dog vs cat

[echo44]

Just a curiosity?

Yesterday I was walking my border collies and a loose cat ran across their path.

I was very lucky I had a tight enough grip on the leash because my bitch

in a flash of a second was on the chase. Just curious what happens when a border collie

in nature or on a farm comes across a cat. who is the better predator?

[Debbie Meier]

Just a curiosity?

Yesterday I was walking my border collies and a loose cat ran across their path.

I was very lucky I had a tight enough grip on the leash because my bitch

in a flash of a second was on the chase. Just curious what happens when a border collie

in nature or on a farm comes across a cat. who is the better predator?

 

Seriously? I don't think you want to know.

 

Deb

[jdarling]

What happens? Nothing. My dogs aren't allowed to chase cats.

[Maralynn]

Just curious what happens when a border collie

in nature or on a farm comes across a cat.

 

You just teach them that they are to leave. the. cats. alone.

[echo44]

Since I have no cats that is not an option

It only has occured once or twice and since I always have good control of my dogs

they were not able to pursue the cat.

I was just curious in nature what would happen.

personally i think it is irresponsible in a busy suburb to allow a cat wondering free outside your house!

I don't let my dogs wonder free because there are too many dangers such as loose cats!

My dogs have been trained since puppyhood never to enter into the street.

Even if i throw their favorite toys into the street they will not follow.

However when this cat ran across our path I was jolted and felt the prey drive trigger

in my girl who lis lighting fast and so strong! Its very scary Iam sure many of you have witnessed

the same release of instant energy.

[mbc1963]

I am sometimes happy to have a fearful dog.

 

My dog chased a cat once, early on in our life together. Cat went under a bush in the neighbor's yard, then decided he needed to make a run for it, and came out snarling and scratching. Buddy ran away terrifed, and he's kept himself at least 5 feet away from every cat we've met since.

 

He actually likes cats, and if they don't hiss, he'll try to be friends. If I use Buddy as a judge, though, I'd say the cat would win the hypothetical fight.

 

Mary

Mary

[stockdogranch]

what happens when a border collie...on a farm comes across a cat.

 

The dog is told "that'll do," and leaves the cat alone,

 

A

[afrancis]

Skye would chase a cat if I'm not watching AND if it runs, just for the fun of it. If I'm around she's not allowed; I tell her to "leave it alone." I'm quite sure, though, if it challenged her she would back right down. She is a bit of a wienie.

 

That being said, I have a friend with a white cat, was a stray, male, looks beautiful and harmless... and he attacks dogs; runs up to them, jumps on their backs and swipes and snarls like it's the end of the world. I haven't seen him in action but I don't want to. She has learnt now to keep him inside.

 

So this cat vs. small, timid dog = cat wins. But I would say, on points, and if not directed otherwise, dog chases and wins. However, I've also heard that inter-species bites are much more dangerous (more serious infections) than intra-species. So even if the dog wins, the collateral damage may be quite severe.

 

A.

[Ooky]

Just curious what happens when a border collie

in nature or on a farm comes across a cat. who is the better predator?

 

I will probably get into trouble on this one, so let me say up front that I agree with the wisdom of BCs not being allowed to "herd", pester, prey-chase, etc etc a cat. But I don't think that's what you were asking or proposing, right?

 

If I understand your question correctly, it is "who will win an interaction where neither animal is being supervised/prevented from doing what they want and a full altercation occurs?"

 

Well, obviously, the dog will win, given two very big ifs...

 

one, the dog has to catch to catch the cat (much more likely with a BC, a breed that has speed, maneuverability, and stamina for a long chase, more so than with other types of dogs, I would think). Most cats are faster (in short distance), more maneuverable, and better able to attain height very quickly (i.e. up a tree) than most dogs, but I might bet on the BC against most cats.

 

And second if: the dog has to be so "gone" (prey drive) that it won't be persuaded to let go by experiencing the almost inevitable pain and possible great injury the cat will inflict before the dog succeeds in breaking its neck or shaking it to death. You'd be surprised how strong some cats are - and slippery! Ever try to bathe one or put one in a carrier? I think most cats are stronger, pound for pound, but obviously cats are no physical match for a dog the size of even a small BC. However, I wonder if a lot of BCs aren't "soft" enough that they might not want to have their muzzles and ears totally shredded and their eyes clawed out if they could help it. Don't really know on that one, but the only cat-killing dogs I've ever heard of personally (as in someone I knew or heard of through a friend having their cat killed or maimed) were huskies and ratting terrier breeds. Ratting terriers are tough as nails, for obvious reasons. Oh, and I heard of a pug almost killing a cat once - lock-jaw on the cat's chest so it couldn't really choose to let go. I think the pug required more stitches than the cat.

