Can dogs survive in the wild?

Question

Um this might seem weird, but it just recently occured to me that my dog has lived in captivity for her whole life and I was wondering if she could survive in the wild? I live in a pretty wooded area of Colorado (of course I'd wait until after winter) and there's lots of foxes, so i think logically, a Jack Russell would do pretty well seeing as how they're bred to hunt foxes. There are also all kinds of rabbits and small stuff for her to eat. Also, I was thinking of dropping her off somewhere where she couldn't get back home right away, to kinda force her to make her own home ya know? But also i wanna be able to visit her... i live about six miles from a 360 acre park would that work? Thanks!

You guys are really dumb... she LOVES being outside she kill birds all the time, and she's definately fast enough to get away from a coyote... how would you like to be fenced in all the time

is it possible for her to mate with a fox or a coyote?... please only answer if you're serious and don't just want to criticize me

Answer 1

this would be considered animal cruelty...
dropping yoru dog off in a park would be discusting!
the poor dog would be lost without you...
you dont deserve an animal that gives a person so much love back when all you can think about is dropping her off in a park to force her to learn to survive....

jack russels were NOT bred to hunt foxes thats fox hounds you dolt...
jacks were bred as RATTERS, they hunt rodents, and while many dogs have the insitinct to chase and kill, most do not put kill and eat together, shed likely starve or end up living off possibly disesed dead critters she finds around...
most wild canids will scavange whenever possible.

then theres the flea issue, hunting rabbits and rats is all fine and dandy untill she gets sooo many fleas she dies from anemia...(and yes this is a common problem found in outdoor dogs, they become so infested they can die!)
or she could pick up a tick with rocky mountain fever or lymes...either of these would kill an untreated dog.
a single bite from a mosquitoe could give her heartworm or west nile, both deadly.
raccoons, bats, foxes rats ect anything she would likely find fun chasing and killing (eating it or not) could and most likely at least one WILL have rabies...rabies is DEADLY and PAINFULL!

foxes can do serious damage and can outwit ANY domesticated dog (and easily outrun a jack) shed be torn to shreds in no time...
and coyotes often hunt in packs, while she could possibly outrun a single young unexpereinced coyote a pack familiar with the territory would kill her in no time...
(and yes coyots can mate with domestic dogs however the size of the puppies would most likely kill her during delivery

and then theres the season, jacks are not built to live outdoors, they were barn dogs, bred to live inside with hay and warm bedding or in the farmers home by the fire...a good cold front could kill her.

not to mention all the dangers of placing her in unfmailiar terrain...
and she would more than likely try to find her way home, if theres roads neerby shed be likely to get hit, especially if tired from trying to survive thanks to your idiotic and cruel experiment...

if you cant or dont want to keep your dog home with you then find her a family that WANTS her...

this entire question makes me sick.

a lone dog can survive scavenging in the city...
but a domesticated dog, in the wild with no garbage cans, and no canine pack to help hunt, keep company or sanity, its animal cruelty at its finest!

Answer 2

Any animal can hypothetically survive in the wild. The reason I say that is because of instinct and nature. When a dog gets hungry enough, it eats. If it starts to starve, it will seek out food (aka HUNT). When a dog gets cold, or it starts to rain, it will seek shelter. That is what instinct does. However, there are more factors involved than that. I have personally seen dogs that, when sepperated from their owner, simply give up. Will your dog survive? That's up to your dog. She may be able to find her way home, or she may simply give up, lay down and die. She may start her way home, yet find the wild life to her liking, and take off somewhere else. She may be attacked and killed by another animal. In short, your dog has only a slightly less chance of surviving in the wild then a dog who has spent their whole life there, does. It really depends on what your dog decides to do once she is alone. I wouldn't, however, recommend dropping her off somewhere, and having her try and find her own home. If you don't want her, ask your neighbors if they do. Then you can visit all you want.

Answer 3

the size and age will determine that. Small dogs more then likely will become prey to larger animals, heavy breeds and breeds that sit low to the ground such as a basset may have a harder time keeping up with faster moving prey(even though bassets are hunting dogs they don't always run their prey down), medium to large breeds would have a better chance if they are lean because they tend to have the speed to out run prey. the coat would play a factor as well. if you have a breed that doesn't grow a long coat it has a higher chance of freezing in the winter time where as a long haired dog would be able to stay warm in the winter. Dog that are turned out into the wild for what ever reason will either A. turn towards humans for food which ain't always a good thing especially if the people fear dogs B. the dog will become aggressive towards humans and become a threat (happens allot around my old house) C. That dog becomes shot or hit by a car and can die a slow death D. become a statistic for abandoned animals that are neglected. i really hope you ain't serious about letting her go.

