Rescued Dog ... What Breed(s)?

[kimlovescats]

A neighbor of the person who "owned" this dog contacted me about her. She was not being fed or watered and we have had nearly 3 weeks straight of temps over 100 degrees outside! Anyway, I went and picked her up and the "owner" basically drug her to my van ... made me SICK!!!

So, Coco is now here with us. Does anyone have any idea was breeds she has in her? Also, I am concerned about her being around my kitties. She growls and the hair on her back stands up and even though my cat was behind a gate, when it ran off, Coco tried to chase her! I am afraid she has a very strong prey drive even though she is only a year old.

[critter crazy]

Awww....she is a cutie!! Hmm...maybe shepard/husky mix?? I was at first thinking chow/husky ix maybe as well?? Dont see any purple spots on the tongue tho, but who knows. all I know is that she is cute!!

As far as the cats go, it could just be that she has never been around any before, and it might just take her time to get used to them. For now I would just keep them apart, and hopefully she will get used to seeing them through the gate,a nd will eventually be okay.

You are awsome for taking her in, what a sweety!

[Husky_mom]

soo cute!!....... I saw Shiba but not sure they are too common to be a mix..... maybe some Shep/Rott/Chow....... anyway...... too cute!!

[pitc9]

When I saw her face I saw Shiba also.
I can also see Shepherd/Husky too.

Maybe with her being left to fend for herself she started going after smaller animals for food and that triggered her prey drive.

[kimlovescats]

From what I've read just today about Shiba Inus, they do have a strong prey drive, and I believe that Huskies do as well. Of course, everyone always has believed that about GSD, though I know they can also be very gentle and loving with small animals. I just hope I can get her to accept my cats, as I would love for her to stay here. Dottie really loves having her as a playmate since big brother Kenny gets grumpy with her rambunctious ways sometimes!

[lizbud]

She's a pretty dog. I was thinking maybe, Sheba Inu/Shepard mix. It would pay to be very careful in getting her used to
the kitties. A strong prey drive is almost impossible to change.

[Freedom]

Such a pretty dog! I love the way that one ear tips, he he.

Although the breed will give you some idea of the prey drive, ultimately you have to cope with this dog, whatever her prey drive is. The first 2 foster bichons I had were in high drive after the cats day and night; it was a chaotic 48 hours until I could get them to another foster home. The 2 fosters I have now are like mine; the cats sleep with them, step on them, not a woof!

Name?

[koxka]

Kim, we had a pure breed GSD at my parents, he was respectful and gentle with the kitties, but we had to teach him, it wasn't hard, he was very intelligent. At the same time we had one cheeky orangie who liked taking rides hanging on his tail !

[kimlovescats]

Can anyone give me really sound advice on Coco and my cats! Should I attempt to get them together, maybe with her on leash with hubby holding the leash? I'm scared to death at what could happen to my kitties!! Is it worth trying, or would I always be putting the cats at risk? I have never had a dog that was like this with my cats. I mean she growled at just seeing one through the window from our back yard. Growling, hair on neck all raised and chomping at the bits. I love this pup, but I love my kitties too, and they are my family first! Serious opinions needed PLEASE!

Thanks,
Kim

[kuhio98]

I love cats and I love dogs. But, if it were me, I wouldn't take the chance. I wouldn't leave them unattended together for a long, long (if ever) time. The dog doesn't sound like she's used to being around cats. Maybe she will always see them as prey. Maybe not, but it's not fair to put them in that position. Neither the dog or the cats (or you) will be happy living in an war zone. She sounds like she'd be happier living in a home without cats.

[dukedogsmom]

Whatever she is, she's mighty cute!

[kimlovescats]

Lisa, that's what I am afraid of. She is wonderful in every single other way! This is just heartbreaking!!!

[critter crazy]

I wouldnt give up just yet, you have just gotten her. We had a Rotti once, that absolutely hated cats!! The first time we took him to the vets, he tried to attack one that was in a kennel!! But we had cats, so we were going to try to make it work. we just seperated the house off, and just gradually introduced the kitties over time. It took us a few months, and before you knew it, he was sleeping next to the cats.

[Freedom]

No I wouldn't do that either. Don't force them onto each other. Keep them separated. You will see enough over a few days to let you know what she considers them.

And don't forget, being in the house with a calm cat, a dog may still chase and harm a cat outside dashing about. Or even a cat inside who decides to fly through the room

For now, she is in a state of change, so don't force her to do anything, let her get adjusted to being cared for and loved!

[buttercup132]

Can anyone give me really sound advice on Coco and my cats! Should I attempt to get them together, maybe with her on leash with hubby holding the leash? I'm scared to death at what could happen to my kitties!! Is it worth trying, or would I always be putting the cats at risk? I have never had a dog that was like this with my cats. I mean she growled at just seeing one through the window from our back yard. Growling, hair on neck all raised and chomping at the bits. I love this pup, but I love my kitties too, and they are my family first! Serious opinions needed PLEASE!

Thanks,
Kim

Rockee does that to cats too and even tried killing a kitten once. She is fine with our cats though. What we did was first muzzle her, maybe take one cat and put it in a crate and have her muzzled and let her sniff then gradually let the cat out of the crate while the dogs on a leash. Eventually if she gets better let her off the leash with the muzzle still on. And keep telling her shes a good girl and giving her lots of praise (unless she does something bad).