There have been so many instances where we’ve seen homes in which dogs and cats are getting along well with each other and are living in harmony. That has always made us question: How? How are they getting along? Are they ignoring each other or just have a tolerant temperament?
Now that we have the answer to our queries, we’re here to make you understand what goes around in ensuring these two animals co-exist peacefully. If you’re someone with a multi-pet household, this guide is for you.
We have gathered 10 of the calmest and cat-friendly dog breeds with a low prey drive that are happy with feline company. Read on to learn more about these canines, explore which dog breeds are tolerant of various cat breeds, and how you can ensure a peaceful home environment.
Dog Breeds That Bond Quickly With Cats
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A British toy dog breed, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels offer the perfect combination of the gentle and affectionate nature of a toy breed and the athletic energy and high spirit of a Spaniel. These regal canines were bred to be lap dogs and are popular because of their sweet, playful, and intelligent nature, says PDSA.
Cavs are truly devoted to their human companions. They like staying around them all day and being involved in day-to-day activities of the household. Cavs make the best buddies for children, given the children know how to behave around small dogs.
Considering their gentle and affectionate nature, Cavs are the best dogs to be around cats. They either become fast friends with cats or just ignore them and stay away from the cat’s business. The best way to ensure both the dog and cat get along well is to socialize them as a puppy and kitten.
When either one of them or both are adults, proper introductions, training, and socialization would be required.
2. Pug
Pugs are popular family pets and are known to be a complete pleasure for their owners. They were originally bred for being companion dogs. They have a gentle, charming, and outgoing personality, which makes them get along well with adults, children, and other animals, even feline pets.
Pugs love being in the company of their owners and can not stand being left alone for long hours. They are truly loyal and devoted to their pet parents and expect the same devotion and love from their end. They have minimal exercise needs and enjoy indoor playtime more than going outdoors in the heat, and take up very little space in the house.
Pugs make excellent companions when it comes to cats. Pugs and cats have proved the world wrong by being each other’s best friends. These gentle pups get along well with Persian cat breeds, considering they both have very similar traits.
A little training and slow introductions are always the best way to ensure they get along with cats.
3. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers were historically bred for being the fisherman’s mate. They were British gun dogs and waterfowl dogs from Newfoundland. They now make wonderful family pets because of their intelligence, playful energy, and friendly nature. Labs thrive in active households where owners are outgoing and adventurous.
Labrador Retrievers get along exceptionally well with people, are great with kids, and also surprisingly affectionate with strangers. However, they do need a little supervision when introducing them to new family members. The key is to go slow in the first place to ease the situation and make both parties comfortable.
Labs have moderate to high prey drive; however, they are known to become best pals with various cat breeds in due time. Labs as puppies are more curious and tend to chase and do mischief around cats, which they do not tolerate, but as they grow older, they become friends and live together peacefully.
4. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are Scottish retrieving dogs of medium-large size. They are known for their gentle and affectionate nature and the ability to adapt well to family life. They tend to get along well with everyone and remain calm as long as they are getting enough playtime, outdoor time, and due attention from their human companions.
Golden Retrievers have a lot of fun energy and have curious behavior, which is why they tend to chase small animals or anything new that they come across. They have a tolerant and easy-going temperament that allows them to befriend anyone who comes close.
Goldies are the ideal and loyal example of companionship. Their tolerant behavior allows them to get along with cats and other animals in the household. They remain good with cats as long as both are socialized as a kitten and a puppy. Early training and socialization are necessary so they behave well indoors and outdoors.
5. Beagle
Beagles are primarily bred for hunting rabbits and hares. They have a keen sense of smell and great tracking instincts. Beagles are high-energy dogs and thrive in active households. They are loving and affectionate with children and also get along well with other animals, says PetMD.
Despite their strong prey drive, Beagles can get along well with cats when they are properly introduced and socialized from an early age. They generally coexist more peacefully with confident indoor cats, while outdoor cats may be more likely to trigger a Beagle’s instinct to chase.
