The staff is a rescue dog and 12 months old? can u advise please
2007-02-06 06:50:56 · 20 answers · asked by hobbit 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
If you slowly introduce them, to see how they react towards one another, they might do alright. Some dogs and rabbits will get along and some will not. If your dog does become aggressive. You might want to get a invisble fence and place it around the hutch so he will not go near it.
Good Luck.
2007-02-06 06:55:44 · answer #1 · answered by jlyn1980 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Thats a hard question to answer. Does the dog have a strong prey drive? Does it get enough exercise? How extensive is the training?
My brother has a pit bull also and she once caught a squirrel (I think the squirrel was either REALLY old or just not paying attention) anway.... she caught the squirrel. Held it for a moment then let it go. She had no idea what to do with it. She has more fun chasing it than when she caught it.
My point is - is that if the dog doesn't have a strong prey drive than the rabbit is safe. It may have genuine curiosity and you should indulge the curiosity. Let the dog sniff and get to know the rabbit. It'll take the mystery and the edge off. Once the dog knows whats going on, it tends to lose interest.
If the dog however has a strong prey drive then you need to find a job for the dog. Hunt classes, search and rescue maybe, obediance competitions. Something that not only works off the excess energy by gives the dog a mission and redirects it's energy.
Good Luck
2007-02-06 06:58:20 · answer #2 · answered by sillybuttmunky 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes but don't let the rabbit out of the hutch to play in a run in the garden or loose with you unless the dog is shut in the house.
If you want to take the rabbit inside to play tie the dog up in the garden first and shut the doors so the rabbit can't run out to him.
I would advise against trying to make them be friends.You might manage that with a puppy as a young pup wouldn't be capable of hurting a rabbit but at a yr old yours is easily big enough to kill a rabbit so not worth the risk.You wouldn't forgive yourself if he killed the rabbit.
It is unlikely the dog will try and break into a hutch though but don't let him annoy the rabbit-pull him away if he sniffs at it and seems to be scaring it.
2007-02-08 09:47:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every dog's predatory drive is different. If the rabbit is let out while the dog is there the dog will probably chase it, because it ran. Any dog wil chase something if it runs away from them. You just have to test your dog. First show the dog the rabbit in the cage and if it seems fine with the rabbit take the rabbit out and then you'll know if it's going to be a problem or not.
2007-02-06 06:55:26 · answer #4 · answered by Jessica1987 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the individual dog, but most terriers of any kind, pit bulls included, have a very high prey drive. Most terriers will kill small animals, and even tear their way into a pen or hutch to get at them. I wouldn't recommend a pit bull terrier be allowed to go near a rabbit hutch, although it does depend on what the individual dog is like.
2007-02-06 06:58:47 · answer #5 · answered by Steel 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well they're not mellow dogs so you'd have to keep the dog FAR away from the bunny. And you have to be carefun because the sound of a dog bark can give a rabbit a heart attack. I think you'd be better off without the dog or try a more mellow breed like a Golden Retriever. I have 2 rabbits and a golden and luckily they get along but you can never be sure.
2007-02-06 07:00:49 · answer #6 · answered by Zaxop 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In my own experience we had two staffs and a male rabbit believe it or not the rabbit would chase the dogs around the garden. But the dogs were pups when they met the rabbit.
good luck
2007-02-06 07:01:59 · answer #7 · answered by BRIAN D 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no animal including a dog is 100% guarenteed to be perfect with another animal. lots of animals do however get along but occasionally fall out from time to time. check with your rehoming centre on the background of the staffy. if their unsure then introduce you new dog with your rabbit (keeping your dog on a lead and keeping your rabbit in the hutch) if your rabbits kept inside and they dont get along then its going to be a problem. but if your rabbit is kept outside then you could work round it as long as you always kept an eye on them (still a big responsibility though) it doesnt make a difference on the breed of dog i have 2 rescue staffies and they so lovable, loyal, fun, good sports, brave, but need firm and commited owners.
2007-02-06 08:19:45 · answer #8 · answered by ben e 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you think a lot of the rabbit, don't take the risk.
You have no idea how the dog will react. It may like rabbits, or it may like rabbit, if you see what I mean.
2007-02-06 07:03:02 · answer #9 · answered by efes_haze 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not unless you want to frighten your rabbit to death...
While the dog may be kept physically away from the rabbit by the hutch enclosure, it can still bark, growl, drool, and otherwise terrify your rabbit.
You ARE aware, aren't you, that rabbits can die merely of shock?
If not, take a gander at this website:
http://www.rabbit.org/faq/faq.txt
"...a rabbit can still die of fright while a predator taunts the rabbit from outside...."
Please do your bunny a favor, and keep it as an only child (pet)...
2007-02-06 07:02:19 · answer #10 · answered by Julia A 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