Last Updated: 2 months ago
A few bonds are as heartwarming and enduring as the friendship between a dog and a cat.
For those seeking to add a canine companion to a household already graced by the presence of a feline friend, choosing the right dog breed is key to fostering harmonious coexistence.
Let’s shed some light on the breeds that effortlessly integrate into the feline-friendly fabric of our homes.
Best Dog Breeds for Cats
From the gentle giants to the spirited small breeds, our guide aims to help you navigate and choose the best dog breed for your cat household.
Ensure that the next addition to your family not only wags its tail but also treads softly alongside your beloved cat.
Let’s see their characteristics, temperaments, and affable personalities as dogs that make them not just pet companions but cherished friends to our feline counterparts.
1. Labrador Retriever
- Personality: friendly and outgoing.
- Physical characteristics: medium to large size, strong build.
- Temperament: gentle and good-natured.
- Verdict: Labradors are often known for their friendly disposition, making them likely to get along well with cats.
This breed is a large and lovable dog that has a gentle and sweet-natured personality.
They are loyal, obedient, and playful, but they are also tolerant and patient with other animals, including cats.
They are one of the most popular family dogs, and they can easily bond with their feline siblings.
2. Beagle
- Personality: curious and friendly.
- Physical characteristics: medium-sized with a short coat.
- Temperament: generally good-natured.
- Verdict: Beagles are known for their friendly nature, and their curiosity can make them adaptable to living with cats.
This breed is a small and adorable dog that has a curious and friendly personality.
They are great companions and family dogs, but they also have a low prey drive and a high sociability.
They were bred to hunt in packs, so they are used to sharing their space with other animals and people.
They can view cats as just another member of the pack and get along well with them.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Personality: affectionate and gentle.
- Physical characteristics: small with a silky coat.
- Temperament: loving and sociable.
- Verdict: Cavaliers are often affectionate, and their gentle demeanor can make them good companions for cats.
This breed is a small and elegant dog that has a glossy coat and a sweet face.
They are gentle, affectionate, and playful, but also adaptable and easy-going. They can adjust to any living situation, including one with cats.
They are not aggressive or territorial, and they can befriend anyone, including felines.
4. Maltese
- Personality: gentle and affectionate.
- Physical characteristics: small with a long, silky coat.
- Temperament: can be reserved.
- Verdict: Maltese dogs, if introduced properly, can be gentle and may coexist well with cats due to their small size.
This breed is a small and fluffy dog that has a white coat and a cheerful personality.
They are gentle, loving, and playful, but they also have a low prey drive and a low energy level.
They are not interested in chasing or barking at cats, and they can live peacefully with them.
They are also great lap dogs and cuddlers, which can appeal to some cats.
5. Bichon Frise
- Personality: playful and affectionate.
- Physical characteristics: small and fluffy.
- Temperament: social and cheerful.
- Verdict: Bichon Frises are often playful and sociable, making them potentially good playmates for cats.
This breed is a small and cute dog that has a curly coat and a happy face.
They are lively, friendly, and affectionate, but they also have a low prey drive and a high sociability.
They love to make friends with everyone, including cats, and they can share their toys and beds with them.
They are also hypoallergenic, which can be a plus for some cat owners.
6. Boxer
- Personality: energetic and playful.
- Physical characteristics: muscular and medium to large size.
- Temperament: fun-loving and affectionate.
- Verdict: Boxers’ playful energy may align well with the active nature of some cats.
This breed is a medium-sized and muscular dog that has a short coat and a playful personality.
They are friendly, energetic, and loyal, but they also have a low prey drive and a high tolerance for other animals, including cats.
They can view cats as their playmates and buddies, and they can protect them from harm. They are also great with children and other dogs.
7. Shih Tzu
- Personality: affectionate and friendly.
- Physical characteristics: small with a distinctive long coat.
- Temperament: sweet-natured.
- Verdict: Shih Tzus are known for their friendly and adaptable nature, which can make them good companions for cats.
This breed is a small and fluffy dog that has a long coat and a sweet face.
They are gentle, loyal, and devoted, but also lazy, bossy, and stubborn. They are not interested in chasing or harassing cats, and they can coexist peacefully with them.
They are also great lap dogs and companions, which can appeal to some cats.
8. Australian Shepherd
- Personality: intelligent and energetic.
- Physical characteristics: medium to large size with a lush coat.
- Temperament: loyal and trainable.
- Verdict: Australian Shepherds, if properly trained and socialized, can be adaptable to various living situations, including households with cats.
This breed is a medium-sized and agile dog that has a thick coat and a loyal personality.
