10 dog breeds that get along well with cats

Dogs and cats have long been depicted as worst enemies. However, these clichés are often false and there are certain breeds that tolerate very well the presence of a cat in the home.

The following list describes 10 breeds that generally get along well with felines. Then, we'll give you some tips on how to introduce a cat to a dog.

Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is a loyal, patient and discreet dog. His training may be a little difficult because he has the stubborn character of a hunting dog.

However, his way of living makes him friendly and tolerant of other animals.

Since he is a hunter, the Basset Hound is more interested in hunting the meal than hunting the cat. The general laziness of the Basset Hound is often an invitation to the cat to use him as a couch.

Beagle

The Beagle was bred to hunt in packs. So he is typically friendly with other animals.

His carefree nature makes him a pleasant animal to live with. He is an affectionate companion who is likely to consider a cat as a member of the pack.

The friendly Beagle hunts rabbits all day long, but he's smart enough to recognize a cat when he sees one. He seems to enjoy the company of felines. Who knows, maybe they exchange hunting stories?

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is known for his playful personality. He needs a good dose of daily exercise.

However, his adaptability and extroverted nature make him a potentially highly valued cat companion.

Kind and empathetic, the Golden Retriever therefore gladly accept cats as part of the family.

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever has a lot of love to give. He is kind and outgoing and is known to get along with everyone he meets, whatever their species.

He is gentle, intelligent and always wants to please. Therefore, the exuberant Labrador is a lover, not a fighter. He will gladly welcome a cat into his group of friends.

Continental Toy Spaniel

This dog, with butterfly-shaped ears, called a Continental Toy Spaniel is about the size of a cat.

However, his happy and curious nature allows him to see your cat as a friend. This dog loves to participate in all the family fun, even if it's a cat.

Pug

A Pug overflows with love. This adorable dog has a ton of personality and loves the attention. A cat can help keep him company when his masters are away.

He may be small, but he's tough enough to have a feline playmate. If a cat allows a pug to enter his domain, they often become best friends.

Small animals, such as guinea pigs, are also safe around pugs.

Poodle

The three sizes of Poodles make them excellent companions for cats. The Toy Poodle plays with him, the Miniature Poodle tolerates him and the Standard Poodle claims he doesn't exist.

Boston Terrier

Although terriers are generally definitely bad for cats, we can make an exception for this breed. The Boston Terrier is too polite for their shenanigans.

Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is known for being friendly and welcoming to other pets. He gets along well with cats and even small mammals. However, he needs to be properly socialized and trained.

Beijing

The Beijing is not a cat hunter, and cats are not afraid of him.

However, it is advisable that the Beijing and the cat be introduced when they are young, or that at least one of them knows the other species.

Keeping the Beijing on a leash in the presence of the cat during the first few encounters works well.

Boxer

If your Boxer is still a puppy and the cat is still a kitten, the chances of them becoming playmates are very high, even without your help.

The puppy will simply accept the kitten as part of the pack and get along with him very well.

If your boxer is a puppy and your cat is an adult cat, you need to be a bit more careful because the cat can become a little defensive when the boxer runs after him at full speed trying to play with him.

Dogs and cats can live together

There are people who like dogs and people who like cats. However, what about those of us who like both?

Dogs and cats can become the best friends in the world, or at least learn to coexist peacefully. If you already have a cat at home and want to add a dog, choosing the right breed will contribute greatly to a harmonious relationship.

Some breed groups are more likely to get along with cats than others. In general, these breeds are affectionate and sociable.

Spirited Terriers, on the other hand, were developed to hunt and kill vermin. A fast-moving cat can trigger these feisty predator instincts. And hounds are ready for the hunt. No cat will appreciate being the target of this kind of attention.

Finally, dogs of the shepherd group have a strong desire to gather everything that moves, including their owners and children. Some cats might not tolerate this.

Note that most dog breeds can live peacefully with a cat if they are socialized when puppies and are trained to leave the cat alone.

Teaching your dog to “leave” and “stay” can strongly help keep the peace.

Appropriate introductions are also useful and it is a good idea to ensure that the cat always has an escape route. Never leave your new dog alone with your cat until you are sure that there won't be any issues.

The individual personality of the dog and cat will also come into play. For example, an older cat who likes to be left alone may not mix with an overly playful puppy.

Do your research before bringing a dog into your family of cat owners and talk to potential breeders about the suitability of a given breed for a multi-animal household.

Good to know

Other breeds that are generally very good with cats include the Bernese Mountain Dog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Irish Setter, Pomeranian, English Cocker Spaniel and Sussex Spaniel.

How do I get my dog and cat to coexist?

It is true that some cats and dogs will not make good household companions: they are two different animals with two distinct personalities that will not necessarily mix. However, under good conditions, many cats and dogs can live together in perfect harmony.

A good introduction

Most cats can coexist with a dog if they are given time to get to know each other properly.

If a puppy and kitten are raised together, they usually learn to tolerate each other right away. Some cats and dogs become true friends, and even play and nap together.

However, if a dog is already an established member of the household and a new cat or kitten is going to join the family, certain precautions must be taken.

First Meeting

When introducing a cat and a dog for the first time, make sure the cat is at eye level with the dog.

You must also hold both animals firmly. This will give them a sense of security. If either animal seems aggressive or frightened, remove the cat immediately and try again later.

You must not insist and make the situation worse. If you take a few minutes several times a day to give the cat and dog this carefully supervised meeting time, you should soon see them feeling more relaxed towards each other.

Don't leave them alone

Never leave a cat and dog alone until you are sure they are comfortable with each other.

If you walk away while they are still watching each other, you may regret it when you return. The cat or dog could be scratched, bitten or otherwise injured.

Even if there are no visible injuries, unsupervised interaction could traumatize an animal to the point where he remains terrified of other animals for the rest of his life.

Considerations on cats

Although a cat is not opposed to all dogs and has no objection to seeing one from afar from time to time, he may have a particular aversion to a specific dog living in his home.

Likewise, many people could live with any roommate except for one person in particular who would drive them crazy. The same goes for some cats.

This could be the case if you've spent a lot of time and patience trying to get a cat and dog comfortable with each other, but scratching and hissing do not diminish.

If you're ready to welcome a new kitten or cat into your family, help your dog get used to the idea. Under strictly controlled conditions, let the cat and dog sniff and inspect each other at their leisure. If, however, they seem unable to get along, you may need to reassess your pet's situation.