11 Dog Breeds That Get Along with Cats (With Pictures)

We really love dogs. But that doesn’t mean we can’t love other animals too!

Mixed-species households are much more common than you would think. However, due to their natural instincts, cats and dogs don’t always make the perfect pair. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to have a loving home with equally loving dog and cat relationships. What dog breeds get along with cats?

There are some dog breeds that get along much better with cats than others. For dogs that don’t get along so well with cats, there are some tips you can try. Otherwise, here are 11 of the best dog breeds to pair along with your feline family members:

The 11 Best Dog Breeds that Get Along with Cats:

1. Golden Retriever

Goldens are absolutely amazing around cats, they don’t have a prey drive towards them at all. But they are social enough to be playful if the cat engages. Golden Retrievers also have an incredibly adaptable intelligence. In other words, if the cat doesn’t like them, they’ll quickly learn to just stay out of their way. That act alone can actually lead the cat to warm up more to the Golden Retriever.

2. Labrador Retriever

There’s literally next-to-nothing these goofballs don’t get along with. And they just love their families! Training and introducing a Lab to a cat is relatively easy. You just need to make sure that the Lab sees the cat as part of the family. So, by loving on the cat and treating it properly, your Lab will quickly assimilate them as part of their family too.

3. Pug

When it comes to Pugs and cats, it’s not really the Pug you need to worry about. Pugs are like the Rodney Dangerfield of the dog world. They’re funny, quirky, and “don’t get no respect we tell ya!” Plus they’re small enough not to pose an immediate threat to your cat and will often become a great playmate for them.

4. Basset Hound

If there ever was a more low-key dog breed than the Basset Hound, we haven’t met it. They’re so laid back and docile that they don’t seem to alarm cats or put them on edge. They also exhibit great deals of patience and are generally super-friendly. And those giant floppy ears will become just another nest for your feline family member.

5. Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels may have been bred to be hunting dogs, but that’s primarily for birds. When it comes to their temperament with cats though, you may want to watch out. Not because they’ll fight, but because they may band together to gang up on you and hatch schemes!  Cocker Spaniels and cats can easily become the absolute best of friends.

6. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frises are super intelligent, fun-loving social dogs. And they are just perfect around cats! The biggest cause for concern would actually be your cat’s temperament. If your cat is anti-social, you may have difficulties with a Bichon Frise at first. That’s because a Bichon Frise will immediately see a new potential friend and playmate. However, a couple of swipes from the cat will quickly teach your pup that the cat is to be left alone.

7. Maltese

If you’re looking for an extremely low conflict dog and cat combination, a Maltese could definitely fill the canine role. And that’s because they absolute total slackers. In all reality, the cat would have to actually initiate the interaction. It’s not that a Maltese would go out of its way to avoid a cat specifically, but that the Maltese doesn’t go out of its way to do really anything at all — except maybe hop into your lap.

8. Rough Collie

Rough Collies are super cat-friendly dogs. It’s not uncommon for them to even be cuddle buddies when it’s time for bed. When it comes to a Collie and cat relationship, the guidelines for the bond will often be established by the cat. But as Collies are smart, patient, and affectionate, cats tend to embrace a Collie more than other breeds.

9. Poodle

Poodles are often considered to be one of the smartest dog breeds, falling just behind Border Collies. And their great intelligence leads them to have a rather mild-mannered temperament. They’re also extremely protective of their families. When introducing a cat to the family, a Poodle typically senses the cat has become one of its own and will even become protective of the new family addition.

10. Boston Terrier

Generally speaking, the rule of thumb is don’t combine a terrier with a cat. The terrier’s natural instinct can actually drive them to treat cats as prey. However, there’s an exception to every rule. The Boston Terrier’s cool, laid-back nature actually acts against their natural instinct. And it’s not uncommon at all to find them playing along with a feline friend.

11. Newfoundland

Newfies are one of the gentle giant dog breeds. They’re just so loving and dedicated to pleasing their masters and other friends. And since Newfoundland dogs are so big, they don’t view cats as potential enemies or threats — it’s the cat that may think otherwise at first. Newfies aren’t going to go out of their way to bother a cat either. Instead, the cat will slowly warm up to them. And with the Newfie’s size and patience, any unwarranted swipes from the cat will probably be responded to with a simple tail wag.

• Related Read: 20 Worst Dog Breeds for Cats

Conclusion: Best Dogs to Get Along with Cats

There’s been a long-standing misconception that cats and dogs are mortal enemies. But that’s not always the case. While some breeds are notorious for hunting cats, all dogs aren’t built alike.

As you can see with these breeds, dogs and cats can actually form long-lasting, loving friendships. The trick is to choose a breed that’s not predisposed to hunting cats, introduce them early, and treat each as a member of the family. Upon doing so, you may see one of the sweetest relationships unfurl right before your eyes.

Related Read:

• 13 Dog Breeds That Get Along with Other Dogs
• Will a Dog Get Along with a Scottish Fold? – The Surprising Answer!

Featured image credit: Free-Photos, Pixabay