Dog that kills birds - aggressive towards cats?

[accauditor]

Well I think it all depends on the dog itself. I wouldn't adopt it till you observe the dog around cats first. Sounds like he has a prey drive if hes killed birds. Everydog I know owned that killed birds would possibly kill a cat if it ran from it.. Ask the shelter if you can view the dog around one of the shelter cats or take him for a trial at your home first.

I did some reading on a bulldogbreed forum and realized that even if this dog were to do okay with my cats, I wouldn't probably feel good about taking him to the dog park. My dog loves the dog park and is extremely well-behaved. He doesn't respond to dogs that bark at him, hump him, or show any aggression. He won't even acknowledge or play with them. From what I've read, bulldogs occasionally will pick fights, and even if they don't, a poorly trained and unsupervised dog can start a fight with your bulldog, and you bulldog will probably retaliate and be blamed because he will almost always come out on top. I think I'm going to find another boxer.
What really concerns me is the fact that my dog, a boxer mix, has caught squirrels by putting his mouth on them, but lets them go/tries to play with them. I can't ever see him killing another animal. I think I'm going to avoid the other bulldog breeds and keep looking for a boxer. That was my original goal and I feel like I should just be patient and make sure I find a dog that won't create too much stress for me.

[cyber-sibes]

It's good you did some more research on the breed. Not every breed is suited for everyone. Be sure to check the reputation for prey drive.
Although my older husky grew up with cats, I wouldn't trust them together unsupervised for long periods. You just never know when the cat will do something that will spark that prey drive. (And my girl is as sweet as can be, but has killed rabbits, squirrels, birds, & possums.... all from the comfort of her kennel. When they got in, they didn't get out.)

[Seravieve]

I'd aggree with everyone else.. Prey drive is prey drive.. not select animal killing.
Bunny likes to try and get... birds, squirrels, moles (found one dead one day.. not sure where it came from..... ), bugs, etc. We've had her on-leash around cats, back when J lived with her mom who had cats. She seems curious, but we never let them touch. Shes a boxer/sheppard so I figure its sheppard prey drive.

Eli would never kill anything I dont think. I dont think most boxers would. Unless maybe they were just all around aggressive. I'd definitely make sure the dog was ok with your cat(s) before you sign the papers. I know cats take a while to warm up, but I'd definitely try and introduce them first and see.

I dont think you'd have much of a problem finding a boxer to rescue. Seems to be lots around here anyways.

Good luck!
And Im jealous... I want another Boxer... They're such great, cuddly, friendly, loyal dogs!

[3muttsandaboston]

hmmm I don't know my dogs all chase birds, squirrels and ducks but none hurt or bother my cats...

[accauditor]

Wow thanks for all of the replies. I quickly decided not to adopt that dog after reading things here and on other forums. Plus the dog apparently didn't do well with its cat test they did. They didn't tell me, but I did check back to the petfinder listing the other day, and I noticed an extra line in the middle that says "He is not good with cats." They threw it in there at some point in the past week.

The person who personally rescued and helped us adopt our dog Petey told me that she had a wonderful AmStaff that ignored cats, was good with other dogs if properly introduced, and was very friendly. Friday I took Petey to meet this dog, and it showed no interest in people at all. It was too rough with Petey at first, but after Petey had about 15 minutes, he went back to her and they played all night. Unfortunately I don't think I want a dog that

a) has to be muzzled in my city
b) can't ever EVER go to the dog park
c) wouldn't really trust around my cats
d) wouldn't trust to play with Petey for even 30 seconds unsupervised
e) shows no interest in affection or attention from people

I'm definitely sticking with the boxer rescue group. Someone should be contacting me this week, and hopefully I can finally find the right dog. It actually took me until today to realize I don't want the AmStaff because it obviously isn't a good match. Is it obvious that I want to save every rescue dog? haha. Thanks for the replies though.