 

This reminds me of that game, where you play by asking questions like, "ok, who would win? A really really angry gorilla, or a crocodile?" "An astronaut, or a caveman? " Then questions ensue like "Well, does the astronaut get to keep his technology?" yaddayadda. Sadly, this match-up occurs in real life and usually doesn't go too well. That being said, I've had tons of first hand experience with dogs and cats getting along really well in a pet home, even among dogs and cats that don't particularly like each other.

 

And I agree it's irresponsible to let your cats outside. I am a freak and would even prefer people use traps and/or ratting dogs for pest control rather than barn cats, but realize most probably don't share that opinion.

 

ooky

+Odin (BC pup), Dr. Benway (ocicat), and Lobo (bengal)

[Maralynn]

Hmm, I understood the question as what happens between BCs and cats in a farm setting. Like, do they just chase after the cats when they get a chance because they are high drive and cats could pop up anywhere? To which the answer is that the dog is simply taught not to mess with the cat. Not much different than not messing with any of the other animals on the farm. My dogs have sheep, cats and chickens which would all be temptations for a high drive dog. They *know* these animals are there and show interest in them at times, but it doesn't go past that.

 

I am a freak and would even prefer people use traps and/or ratting dogs for pest control rather than barn cats, but realize most probably don't share that opinion.

 

Even if that were the case, there are always stray cats around. There are rodents for them to catch and places for them to hide on a farm. And of course plenty of folks who dump cats in the country

[Shetlander]

Since I have no cats that is not an option

It only has occured once or twice and since I always have good control of my dogs

they were not able to pursue the cat.

 

I'm in the same boat in not having cats and am in the process of training a leave it for when Quinn sees one on our walks or notices one of the feral cats at my mother's.

 

About a month ago, Quinn was attacked and terrified by a 14 year old cat at a friend's house. We're talking needing to be rescued and giving ear splitting yelps until I gave him a small shake and told him to quiet. The cat is an evil genius and looks like she has Maine Coon in her, but still it was a disgraceful display of cowardice on Quinn's part. Or maybe he is just a pacifist by nature.

 

Anyway, if a cat held its ground, Quinn would be ok but when they run, his prey instinct kicks in and all bets would be off. With lots of dogs, a caught cat is at a serious disadvantage despite the claws and teeth. I knew someone with a rescue greyhound that killed at least a few cats that wandered into their yard. A couple of friends have lost cats to dog attacks. I'm sure those cats never had a chance to fight before their necks were broken.

 

Hence -- Quinn and I are working when we can on "leave the cat alone."

[echo44]

the question was just a curiosity of the pecking order in nature

but I am really bothered that someone in our hood lets their cat run free.

I live in a suburb where cars are constantly about. Its only a matter of time before the cat gets hit

or begins a chase with a dog that ends up in tragedy.

I have two border collies the male is tough as nails but very mellow unless another dog is getting nasty

with my girl dog. On the other hand, and I am sure there are many of you on this board who have a similar dog,

My female "lucy" has a nervous system that seems to be wired 10x faster than any creature i have come across. Its

really an amazing and scary thing when her prey drive kicks in because it happens at the speed of light.

As someone above posted thats a time for a "that will do". I am sure many of you can relate that by the time my nervous system

can detect what is going on if she wasn't on a leash she would be 5 miles away. It really is that fast no time to say "that'll do". With the male dog I would have time.

These dogs really are an engineering marvel and constant lesson of how incredible nature can be in what it produces!

[Debbie Meier]

the question was just a curiosity of the pecking order in nature

 

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there is no pecking order in nature with reference to cats and dogs, it's survival, and pack of dogs kill cat if they catch it. Nature gave the cat great agility and claws so they can climb the trees to get away from preditors, rather then using them to tease the dog they would be using them to climb for their lives. The reason we have to train our dogs to not chase cats is because we have allowed our cats to be comfortable with dogs and not see them as the threat to their life that they are. My dogs pretty much leave our barn cat alone, there is some mutual harrassment that goes on that I have to stop, mostly it's do to the cat being a smart alleck, but if a stray wonders in it might not be so lucky. My dogs cat tolerance is specific to the barn cat, not strays cats, strays are fair game.

 

Deb

[Guest SweetJordan]

but I am really bothered that someone in our hood lets their cat run free.

I live in a suburb where cars are constantly about. Its only a matter of time before the cat gets hit

or begins a chase with a dog that ends up in tragedy.

I have a neighbor who has a cat(front and back declawed), and they let the cat outside. I'm really suprised that the cat is still living. I'd also like to know what vet would mutilate a cat like that. Doing the front ones is bad enough.

[hsnrs]

Dog would win but my cat attacks our dogs too. The dogs know to be aware of the claws but they still chase our cats. We have 4 (2 barn cats who are tame; one tame house cat and the she cat in the house who attacks). She is the smallest but thinks she is a jaguar. Dogs tend to leave her alone. Would they chase and kill a stray; you bet!

