Dog And Cat.Credit: Malcolm MacGregor / Getty Images
If you wish to share your home with both cats and dogs, look for a dog breed that’s typically friendly with felines. While it ultimately comes down to the individual dog (and cat), certain breeds have tendencies that help them get along with other species.
For example, many working dogs were bred to watch over and protect their family members, including other animals. And some hounds, especially scent hounds, were bred to work closely in packs, so they are usually friendly with other furry family members. Sporting dogs, such as retrievers and spaniels, typically get along with anyone, including cats, and toy dogs were mostly bred to be loving companions—even to other species.
Here are 10 dog breeds that often get along with cats.
Breed Characteristics
In general, many dog breeds with high prey drives aren’t suitable for homes with cats. For example, a cat’s movement could trigger a sighthound to want to chase it, though a scent hound will typically leave the cat’s familiar scent alone. The breeds that are generally sociable and happy to make friends with anyone tend to do best with cats. Moreover, dogs with low to moderate energy levels are good for cats, as they won’t startle or stress their feline companions with outbursts of activity. Plus, the dog breeds that are typically people-pleasing and trainable are ideal, as they can be taught how to coexist nicely with a cat.
Tip
All dogs are individuals. For instance, even though beagles tend to be good with cats, your beagle might not be. Always introduce dogs and cats cautiously until you know they will get along. A professional trainer or behaviorist can offer tips to make the introduction go more smoothly.
01of 10BeagleMany Beagles get along well with cats.Credit: Somo_Photography / PixabayBeagles are a subset of hounds called scent hounds, which means they use their exceptional sense of smell to sniff out prey. These dogs traditionally hunted in large packs with hunters accompanying the packs on foot or horseback, so they needed to get along with other animals. Beagles are gregarious and congenial. And most will live happily with other animals, including cats, which they will likely view as just another member of the pack. Breed OverviewHeight: 13 to 15 inchesWeight: 20 to 25 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Muscular, solid body; domed skull; squarish muzzle; long, floppy ears; perky long tail held upward
02of 10Basset HoundCredit: Mia Ringo / Getty Images Like the beagle, the basset hound is also a scent hound. As a pack dog, basset hounds are friendly and amicable. With their short legs and long, heavy bodies, basset hounds are also slow-moving, which is ideal for living with cats, as they likely won’t spook or be intimidating to their feline friends. They are loyal, patient, and low-key dogs. Breed OverviewHeight: 11 to 14 inchesWeight: 50 to 65 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Long body with short legs; long, drooping ears; wrinkled forehead; hanging lips; soft eyes
03of 10Cavalier King Charles SpanielCredit: Amy Lane Photography / Getty ImagesThe Cavalier King Charles spaniel is part of the American Kennel Club Toy Group. They were bred to be loving, loyal lap dogs and all-around friendly companions. The Cavalier is as sweet as they come. This breed can get along with almost every person and animal imaginable, including cats. They are adaptable and gentle little creatures.Breed OverviewHeight: 12 to 13 inchesWeight: 13 to 18 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Medium-length, silky wavy coat; adults have feathering on their ears, chest, legs, feet, and tail
04of 10CollieCredit: 关心 / Getty ImagesIf you recall Lassie (a rough collie), you know that collies are lovers, not fighters. Although not all herding dogs live well with cats, collies are a bit mellower than some other herding breeds and generally can resist the instinct to herd when the behavior wouldn’t be appropriate (such as chasing the family cat). Plus, collies tend to be gentle dogs, including with kids and other family pets. Breed OverviewHeight: 22 to 26 inchesWeight: 50 to 75 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Dense smooth or rough coat; long, narrow face; comes in sable and white, tricolor, blue merle, and whiteContinue to 5 of 10 below
