Can breeders predict what their pups will grow up like?

[SweatyCrustySocks]

If for example I wanted a dog with a low prey drive … could a breeder legitimately tell me whether their pups are likely to have a prey drive or not? (In a breed where prey drive potential is 50/50)

I would say it's as likely as predicting the future personality of your kid when they are a baby

Well I suppose they could tell you that historically pups they have bred have had low prey drives, so it’s less likely in this particular litter.

however- you are taking it on trust, there’s no way to prove it, or that they are telling the truth, or not to make the sale.

if prey drive is that important to you why choose that breed?

i have a dog with a very high prey drive- however he’s a terrier and it’s exclusively aimed at small rodents. He spends his life looking in nooks and crannies in the hope a mouse might be lurking.

I guess they can only go on previous ones they've bred
My friend breeds very occasionally and I would say from experience of seeing her other dogs, they all have outstanding temperaments, are great with children and make fab family dogs. But then she could have one that isn't, and if it's brought up badly.... nature/nature and all that

You can influence a dogs prey drive with training

what are you wanting to avoid?

Not really. There are temperament tests for puppies, but the research I've read on them suggests they're barely better than guessing. Plus, although nature is a big factor, nuture is important, too. As an example, I nearly walked away from my youngest because I thought she was too passive. Away from her litter? Hell on four legs. Good hell. Loving hell. But definitely not passive.

Pick a breed who's temperament you like, from a breeder breeding for good temperament, and you're giving yourself the best shot. But it's still a gamble what sort of adult they'll grow into.

I’m wanting to avoid a dog that can’t be offlead due to chasing cats, dogs, rabbits, squirrels etc

I know a lot of it is down to training but with some dogs no amount of training is going to eradicate that need to chase

If breeders have breed before or know the grandparents they will have a good idea of the temprement of their dogs. However there will always be outliers!

I knew that I a dog with separation anxiety will be really hard for me to live with so when getting a spaniel I researched 4 generations of the litters and have a spaniel will zero separation anxiety. Genes play a major part in the development of the dogs.

A dog with high prey drive is unlikely to be breed for low prey drive though.

Some breeds will always be much harder to train due to high prey drive so sighthound or hounds will be harder than a gundog to train from chasing for example.

I’m wanting to avoid a dog that can’t be offlead due to chasing cats, dogs, rabbits, squirrels etc

Then you need to go for a breed with low prey-drive, not one with a 50/50 potential.

Yes, there are always anomalies either way, but if a high prey-drive is a dealbreaker to you, why would you take a bigger risk than necessary?

As an example, I walk two spaniels from the same breeder. They're half siblings and both live with the same owners, so have received the same upbringing and training etc.

One has impeccable recall. I can have him off-lead in any situation and he will come back when he's called. He does chase birds, but I've never not been able to call him off the chase. The other is an unpredictable nightmare who is never let off the lead as when she runs, she runs and she will not come back.

What breed are you looking at?

Most good breeders can give you very good advice about their puppies temperament.

With the help of the breeder choose three puppies from the litter, go play in the garden, choose the pup who runs the smallest circles around you.

Agree with this. No husky for you.

I have had a dog who chased and I had to manage him constantly. It was hard work but with training it was manageable. The only dog you can have off lead and not pay attention to is the kind of dog like my toy breed; so anxious she sticks to my leg like glue. Not a dog who has any real concept of what enjoying the outside world means.

Thanks for this advice. I’m looking at Leonbergers.

No husky, no GSP, no GWP, no sight hound, no HPR.

What do you want in a dog?
What don't you want in a dog?

I want something laid back that I can walk around the forest with and stop off in pubs etc in the countryside

Labs are very trainable, rather large but the food addiction works to the trainers advantage.

Mini Schnauzers are also very trainable, I know an assistance dog one.

Poodles of all sizes are good.

Anything with a squished up nose won't run far, because it can't.

I want something laid back that I can walk around the forest with and stop off in pubs etc in the countryside too vague, I have a rabbit fur scarf that meets those requirements. I also have a pointer that loves the pub but may turn up with a rabbit, crow or jogger.

Mini schnauzers were created to be ratters also ! One of our visitor MS killed squirrels regularly

Exactly @stevalnamechanger many breeds have split into working lines and show/pet lines. The best person to advise on a puppy's potential should be the breeder.

I understand Leonbergers generally have low prey drive, like all the guardian breeds?? I'd think it's like any "drive": a good breeder will know their lines and select for preferred characteristics. But you wouldn't want a guardian with high prey drive. Hopefully @Leonberger will be along soon to confirm x

Dogs like to chase. You can’t completely breed that part of them out.
You may wish to look at a retriever or a Labrador. They are breed to ‘retrieve’ rather than ‘chase’

Well, that could apply to a whole number of breed, to be fair!

My beagle would (and does!) adore that, but you wouldn't be able to have him off the lead in the woods or he'd be off chasing rabbits and deer for hours. But then again, having to do a decent percentage of our walks on lead doesn't bother me at all. I know it's a real deal-breaker for others though.

If prey drive is a deal-breaker, then one of the retriever or companion breeds is probably the best best for you. So, labradors, flatcoats, golden retrievers, mini poodles, bichon frisés etc.

However, the flipside of some of those breeds (particular the companions) is that their grooming needs are pretty major. They need regular brushing and trips to the groomers or they'll become matted which is incredibly painful and can result in skin infections. It also means muddy walks can be a nightmare as they need to go in the bath afterwards

I want something laid back that I can walk around the forest with and stop off in pubs etc in the countryside

suprisingly, I had a Yorkshire terrier that happily did this. It had great recall, and alongside mousing saw it’s main job as keeping an eye on me, so while it would wander, it would always stop if it got too far ahead, or I’d been out of it’s sight a bit too long.

Forest it loved especially. It had a strong prey drive, but not for the chase. It would disappear into the undergrowth looking for rodents and rabbit burrows, but fairly quickly come back if nothing there.

pubs it made life easy due to it’s size. Barely noticeable, it would sit under a
chair, or preferably in the middle of a group of small children loving the attention. I was often allowed inside with it back in the day when dogs were outside only.

muck wise because they don’t have a thick coat they just rinse or shampoo off easily. I keep mine trimmed as it’s easier but doesn’t take much in between.

I would say no. You cant predict what a person would be like so why an animal.

My dog is like a clone of his dog dad. In looks and personality. The behaviour of the mum and dad are often as good an indicator as you can get.