10 Best Dog Breeds That Get Along With Cats
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If you want to have both dogs and cats in your house, search selecting a breed of dog that normally gets along with cats. While each dog (and cat) must be treated as an individual, some breeds have characteristics that make them more tolerant of other animals. As an illustration, many working dogs were created to keep an eye on and defend their family members, which included other animals. Additionally, certain hounds, particularly scent hounds, were bred to work closely in packs and are consequently typically sociable with other furry family members. Retrieving and spaniel breeds of sporting dogs often get along with everyone, including cats. And most toy dogs were developed to be devoted companions to other species as well.
Ten canine breeds that get along well with cats are listed below.
Breed specific traits
In general, powerful hunting drives make many dog breeds unsuitable for homes with cats. For instance, a sight hound may desire to chase a moving cat, but a scent hound will often ignore the animal's familiar scent. Breeds that are naturally gregarious and eager to make friends with everyone typically get along with cats the best. Dogs with low to moderate levels of energy are also suitable for cats since they won't startle or frighten their feline friends with sudden spurts of movement. In addition, dogs that are normally sociable and trainable are the best since they may be taught how to get along with cats.
Tip
Dogs are all unique beings. For example, even though beagles typically get along well with cats, yours could not. Introduce dogs and cats slowly until you are certain that they will get along. A behaviorist or professional trainer can provide advice on how to make the introduction go more smoothly.
Beagle
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Beagles belong to the category of hounds known as scent hounds, which means they use their keen noses to find prey. It was essential that these dogs got along with other animals since they typically hunted in huge groups with hunters following the packs on foot or horseback. Beagles are friendly and sociable animals. And the majority of them will coexist peacefully with other animals, even cats, whom they will probably regard as mere cogs in the pack.
Breed Overview
HEIGHT: 13 to 15 inches
WEIGHT: 20 to 25 pounds
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Muscular, solid body; domed skull; squarish muzzle; long, floppy ears; perky long tail held upward
Basset Hound
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The basset hound is a scent hound just like the beagle. Basset hounds are amiable and kind since they live in packs. Because of their slow movement and long, heavy bodies, basset hounds are excellent for coexisting with cats because they are unlikely to frighten or intimidate their feline companions. They are calm, devoted, and loyal dogs.
Breed Overview
HEIGHT: 11 to 14 inches
WEIGHT: 50 to 65 pounds
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Long body with short legs; long, drooping ears; wrinkled forehead; hanging lips; soft eye
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
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The American Kennel Club Toy Group includes the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They were bred to be devoted lap dogs and amiable friends in general. The Cavalier is the sweetest thing out there. This breed gets along with nearly every kind of person and pet, even cats. They are flexible and kind tiny beings.
Breed Overview
HEIGHT: 12 to 13 inches
WEIGHT: 13 to 18 pounds
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Medium-length, silky wavy coat; adults have feathering on their ears, chest, legs, feet, and tail
Collie
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Remembering Lassie, a rugged collie, will remind you that these dogs are lovers, not fighters. Collies are a bit more laid-back than some other herding breeds and typically can resist the impulse to herd when the behavior wouldn't be suitable, though not all herding dogs get well with cats (such as chasing the family cat). Additionally, collies typically behave gently with children and other household pets.
Breed Overview
HEIGHT: 22 to 26 inches
WEIGHT: 50 to 75 pounds
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Dense smooth or rough coat; long, narrow face; comes in sable and white, tricolor, blue merle, and white
Golden Retriever
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The golden retriever, one of the most well-liked dog breeds worldwide, is an exceptionally calm canine. And both cats and people are treated politely by it. Golden retrievers are sociable, flexible, and loving dogs. Almost all golden retrievers can be trained to coexist peacefully with cats because they are intelligent, sociable dogs.
Breed Overview
HEIGHT: 21 to 24 inches
WEIGHT: 55 to 75 pounds
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Sturdy, muscular body with a lustrous gold coat, broad head, and friendly and intelligent eyes
Poodle
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There are three sizes of poodles: standard, miniature, and toy. The smaller tiny and toy kinds are typically less terrifying to a cat, even though all three are extremely intelligent and can be trained to behave around cats. In actuality, toy poodles are similar in size to many cats and frequently develop deep bonds and playtime relationships with their feline pals.
Breed Overview
HEIGHT: Standard: 15 inches; miniature: 10 to 15 inches; toy: 10 inches and under
WEIGHT: Standard: 45 to 70 pounds; miniature: 15 to 18 pounds; toy: 5 to 9 pounds
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Curly, dense, single-layer coat that may be one of many solid colors, including white, black, gray, brown, and apricot
Maltese
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The Maltese is about the size of a cat and weighs less than seven pounds on average, so many cats feel at ease around it. This toy breed makes a patient, affectionate, and laid-back friend. A Maltese is normally content to relax on the couch and pay little attention to other activities, including those of a cat.
Breed Overview
HEIGHT: 8 to 10 inches
WEIGHT: 4 to 7 pounds
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Dark, alert eyes shrouded by white fur that is naturally long and silky; single-layer coat without an undercoat
Newfoundland
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The gentle giants of the canine world are newfoundlands. Newfies are tolerant, composed, and devoted to their families. They usually get along well with people of all ages and all kinds of animals, including cats. This enormous breed's size shouldn't be particularly alarming to a cat because it normally has a calm disposition and a low level of activity.
Breed Overview
HEIGHT: 26 to 28 inches
WEIGHT: 100 to 150 pounds
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Large, heavy-coated, powerful body; broad, massive head; small ears that lie close to the head
Pomeranian
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The Pomeranian is a lively and interesting toy dog breed. They weigh between three and seven pounds, which is less than typical cats. Therefore, these cute small dogs rarely pose a threat to our feline pals. They prefer to get along well with other animals, including cats, and are normally friendly dogs with a modest amount of energy.
Breed Overview
HEIGHT: 6 to 7 inches
WEIGHT: 3 to 7 pounds
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Long double coat; fox-like face; pointy, erect ears; curled tail
Pug
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Pugs are adorable, joyful, and sociable small dogs that get along with just about everyone. Pugs typically don't have the desire to pursue or otherwise irritate a cat, so they can coexist together. Pugs are actually such sociable and amiable dogs that a cat can keep them company while their owners are away.
Breed Overview
HEIGHT: 10 to 13 inches
WEIGHT: 14 to 18 pounds
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Small, barreled body; round, wrinkled head; short nose; curly tail
Breeds to Avoid
In general, if you have cats, stay away from dog breeds with strong chasing instincts. Terriers are tenacious, fiery, and energetic, for example. They were bred particularly to hunt and devour little hairy creatures. Most people still have this instinct, and your cat can end up on the hunt. In addition, some energetic herding breeds, like border collies, frequently find it difficult to control their need to herd the entire household, including cats. Additionally, the cats might not enjoy being herded by an animated dog.