can claim "you cant bring it in here im allergic") like their people and generally enjoy having a job to do...


if you dont mind me asking...what kind of service dog are you looking for (services provided?)