They are intelligent, obedient, and energetic, but they also have a low prey drive and a high sociability.
They can coexist peacefully with cats if they are raised with them, and they can even herd them gently. They are also great with children and other dogs.
9. Japanese Chin
- Personality: graceful and affectionate.
- Physical characteristics: small with a distinctive appearance.
- Temperament: gentle and loving.
- Verdict: Japanese Chins are often gentle, and their small size makes them less intimidating for cats.
This breed is a small and graceful dog that has a silky coat and a noble face.
They are peaceful, cuddly, and affectionate, but they also have a low prey drive and a low energy level.
They are not interested in chasing or barking at cats, and they can live peacefully with them. They are also great lap dogs and companions, which can appeal to some cats.
10. Cocker Spaniel
- Personality: gentle and affectionate.
- Physical characteristics: medium-sized with a silky coat.
- Temperament: sociable and good with families.
- Verdict: Cocker Spaniels are known for their friendly nature and can be good companions for cats.
This breed is a medium-sized and beautiful dog that has a long coat and a gentle face.
They are lively, friendly, and affectionate, but they also have a low prey drive and a high sociability.
They can coexist peacefully with cats if they are raised with them, and they can even groom them. They are also great with children and other dogs.
11. Yorkshire Terrier
- Personality: spirited and affectionate.
- Physical characteristics: small with a silky coat.
- Temperament: confident and playful.
- Verdict: Yorkshire Terriers, despite their small size, can be confident and adapt well to living with cats.
This breed is a small and cute dog that has a long coat and a spunky personality.
They are alert, lively, and devoted, but they also have a low prey drive and a low energy level.
They are not interested in chasing or barking at cats, and they can live peacefully with them. They are also great lap dogs and companions, which can appeal to some cats.
12. Pekingese
- Personality: regal and affectionate.
- Physical characteristics: small with a distinctive mane.
- Temperament: can be independent.
- Verdict: Pekingese dogs, with proper introduction and socialization, can form strong bonds with cats.
This breed is a small and fluffy dog that has a flat face and a regal attitude.
They are calm, loyal, and independent, but they also have a low prey drive and a low energy level.
They are not interested in chasing or barking at cats, and they can live peacefully with them. They are also great lap dogs and companions, which can appeal to some cats.
13. Pomeranian
- Personality: lively and extroverted.
- Physical characteristics: small with a fluffy coat.
- Temperament: confident and sociable.
- Verdict: Pomeranians’ lively nature may make them playful companions for cats.
This breed is a small and fluffy dog that has a thick coat and a lively personality.
They are bright, inquisitive, and friendly, but they also have a low prey drive and a high sociability.
They can coexist peacefully with cats if they are raised with them, and they can even play with them. They are also great lap dogs and cuddlers, which can appeal to some cats.
14. Golden Retriever
- Personality: friendly and tolerant.
- Physical characteristics: large, muscular, and with a dense coat.
- Temperament: gentle and easygoing.
- Verdict: Golden Retrievers are often known for their friendly and tolerant nature, making them suitable for living with cats.
This breed is a large and lovable dog that has a golden coat and a sweet face.
They are gentle, friendly, and playful, but they are also tolerant and patient with other animals, including cats.
They are one of the most popular family dogs, and they can easily bond with their feline siblings.
15. Poodle
- Personality: intelligent and trainable.
- Physical characteristics: various sizes, with a curly coat.
- Temperament: social and adaptable.
- Verdict: Poodles, given their intelligence and sociability, can adapt well to living with cats with proper introductions.
This breed is a medium-sized and elegant dog that has a curly coat and a smart personality.
They are intelligent, obedient, and loyal, but they also have a low prey drive and high sociability.
They can coexist peacefully with cats if they are raised with them, and they can even learn from them. They are also hypoallergenic, which can be a plus for some cat owners.
Wrap-Up
These are some of the best dog breeds for cats, but remember that every dog is an individual and may not fit the general characteristics of their breed.
Some dogs may be more tolerant, friendly, or gentle with cats than others, depending on their personality, training, and socialization.
However, if you want to increase the chances of a harmonious relationship, you might want to choose one of these breeds and look for more cat-friendly tips.
What are your thoughts on these best dog breeds for cats? Share in the comment section below!
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Nicole is one of the writers here on CatVills. She’s been a cat lover most of her life and-at one point- counted five felines as part of her family. Today, she’s proud cat mom to two indoor kitties and caregiver for a slew of ferals.
These do make sense as far as not being good with cats. The breeds that are higher energy and considered more ‘annoying’ would not do well with cats.
Husky can be very dangerous for cats too.