Ranking Dog Breeds based on their Prey Drive

Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Introduction

It used to be very difficult to reliably measure the temperament of dogs.

However, in 2015, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania developed the Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) tool.

Many research studies have shown that the C-BARQ tool can reliably measure the behavior of dogs.

With data from the C-BARQ tool, you can calculate how bad or good the temperament of a dog breed is.

We analyzed data from the C-BARQ database to obtain the temperament score of dog breeds for Chasing. This allowed us to rank dogs based on Chasing.

Note that the fact that a dog breed ranks high for bad behavior does not mean all hope is lost for the dog breed. With proper early training, you can always mold a dog`s temperament into what you want.

Also, smaller dog breeds tend to have high aggression scores. However, aggression in small dog breeds is usually born out of insecurities or fear, and less from the meanness of their hearts.

Note that Chasing is one of the 14 temperament components that the C-BARQ test measures.

The complete 14 temperament components are:

  1. Stranger Directed Aggression
  2. Owner Directed Aggression
  3. Dog Directed Aggression
  4. Stranger Directed Fear
  5. Dog Directed Fear
  6. Nonsocial Fear
  7. Dog Rivalry
  8. Trainability
  9. Chasing
  10. Attachment Attention Seeking
  11. Separation Related Behavior
  12. Touch Sensitivity
  13. Excitability
  14. Energy Level

Below is our ranking of dog breeds based on Chasing.

Click on the link for each breed to learn more about the complete temperament of the breed.

Click here to see our ranking of dog breeds from the ones with the overall `best` temperament to the ones with the `worst` temperament.

Dog Breeds that do not Get Along well with Smaller Pets

1. Basenji

Basenji

Weight of the Basenji : 22 to 24 pounds

Height of the Basenji : 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder

Lifespan of the Basenji : 10 to 12 years

Basenji Puppy Price : $1450 to $1450

See list of Reputable Basenji Puppy Breeders here

Guide on how much food to feed the Basenji

2. Dingo

Dingo

3. Ibizan Hound

Ibizan Hound

Weight of the Ibizan Hound : 45 to 50 pounds

Height of the Ibizan Hound : 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder

Lifespan of the Ibizan Hound : 10 to 14 years

See list of Reputable Ibizan Hound Puppy Breeders here

4. Parson Russell Terrier

Parson Russell Terrier

Parson Russell Terrier Puppy Price : $1500 to $2000

See list of Reputable Parson Russell Terrier Puppy Breeders here

5. Borzoi

Borzoi

Weight of the Borzoi : 55 to 105 pounds

Height of the Borzoi : 26 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder

Lifespan of the Borzoi : 10 to 12 years

Borzoi Puppy Price : $1500 to $1500

See list of Reputable Borzoi Puppy Breeders here

Guide on how much food to feed the Borzoi

6. Whippet

Whippet

Weight of the Whippet : 18 to 48 pounds

Height of the Whippet : 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder

Lifespan of the Whippet : 12 to 15 years

Whippet Puppy Price : $2500 to $2600

See list of Reputable Whippet Puppy Breeders here

Guide on how much food to feed the Whippet

7. Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier

Weight of the Jack Russell Terrier : 13 to 17 pounds

Height of the Jack Russell Terrier : 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder

Lifespan of the Jack Russell Terrier : 10 to 15 years

Jack Russell Terrier Puppy Price : $700 to $1250

Guide on how much food to feed the Jack Russell Terrier

8. West Highland White Terrier

West Highland White Terrier

Weight of the West Highland White Terrier : 13 to 22 pounds

Height of the West Highland White Terrier : 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder

Lifespan of the West Highland White Terrier : 12 to 16 years

West Highland White Terrier Puppy Price : $1600 to $2700

See list of Reputable West Highland White Terrier Puppy Breeders here

Guide on how much food to feed the West Highland White Terrier

9. Border Terrier

Border Terrier

Weight of the Border Terrier : 11 to 15 pounds

Height of the Border Terrier : 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder

Lifespan of the Border Terrier : 12 to 15 years

Border Terrier Puppy Price : $800 to $1400

See list of Reputable Border Terrier Puppy Breeders here

Guide on how much food to feed the Border Terrier

10. German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer

Weight of the German Shorthaired Pointer : 45 to 70 pounds

Height of the German Shorthaired Pointer : 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho

Lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer : 12 to 15 years

German Shorthaired Pointer Puppy Price : $800 to $1300

See list of Reputable German Shorthaired Pointer Puppy Breeders here

Guide on how much food to feed the German Shorthaired Pointer

Dog Breeds that Get Along Well with Smaller Pets

1. Pug

Pug

Weight of the Pug : 14 to 18 pounds

Height of the Pug : 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder

Lifespan of the Pug : 12 to 15 years

Pug Puppy Price : $1200 to $1875

See list of Reputable Pug Puppy Breeders here

Guide on how much food to feed the Pug

2. Bulldog

Bulldog

Weight of the Bulldog : 40 to 50 pounds

Height of the Bulldog : 12 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder

Lifespan of the Bulldog : 8 to 12 years

Bulldog Puppy Price : $3000 to $4500

See list of Reputable Bulldog Puppy Breeders here

Guide on how much food to feed the Bulldog

3. Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu

Weight of the Shih Tzu : 9 to 16 pounds

Height of the Shih Tzu : 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder

Lifespan of the Shih Tzu : 10 to 16 years

Shih Tzu Puppy Price : $1200 to $2300

See list of Reputable Shih Tzu Puppy Breeders here

Guide on how much food to feed the Shih Tzu

4. Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Dog

Weight of the Bernese Mountain Dog : 70 to 115 pounds

Height of the Bernese Mountain Dog : 23 to 28 inches

Lifespan of the Bernese Mountain Dog : 6 to 10 years

Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy Price : $1800 to $3438

See list of Reputable Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy Breeders here

Guide on how much food to feed the Bernese Mountain Dog

5. Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees

Weight of the Great Pyrenees : 85 to 160 pounds

Height of the Great Pyrenees : 25 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder

Lifespan of the Great Pyrenees : 10 to 12 years

Great Pyrenees Puppy Price : $500 to $1000

See list of Reputable Great Pyrenees Puppy Breeders here

Guide on how much food to feed the Great Pyrenees

6. Mastiff (English)

Mastiff (English)

Weight of the Mastiff : 130 to 220 pounds

Height of the Mastiff : 27 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder

Lifespan of the Mastiff : 6 to 10 years

Mastiff Puppy Price : $1100 to $2200

See list of Reputable Mastiff Puppy Breeders here

Guide on how much food to feed the Mastiff

7. Keeshond

Keeshond

Weight of the Keeshond : 35 to 45 pounds

Height of the Keeshond : 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s

Lifespan of the Keeshond : 12 to 15 years

Keeshond Puppy Price : $1800 to $2000

See list of Reputable Keeshond Puppy Breeders here

8. Black and Tan Coonhound

Black and Tan Coonhound

Weight of the Black and Tan Coonhound : 75 to 100 pounds

Height of the Black and Tan Coonhound : 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder

Lifespan of the Black and Tan Coonhound : 10 to 12 years

Black and Tan Coonhound Puppy Price : $400 to $800

See list of Reputable Black and Tan Coonhound Puppy Breeders here

9. Anatolian Shepherd

Anatolian Shepherd

Weight of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog : 80 to 150 pounds

Height of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog : 2 feet, 3 inches to 2 feet, 5 inches tall at the s

Lifespan of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog : 11 to 13 years

Anatolian Shepherd Dog Puppy Price : $750 to $1150

See list of Reputable Anatolian Shepherd Dog Puppy Breeders here

Guide on how much food to feed the Anatolian Shepherd Dog

10. Samoyed

Samoyed

Weight of the Samoyed : 50 to 60 pounds

Height of the Samoyed : 1 foot, 7 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder

Lifespan of the Samoyed : 12 to 14 years

Samoyed Puppy Price : $1500 to $3000

See list of Reputable Samoyed Puppy Breeders here

Guide on how much food to feed the Samoyed

See below the full ranking of dog breeds based on Chasing.

