Bringing a dog home where a cat is already the boss is quite scary for some people. It’s because we have always resembled dogs and cats with “Sibling Tag,” and we all know what that means.
Yeah, CHOAS, fights, and annoying behaviors!
But that’s actually half true because they can also be absolute best friends. Cats usually love their own space and quiet time, while dogs are just looking for a playmate.
You just have to pick the right dog that does not have a high prey drive or too high energy levels to maintain peace at home. If your dog is calm and respects the cat’s boundaries, then their friendship gets stronger over time (same goes for siblings).
So it’s all about patience, slow introductions, and taking them enough time to figure out how to live together. However, choosing the right dog can be one of the toughest decisions amid so many options.
That’s why we have just listed the top 10 dog breeds that bond quickly with felines and prefer to stay chill over snuggling or chasing cats. We have also shared their temperament, how well they bond, and the training requirements of each dog so they adapt well.
Dog Breeds That Bond Quickly With Felines
1. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are happy-go-lucky dogs that are famous for their friendly and affectionate nature. They rarely show aggression and have an easygoing nature, which makes them perfect feline companions and makes them accept cats as members of the family.
These high-stamina dogs were bred to work with fishermen to haul nets and retrieve ducks, so they just love water, as per PetMD. Labs are highly food-motivated and eager to please their owners. So, just give them a few tasty treats, and they will do anything on earth.
That being said, these medium to large-sized dogs are highly active and require plenty of daily exercise for mental stimulation. In addition, they have a thick, water-resistant double coat that sheds heavily and requires brushing 2-3 times a week.
2. Miniature Poodle
Miniature Poodles are smart, alert, affectionate, and people-oriented dogs that love being wherever their owners are. These small dogs lack high prey drive and are highly trainable, so they adapt well when living with cats.
They are not overly aggressive or boisterous dogs, so they respect cats’ personal space and enjoy being around them. That being said, these small dogs are easy to train and require a moderate amount of exercise for mental stimulation.
They enjoy tug of war, fetching, swimming, long walks, and retrieving games. Miniature Poodles have curly, hypoallergenic coats that shed very little and require daily brushing, as they are prone to mats. In addition, they also require professional grooming every 4-6 weeks.
3. Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are naturally social and rarely have that aggressive bone in their bodies. So yeah, there is a reason they are famous as “merry dogs”. Spaniels are famous for being soft-natured and generally very polite with everyone they meet.
However, their hunting background gives them a strong prey drive, so they may be inclined to chase small animals. But still, they can coexist with cats if properly socialized and introduced at an early age. You can easily train these little pups due to their desire to please.
That said, Cocker Spaniels are energetic dogs that require brisk daily walks and scent-based games for mental stimulation. These hunting dog breeds have thick coats that are prone to matting and tangling, so regular brushing is important.
4. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers have been all over the internet due to their friendly, affectionate, and patient nature. These adorable dogs were bred to be hunting companions, and now they have become family pets and easily become friends with all the family members.
These were used to retrieve waterfowl, and that’s why they got the “collector” name. Goldens happily share their place with cats and even become their pillows or team up against you. These medium-sized dogs have also worked as guide dogs for the blind, as per the AKC.
They are quite easy to train, but they are also sensitive and require gentle training sessions. That being said, Golden Retrievers are social and energetic dogs that fit well into active families. Their double coat sheds a lot and requires regular brushing to control shedding.
5. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frises are just beautiful inside out with their playful, affectionate nature and fluffy white coats. They are social butterflies that love being the center of attention and were specifically bred to be companions. So they just know how to be with cats.
In addition, they generally lack high prey drive, and their small size makes them feel more like a friend or family to a cat rather than a threat. These white dogs are easy to train but also have a stubborn streak, so be patient or firm when training them.
That said, they are active breeds and enjoy short, brisk walks and playing indoors with toys. Plus, Bichon Frise has a curly hypoallergenic coat that barely sheds but needs regular brushing to prevent mats. They also need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks.
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
These dogs literally got their name after King Charles I and his son Charles II, as they used to carry them everywhere with them, even in the parliament. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are gentle and affectionate dogs bred to be companions.
These calm little dogs have almost zero interest in chasing and respect cats’ boundaries, which is why they quickly become their napping partners. Cavaliers are generally easy to train, and they respond well to positive reinforcement.
That said, they have low to moderate exercise needs and usually require a 20- to 30-minute walk around the block. These small dogs have long, silky coats that do not shed a lot but require regular brushing to prevent tangles.
7. Pug
Pugs are the clowns of the dog world as they are charming, mischievous, and super loving. They have that “go with the flow” attitude and usually prefer lounging in a cozy corner instead of creating trouble. These small pups are social and great with kids.
They often make good friends with cats due to their small size, low prey drive, and friendly nature. However, they are a bit stubborn, so you will need a lot of patience and plenty of tasty treats to keep them engaged.
That being said, they overheat easily due to their brachycephalic face, so prefer short, leisurely walks and indoor playtime. In addition, Pugs have a short coat that sheds quite a lot and requires brushing a few times to remove loose hair.
8. Papillon
You probably know Papillons for their butterfly ears, but they are also incredibly smart, alert, and energetic dogs. They are not yappy or skittish, and their confident nature actually makes them good feline friends. They have a big personality in that toy frame.
These little dogs are quite easy to train because they pick up commands quickly. That’s the reason they have worked as service or therapy dogs, PCA shared. In addition, they have more energy than any other toy breed and enjoy mental games, good walks, and zipping around the home.
Papillons may develop separation anxiety or show destructive behaviors if left alone. They have a beautiful coat that moderately sheds throughout the year and requires regular brushing to keep it tangle-free and neat.
9. Collie
Collies are famous for being gentle, loyal, and family dogs that are protective but never aggressive. This calm and steady personality makes them excellent with cats. They were bred as herding dogs, so instead of chasing, they may try to herd cats.
However, this behavior is manageable with early instruction and proper socialization with cats. These dogs are very eager to please and just love having tasks to do. They respond much better to a calm and patient handler rather than a firm one.
That said, they are not hyperactive or couch potatoes. Collies require at least 1 hour of exercise for mental stimulation. Plus, they have beautiful, thick double coats that do shed, especially as the season changes, and require frequent brushing.
10. Maltese
Maltese are lively, playful, and affectionate little pups that were bred to be beloved lapdogs. They follow you like a shadow, no matter where you go, and develop strong bonds with their owners. These white dogs have a big personality in a small pocket size.
They lack that chase or hunt drive and also have a small size, which makes them look familiar to cats somehow. Malteses are smart, eager to please, with a stubborn streak, so keep training sessions short and fun (maybe a few tasty treats work).
That being said, they are perfect for indoor living due to their relatively lower exercise requirements. A quick walk around the block or playing with a toy is usually enough. Plus, their long coat barely sheds and requires daily brushing to keep it clean.
Conclusion
Owning a cat and dog at the same time often gets overwhelming, and you find yourself stuck between a “YES” or “No”. We made this decision easier for you with all these feline-friendly dogs that just coexist with cats and consider them their family.
It can be their small size, gentle nature, calm demeanor, or just love personality that cats don’t consider them a threat. However, early socialization and introduction at a young age are important so they adapt well.