Answer 4

Your dog might or might survive on her own, depending upon whether she was predator or prey. As long as she didn't encounter a coyote or other large predator, she might learn to hunt and survive. Then again, she might not and simply starve to death.

However, it would be extremely irresponsible of you to do that, and I hope this is only a hypothetical question, not a plan you're seriously considering. If she didn't survive, that would be a pretty callous thing to do. And if she did, creating a feral dog is likewise an irresponsible act.

Edit: So you let her kill birds. That too is an irresponsible act, possibly even illegal. I don't think any state allows the hunting of wild birds, except game birds like ducks and geese.

Answer 5

I didnt give you a thumbs down or report you because I believe this must be a joke... judging from the way you answered the question "I have to give my guinea pig away to a rescue center? Plz Answer!?" I liked your answer, and think that you are just curious... but if this isnt a joke, you maam are in for some wicked bad karma!

Anyways, to answer, totally! Dogs can live in the wild, though small dogs are Less likely to make it due to competition for food from other predators out there. A dog like a poodle has been bred for a specific look, and lost some of it's ancestor's instincts. Dogs like Siberian Huskys or Malamutes, or Shepherds, larger, older dogs (meaning not age, but how long they have been in existence as a direct descendant from Canus Lupus, the gray wolf) are MUCH better suited for surviving in the wild...A jack russell terrier is a little small to go after a fox for food, more likely he would learn to eat mice, chipmunks, rats, and things of that size...
But dogs are incredibly tough animals, and as long as the dog's coat is proper for the environment it would stand a good chance of surviving. If you took an alaskan malamute and dropped it in the desert, it wouldnt be able to handle the heat.. just as a short haired pitbull wouldnt be able to survive in a cold climate like new England in winter.... but assuming the dog had the right coat, it would learn and bring its natural instincts out eventually. Dogs have natural genes and instincts relating to hunting, catching food, fighting, etc... and the wonder and beauty of nature is that they can use these instincts if necessary.
Dont drop your terrier in the woods, he loves you! for future reference, if you do want to ask these hypothetical questions, just say "hypothetically, COULD a dog survive in the wild?" that way people who love dogs on here wont think you are a psycho Michael Vick wannabe, ok hunny?
Peace, oh, and Colorado rules!

Answer 6

I think you are just wondering and not being literal. I lived in Colorado before, and I do not think your dog would survive. Did you just watch a dog movie where the dog has to learn to survive in the wild? I wish I could remember the name of that movie.

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Can dogs survive in the wild?
Um this might seem weird, but it just recently occured to me that my dog has lived in captivity for her whole life and I was wondering if she could survive in the wild? I live in a pretty wooded area of Colorado (of course I'd wait until after winter) and there's lots of foxes, so i think...

Answer 8

No, your dog was not born in the wild, and has not ever lived in the wild, this would be cruel to even think of letting go to the wild to survive...

Answer 9

Bad idea. Yes, dogs can live in the wild...they are what you call feral. If the dog is not hurt by another animal, contracts a disease or parasite, it could wander into a populated area. Then, it could be run over by a vehicle, poisoned, abused, or picked up by animal control.

Please rethink this ridiculous idea. Dogs are domesticated...they are okay living in "captivity" as you put it. Do you really think having a constant companion and someone that feeds you on a regular basis is something the dog wants to give up?

Answer 10

Wait, your kidding right? A dog could survive in the wild im sure. Dogs didnt start out as domesticated anyway. But a jack russel? It will probably be eaten, injured and then eaten, or just lose its way and you'll never see it again.

Answer 11

HYPOTHETICALLY speaking, I believe SOME breeds of dogs would be able to survive in the wild. Other breeds, such as toy breeds, would not (I'm going to get negatives from Chihuahua and Pomeranian owners) . Keeping in mind that their survival in the wild would be extremely difficult and their lifespan would be greatly reduced.

In Australia, if my dog was to kill birds that were protected, I would be in deep "kaka."