2007-03-14 13:47:09 · 17 answers · asked by Gianna 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
They are different species. They are incompatible genetically. Same reason rhinos and hippos can't make babies. Same reason rats and ferrets can't make babies. Same reason man & monkey can't make babies.
2007-03-14 13:49:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not a bad question: horses and donkeys can mate and produce a mule; lions and tigers do so in the zoo (is the offspring a liger or tion?). The issue (or lack of issue) with cats and dogs is that their genes are too different: imagine trying to zip together different size zippers. A little mismatch might allow them to mate, but too big a difference and they wouldn't fit.
However, it turns out that some viruses may move pieces of genetic material from one species to another...
2007-03-14 14:00:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As simple as possible a cat has 19 pair of chromosomes and a dog has 39 pair (you have 23 pair). It is only when two animals have the same number of pairs that they can successfully mate. Like the donkey and the horse which both have 29 pair of chromosomes.
2007-03-14 14:16:58 · answer #3 · answered by tom l 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Different genetic materials, a dog's sperm is incapable of fertilizing a cat's egg and vice versa, the whole thing just falls apart into genetic sludge.
2007-03-14 13:50:45 · answer #4 · answered by DonSoze 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they're two different species! The egg looks for the right pattern of dna for the species and if it doesn't match up the egg will not allow the sperm in.
2007-03-14 15:00:18 · answer #5 · answered by grn_eyed_kittn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
their genetic codes dont match... they would have to at least be the same species but they are from completly different families... it would be like a fish breading with a bird... their genetic codes would clash and nothing would be produced :) that would be prety fun if they could tho!
2007-03-14 13:52:20 · answer #6 · answered by little missy--->♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do not have the same genetic make up because they are different species.
2007-03-14 17:55:50 · answer #7 · answered by sunkissedpei 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they have to be wthin the same species. like dogs and wolves could breed although i dont know how well the babies would be.
2007-03-14 13:58:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reasons that rabbits and gophers can't. Get it.Yeah, I knew you would.
2007-03-14 13:52:16 · answer #9 · answered by peach 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can't have babies, because they are genetically incompatible.
2007-03-14 18:03:52 · answer #10 · answered by Chihuahua Lover 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