While there have been claims that dogs and hyenas can produce hybrids, there is no reliable evidence to support this notion. The idea of a dog and hyena crossbreeding has been mentioned by some early writers, but these mentions lack proper citation and scientific verification. For example, Nott (1856) suggests that such hybrids exist but does not provide any substantial evidence or references to back up this claim.
To my knowledge, there are no documented cases of successful breeding between dogs and hyenas. It is important to note that dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and hyenas (family Hyaenidae) belong to different biological families and have distinct genetic characteristics. While they both fall under the Carnivora order, they are not closely related enough to naturally interbreed.
Crossbreeding generally occurs between closely related species that share a recent common ancestor. Dogs, as domesticated descendants of wolves, can interbreed with other members of the Canidae family, such as wolves, coyotes, and foxes. However, hyenas belong to a separate family and have distinct anatomical and behavioral traits that differ significantly from those of dogs.
It is worth mentioning that although dogs and hyenas are both carnivorous mammals, their physical and behavioral differences are quite pronounced. Hyenas have unique adaptations, such as powerful jaws, a bone-crushing dentition, and a complex social structure, which set them apart from dogs. These differences suggest that the two species have evolved along separate evolutionary paths and are not compatible for reproduction.
There is no credible evidence to support the claim that dogs and hyenas can breed. The idea of dog-hyena hybrids lacks scientific substantiation, and the existing mentions of such crosses are not based on reliable reports. Dogs and hyenas belong to different biological families and have distinct genetic characteristics, making successful interbreeding highly unlikely.