Would your dog survive in the wild?

Rerun · 10-28-2010, 01:36 PM

Just a bit of a spin-off of a recent thread that got me thinking.

Say humans were wiped from the face of the planet, and your dog suddenly had to survive on its own. Lets assume for a moment that there is plenty of prey suitable to catch and eat should the dog prove capable and willing to do so. We are assuming here that it's natural wild prey running loose as opposed to the neighbors chickens in a pen (rabbits, squirrels, and larger prey should your dog be willing to form a pack and hunt as a pack). Water in the form of streams, rivers, ponds is available and shelter in the form of natural shelter is available.

Do you believe your dog would be able to successfully reintegrate into the wild and thrive?

Holmeshx2 · 10-28-2010, 01:39 PM

dogless ATM but my previous dogs probably could've survived but would've taken awhile first and not sure they would've ever thrived without ice cream or some other snack lol.

My lab had an issue with always wanting to lick the wild life he found so pretty sure he would've had to get starving before he actually killed it and ate it.

LaRen616 · 10-28-2010, 01:43 PM

I dont really know how to answer that question in the poll.

My GSD Sinister would most likely not survive because he really relys (sp) on me for food and I think he would go searching for a human.

My GSD/Husky mix would survive, he is very independent, adventurous, he doesn't need humans he just tolerates them. He is ready to pick a fight with any dog he sees and he is more aware of his surroundings. I'm sure he would eat the bunny in my yard if I let him.

Pattycakes · 10-28-2010, 01:52 PM

I'm not sure if my GSD would survive or not...she definitely likes to be around us and have her comforts. LOL

Jax08 · 10-28-2010, 01:53 PM

I don't know. It kind of makes me ill to think of Jax alone, scared and trying to survive.

Rerun · 10-28-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaRen616

I dont really know how to answer that question in the poll.

My GSD Sinister would most likely not survive because he really relys (sp) on me for food and I think he would go searching for a human.

My GSD/Husky mix would survive, he is very independent, adventurous, he doesn't need humans he just tolerates them. He is ready to pick a fight with any dog he sees and he is more aware of his surroundings. I'm sure he would eat the bunny in my yard if I let him.

Yes I wasn't sure how to make it a "multiple dog" poll.

I have the same problem myself, my dogs would do differently.

Micah would probably survive, but not thrive. He is a homebody and although he has strong prey drive I don't know what the realistic chance is of him catching and eating enough to survive.

Audrey would definitely not survive, she's too much of a softie and her nerves are terrible.

Akira has EPI so she wouldn't make it.

Dante would do fine if he was a couple months older. As a pup, I doubt he'd make it without an older pack member to help and show him the ropes. He's young enough that he'd easily submit to an older dog and might get in with the pack easily as a pup.

Jax08 · 10-28-2010, 01:58 PM

Have you watched that show on the history channel about if people no longer existed? They had one episode that dealt with dogs. They thought that only one breed would exist as it currently does today because it is bred to not allow anything or any other dog near it's flock. I can't remember the name of it.

They did say that dogs would form packs and survive that way.

Rerun · 10-28-2010, 02:00 PM

No but it sounds interesting. Do you know the name of it?

onyx'girl · 10-28-2010, 02:00 PM

I think if people were not in the picture, my dogs would survive/possibly thrive. Otherwise their demise would be getting hit by a car or shot.

DanielleOttoMom · 10-28-2010, 02:01 PM

LOL...

Im not to sure how he would do on his own. I'd like to think from just observing his personality he do ok. He is pretty glued to me but also has a strong prey drive. I think he would hunt (or attempt) for his own meals. He does in enjoy his raw meals!!

Shealter he is pretty good at making little hidding spots in our bushes and under other objects. He is super smart and has a great nose. Now as far as defending his self he is not a fighter. He would just run!! I'm sure he would miss his human companion (as I will miss him).......

View Poll Results: Would your dog survive in the wild?
Yes, my dog would not only survive, but THRIVE!	11	15.49%
Yes, my dog would probably survive, but not well.	36	50.70%
No, my dog would never make it without the comforts of home - a dog bed, bowl of dry kibble, and bowl of fresh filtered water.	24	33.80%
Voters: 71. You may not vote on this poll

10-28-2010, 01:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rerun Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,608	Would your dog survive in the wild? Just a bit of a spin-off of a recent thread that got me thinking. Say humans were wiped from the face of the planet, and your dog suddenly had to survive on its own. Lets assume for a moment that there is plenty of prey suitable to catch and eat should the dog prove capable and willing to do so. We are assuming here that it's natural wild prey running loose as opposed to the neighbors chickens in a pen (rabbits, squirrels, and larger prey should your dog be willing to form a pack and hunt as a pack). Water in the form of streams, rivers, ponds is available and shelter in the form of natural shelter is available. Do you believe your dog would be able to successfully reintegrate into the wild and thrive?

10-28-2010, 01:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
LaRen616 Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 10,582	I dont really know how to answer that question in the poll. My GSD Sinister would most likely not survive because he really relys (sp) on me for food and I think he would go searching for a human. My GSD/Husky mix would survive, he is very independent, adventurous, he doesn't need humans he just tolerates them. He is ready to pick a fight with any dog he sees and he is more aware of his surroundings. I'm sure he would eat the bunny in my yard if I let him. __________________ ~ Sinister 3 yr old black male GSD 3.11.09 ~ Malice 9 mth old black female GSD 6.19.11 Cats: Chaos, Monster, Wicked

10-28-2010, 02:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,611	I think if people were not in the picture, my dogs would survive/possibly thrive. Otherwise their demise would be getting hit by a car or shot. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

10-28-2010, 01:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Holmeshx2 Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ft. Bragg, NC Posts: 1,646	dogless ATM but my previous dogs probably could've survived but would've taken awhile first and not sure they would've ever thrived without ice cream or some other snack lol. My lab had an issue with always wanting to lick the wild life he found so pretty sure he would've had to get starving before he actually killed it and ate it.

10-28-2010, 01:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pattycakes Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 1,463	I'm not sure if my GSD would survive or not...she definitely likes to be around us and have her comforts. LOL

10-28-2010, 01:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 14,337	I don't know. It kind of makes me ill to think of Jax alone, scared and trying to survive.

10-28-2010, 01:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 14,337	Have you watched that show on the history channel about if people no longer existed? They had one episode that dealt with dogs. They thought that only one breed would exist as it currently does today because it is bred to not allow anything or any other dog near it's flock. I can't remember the name of it. They did say that dogs would form packs and survive that way.

10-28-2010, 02:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rerun Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,608	No but it sounds interesting. Do you know the name of it?

10-28-2010, 02:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
DanielleOttoMom Elite Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,954	LOL... Im not to sure how he would do on his own. I'd like to think from just observing his personality he do ok. He is pretty glued to me but also has a strong prey drive. I think he would hunt (or attempt) for his own meals. He does in enjoy his raw meals!! Shealter he is pretty good at making little hidding spots in our bushes and under other objects. He is super smart and has a great nose. Now as far as defending his self he is not a fighter. He would just run!! I'm sure he would miss his human companion (as I will miss him).......

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