Is this normal Whippet behaviour?

Question

Recently I have noticed a lot of dead sparrows around my yard, usually they are in my young whippet's mouth. She has always been fascinated by birds- when out walking if she sees a bird, she will stare at it intently and try to lunge at it. Sometimes she'll even whine.

I suspect she is actually catching these birds- she's a pretty fast runner and easily out-sprints my other female whippet. She's also smarter than the other whippet too.

Do you think that it is possible that she IS catching the birds? Is this normal whippet behaviour?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Some whippets have a stronger prey drive than others, and some whippets may go their entire lives without killing anything but a Whippet does have prey drive ,
So if she is quick enough she could be catching and killing the sparrows ,And dogs with high prey drive not just whippets will catch and kill things ,
My GSD catches and kills wild Rabbits and eats them he also catches Squirrels and birds as well ,

Verulam 1 · Answer

Given the chance, yep.    Most birds can get away, even with the speed of the average Whippet but if mine could actually get to catch one, she sure would.   I have to say now she's that bit older (she's just turned 5) she has realised she's wasting her energy trying to catch something that can FLY.

Actually one of my Bassets would catch birds, again, given the chance.

Whippets - sight HOUND = anything that moves is fair game.    If she's in the habit of trying this, and succeeding, why not try putting a cat bell on her collar so at least the birds around your yard can hear her coming!!

Ocimom · Answer

Yes its very possible. Whippets have a high prey drive.

Joddi · Answer

She could be catching them but it's highly unlikely, Birds tend to fly up when they see potential danger. I would laugh my a-- off when my beagle would try to jump up and catch a bird!

Is this normal Whippet behaviour?

4 Answers