Last Updated: 3 months ago
It’s important to note that a dog’s compatibility with cats often depends on individual temperament, training, and socialization rather than solely on breed characteristics.
Nevertheless, some breeds are known to have traits that may make them less suitable for households with cats.
Keep in mind that there are always exceptions, and individual dogs may vary.
Worst Dog Breeds For Cats Revealed
When it comes to the worst dog breeds for cats, your best bet is to avoid certain groups entirely.
One thing we want to say right now before we go any further: all dogs are different, and all cats are different.
So, just because a dog appears on the worst list doesn’t mean it can never work out.
Here’s a list, though it’s important to approach each dog as an individual:
1. American Pit Bull Terrier
- Personality: energetic and affectionate.
- Physical characteristics: muscular and strong.
- Temperament: can be very friendly.
- Verdict: While some Pit Bulls can coexist peacefully with cats, their strong prey drive may pose a challenge, especially if not socialized early.
This breed is muscular, loyal, and affectionate, but it also has a fighting spirit and a tendency to chase small animals.
Even if they don’t mean to harm your cat, they might scare or injure them with their rough play. Early socialization can help, but it is not a guarantee.
2. Scottish Deerhound
- Personality: gentle and dignified.
- Physical characteristics: large and wiry.
- Temperament: can be reserved.
- Verdict: Their large size may be intimidating to some cats, and their reserved nature may not align with the playful behavior of cats.
This breed is a large and graceful hunting dog that was bred to chase and kill deer.
They have a strong gaming instinct and will likely pursue any small creature that moves, including cats.
They are dignified, docile, and friendly, but not very cat-friendly.
3. Greyhound
- Personality: calm and laid-back.
- Physical characteristics: sleek and muscular.
- Temperament: generally gentle.
- Verdict: Greyhounds, while generally calm, may have a strong prey drive due to their history as hunting dogs, making them less suitable for households with cats.
This breed is the fastest dog in the world and has a natural instinct to course and hunt anything that runs.
They are intelligent, athletic, and even-tempered, but they are also hard to train and control when their prey drive kicks in.
They can easily catch and harm your cat if they are not well-socialized.
4. Samoyed
- Personality: friendly and social.
- Physical characteristics: fluffy white coat and plumed tail.
- Temperament: affectionate.
- Verdict: Samoyeds are usually good-natured, but their exuberance and desire for play may overwhelm some cats.
This breed is a medium-sized, fluffy, and smiling dog that looks friendly and harmless.
However, they are also cold-weather sled dogs that have a history of hunting small animals for food.
They are alert, sociable, and stubborn, but they are also prone to chase and kill cats and other small pets.
5. Bedlington Terrier
- Personality: spirited and affectionate.
- Physical characteristics: lamb-like appearance with a curly coat.
- Temperament: can be stubborn.
- Verdict: Bedlington Terriers’ spirited nature may not align well with the independent and sometimes aloof behavior of cats.
This breed is a small and curly-haired dog that resembles a lamb. They are alert, good-tempered, and affectionate, but they also have a sharp eye and a strong sense of territory.
They will chase away any intruders, including cats, and bark loudly at them. They can also be aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex.
6. Weimaraner
- Personality: energetic and sometimes stubborn.
- Physical characteristics: sleek and athletic.
- Temperament: can be headstrong.
- Explanation: Weimaraners’ high energy levels may be overwhelming for some cats.
This breed is a large and slender hunting dog that has a striking silver-gray coat and amber eyes.
They are powerful, alert, and aloof, but they also have a high prey drive and a low tolerance for small animals.
They will chase and catch anything that moves, including cats, and may not respond to commands when they are in hunting mode.
7. Jack Russell Terrier
- Personality: energetic and determined.
- Physical characteristics: small, compact, and agile.
- Temperament: high prey drive.
- Explanation: The strong prey drive of Jack Russells may trigger chasing behavior toward cats.
This breed is a small and energetic dog that has a lot of curiosity and mischief.
They were originally bred to hunt small game, such as rabbits and foxes, and have one of the highest prey drives among dogs.
They are fearless, ruthless, and relentless when they are on a mission, and they will not stop until they catch their target, which could be your cat.
8. Siberian Husky
- Personality: energetic and independent.
- Physical characteristics: thick double coat and striking markings.
- Temperament: can be stubborn.
- Verdict: Huskies’ high energy levels may be too much for some cats.
This breed is a medium-sized, wolf-like, and beautiful dog that has a thick coat and striking blue eyes.
They are sweet, friendly, and playful, but they also have a strong working and hunting instinct.
They can coexist peacefully with cats if they are raised with them, but they may still chase them or other small animals if they are bored or excited.
9. Schnauzer
- Personality: intelligent and alert.
- Physical characteristics: distinctive beard and eyebrows.
- Temperament: loyal.
- Verdict: Schnauzers can be territorial, and their alert nature might make them less tolerant of a cat’s independent behavior.
This breed is a strong, fearless, and loyal dog that comes in three sizes: miniature, standard, and giant.
They are great family dogs and guardians, but they also have a low tolerance for smaller pets, especially cats.
They are stubborn, independent, and territorial and will not hesitate to chase or confront any intruders in their domain.
10. Dachshund
- Personality: curious and brave.
- Physical Characteristics: long body and short legs.
- Temperament: can be stubborn.
- Verdict: Dachshunds’ brave and curious nature might lead to conflicts with cats, especially if the cat prefers to keep its distance.
This breed is a small and elongated dog that has short legs and a long body.
They are cute, lively, and devoted, but they also have a strong hunting instinct and a high prey drive.
They were bred to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals and will chase anything that runs or squeaks, including cats. They can also be stubborn, jealous, and aggressive toward other dogs.
