There are cat people, and dog people, and then there are those who want to surround themselves with all things furry and four-legged. With the myriad videos, photos, and reels flooding our screens showing adorable and unexpected friendships between different species, you might be wondering if your canine companion would like a bunny for a bestie, or if your rabbit would enjoy the company of a dog, or you may simply want to know if these species could live in the same house without too much stress or tension.
If we want to follow the strictest and safest path, the answer is that dogs and rabbits shouldn’t share a home, and are not suited as playmates. HOWEVER, the reality is that this isn’t a simple yes or no question, and as thousands of pet owners will attest, dogs and rabbits can share a house harmoniously, and have even been known to form strong bonds.
Let’s take a closer look at the complexities of canine and lagomorph relationships, why some dog breeds may be better suited to befriending your bunny than others, and the 10 dog breeds that get along with rabbits.
Do Dogs Get Along With Rabbits?
To answer this question, we need to consider the history of each species, as well as the history of different breeds.
We know that the domestic dogs we call friends are the descendants of wolves, fierce and effective predators that include rabbits amongst their favorite things to hunt and eat. Over the past 16,000 years or so,1 humans have shaped the appearance, physiology, and temperament of canines through the process of domestication, and although many of their ancestral behaviors and habits have been lost, the base predator instincts persist, in some breeds more than others. When placed in close proximity with an animal species whose very survival has depended on being wary, if not terrified, of these efficient hunters, you can imagine that things are not all smooth sailing.
This is where we need to consider how and why different breeds have been created, as this will have a significant impact on just how powerful those hunting instincts are today. So, before we get to our list of dog breeds that get along with rabbits, let’s look at some breeds and temperament characteristics that should never be allowed to rub shoulders with bunnies.
Dogs With a High Prey Drive
As you can probably imagine, dogs that are genetically driven to chase and hunt prey are not going to be suitable companions for rabbits. Although any dog can be trained and socialized, base instincts are very difficult, if not impossible, to eliminate. Instincts are like a reflex – the behavior is set in motion before the brain is fully engaged. Although domestication has dampened the prey drive from that of the wolf, in some breeds, it has been maintained through breeding. Think Foxhound vs. Pug. One has been specifically bred for their readiness to hunt, while the other has been bred to… well, let’s just say that Pugs make great companions!
This doesn’t mean that ALL dogs on this list will have a high prey drive, nor does it mean that dogs that are not on the list are immune to the desire to hunt. But it does give us an idea of the types of breeds that have been historically bred to preserve that prey drive, and are therefore not recommended to be around prey species like rabbits. This list isn’t exhaustive, and it is important to consider the breeding history and individual temperament of a dog when judging its suitability to be around your bunny.
Examples of Breeds with High Prey Drive
- Sighthounds –Â Greyhounds, Afghan Hound, Irish Wolfhound, Deerhound, Saluki
- ‘Ratters’ and Vermin Hunters – Jack Russell Terrier, Dachshunds, Patterdale Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Rat Terrier, Border Terrier
- Hunting Dogs – eg. Foxhound, Pointers, Beagle, Coonhounds
- Guarders and Herders – Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Border Collie, Doberman
- Wolf-like Dogs –Â Husky, Malamute, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
The 10 Dog Breeds That Get Along With Rabbits
Now that we’ve covered the hows, whys, and wherefores of dogs that are not suitable housemates for rabbits, we get to the good stuff. The following breeds typically have a low prey drive, are less likely to chase or become fixated on your rabbit, or are highly responsive to the type of training needed to ensure a peaceful coexistence. The traits to look for in a dog to live side-by-side with a prey species is one that has been bred for companionship and a calm demeanour.
However, just as there may be exceptions to the rule when it comes to the dogs listed above, being on the following list is no guarantee of a rabbit-canine friendship, and in every case, training and gentle exposure are the key to a harmonious relationship. Some of these dogs may simply be calm or ambivalent enough to co-exist with prey animals around, while others can sometimes form strong bonds with their rabbit friends. In all cases, any interaction between dog and bunny must be supervised AT ALL TIMES.
