Cat-friendly dog breeds

If your pet cat is already ruling the roost, it can discourage you from the idea of introducing a dog into your home. But you shouldn’t let your feline friend put you off. There are some breeds of dog out there which are known for getting along famously with cats.

Beagle

Although Beagles were originally bred as scent hounds, they behave very well with cats. They may playfully chase cats in the garden, but when inside the house they tend to treat cats respectfully and are more than happy to snuggle up with any feline sharing their home.

It’s important to keep in mind that Beagles can be challenging to train, as they’re known to ignore their owner’s calling if they’ve found an interesting scent.

Boxer

Boxers are a strong and lively breed, so they live best with a cat that can stand up for itself. A Boxer will most likely play wrestle with your cat, so your cat will have to be assertive.

Boxers also serve as a great guard dog, and are easy to train as they almost always respond to their owner’s commands. If you’re looking for a strong, family pet who will get along brilliantly with your cat, the boxer is a great choice.

Bichon Frisé

The Bichon is known for being a sociable breed who will view your cat as a playmate, so will work well with a feline friend who is particularly laid back. It might be a good idea to supervise your pet’s interactions as the Bichon may be too forceful when your cat isn’t in the mood to play.

This breed is one of the best for a family dog and are famous for having loving personalities.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are excellent with cats of all sizes. This favourite family pet is unlikely to treat your cat roughly when playing, and will automatically consider the cat as part of the family if the introduction has been made when the animals are young.

Golden Retrievers will protect a kitten that they recognise as part of their family. They are known to be one of the easiest breeds to train and are willing to do almost anything to please their owner.

Maltese

The Maltese is known for being a relaxed dog, perfectly happy to relax on the sofa and ignore what’s going on around them, including anything your cat is getting up to. It may be that Maltese dogs don’t like cats, but they know better than to ask the cat to move from its favourite spot.

This is a great breed for young and old cats as they’re unlikely to bother with a new member of the family, and will respect your cat’s space if they just want to be left alone.

So those are our top cat friendly breeds. If you’re looking for a dog to get along with your feline friend, make sure to consider one of these breeds and enjoy the new member of your family.