Is it possible to overcome the instinct of a hunting dog?

My friend has a beagle puppy and also a few pet rabbits...given that the beagle is a hunter by nature I think this is asking for trouble. So do you think its possible to train a hunting dog not to kill or will its nature always take over?

I think if a dog is brought up from a puppy with other animals then anything is achievable. I brought a JR puppy up with an indoor rabbit, and I'm sure the dog thought he was a rabbit. They used to sleep together, and he would never have hurt one of my rabbits. Socialise them together as much as possible.

if a dog is brought up from puppy hood to adult hood with these animals he will view them as his pack.. still the dog should be supervised and taught not to mess with the smaller animals

It can never be trusted 100% but withpropper training and supervision they can be in the same area with out trouble. But they should never be alown as it is a hunting breed and also the dog can harm it by just playing with it, also the stress alown can kill the rabbit. So the best thing would be to do is if the dog is let out the rabbits are put away.I had a rabbit and my brother brough up his dachshund dog and when they were in the garden tougher (so he could pee ect) we kept him on the lead and watched him closley, he was not much prouble, he was barking and sniffing her to much so she truned around and kicked him on the nose.

Whilst I agree, raising the puppy with the rabbits will minimise the risk, it's still an unnatural mix.You couldn't blame the dog if it did kill and you can't guarantee the rabbits might not just move the wrong way and trigger those instincts.As long as your friend is aware of what might happen and proceeds with caution, then fair enough, but all dogs are different regardless of their breed.

Yes and no. If the beagle puppy is introduced to the rabbits now while he is still young and spends a lot of time socialising with them, then yes. The beagle will accept the Rabbits in the family and will live happily along side them.Now this may not be the same when the dog is outside of his territory. If he happens to spot another rabbit running in the fields or a cat walking down the road, this will not stop him from chasing them. Take for example my Springer. We got guinea pigs when she was about 10 months old and she accepted them, she ignores them most of the time but sometimes goes up to the cage just to say hello, but she never tries to bite them when we have them running round our front room, now she is a hunting dog and its her instinct to retrieve and sometimes kill small rodents and so while out on a walk a few days ago she spotted a rabbit, bolted after it and retrieved it. She did not kill it but she was very interested in it.