Working Dog Foundations

Working dogs are driven by three primary drives: prey drive (the desire to chase and catch), pack drive (the desire to cooperate with humans), and defense drive (the instinct to protect territory and handler). Understanding which drives are dominant in your breeding line helps you match puppies with appropriate working homes.

Prey drive manifests as intense focus on moving objects, quick reactions to motion, and persistent chasing behavior. Dogs high in prey drive excel at detection work, herding, and sport. Assess prey drive early by observing how puppies respond to dragged toys and moving objects.

Pack drive shows as desire for social interaction, willingness to work cooperatively, and responsiveness to handler direction. High pack drive dogs make excellent service dogs and obedience partners. Defense drive, which develops later, is the willingness to stand ground and protect — important for protection sports and guardian breeds.