Dog Breed That Would Be Tolerant of Rabbits and Guinea Pigs??

Probably just about any breed if you get a puppy and raise everyone together. I saw a huge pitbull on tv that was caring for baby chicks-they were standing all over his back-and following him around like he was their mother! So cute!

No terriers, sporting/hunting breeds, or German Shepherds/Malamutes/Huskies - their "prey drive" can just be too strong.

Maybe a Boxer, Mastiff or Great Dane? They are all originally bred as guard dogs and the Mastiffs and Danes get HUGE, but tend to be really laid back. Boxers are very friendly but can look intimidating. You could also consider a Doberman, since they also are actually very sweet but look scary. However, I would also be sure they can't get direct access to the "little furries" since you just never know.

You never know with dogs. There are breeds that are considered "bully" breeds that everyone is afraid of, but can be sweetest dogs! There are breeds that everyone considers "family friendly" but can still be aggressive and attack. I think it comes down to the dog and the time you put in to training and being familiar with how dogs operate. :-) Good luck!

We got a Boston terrier puppy when we had two rabbits that roamed in the house and had a pen in the yard. The dog was fine; when we got him he was smaller than the rabbits. After he grew up he would chase them (and they would chase him) and he would pick them up by he fur on their necks and carry hem around, never hurt them. That Boston and the bunnies are all dead now (old age). We have two Boston's now, and I won't get a bunny because I know the two dogs would terrorize a bunny. I really think it was just that the 1st was raised with them and the 2 I have now weren't. I would get a herding type of, stay away from terriers (we got lucky), and get a young puppy. Have the pup around the rabbits as much as possible and hey will probably be fine.

I am not sure what breed you should get, but I can tell you that my two labs, and one lab mix who were never raised with small animals would love to have a guinea pig or rabbit in their mouth. they go after anything small and furry, but they are very nice people dogs.

Not terriers! They were bred as "ratters" to go into the ground or burrows and flush out small game like rabbits. So you could have the nicest friendliest dog, but it's been bred to go after small animals. You're probably better with a herding dog or a large mixed breed.

When I was 12 we had a rabbit, only one, and a mixed terrier of some kind and they slept together. They were great friends but I don't know what breeds would do this with guineas too and even if raised together if the wrong breed they could see them as prey more or less.

I think your best bet is going to be a Golden Retriever or a Lab. They don't have their fantastic reputations for no reason. We have a Golden and it plays very well with cats and tiny dogs. We had a mini dauchsand puppy with us for weeks and it was so funny to see the 90 lb and 3 lb dog play. ...and I was never worried for a second. They are so smart, he knew to be careful! It's amazing to watch, really. We also have a cat and he's great with her too. I've always heard nothing but great things about this breed. I think they would be great around your bunnies and guinea pigs. The only thing he taunts are the squirrels. He's not a huge fan of them coming on our porch and he will chase them back up the tree.

We have a German shepherd that is not phased by anything. He sleeps with the cat and recently we had a neighbors chicken who decided she likes to spend the day with my dog in his dog run. The dog will give the chicken a passing glance but that is it.

look up great peirinesse (sp) they are called chicken gaurdians. They are protectors of flocks and live stock. just get them as a puppy and train train train they are great dogs I really want one but we need two of our dogs to go before I can have one. We currently have bullmastiffs and they think our chickens are fast food. everyone on our chicken forum has these dogs and just love them.

I don't know what breeds to point you to, but I can tell you which ones NOT to get. The terriers and smaller hounds are inherently good at going after those smaller critters. Don't get those.
The herders tend to be the most protective and tolerant of other species- thing border collie, Australian shepherd, great Pyrennese.
I suggest getting them as a puppy so they can be trained not to go after the other critters.
Good Luck.

While I think it has a lot to do with how you introduce them and how you manage the relationships, there are certain types of dogs, like "ratters" that you want to avoid. I am thinking smaller dogs are more likely to go after the smaller animals as this is why they were bred small - to fit down rabbit holes and such.

Good luck.
~C.

You might look at the herding breeds (Australian Shepherds, etc) but many many dogs will consider your small pets to be prey.