Dogs and Guinea Pigs - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Rnd210** · #1 08-07-09, 03:30 pm

I read on her that some dog breeds are more prone to view guinea pigs as prey, which breeds are they?

I have 2 Cocker Spaniels that are inside most of the time and they are curious about the guinea pigs but mostly they leave them alone.

My dogs are not left to roam free with in the house unless we are home.

**louie_joey** · #2 08-07-09, 04:04 pm

I would think that breeds that were bred originally to hunt rats and other rodents would view pigs more as prey. That being said, my Miniature Schnauzer (german dog bred for ratting) is usually fine with the pigs. He will sometimes sniff them if they waddle up to him but usually ignores them. The only time when he shows interest in the pigs is if they start to dash around during floor time. He tried to go after them but I grabbed his collar and took him out of the room. My guess as to why he did that is because when he was them making a mad dash his instincts told him to catch it. I guess that he also thought that it was a very furry squirrel that he chases in the backyard. :P

Regardless of what breed the dog is, a dog is a dog and cannot ever be fully trusted around pigs who wouldn't stand a chance against a determined dog.

**vicky2** · #3 08-07-09, 04:14 pm

Usually, breeds in the terrier category. It really depends on the dog itself though. Unless your cage is dog-proof (and I mean TOTALLY impossible for your dog to get into) or your dog is totally mellow and totally uninterested in your pigs, don't fully trust them.

**SushiBonzai** · #4 08-07-09, 04:19 pm

Terriers ARE bred for hunting small animals like foxes, and rats. Please, always be careful with your pets as my dog (a jack russel terrier) previous killed one of my piggies. You can never be too careful when it comes to dogs.

**Rnd210** · #5 08-07-09, 04:25 pm

Mostly I was just wondering if Cocker Spaniels were in that list of dogs that consider them as prey. My Cocker Spaniels pretty much don't even acknowledge my piggies unless the piggies make a noise and then they want to explore.

**SushiBonzai** · #6 08-07-09, 04:34 pm

Cocker Spaniels, as I have read, were originally bred to hunt game (birds)

They can still be used today for hunting, so I would still be careful, but I would say that the dogs determination to get your piggies will be lower.

**Paula** · #7 08-07-09, 05:14 pm

It really depends more on the dog than the breed. Certainly, there are some breeds that have a higher prey drive by nature, but ultimately I think it always comes down to the disposition of the individual dog more than that of his/her breed in general.

Safety is the most important thing. If you know you have a dog that might be interested in harming the pigs, make sure the pigs are in a very secure cage that's behind closed doors or that the dog is kept away from the pigs in some other way. Don't allow any time unsupervised and always be mindful that you have a predator/prey situation that you need to closely monitor.

**momof1kid3piggi** · #8 08-07-09, 05:34 pm

I agree with Paula it depends on the dog it's self, not the breed. My neighbors Have a bassit hound. That comes over alot with their kids to see the pigs (the kids Like the piggys but cant have any) But their dog comes with them alot and, He IS a true hunting dog (he goes hunting to this day) and he dont go after the pigs at all they are out for floor time sometimes when they come over and he dont go after them its strange because he goes (hunts) after rabbits. So I dont know If he knows they are pets or what he is thinking. But it goes to show you that it depends on the dog not the breed

**juliaaa** · #9 08-07-09, 07:01 pm

I feel like it really does depend on the dog. My dog is half Irish Setter, and normally has a very high prey drive, yet he is only curious with the guinea pigs, and doesn't try to hurt them.

**Peggysu** · #10 08-07-09, 07:10 pm

I believe that it depends on the dog itself. My dog is a border collie golden retreiver mix and he wouldn't hurt the piggies. He actually makes sure they are safe. Then again my dog is never left alone in the house with them. JD(my dog) stays with my parents who have an African Grey and he likes birds and would love to catch them at the beach. Well the African Grey got down off the top of the cage one day when my mom wasn't looking and the cats started to surround him, but my dog came along and chased off two of the cats and stood over him as if to protect him from the cats. Animals can be very odd, but ultimately you need to be careful and read your dogs body language.

**SnowFlower** · #11 08-07-09, 11:15 pm

My dog is a Golden Retriever/Afghan Hound mix and he chewed thru a door, broke apart a pet-store cage I was using as a quarantine cage, and killed one of my piggies.

Needless to say; when I leave the house, Bear (the dog), is either outside in his dog run or upstairs (my piggies are in the den/finished basement that I spend 95% of the time in when I am home) where he would have to break through 2 doors that are twice as strong as the door he chewed through. He hasn't even scratched at the door in 2+ months so I am thinking he has decided it isn't worth the effort to chew through 2 solid wood doors to get to the pigs.

**piggywonder** · #12 08-08-09, 08:47 am

i have a chihuahua that goes ontop of the cage sometimes (closed in cage) and i'm afraid that he will get his foot stuck on top of the cage. i also have a poodle (standard) and he would kill dizzy istantly if he got the chance. so i put snaps on the lid and i put a baby gate up. but i still have to kennel both dogs when my family go outta the house incase jagger(the poodle) knocks down the baby gate and bently(chihuahua) gets his foot stuck.

"Thank you, Paula, for this useful post," says:
gooberific (08-07-09)