05of 10Golden RetrieverCredit: The Spruce / Kevin NorrisOne of the most popular breeds in the world, the golden retriever is a truly gentle dog. And its good manners extend to cats as well as people. Golden retrievers are loving and sweet-natured, adaptable, and outgoing. As highly trainable and people-pleasing dogs, most goldens can be taught to live successfully with cats.Breed OverviewHeight: 21 to 24 inchesWeight: 55 to 75 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Sturdy, muscular body with a lustrous gold coat, broad head, and friendly and intelligent eyes
06of 10PoodleCredit: Carol Howell / EyeEm / Getty ImagesPoodles come in three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. While all three are highly intelligent and can be trained to behave around cats, the smaller miniature and toy varieties are generally less intimidating to a cat. In fact, toy poodles are roughly the size of many cats and often will become close companions and playmates with their feline friends.Breed OverviewHeight: Standard: 15 inches; miniature: 10 to 15 inches; toy: 10 inches and underWeight: Standard: 45 to 70 pounds; miniature: 15 to 18 pounds; toy: 5 to 9 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Curly, dense, single-layer coat that may be one of many solid colors, including white, black, gray, brown, and apricot
07of 10MalteseCredit: Consu1961 / Getty ImagesWeighing less than 7 pounds on average, the Maltese is around the size of a cat, which causes many cats to feel comfortable around it. This toy breed is a gentle and loving companion with an easy-going attitude. A Maltese is usually fine lying on the couch and ignoring much of anything else going on, including the activities of a cat.Breed OverviewHeight: 8 to 10 inchesWeight: 4 to 7 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Dark, alert eyes shrouded by white fur that is naturally long and silky; single-layer coat without an undercoat
08of 10NewfoundlandCredit: Mathias Mahrens / Getty ImagesNewfoundlands are the gentle giants of the dog world. Newfies are patient, calm, and protective of their family members. They are typically great with people of all ages and pets of all types, including cats. This large breed is generally known for its calm demeanor and somewhat low activity level, so its size shouldn’t be that intimidating for a cat.Breed OverviewHeight: 26 to 28 inchesWeight: 100 to 150 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Large, heavy-coated, powerful body; broad, massive head; small ears that lie close to the headContinue to 9 of 10 below
09of 10PomeranianCredit: Liudmila Rebrina / EyeEm / Getty ImagesThe Pomeranian is a spirited and engaging toy dog. At just 3 to 7 pounds, they are smaller than most cats, so these fluffy little canines are rarely a threat to feline friends. They are typically affectionate dogs with a moderate energy level, and they tend to live peacefully with other pets, cats included. Breed OverviewHeight: 6 to 7 inchesWeight: 3 to 7 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Long double coat; fox-like face; pointy, erect ears; curled tail
10of 10PugCredit: Dane Sigua / Getty ImagesPugs are charming and happy little dogs that can get along with almost anybody. Most pugs lack the inclination to chase or otherwise bother a cat, so they generally can live successfully with felines. In fact, because pugs are such friendly and social dogs, a cats can help keep them company when their humans are away. Breed OverviewHeight: 10 to 13 inchesWeight: 14 to 18 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Small, barreled body; round, wrinkled head; short nose; curly tail
Breeds to Avoid
In general, if you have cats, avoid dog breeds that have a high instinct to chase. For instance, terriers are tenacious, feisty, and full of energy. They were primarily bred to hunt and kill small furry animals. Most retain this instinct, and your cat might become a target. Furthermore, some high-energy herding breeds, such as border collies, often can’t stop themselves from herding everyone in the house, cats included. And the cats might not appreciate being herded by an enthusiastic dog.
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Many Beagles get along well with cats.Credit: Somo_Photography / PixabayBeagles are a subset of hounds called scent hounds, which means they use their exceptional sense of smell to sniff out prey. These dogs traditionally hunted in large packs with hunters accompanying the packs on foot or horseback, so they needed to get along with other animals. Beagles are gregarious and congenial. And most will live happily with other animals, including cats, which they will likely view as just another member of the pack. Breed OverviewHeight: 13 to 15 inchesWeight: 20 to 25 poundsPhysical Characteristics: Muscular, solid body; domed skull; squarish muzzle; long, floppy ears; perky long tail held upward