1. Pug
Loyal, friendly, and sometimes quite loopy, the Pug is about as far removed from a wolf as you can get. More likely to chase a butterfly than a bunny, the Pug tends to be a pretty safe option when it comes to introducing different animals into the home.
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The quintessential lapdog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is known for its happy-go-lucky nature and willingness to go with the flow. They can be very active and playful, but they are rarely over-the-top, rowdy, or big on chasing small creatures.
3. Bassett Hound
With their droopy ears and soulful eyes, the Basset Hound tends to lollop through life with their nose to the ground. As a scenthound, they are very interested in all things smelly, but tend not to be quick to pounce on the prey they have been following. Their job was to track and follow, not hunt.
4. Maremma
Bred to live amongst herds of sheep and act as their guardian, the Maremma takes their job as protector seriously. In fact, a Maremma without a flock to guard can become restless and frustrated. In less rural settings, this breed has been known to adopt flocks of chickens or groups of rabbits to guard and protect. However, if not trained early, they can also see rabbits as prey, so this is one breed that should be introduced with caution, and ideally only as a puppy, unless they have a known history of being good with rabbits.
5. Golden Retriever
A retriever breed may seem like a controversial choice, but when it comes to the Golden Retriever, an eagerness to please, play, and make friends tends to override the instinct to chase and retrieve. These dogs are also considered ‘soft-mouthed,’ meaning that they are used on a hunt for their ability to pick up fallen prey without causing damage. Not that we would ever want this particular situation to apply in the case of a pet rabbit, but it is one thing that makes them a little safer to have around.
6. Labrador Retriever
Much like the goldies above, Labradors are soft-mouthed dogs that love to please, and whole instincts seem to lend themselves to obedience more than hunting, so if given plenty of training and positive reinforcement, these dogs can often befriend all manner of creatures.
7. Maltese Terrier
These adorable little terriers are affectionate lap dogs and tend to be a little less yappy than some of their terrier counterparts. They are more likely to show disinterest in your long-eared pets than to make them the focus of attention.
8. Papillon
The butterfly-eared Papillon is full of beans and loves to play, and usually doesn’t mind who they are making friends with. Whilst they can be a little yappy and assertive if they feel threatened, these pint-sized pups just want to have fun and snuggle.
9. Old English Sheepdog
Another herd-guarding breed, the Old English Sheepdog, has often been referred to as a ‘nanny’ dog, due to their gentle and protective nature. These sweet dogs are great with families and small children, and their soft nature makes them a non-threatening presence around other pets, including rabbits.
10. Welsh Corgi
These cheerful and curious dogs were once used to help herd cattle by nipping at their heels, but their farming days are very much in the past. Popular for their sunny disposition and laidback approach to life, the Corgi may wish to befriend your bunny, but in all likelihood, may ignore it completely.
Final Thoughts
We can’t state strongly enough that when considering mixing dogs and rabbits, you should always err on the side of extreme caution, as predator and prey do not naturally make for good bedfellows. Even if your dog is so laidback they’re horizontal, you should never take for granted that their instinct to chase won’t break through, and these two pets should NEVER be left unsupervised together.
However, if you are looking at bringing a dog into your home, or wondering if your canine pal is likely to wreak havoc with a rabbit in the household, hopefully, the above guide will help. Remember, neither list is exhaustive, and there is no guarantee of how any dog of any breed will behave in the presence of a rabbit.
If in doubt, speak to your vet, or head to Pangovet.com to discuss this or any other questions with a vet.
If you want to speak with a vet but don't want to leave home, you can head to PangoVet.com. It's our online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your dog — all at an affordable price!
Featured Image Credit: Nalaphotos, Shutterstock
Do Dogs Get Along With Rabbits?
