Since I run a shelter, sometimes people ask me which dog breeds are the worst to have around a cat. The most "accurate" answer, of course, is that any dog can be dangerous to cats, depending on how the dog was raised and how it's treated now.
However, that said, it appears to be true that certain breeds do have an apparent propensity for what appears to be an inborn dislike for cats and one would therefore, be ill advised to keep one in the same home with a cat.
Those breeds are the pit bull terrier, the Jack Russell Terrier, and the greyhound.
Pit bulls, while gentle, sensitive and loyal to the family, for the most part, cannot be trusted to be alone with a smaller animal, or one that is subordinate. In other words, many "pits" seem drawn to attacking another animal that is lower in status or is much smaller. Possibly an instinct? I don't know.
Jack Russells, or "JRT's," also seem especially drawn to attack cats. That could be genetic as well. It just means that you should never leave your dog and cat alone together without supervision.
(By the way, I just heard that JRT's have been given a new name: Parson Russell Terriers.)
Now, the greyhound is included because, well, let's face it... they're bred specifically to chase a "rabbit" around a race track. How are they supposed to know your cat isn't "one of those?" They are large dogs with big teeth.
Just a note of caution here: Unless you're 100% certain your dog and cat are best friends, it's just not a good idea to leave them unsupervised when they have access to each other. Just use common sense. If you aren't comfortable leaving a dog alone with your infant, don't leave him alone with your cat, either.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Get in on some dog training seminars online
I just have to tell you about this wonderful series of dog training lessons that you can access for free, once a week, for the next several weeks, into August.
Just go here to see what the expert lineup is, and then sign up for it. You will receive some special bonuses, but the biggest bonus is listening to these experts and learning some extremely valuable information about your dogs.
http://www.simpledogtrainingsecrets.com/
Be sure to visit all the links on their page so you don't miss anything that could help you with your own dog training issues.
Just go here to see what the expert lineup is, and then sign up for it. You will receive some special bonuses, but the biggest bonus is listening to these experts and learning some extremely valuable information about your dogs.
http://www.simpledogtrainingsecrets.com/
Be sure to visit all the links on their page so you don't miss anything that could help you with your own dog training issues.
Training Your Dog to Get Along With Cats
Here is an article from a reader who wants to share his own experience with his dog. I think this is valuable information and helps us to understand our dogs (and cats) a lot better, and helps us to promote harmony in the home when you have cats and dogs together.
This is from David Brow:
The dog I own is a Bull Terrier cross breed. With this breed of dog their temperament is all about how you treat them, especially when they are puppies. The sad fact is that there are some people who just use these dogs as fighting animals and think that they're right in doing so. The truth is that the Bull Terrier can be a very emotional dog and sometimes can be temperamental and persistent in getting their way, but you can assert control with(out) having to resort to aggression towards them.
Like cats, hitting a Bull Terrier does nothing. I believe these dogs were originally bred for pig hunting, yet they are not the vicious killers as people claim they are and I have known a few people who have bull terriers and cats together. I think that the Bull Terrier can sometimes get over-affectionate with a cat and they have been known to show signs of grief when the cat is gone. Another thing is that they are protective of the family that owns them, even a cat from other cats, but that from the observation from my own dog with my friend's cat who was living with me for 5 years.
As with the Jack Russell Terrier, it is true they aren't all tolerant of cats, but that seems to be a common trait with all the Terrier breeds, but I think that is because they are more of a 'one owner animal' and once you have adopted one as a pet, which you would have to get as a puppy, as an older Terrier tends to grieve for its original owner, and you would have to accept that this type of dog is for life. You can assimilate both cat and Terrier but you can't force them and both pets will eventually get used to each other.
This is from David Brow:
The dog I own is a Bull Terrier cross breed. With this breed of dog their temperament is all about how you treat them, especially when they are puppies. The sad fact is that there are some people who just use these dogs as fighting animals and think that they're right in doing so. The truth is that the Bull Terrier can be a very emotional dog and sometimes can be temperamental and persistent in getting their way, but you can assert control with(out) having to resort to aggression towards them.
Like cats, hitting a Bull Terrier does nothing. I believe these dogs were originally bred for pig hunting, yet they are not the vicious killers as people claim they are and I have known a few people who have bull terriers and cats together. I think that the Bull Terrier can sometimes get over-affectionate with a cat and they have been known to show signs of grief when the cat is gone. Another thing is that they are protective of the family that owns them, even a cat from other cats, but that from the observation from my own dog with my friend's cat who was living with me for 5 years.
As with the Jack Russell Terrier, it is true they aren't all tolerant of cats, but that seems to be a common trait with all the Terrier breeds, but I think that is because they are more of a 'one owner animal' and once you have adopted one as a pet, which you would have to get as a puppy, as an older Terrier tends to grieve for its original owner, and you would have to accept that this type of dog is for life. You can assimilate both cat and Terrier but you can't force them and both pets will eventually get used to each other.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)