If you’re introducing a Beagle to a feline companion, an adult cat is often a better choice than a young kitten, as larger, confident cats are typically better equipped to handle a curious and energetic dog.
To ensure Beagles maintain good behavior at home, they must be socialized from an early age. They are cat-friendly; however, the best way to ensure peace is to socialize both cats and dogs when they are babies.
6. Collie
Collies are the most recognizable medium-sized herding dogs. These canines are extremely fond of children and make wonderful family pets. These swift and athletic canines thrive on companionship and do not like being left alone.
Collies are loyal, intelligent, and have a high energy level, which is why regular exercise and interactive play sessions are essential for their physical and mental health. Once their energy needs are met, these dogs like to cuddle with their pet parents on the couch and relax.
Collies are good with cats, but considering their high prey drive, supervision is essential. Pet parents need to provide consistent training and socialization, so they maintain good behavior with cats and not chase them around the house. The best way to ensure they get along well is when they’re a puppy and a kitty.
7. Basset Hound
Basset Hounds are short, sturdy, and charming canines that were originally bred for hunting rabbits and hares but now make wonderful family pets. They are affectionate in nature and comfortable around their own family and reserved around others.
Basset Hounds get along well with children and love playing with them. They are also great with other dogs but do require training to keep them well-behaved indoors. These are companion dogs, which is why they do not like being left alone for long.
Basset Hounds are slow-moving and low-energy canines that are great with cats. They may be a hunting dog breed, but do not feel the need to chase cats without any reason. These dogs are not intimidating to cat breeds, but still the interactions must be supervised to prevent any mishaps.
8. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are small and compact canines with short tails and erect ears. These dogs are famous as the American gentleman not just because of their unique white and black tuxedo coat but also because of their loving and devoted temperament.
Boston Terriers were originally bred for fighting, but now they make excellent household pets. They are fond of their pet parents and like staying close to their people. They are great with children and also tolerant of other animals.
Because of their good behavior, these Terriers can easily co-exist with cats. You must ensure to socialize the dog and cat from an early age to ensure peace at home. These Terrier dogs have a playful nature and can tend to chase, which is why supervision is a must during play time.
9. Maltese
An ancient dwarf dog, Maltese are a white-coated canine from Italy, associated with the Island of Malta. These dogs are intelligent, social, and trusting, known for their sweet nature. Like many dogs, these small dogs also thrive on human interactions and attention throughout life.
Malteses are playful, adaptable, and devoted companions, which allows them to form strong bonds with their owners. They do not like being left along or they may develop separation anxiety. Maltese and cats are of the same size, which makes it easier for them to get along well with each other.
Maltese are good with cats, and their gentle, loving nature helps to promote positive interactions between the two animals. These dogs like to snuggle with their owners on the couch and have no interest in interfering in the cats’ business or going into their space, thus ensuring a peaceful environment at home.
10. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frises are small, sturdy, and resilient canines that fall under the category of the most great personality dogs. These dogs have a hypoallergenic coat, which is ideal for allergy sufferers. They make great watchdogs and bark to alert their owners if something does not feel right, says the American Kennel Club.
Bichon Frises love being the center of attention and draw smiles and hugs wherever they go. These happy and lively little dogs adore family life and like going out on all family adventures. Early socialization allows them to live in a mixed animal household peacefully.
Bichon Frises do not have a high prey drive and are highly sociable, which makes them good with cats. Caution must be taken when your dog and cat are playing so that they don’t end up fighting with each other.
Conclusion
Finding a dog breed that gets along well with cats and is comfortable living in a mixed household is difficult. Each breed has its own personality, and how quickly they bond with the feline breeds usually and majorly depends on how they have been trained and socialized.
The above-mentioned canines form successful bonds with cats. With a little socialization, proper introductions, and supervision, pet parents can encourage both animals to become friends and live in harmony at your house.