11. Australian Cattle Dog
- Personality: energetic and intelligent.
- Physical characteristics: muscular and agile.
- Temperament: can be independent.
- Verdict: Australian Cattle Dogs’ high energy levels and herding instincts may be overwhelming for some cats.
This breed is a medium-sized and energetic dog that has high intelligence and a strong work ethic.
They are loyal, protective, and obedient, but they also have a very high prey drive and a tendency to herd anything that moves, including cats.
They can nip, bite, or chase your cat if they are not well-trained and socialized.
12. Beagle
- Personality: curious and friendly.
- Physical characteristics: medium-sized with a short coat.
- Temperament: generally good-natured.
- Verdict: Beagles have a strong sense of smell and might be easily distracted or intrigued by a cat’s movements, potentially leading to chasing behavior.
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 strong hunting instinct and a high prey drive.
They were bred to hunt small game, such as rabbits and foxes, and will chase anything that smells or sounds interesting, including cats. They can also be hard to train and control when they are on a scent trail.
13. Border Collie
- Personality: highly intelligent and energetic.
- Physical characteristics: medium-sized and agile.
- Temperament: can be intense.
- Verdict: Border Collies’ high energy levels and intense focus might be too much for some cats, especially those who prefer a more relaxed environment.
This breed is a medium-sized and agile dog that has high intelligence and a strong work ethic.
They are loyal, obedient, and energetic, but they also have a very high prey drive and a tendency to herd anything that moves, including cats.
They can nip, bite, or chase your cat if they are not well-trained and socialized.
14. Chow Chow
- Personality: aloof and independent.
- Physical characteristics: sturdy, lion-like mane.
- Temperament: reserved and can be territorial.
- Verdict: Chow Chows may not tolerate the unpredictable movements and playful behavior of cats.
This breed is a large and fluffy dog that has a lion-like appearance and a blue-black tongue.
They are dignified, independent, and loyal, but they also have a strong sense of territory and a low tolerance for strangers and other animals.
They will guard their home and family fiercely and will not welcome any intruders, including cats. They can also be stubborn, dominant, and aggressive toward other dogs.
15. German Shepherd
- Personality: intelligent and loyal.
- Physical characteristics: strong and versatile.
- Temperament: can be protective.
- Verdict: German Shepherds’ protective instincts may be too strong for some cats, especially if the cat is not comfortable with their watchful nature.
This breed is a large and powerful dog that has a loyal and protective personality.
They are intelligent, obedient, and courageous, but they also have a strong prey drive and a tendency to chase anything that moves, including cats.
They can coexist peacefully with cats if they are raised with them, but they may still see them as prey or playthings if they are not well-trained and socialized.
16. Irish Setter
- Personality: energetic and affectionate.
- Physical characteristics: elegant and athletic.
- Temperament: generally friendly.
- Verdict: While Irish Setters are usually friendly, their high energy levels may be too much for some cats
This breed is a large and elegant dog that has a glossy red coat and a graceful gait.
They are lively, friendly, and affectionate, but they also have a strong hunting instinct and a high prey drive.
They were bred to hunt birds and other small game, and they will chase anything that flies or runs, including cats. They can also be hard to train and control when they are in hunting mode.
17. Maltese
- Personality: gentle and affectionate.
- Physical characteristics: small with a long, silky coat.
- Temperament: can be reserved.
- Verdict: Maltese dogs may not have the patience for the playful antics of cats, and their small size may make them less tolerant of a cat’s independence.
This breed is a small and fluffy dog that has a white coat and a sweet face.
They are gentle, loving, and playful, but they also have a high prey drive and a tendency to bark at anything that moves, including cats.
They can chase, nip, or harass your cat if they are not well-trained and socialized.
18. Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Personality: independent and protective.
- Physical characteristics: muscular with a distinctive ridge along the back.
- Temperament: can be aloof.
- Verdict: Their independent nature might not mesh well with a cat’s desire for attention.
This breed is a large and muscular dog that has a distinctive ridge of hair along its back.
They are loyal, dignified, and independent, but they also have a strong hunting instinct and a high prey drive.
They were bred to hunt lions and other large game, and they will chase anything that moves, including cats. They can also be dominant, stubborn, and aggressive toward other dogs.
19. Saluki
- Personality: graceful and reserved.
- Physical Characteristics: sleek, slender, and elegant.
- Temperament: independent.
- Verdict: Salukis may not have the patience for the playful antics of cats.
This breed is a large and slender dog that has a graceful and elegant appearance.
They are intelligent, aloof, and loyal, but they also have a strong hunting instinct and a high prey drive.
They are sighthounds, which means they hunt by sight and chase anything that runs, including cats. They can also be hard to train and control when they are in hunting mode.
20. West Highland White Terrier
- Personality: confident and sometimes feisty.
- Physical characteristics: small with a white, wiry coat.
- Temperament: can be independent.
- Verdict: Westies’ assertive nature may not align with a cat’s independence.
This breed is a small and cute dog that has a white coat and a cheerful personality.
They are lively, friendly, and confident, but they also have a strong hunting instinct and a high prey drive.
They were bred to hunt rodents and other small animals and will chase anything that squeaks or scurries, including cats. They can also be stubborn, independent, and territorial.
Wrap-Up
These are some of the worst 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 avoid potential conflicts or problems, you might want to steer clear of these breeds and look for more cat-friendly ones.
What are your thoughts on these worst dog breeds for cats? Share in the comment section below!
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Olfa knows how to get things done and has a keen business sense that others admire. She’s always on the go, coming up with new ideas! Her ability to anticipate the needs of her readers and deliver information that they want is what makes CatVills such a success. She loves cuddling her cat Picaciu. He is her inspiration.