Stories from around the world tell of strange and impossible things. You’ve probably heard about hybrid animals made by breeding different species. While some hybrids are real, others simply can’t exist.
One popular but false story is about the kuppy, a supposed mix between a cat and a dog. Science clearly shows this is impossible.
Even though some people who love both cats and dogs might wish it were true, these two animals cannot breed.
Why Dogs and Cats Can’t Crossbreed
Dogs and cats can’t have babies together because they are very different animals. Dogs have 78 chromosomes while cats have 38 chromosomes. This means you can’t create a mix between a dog and a cat.
Different but closely related species share similar DNA patterns, allowing them to breed together. Cats and dogs have very different DNA, so they cannot have babies together.
It’s All About the DNA
A mule is created when a male donkey breeds with a female horse. While both animals are from the horse family, they have different numbers of chromosomes. Horses have 64 chromosomes, and donkeys have 62. When they breed, their offspring (the mule) gets half of each parent’s chromosomes, resulting in 63 chromosomes.
Having an odd number of chromosomes means mules can’t have babies. Male mules can’t make healthy sperm and female mules rarely get pregnant. There are very rare cases where female mules have had baby donkeys, but this hardly ever happens.
Unlike horses and donkeys, some related animal species do have matching chromosome numbers. For example, all great apes except humans have 48 chromosomes in 24 pairs. This makes it more likely for different types of great apes to breed with each other than horses with donkeys successfully.
The Facts Behind Hybrids
Most animals cannot mate with different species because their genes are too different. However, some closely related species can breed and create hybrid offspring.
When two similar species breed, even if they have slightly different numbers of chromosomes, they can sometimes produce offspring. However, these hybrids often have genetic problems and usually cannot have babies of their own.
Hybridization in the Natural World
Closely related species, like lions and tigers, usually live in different places and can’t breed with each other. However, some species live in the same areas and can mix to create hybrid offspring.
For example, beluga whales and narwhals can breed together, making a hybrid called a narluga, which was found in Greenland. Grizzly bears and polar bears can also mate in the wild, creating grolar bears. Many other animals, plants, and insects can naturally mix breeds too.
People often mix different species on purpose. For example, they bred horses with donkeys to create mules, which combine a horse’s size and smarts with a donkey’s strength and bravery. These mules helped carry loads and work on farms.
Many fruits and vegetables in grocery stores today are also hybrids, created by mixing different varieties to maximize each one’s characteristics.
Most Popular Hybrid Animals
The animal mix between a dog and a cat might be fake, but many other amazing hybrid animals do exist.
Here’s a list of the most popular hybrid animals that result from interspecies pairings:
- Savannah Cat (Serval + Domestic Cat)
- Bengal Cat (Asian Leopard Cat + Domestic Cat)
- Liger (Male Lion + Female Tiger)
- Tigon (Male Tiger + Female Lion)
- Jaglion (Male Jaguar + Female Lion)
- Leopon (Male Leopard + Female Lion)
- Wolf-hybrid (Wolf + Domestic Dog)
- Coywolf (Coyote + Wolf)
- Grolar Bear (Grizzly Bear + Polar Bear)
- Cama (Camel + Lama)
- Mule (Male Donkey + Female Horse)
- Hinny (Female Donkey + Male Horse)
- Zorse (Male Zebra + Female Horse)
- Zonkey (Male Donkey + Female Zebra)
- Beefalo (Buffalo + Domestic Cow)
- Dzo (Yak + Domestic Cow)
- Zubron (Bison + Domestic Cow)
- Wholphin (Male False Killer Whale + Female Bottlenose Dolphin)
- Narluga (Narwhal + Beluga)
Cats With Dog-Like Traits (and Vice Versa)
If you wish you could have both a cat and dog in one pet, you won’t find exactly that. However, some cat breeds act like dogs, and some dog breeds act like cats. Let’s explore these options.
The 7 Cat Breeds That Act Most Like Dogs
1. Maine Coon
Maine Coons are popular cats that act a lot like dogs. These big, gentle cats love to play and cuddle. They’re very friendly and might even play fetch with you.
2. Ragdoll
Ragdolls are gentle cats that enjoy being around people, playing, and getting attention. These loving cats often stick close to their owners and follow them around the house. Unlike most cats that like high places, Ragdolls prefer to stay at floor level.
3. Manx
Manx cats are famous for having no tail and being very friendly. They come when called, are great with kids and other pets, and are excellent mousers.
4. Bengal
Bengals are a mix of Asian Leopard cats and regular house cats. They’re usually loving and gentle with their owners but may be distant with new people. These cats form strong bonds with their families and need plenty of exercise and playtime to stay happy. While they make great pets, their active nature means they’re not the best choice for everyone. Interestingly, they sometimes behave like dogs.
5. Savannah Cat
Savannah Cats are a mixed breed known for being playful and bold. Unlike regular cats, they enjoy swimming, can learn to walk on a leash, and will play fetch like dogs.
6. Burmese
Burmese cats are charming with both their cute looks and loving nature. Like dogs, they stay close to their owners and love to jump into laps for cuddles and attention.
7. Abyssinian
Abyssinians are very social cats that respond when you call them. They welcome their owner’s home and can be protective when unfamiliar people are around. These friendly cats usually get along well with kids and other pets.
The 7 Dogs Known for Cat-Like Characteristics
1. Basenji
The Basenji, though unable to bark, is quiet and agile like a cat. They can be distant and stubborn, often choosing when to follow commands.
2. Chow Chow
Chow Chows are large dogs with some cat traits. They’re naturally clean and easy to potty train, but like cats, they can be stubborn. Due to their strong personalities, they’re best for people who know the breed.
3. Papillon
Japanese Chin dogs are small, curious, and playful. They enjoy cuddling and usually get along well with cats.
4. Shiba Inu
Shiba Inus learn potty training quickly. They’re close to their owners but reserved with others. Their independent nature is similar to cats.
5. Greyhound
Greyhounds, despite being fast runners, prefer relaxing. They’re quiet, need a little exercise, and do well in small spaces, unlike other large dogs.
6. Manchester Terrier
Manchester Terriers are good at catching mice, just like cats. They’re small, athletic, and have a natural hunting instinct.
7. Whippet
Whippets, like Greyhounds, enjoy lounging around. They love sleeping and get along well with cats.
Conclusion
Kuppies aren’t real because dogs and cats can’t breed together. There have been many stories and jokes about them, but they aren’t true. While hybrids can exist between closely related species, kuppies can’t naturally occur. It’s a mystery whether they could be created in a lab on a secret island.