[kelpiegirl]

I would say- depends on the cat. We had a big male red cat. One time, the neighbor's Keeshond came into our garage to chase the cat. The cat ran behind a sheet of plywood leaning against the wall, and then I heard the dog scream, and our cat was on his back- attacking for all he was worth, and the cat stayed on that dog's back all the way down our driveway. Even if the dog would win in the end, he could still lose an eye. I know you were just curious, so I won't belabor it, but just keep the dog leashed/with you when ANY strange animal appears.

[Ooky]

About a month ago, Quinn was attacked and terrified by a 14 year old cat at a friend's house. We're talking needing to be rescued and giving ear splitting yelps until I gave him a small shake and told him to quiet. The cat is an evil genius and looks like she has Maine Coon in her, but still it was a disgraceful display of cowardice on Quinn's part. Or maybe he is just a pacifist by nature.

 

Anyway, if a cat held its ground, Quinn would be ok but when they run, his prey instinct kicks in and all bets would be off.

 

That is so funny you say that. We were really excited to move into our current house with the 6-9 ft fence b/c it meant we could let our cats out back (supervised). Still, Benway found a place he could get over to the adjacent yard and just took it one day while DH was gone. I was horrified and ran to catch him but his tail just slipped through my fingers. Behind us is an approximately 150 lb rottie whose owner had casually mentioned "doesn't like cats". And the dog was out!! I was frantic but knew better than to climb over myself as the rottie definitely guards his territory. Was trying to figure out if it was reasonable grounds for divorce if the cat gets killed on my watch, and practically crying, begging Benway to come back over.

 

Benway didn't care AT ALL. He was strutting around, making his trademark (very weird) noises, acting like he was the toughest thing ever. I ran back inside to get some treats to throw over the wall (couldn't think of anything else, as the rottie's owners weren't home). When I came back, the rottie was staring and moving towards Benway. "Benway, behind you!!", I'm screaming, and he still doesn't care. The rottie came up to Benway and suddenly stopped and got this scared look, even though the cat had barely given him another glance. He then tentatively tried to sniff Benway, who whirled suddenly and came AT the dog, batting (I don't think he even had his claws on as I didn't see the velcro-stick thing happening) and making his "Gollum-scream" noise. The dog yipped and RAN back to his dog house and cowered there, and Benway went calmly back to doing what he was doing - exploring every nook and cranny. I was relieved but felt bad for the scared dog so tossed him some cat treats until Benway jumped back over, when he *felt* like it. I told the owner so he could be sure and check his dog's face (no injuries), and he was flabbergasted, to say the least! We think to this day the dog didn't understand he was dealing with a cat, maybe some sort of hellish weasel-thing. We have chicken wire up now.

Hence -- Quinn and I are working when we can on "leave the cat alone."

 

We covered that one - anyone know a good way to train a demented monkey to "leave the puppy alone, d*mmit!"

 

ooky

+Odin (BC pup), Dr. Benway (evil little monkey ocicat), and Lobo (bengal)

[Shetlander]

I told the owner so he could be sure and check his dog's face (no injuries), and he was flabbergasted, to say the least! We think to this day the dog didn't understand he was dealing with a cat, maybe some sort of hellish weasel-thing. We have chicken wire up now.

 

Quinn didn't have a mark on him either. His screams were of pure terror. Like that Rott, I don't think he knew what to make of the aggressive cat -- what the heck was that thing? He knows so little about cats in general, other than seeing them run away outside.

 

The height of the humiliating incident was when Quinn had taken cover under a small table, yelping and the cat was stalking towards him. I told the owner to get the cat before Quinn hurt her (thinking, reasonably I believe, that a cornered 40 lb dog had a significant advantage over an aging, declawed kitty cat). The words were no sooner out my mouth than the cat went lunging towards him and his screams went up a decibel. As we ran to break things up, I said "Get her before she kills Quinn!!!!!"

 

It was 24 hours before I could share that story with any one and only then did I finally laugh.

[Tranquilis]

At the rescue Farm, there are a lot barn cats, and the resident BC pack just ignores them, for the most part. There are one or two who try to provoke a cat into running, so they can have a chase, but the cat's are having none of it, and the dogs get bored and leave them be.

 

A couple days ago, Suka saw an outdoor neighborhood cat, and started give chase. A quick "leave it" and she forgot the cat was even there. She's been loose around my three housecats for a couple days now, and apparently can't even see them - It's like they're invisible to her. On the other hand, at my mother's place, my mother's big assertive tomcat charged Suka, and if she'd not been on lead, he'd have run her off - 18lbs of angry tomcat is a pretty steep challenge for 35lbs of dog, especially if the dog isn't really interested in predation.