Chasing Rank Breed Chasing Score
1 Basenji 100.0 %
2 Dingo 97.8 %
3 Ibizan Hound 95.8 %
4 Parson Russell Terrier 88.7 %
5 Borzoi 87.0 %
6 Whippet 85.5 %
7 Jack Russell Terrier 82.1 %
8 West Highland White Terrier 82.0 %
9 Border Terrier 81.3 %
10 German Shorthaired Pointer 76.3 %
11 Cairn Terrier 76.2 %
12 Pit Bull mix 75.8 %
13 Afghan Hound 75.1 %
14 Shiba Inu 75.0 %
15 Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) 74.4 %
16 Airedale Terrier 74.2 %
17 Brittany 73.2 %
18 Fox Terrier (Smooth) 72.2 %
19 Siberian Husky 71.3 %
20 Australian Cattle Dog 69.7 %
21 Akita 69.5 %
22 Miniature Schnauzer 69.1 %
23 Schipperke 69.0 %
24 Rhodesian Ridgeback 67.1 %
25 Belgian Malinois 66.4 %
26 Rat Terrier 65.4 %
27 Alaskan Malamute 65.1 %
28 Weimaraner 64.8 %
29 Irish Water Spaniel 64.6 %
30 Doberman Pinscher 64.5 %
31 Irish Setter 64.1 %
32 Standard Schnauzer 63.7 %
33 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 63.3 %
34 Alaskan Husky 63.0 %
35 English Setter 62.8 %
36 Giant Schnauzer 62.4 %
37 German Wirehaired Pointer 62.3 %
38 Staffordshire Bull Terrier 62.2 %
39 Australian Silky Terrier 61.5 %
40 Gordon Setter 59.6 %
41 Bullmastiff 58.3 %
42 Chinese Shar-Pei 58.3 %
43 Bouvier des Flandres 58.1 %
44 Dachshund 57.5 %
45 English Springer Spaniel 56.7 %
46 Old English Sheepdog 56.5 %
47 Treeing Walker Coonhound 56.2 %
48 Vizsla 56.0 %
49 German Shepherd 54.8 %
50 Redbone Coonhound 54.8 %
51 American Pit Bull Terrier 54.7 %
52 Pit Bull 54.4 %
53 Cocker Spaniel (English) 54.3 %
54 Irish Wolfhound 53.5 %
55 Dalmatian 53.1 %
56 American Staffordshire Terrier 51.3 %
57 Greyhound 50.9 %
58 Boston Terrier 50.7 %
59 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 50.2 %
60 Newfoundland 48.4 %
61 Boxer 48.3 %
62 Belgian Tervuren 48.2 %
63 Cocker Spaniel (American) 48.0 %
64 Australian Shepherd 47.3 %
65 Poodle (Standard) 46.9 %
66 Dachshund (Miniature) 46.8 %
67 Beagle 46.7 %
68 American Eskimo Dog 46.5 %
69 Flat-Coated Retriever 46.2 %
70 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 46.1 %
71 Tibetan Terrier 46.0 %
72 Miniature Pinscher 45.8 %
73 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 45.4 %
74 Cardigan Welsh Corgi 45.0 %
75 Portuguese Water Dog 44.6 %
76 Bull Terrier 44.3 %
77 Rottweiler 44.3 %
78 Yorkshire Terrier 43.5 %
79 Norwegian Elkhound 42.8 %
80 Chinook 42.1 %
81 Kuvasz 41.6 %
82 Bearded Collie 41.0 %
83 Pomeranian 40.8 %
84 Poodle (Miniature) 40.7 %
85 Scottish Terrier 40.0 %
86 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 39.8 %
87 Chow Chow 39.6 %
88 Havanese 38.9 %
89 American Bulldog 38.8 %
90 Fox Terrier (Toy) 38.4 %
91 Australian Kelpie 35.7 %
92 Poodle (Toy) 34.4 %
93 Maltese 34.1 %
94 Lhasa Apso 33.8 %
95 Border Collie 32.5 %
96 Pekingese 30.9 %
97 Golden Retriever 30.7 %
98 Belgian Sheepdog 30.6 %
99 Labrador Retriever 30.5 %
100 Bichon Frise 30.4 %
101 Papillon 29.9 %
102 Italian Greyhound 29.9 %
103 Pointer 29.6 %
104 Lagotto Romagnolo 28.7 %
105 Eurasier 28.5 %
106 Great Dane 28.0 %
107 Basset Hound 27.9 %
108 Shetland Sheepdog 27.1 %
109 Saint Bernard 27.0 %
110 Chihuahua 26.5 %
111 Chinese Crested 26.2 %
112 French Bulldog 25.1 %
113 English Bulldog 24.0 %
114 Collie 23.9 %
115 Samoyed 19.8 %
116 Anatolian Shepherd 19.8 %
117 Black and Tan Coonhound 19.2 %
118 Keeshond 18.5 %
119 Mastiff (English) 18.2 %
120 Great Pyrenees 14.3 %
121 Bernese Mountain Dog 11.3 %
122 Shih Tzu 10.7 %
123 Bulldog 7.5 %
124 Pug 0.0 %