8 Top Dog Breeds That Are Great With Cats
Yes, it's possible for cats and dogs to be friends.
If you say that two people get along like cats and dogs, well, that’s not a good thing. Most cartoons show cats and dogs being mortal enemies, not to mention the dog person vs. cat person divide. But are cats and dogs really opposites, and can they ever get along?
The truth is that many cats and dogs can coexist, and a lot of households have both pets, not just one or the other. The key is to choose a dog breed that gets along with cats and to socialize both pets well, so there's no fighting. For a dog breed that is more likely to get along with cats, you want to avoid any breeds that have a high prey drive (like a terrier). Those dogs are likely to chase a cat, resulting in the cartoon-like antics.
After referencing the American Kennel Club's recommendations and doing our own research, we've identified some cat-friendly dog breeds to help encourage household harmony between your pets. Don't forget to introduce the dog and cat to each other slowly and make sure they each have a safe space to help them feel comfortable. You should also keep each pet's personality in mind. Even if the breed is known to live in harmony with others, if your cat or dog isn't friendly, or they've had poor interactions with other animals in the past, you might need to keep it a solo pet household.
Golden Retriever
These friendly dogs are known for their big smiles and gentle temperament. They make great family dogs because they are patient with both children and other pets. Just make sure to give them plenty of exercise!
Labrador Retriever
These sporty dogs are smart and adaptable, making them a good fit for multi-pet households. They love to run and play, and are eager to please, which means they are likely to be receptive to positive reinforcement encouraging good behavior towards a cat.
Pug
These goofy dogs love to sit on the couch. Their lower energy level and chill personalities make them a good fit to get along with independent cats who wouldn’t enjoy a higher energy pup in their personal space. In fact, you might catch them taking a nap on the couch together.
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Beagle
Beagles were bred to work together in a pack as hunting dogs. That typically makes them friendly and sociable to other animals. Although beagles do tend to have a high prey drive, with proper socialization, it shouldn't be a problem. You can also consider the size of the two, if they are about equal in size, the beagle will likely see the cat as one of their own.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
These silky-haired dogs aren’t much larger than cats themselves, so they aren’t likely to terrorize a cat based on size. Cavaliers are gentle, affectionate and patient, making them a great choice both for first-time dog owners and for homes with children or other pets.
Collies
Collies are athletic and intelligent, and they’re known for getting along well with children. They love companionship, but they are herding dogs, so they may want to be up in your cat’s personal space.
Bichon Frisé
These curly-haired puffballs aren’t just hypoallergenic and great for apartments, they are also companionship-focused pets. Like Cavaliers, they are similar in size to (or even smaller than) most cats and are gentle and easygoing in nature.
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Poodle
These fashionable pups come in sizes from mini to large but can tolerate cats regardless of size. Poodles are super smart and easy to train, so you should be able to teach them how to get along with another. Poodles also tend to be good-natured, perfect for tolerating any kitty antics.
Sarah Vincent (she/her) covers the latest and greatest in books and all things pets for Good Housekeeping. She double majored in Creative Writing and Criminal Justice at Loyola University Chicago, where she sat in the front row for every basketball game. In her spare time, she loves cooking, crafting, studying Japanese, and, of course, reading.
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