21/09/2026
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We often talk about meeting a dogβs needs β‘οΈ exercise, enrichment, training, rest, social interaction.
But thereβs another piece of the puzzle that can be incredibly important:
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ππΌ Humans have selectively bred dogs for generations to perform very different jobs. Herding livestock. Guarding property. Retrieving game. Following scent trails. Hunting independently. Killing vermin. Pulling sleds. Working alongside people.
π And although most of our dogs no longer need to perform those jobs, the behavioural tendencies we selected for havenβt simply disappeared.
πΎ A Border Collie may have an enormous drive to watch and control movement.
πΎ A Beagle may become completely absorbed by a scent.
πΎ A Terrier may have a powerful desire to chase, dig, grab and dissect.
πΎ A Retriever may naturally want to carry things around in their mouth.
πΎ A livestock guardian may be naturally vigilant, independent and suspicious of unfamiliar things.
πΎ A Husky may want to run β¦ and may not consider staying conveniently beside you particularly important!
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Sometimes we are simply seeing a dog doing something that makes perfect sense when we consider their genetics and breed history.
πOf course, breed does not determine everything.
Every dog is an individual. Genetics, early development, socialisation, learning history, environment, health, stress, personality and life experiences all contribute to behaviour.
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But breed, and particularly the purpose for which a breed was developed, can give us valuable clues about what that individual dog might find naturally reinforcing and what needs may be especially important to them.
And this is where understanding breed-specific needs can make life better for both ends of the lead.
Instead of constantly fighting natural behaviour, we can ππππ πππ πππππππππππ π ππ’π ππ ππππ ππππ πππππππ πππ ππ.
π A scent hound might love tracking, scent trails and sniff-heavy walks.
π A retriever might thrive with retrieving games and opportunities to carry appropriate objects.
π A terrier might adore digging boxes, searching games, tug and safe outlets for predatory sequences.
π A herding breed may enjoy thoughtful activities involving movement, problem-solving and working collaboratively with their person.
π A guardian breed may benefit enormously from having choice, predictable routines, appropriate space and not being expected to enthusiastically greet every stranger.
This doesnβt mean allowing dogs to do anything they want.
π― Meeting a behavioural need and managing behaviour safely can exist at the same time.
We donβt need to let a Terrier chase wildlife to acknowledge their predatory needs. We donβt need sheep in the garden to enrich a Border Collie. And we donβt need to allow a guardian breed to patrol the neighbourhood.
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We can provide safe, appropriate alternatives that fulfil elements of those natural behavioural needs.
Understanding breed tendencies can also help us adjust our expectations.
βοΈThe dog who stops constantly to sniff isnβt necessarily being stubborn.
βοΈThe guardian who doesnβt want strangers touching them isnβt necessarily antisocial.
βοΈThe retriever who constantly has something in their mouth isnβt necessarily naughty.
βοΈThe terrier digging up the garden isnβt plotting your downfall.
πSometimes theyβre simply being very good at being the kind of dog humans created them to be.
And when we understand that, our relationship with them can change.
ί·Less frustration.
ί·Less conflict.
ί·More appropriate enrichment.
ί·More realistic expectations.
ί·Better management.
ί·And often, a happier dog.
Before asking:
βHow do I stop my dog doing this?β
It can be worth asking:
βWhy does my dog want to do this ... and is there a need underneath the behaviour that I could meet in a better way?β
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Itβs about understanding the dog in front of us βincluding the genetics and history they arrived with β and helping them thrive in the world weβve asked them to live in. πΎ
