10 of the Best Dog Breeds for Families With Cats

With these Caterpillar - favorable dogs , you may have the best of both worlds !

Friendship does n’t always come easily to a finicky feline , specially when the potential crony in question is a drooling domestic dog eager to research his unexampled home and get up closelipped and personal with his more reserved roommate . alas , not every home will be a harmonious convulsion for Fluffy and Fido , butdual dog / cat loversneed not fret . computed tomography owners wishing to add a wienerwurst to their dwelling just have to be willing to put in the fourth dimension to find a cat - friendly Canis familiaris for their existing feline family member . The best dogs for CAT are those with comparatively relaxed personalities and a willingness to larn desired demeanor from their proprietor .

" The personality traits which facilitate dogs get along well with cats include soft nature , downcast energy , crushed quarry drive , low drive to chase , trainability , easily prompt with food for thought ( this helps pet parent direct the dog to be tranquil around the true cat ) , and low drive to bark , " says Lisa Radosta , DVM , DACVB , card - demonstrate veterinary behaviorist atFlorida Veterinary Behavior Service .

golden retriever with two cats

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Though every dog and cat is unlike , the best Canis familiaris stock for cats on our list tend to display many of the desired traits to fit mightily in with even the fussiest of felines .

Golden Retriever

The prosperous child of many favorite parent , golden retrieversare one of the firstfamily - friendly dog breedsto do to bear in mind , and their soft good nature extends to other fellow member of the animal kingdom , as well . Eager to please their owners , goldens are loose to train and are typically accepting of fellow dearie in the household — in fact , these serious boys and girls may go out of their direction to befriend the house cat and initiate playtime if their new playfellow allows . Be ready tocapture mellisonant import on camera !

Labrador Retriever

Topping the American Kennel Club’slist of most popular dog breedssince 1991 , the loveableLabrador retrieveris an adored mob pet happy to frolic around and expend some of their boundless energy with child . They do n’t have a mean - spirited bone in their soundbox ( did someone say os ! ? ) and are a great cat - friendly dog engender to potentially adhere with the resident cat .

Pug

With their crinkly faces and coil tails , the charismaticpugcan beguile the socks off just about anyone , so do n’t depend out the family cat . Like their hombre counterpart , pugs have a penchant for warming laps and prefer a lackadaisical life style being doted on by their owners . Similar in size of it as well , weighing as few as 14 pounds , pugs and cats have a lot in common and can delight the same slow tread catching z ’s during Clarence Shepard Day Jr. - to - day life . Just make indisputable there ’s enough of your lap to go around !

Bulldog

Do n’t lease their meaty muscles and hateful mugs fool you — bulldogsare as goofy as they are girthy . While many a bulldog mascot has faced off against a " mountain lion " or " wildcat " on the Margaret Court or field , bulldogs have no beef with cats outside the kingdom of sports and could make a compatible associate for your puss , as well as youngster in the plate .

Basset Hound

Thebasset hound ’s prized sniffers have find many a basset puppy hot on a scent trail , but cat owner do n’t postulate to vex about their cat becoming a part of the William Holman Hunt . Basset hound mostly prefer the party of other frump and cats to being left alone . Since their aid is so dictate by the fragrance they blame up , they ’re a slower breed totrainbut with patience , perseverance , andpositive reinforcementwill eventually catch on .

Beagle

Another olfactory property heel , beagleslove the companionship of a face pack . " They are happy when they can live and be an participating part of their family ’s lives , " according to theNational Beagle Club of America . These pups definitely do n’t wish to be left alone ( no more than 4 to 5 hr a day ) so a cat in the home can be the unadulterated companion to help keep them society during the sentence you ca n’t be at home with them .

Boston Terrier

Fanciful felines will appreciate theBoston terrier ’s tendency to dress to the nines . Those trademark tuxedo coats ensure they are substantially - cut back anywhere they go , but underneath all that sophistication is a silly side that does n’t stay hidden for long . Boston terriers are societal butterflies known to stay close to their possessor ’s side and do n’t seem to mind if other furry friends are also along for the ride .

Great Pyrenees

Comparable to a cloud or perhaps a gelid bear , the fluffy , large - and - in - chargeGreat Pyreneesis often independent and upstage , two personality trait cat buff are more than familiar with . Great Pyrenees heel enjoy unruffled time to search and are happiest in dwelling house with a largefenced - in yard , allowing free time to wander . Despite their large sizing , Great Pyrenees are generallydocumented aristocratical giantswhen it come to their fundamental interaction with felines in the family unit .

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Though your gallant bozo might resist having literal royalty in the planetary house , theCavalier King Charles spanielfits into almost any household , known for his ability to conform to a variety of different lifestyles . Forseniorswith cat , the Cavalier King Charles can adjust to a relaxed lifestyle and is well-off as a couch white potato . However , foractive families , they are always eager to unite in the fun for a game offetchor pursual . Amenable toapartment lifebut able to revalue a private fenced - in yard , there really is no limit to the Cavalier King Charles ' flexibility , so long as he has his favourite people by his side .

Pomeranian

If your Caterpillar bask being in charge , the petitePomeranianis a poofball weighing no more than 7 pounds — he puzzle fiddling scourge to your computerized axial tomography ’s kingdom . In fact , the Pom ’s sassy bar may align with your quat ’s own favourable position building complex , and the two would be the perfect yoke to keep you on your toes . And they for sure would search precious doing so !

How to Find the Best Dog for Your Cat

While these beloved breed are sure enough a place to start , Radosta emphasizes each individual dog is different , and it ’s possible for any dog to get along with the family African tea , if owners do their due industriousness .

" When pet parent are searching for a new dog , they should inquire whether the domestic dog has lived with or currently lives with any cat , or if the pawl has been introduced to any cats at the breeder or rescue readiness , " say Alison Gerken , DVM , clinical behavior medicine resident atFlorida Veterinary Behavior Service . " If the hot dog has a account of being strong-growing toward , tag , picking up , or fixating on CT , then the Canis familiaris is in all probability not suitable for a home with a cat . "

You know your cat well than anyone , so swear your instincts as to what she can handle .

labrador retriever and a cat lying together on a blue couch

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" Much like human beings , no two dogs or cat are alike , " Radosta says . " seek for the right personality regardless of the stock or mix of stock and then teach your pets to get along . "

pug with his tongue hanging out