Will he hurt my cat?

Question

We had this dog for 3 weeks now. We took him to the vet and he's heathy and well behaved.
The people who owned him before, claim he's 70%wolf and 30%malamute which I doubt because he is a bit small for coming from 2 big size dogs. He looks like a husky with wolf coat fur. I have no doubt he has wolf in him but now I'm beginning to think he has more wolf than I thought before because he attacked a possum in our backyard last night. Is this a dog thing or wolf nature? My suspicions ask why other animals growl at him and hiss alot. For all I know he could be illegal to have.
Even though the possum was ok and later walked away, I really thought it was dead and that really freaked me out!
My concern is, our cat! This dog has been around cats before and he played fine with them. But here, he chases ours. It makes me wonder if once he catches the cat, what then will he do? Will he hurt him? Do dogs understand that a cat is a cat and is just like any other cat they played with before?

Answer 1

only you would know if he will attack yr cat if he is pure wolfe he wont bark he will howl only and growl if he is young anyanimal can be trained

Answer 2

A small animal running, a kid whizzing by on a bicycle, rollerblades, or scooter.......these things engage a dog's chase reflex. It doesn't matter how much or how often the dog's been around cats--if he chases the cat, then he will almost surely maul it if he catches it.

You think the dog is a hybrid? I would avise you to find out for certain, if you can. Speaking from the viewpoint of one who obedience trains dogs, I'm telling you that hybrids are dangerous. There are compelling reasons why wolf-hybrids are illegal to own in many states.

While dogs have evolved over thousands of years in close proximation with humans, wolves have not. Though the two species are very similar, dog psychology and wolf psychology (by 'psychology' I mean the way they think and react) are entirely different. Dogs will happily grant humans "pack" status--consider you part of their pack. Wolves do not. Hybrids are especially dangerous to small children and other animals, but that doesn't mean he won't turn on you, your spouse, your friends, or the mailman eventually. Look at it this way--once you convince a dog that you're the pack leader, he usually stays convinced. You will never really convince a wolf or hybrid that you're the boss, and he will be testing you constantly. Don't trust him too much if you believe he may be a hybrid.

Answer 3

All dogs will play and kill cats, you have almost the same type of dog we had, with wolf in him. Once the dog gets a taste of animal blood in its mouth, it will learn how to kill to get that taste again. Try to keep your cat away or it will be a snack for this dog.

Answer 4

Well I got a cat a few days ago, and I have had my dog for like 10 years, at first he was a bit angry about the cat so he kind of tried to play roughly with him and we would always tell him no, so he began to realize not to to do that. Now if he gets in my cats face, she slaps him with her paw and he goes away.

Answer 5

that is all normal dog behavior. and he will probably only hurt the cat if it hurts him. the reason he chases the cat and barks is because the cat runs. ......... possums have a self defense that when they get frightened they go into a voluntary coma so that predators think they are already dead. thus the term playing possum.

Answer 6

They will probably have to figure out who is top dog/cat until they come to a complete understanding. Sometimes dogs and cats don't like each other on personality reasons.

Unless your dog is acting actually agressive towards the cat, I don't think you will have much to worry about.

Answer 7

It could hurt your cat if your cat appears to be prey to him. wolf dogs are very instinctual creatures. They are ruled by their natures more than by their human masters. Don't treat him like a pet, he is more wild animal than household companion. Although he may view your cat as a companion now, his nature will dictate that your cat is prey if she starts exhibiting preylike tendancies like whining or if she is hurt....the same goes for small children you may have. here is a sourse to learn more about how to care for hybrids.

Answer 8

you got to remember that wolf is a wild animal you can,t tame one you can only befriend one never under estamate what he can do