8 Dog Breeds that Pounce

Some dogs can’t resist the urge to dash after anything that moves. They have a high prey drive and love to chase almost everything whether they are birds, rodents, or even leaves. The following is a list of 8 dog breeds that pounce on everything that catches their eye.

Airedale Terrier

Airedale Terriers are the biggest dogs in the terrier family. They are large, strong, and have a tireless spirit. These attributes have earned this dog breed the nickname “The King of Terriers”.

Airedales are usually quite docile, but they never back down when protecting their home. These energetic canines need a lot of daily exercise to stay happy. This is the reason why they excel in many dog sports, such as agility.  

Given the high prey drive of this dog breed, Airedales were bred as trackers and hunters. They still enjoy chasing squirrels and rabbits and will pounce on everything that’s within their eyesight.

Bull Terrier

This dog breed is perhaps the most comical and mischievous among all. The Bull Terrier is quite playful and rather stubborn. It’s an irony that one of the most amiable dog breeds started as ferocious gladiators in blood sports. This big-boned breed was bred even after blood sports were banned in the 1830s.

Bull Terriers are often called “eggheads” due to the egg-shaped head. If given enough time, attention, and training, they can become a lovable and entertaining companion. They are quite active, energetic, and need plenty of exercise. A Bull Terrier does become playfully fierce if he/she spots a small animal.

Chihuahua

This tiny dog has a huge personality and is very keen on chasing after moving objects. Chihuahuas originated in Mexico, but the exact details are rather murky. When the Toltecs held sway in Mexico, they bred Techichi (a larger and heavier version of the modern Chihuahua). However, it is confirmed that these hardworking, little dogs lived in remote villages during the 1800s.

The small size of this breed makes it an ideal city pet. Chihuahuas love to stay calm as long as they get quality time in their owner’s lap. These small dogs have a high prey drive, and their calm attitude vanishes in no time upon spotting a critter. Even tiny dogs require training and without it, this clever devil will rule your household like a little Napoleon.

Greyhound

Greyhounds are the definition of “form follows function” because they are perfectly built for high-speed pursuits. This dog breed is considered to be the very template for how a hunting dog should look like. The shock-absorbing pads on the feet and the aerodynamic skull are few of the things that help them accelerate. Although they have adopted well as family dogs, Greyhounds are still an extremely popular breed within the racing world.

Generally, Greyhounds have a calm demeanor, and they display a laid back attitude. However, their strong prey drive comes into action as soon as something scurries past these canines. They love to pounce on their prey and won’t need a second invitation to run after it.

Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolfhounds are the tallest of all dog breeds. They date as far back as the year 391 when seven of these hounds were gifted to the Roman Counsel. The Irish Wolfhound was created by breeding the indigenous large dog of Britain to the Middle Eastern coursing hound. They were known to kill wolves in combat.

Irish Wolfhounds look too calm and serene to be considered fierce guard dogs. They are patient with children, but care should be exercised when dealing with dogs this big. However, all the composure vanishes when they see a creature scurrying past their line of sight. They will pounce given the slightest chance.

Pharaoh Hound

These coursing hounds date back to 3000 B.C in the Mediterranean. Pharaoh Hounds were high-speed hunters back then and are still bred for hunting on rocky terrain. The sleekness of this dog breed does their strength no justice. However, an incredibly aerodynamic body allows these canines to chase small game over punishing terrain.

At home, the Pharaoh Hound is calm and affectionate. They like to spend some peaceful time in the company of their people and enjoy human interaction. However, the prey drive has not decreased for this breed at all, since its origination in 3000 B.C. Consequently, they are often seen pouncing on critters and small animals.

Saluki

The beauty of Salukis has been a thing of wonder for over a thousand years. Even the modern-day Saluki is a gorgeous animal with all the grace and elegance. Despite being slim, this dog breed is extremely strong and perfectly balanced, just like an athlete. Experts say that Salukis date as far back as 7000 B.C and were hunters for kings, such as Alexander the Great.

The modern Saluki retains its shape, personality, and its love of pouncing at prey. These agile sprinters tend to chase anything they can find. Although Salukis now enjoy a quieter life, they still cannot help chasing squirrels and rabbits. Everything about this dog breed screams natural dignity.

Siberian Husky 

The list of dog breeds that pounce cannot be complete without the inclusion of the Siberian Husky. This graceful dog breed is nimble-footed and was bred to work in packs, pulling light loads over the frozen land. The breed’s ancestors were originally bred in northeastern Asia by the Chukchi people.

Siberian Huskies were initially kept for companionship and as endurance sled dogs. This dog breed became popular during the 1900s as it started winning most of the sled races.

The present-day Siberian Husky is as mischievous as ever, but also keen and amiable. This breed is energetic and can’t resist chasing small animals. While huskies can be calm at times, they can cause a lot of chaos quickly. The high prey drive means Siberian Huskies can and will pounce on anything they see.