Dogs like to play fetch because they are what by nature?
Throwing a stick or a ball and having your dog bring it back for you is a common past time for many dog owners. While some may think of a dog fetching a stick as an activity that's just for fun, some also think that it can be traced to their prey instincts. The motion of throwing the stick ignites the prey instinct in the dogs, which causes them to chase after it. Them bringing it back is the dog wanting to share it's kill with you. This traces back to their ancestors. Wolves and other canines will chase their prey after being enticed by the movement of an animal running. They will catch the animal, kill it, and bring it back to their pack to share the food.
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What are your thoughts on this subject?
60 Comments
Stephen Farrelly
My dog is of the opinion that I should fetch it
Kitty White
It's not only canines that being back food for the pack. Lions do that also as well as domesticated cats. How many of you have had an outdoor cat that has brought home a mouse? It is their way of providing for their family. I had a large black cat that came home with a muskrat.
Armadillo
Marti Fogel, how sweet.
Armadillo
larrywagner, that's some 🐕
Armadillo
teresab, that's funny but so true.
Armadillo
Eve , cats are good at hiding there stuff.
cpwilki
tippiaca,
I agree with you only 1 of the ancestors was wolf like 4 were different !
cpwilki
Wrong answer - dogs are retrievers -or rather if a dog brings the stick back it is a retriever .if it didn’t bring it back but shredded it it is a Hunter .
Chris
I tend to disagree because of my experience with my frisbee pets and they were playful. I would like to know what source of information this was derived from.
Eve
Cats and dog will not fetch for me. The dog will take it and run away or play keep away with me which does give us both lots of exercise, lol. The cats just take it and put it away. Enough already, lol. But I have seen two cats in my lifetime who did enjoy playing fetch.
Chrissie
Matthew Roen, that breed of dog is called a Teacher!
Chrissie
larrywagner, You're not the only one with tears in their eyes as a result of this question.
Chrissie
madammartinez, teresab, My first cat loved to play fetch, right from when she was a kitten, and it created a great bond. I miss her. None of my others has been a retriever.
Irene Townsend
Not all dogs are hunters, Retrievers and terries are definitely hunters, dogs are herders, some dogs are herders like sheep dogs. Obviously depends on the breed. That prey instinct can also mean that kill instinct which depends on the owner and training.
tippiaca
There has been research done in the area of species evolution that indicates that dogs and wolves are from separate gene pools. It surprised me, but it came from a National Geographic source, so its worth considering.
rdboatman
Stephen Farrelly, your dog is a cat
madammartinez
teresab, There are some cats that DO play fetch. Look them up on Youtube