My coonhound/heeler mix and my cats are best friends. The cats will actively bait the hound into playfighting, and even let the dog drag them around on the hardwood floor by the head. The cat’s head will be wet with drool by the time the game ends lol. They will spoon on the couch one minute, then be swatting each other and tearing through the house or yard with bad intentions the next. It’s so heartwarming to see two different species showing genuine affection for one another. But if a cat that is not part of the family happens through the yard, look out! We were sitting around the fire one evening with friends and the hound grabbed a strange tom that happened into the yard, and with a single shake of his head, ended it. The same cat that nearly took one of our cat’s eyes in a fight. Our friends and the kids were horrified. It’s amazing how tuned in dogs are to who are friends and threats.