what small dogs would be less likely to attack small animals?

Question

i'm thinking about getting a dog but i have 2 rats and a bunny. I could seperate them so they never see each other but i think it would be safer for me to get one that isnt very violent with small animals like mine

Answer 1

Ok -- dogs you most likely should not get: most of the terriers, Miniature Pinschers, Dachshunds, some of the small hunting breeds like spaniels. I think a Shih Tzu, Chihuahua, Papillon, Pekinese, cavalier king charles spaniel would be pretty good. You will still have to work with them and acclimate them to your other animals but their hunting instincts are not quite so strong.

Good Luck!

Marissa C reminded me that Poms make pretty nice pets -- although the ones I've worked with can be pretty prey driven.

Answer 2

In general, most small dog breeds tend to be very tenacious. Specifically, you should avoid the greater majority of terriers, which make up a large percentage of small dog breeds. Terriers were created with the purpose of locating and usually exterminating rodents, which obvioulsy includes your rats.

Personally, I would suggest something like a french bulldog. I know a good number of people that own a french bulldog, and every one of them are very pleased with the breed. However, like all bulldogs, the french bulldog is prone to some respiratory problems. Overall though, I highly suggest this breed for your situation.

There are other options, but most of them are high maintanence. Such dogs include the Bichon Frise and Pekingese.

Obviously, I cannot possibly list all the viable options for you. I can only give you some good suggestions and a starting point. If you want to look up the different breeds on your own, I highly recommend the following site:

2000dogs.com

On the site, try sticking to the utitly/companion group or the toy group. Also, it never hurts to try your luck with a mixed-breed (mutt).

Answer 3

I have had many small, inside dogs in my lifetime and I can tell you that by far the best dog in every category, including being nice to smaller animals such as rats and bunnies, is a Pomeranian. Pomeranians are friendly, loving, obedient, caring, and protective (but not in an evil,psycho dog way) of those they love. My current Pomeranian is the best thing that has ever happened to my family and I would suggest this dog to anyone. Good luck finding the right dog and have a great day!

Answer 4

Any small dog can get along with your other pets. It just depends on how you raise the puppy and introduce the puppy to the rats and bunny. You should do it slowly, just start out by having someone hold the dog and let him/her sniff the rats/bunny, and praise the dog A LOT when he/she is behaving well. If the dog tries to bite or does some type of unwanted behavior, pull the dog away right away and say "be nice" or something along that line in a stern voice. Good luck.

Answer 5

It is extremely ignorant for people to say that the breed doesnt matter. Terriers have been bred for hundreds of years to attack small animals, that is there main purpose in life. It is hard wired into there brain. Also hounds have a strong hunting instinct. WIth rats, you deffinately dont want a terrier. With a bunny i would stay away from any hounds. I would look into maybe a pug or papillion. I think either one of these dogs would do great with a bunny. Rats are probally going to be difficult with any dog but the two I listed will give you your best chance. I have a german shephed and a bullmastiff and I also own 2 rats. Niether dog attacks the rats in there cage, they dont care about them. I have taught my bullmastiff to be nice with my rats when they are out but i would never leave them together unsupervised. As far as my german shepherd goes, I dont think he would be nice to my rats so I keep them apart when my rats are out but as long as my rats are with me on my bed my shepherd doesnt care about them.

Answer 6

agilebxr got a thumbs up from me because he did well on the breeds. Almost all small breeds were bred for either hunting rodents or because people just wanted smaller cute dogs. Stay away from all the hunting bred breeds and be very careful even with the non hunting breeds. Any dog can have the prey drive to go after your rats.

Answer 7

Well, most small dogs like terriers were bred to hunt rodents and small animals. I recommend you keep the rats and bunny separate from the dog.

Answer 8

I agree with agilebxr. I would avoid any dogs used for hunting but you probably just want to keep the dog away from at least the rats, regardless of type.

Answer 9

You should probably stay away from the terriers and hounds. They were bred for small game.

But each individual dog is different. I have huskies, a normally high-prey drive breed, that are terrified of my cat. They will go after any cat they see outside on a walk, but if it's the cat that lives with them they leave it alone. I wouldn't leave them unsupervised with the cat, but day-to-day they're fine with her.

Answer 10

it just depends on the dog. put the animals out of reach and after awhile the dog will get used to the animals being there. get a dog that isnt a natural hunter. i hope everything goes great! :)