Best Dog Breeds For Cats

Almost everyone has the notion that dogs and cats are like water and oil. There is no way you can get them to live under the same roof without disrupting the peace. This is not always true, however. If you are entertaining the idea of having a multi-pet household, then you should start with these dog breeds that can be the best friends of your kitty.

Golden Retriever

There is no denying that the Golden Retriever is one of the best cat-friendly breeds to have in the home. This breed is the epitome of canine friendliness. Its gentle nature means your cat will have a nice time spending tender moments with your Golden. At the same time, the playfulness of the Golden Retriever will be instrumental in giving your kitty the exercise that it needs.

Golden Retrievers are very sociable dogs. These canines have an infectious smile that’s plastered on their faces. If you’re sad, you only need to look at them to know that everything will be okay. They love to please their owners and would never mind sharing their attention with fellow pets. This breed is also very intelligent. It can make training a lot more fun, especially if you also include your cat in the training sessions. It is not very territorial, too. That’s another good news for your feline friend.

Find out more about Dog Food for Golden Retrievers.

Labrador Retriever

Like the Golden Retriever, the Labrador retriever has a very kind demeanor that works best with other animals in the house. Fun-loving and exuberant, the Labrador can be a wonderful playmate for your cat. Training the Lab to be gentle with the smaller pets in the house is easy as this breed is smart. Socialize it with your cat early on as a puppy and you will reward your household with the peace you’ve always dreamed of.

Labrador Retrievers are very popular because of their unquestionable kindness. One look at their soulful eyes and you’ll know that you have a friend for life. This breed can take on any role that you wish for it. With ample training, it could be a four-legged sitter for your kitty. It is also not territorial, so sharing its resources with your cat is never an issue.

For a wider selection of choices, check out our Dog Food for Labs guide. 

Beagle

Most people would question the inclusion of the Beagle on this list. After all, this is a breed that is well-known for its remarkable ability to hunt rabbits and other small prey. It is, however, a sociable breed that can make a good friend to your cat. This is a dog that many police units now use in contraband detection at airports. Its friendliness will put people at ease whenever the breed employs its unsurpassed scenting abilities.

Its friendliness works well with cats, too. Your kitty will never feel anxious whenever the Beagle is around. It is intelligent, so you can train it to dismiss the mischievous nature of certain cats. What is very interesting in this cat-friendly dog breed is its low territoriality. Unlike other breeds that will defend their post no matter what, the Beagle can share whatever it has. And that is good news for your feline pal.

Take a look at our review of Dog Food for Beagles for more info. 

Collie

They say that you should never get a herding dog if you have a cat in the house. Its natural tendency will be to “herd” its flock and may have the predisposition to nip at the heels if its members don’t follow. While the Collie is a herding dog, its friendliness makes it a good pet to have in households with kitties. They are affectionate, sensitive, and gentle, too. They are not as intelligent as Border Collies but they are very trainable.

There are many heartwarming stories of how Lassie’s brethren show their fondness and love for their owners and everything else that its family has. Its caring attitude is second nature, allowing it to foster positive relationships with anyone and with other pets. That means your cat won’t have any issues receiving the kind of tender loving care that a Collie can provide.

Basset Hound

If you want to keep the peace in your house with your kitty around, then you should get the Basset Hound. Underneath its sad look is a heart that is as gentle and kind as the Golden Retriever. It is one of the friendliest canine breeds on the planet. It is a great hunter. But when it comes to being a watchdog, its friendliness is always a hindrance. Your cat will have many fabulous memories spending time with this dog.

Known in the dog world as a slow and lazy canine, the Basset Hound has a clownish nature. Though not as playful as the Golden Retriever, it can be as mischievous as your cat. This is a dog that makes for a great family companion and a good friend to the family cat.

Poodle

Poodles also make great friends for your cat. This French icon of German origin is known for its sunny disposition. And while many think of it as a four-legged clown, there is so much more to this breed than its hilarious antics. For starters, it is very intelligent, second only to the Border Collie. Give it something to do and it will perform it in a jiffy. So if you train it to take care of your kitty, the Poodle will be more than happy to oblige.

This breed has boundless energy. It will keep you and your feline pal entertained for countless hours. You can always go for the Toy Poodle if you think your kitty deserves a dog that is almost the same as its size. Do keep in mind that the Poodle can be a bit territorial. It’s best to train it right from the very start.

Newfoundland

Despite its size, the Newfoundland is a very gentle dog. The people of the North know it as Nature’s best nanny, keeping children safe. And if this breed can look after the younger members of the family, then taking good care of the feline members will not be a problem. If you are looking for a gentle giant, the Newfoundland is it.

With its fluffy coat and hulking size, the Newfoundland is like a mammoth without the tusks. Underneath its woolly coat, however, is a heart that is as kind and gentle as can be. For many people, the breed is a couch potato. This is not true. The Newfoundland is a hardworking dog. If you give it activities, its life will be complete. And if you give it a cat for a companion, the Newfoundland will take it under its wings.

English Bulldog

The term “bulldog” is often enough to send shivers down the spine of some people. But the English Bulldog is not the kind of animal that you may have in mind. This is a loving breed and one that can extend its paws of friendship not only to the people it loves, but also the cats in the household. This is a breed that is not only one of the best for cats. It is also a dog that is best for kids. Its docile nature means kids can roughhouse it and the dog wouldn’t mind.

On that note, a kitty that finds time to play with an English Bulldog will find a very amiable pet. Do not expect the Bulldog to play with the cat or your kids, however. It is not the nature of this breed to play. Instead, it will stay with you and keep you company. And if you grow bored, you only need to look at its face and you will catch yourself smiling.

Havanese

The pride of Cuba, the Havanese makes its way into the list of cat-friendly canine breeds because of its bright and lively nature. This little dog has the tendency to become a miniature tyrant, but it is able to temper it with a little help from its owner. It is a toy dog that loves to create its own kind of games and then encourages you to play with it. And if you have a cat in the house, expect the Havanese to play with it, too.

This uncanny ability underscores the Havanese’s innate intelligence. It does not have the IQ of the Border Collie or the Poodle but it can hold its own. It is one of the toy breeds that one can train with relative ease. This makes the Havanese so easy to teach to make friends with other pets in the house.

Papillon

With its beautiful butterfly ears, it is almost impossible not to adore the Papillon. This is a toy dog that has a huge personality like a Chihuahua; only daintier. Its small size will be a great asset to households with feline members. However, never underestimate its size. This is a dog with a large brain that can absorb a lot of information in a very short period of time. Breed fanciers liken the Papillon to a supermodel with a Doctorate degree in nuclear physics.

Applying this in a multi-pet environment, the Papillon is easy to train. It can do anything that you teach it, including caring for your cat and other pets. It uses the tricks it learned to play with anyone in the house. It would be very interesting to see the Papillon playing with your kitty. Another big plus going for the Papillon is its low territoriality.

Pug

You may not believe it but the Pug is another toy breed that can keep the peace with your domestic cat. It is the dog’s fun-loving personality that gives it the uncanny ability to befriend anyone and everyone. They have this wonderful disposition that can be quite infectious. It thinks of other pets as amiable creatures. So, it would be nice if you can also get a dog-friendly kitty for the Pug.

The Pug is one of the favorite companion dogs of ancient Chinese nobility. Together with Shih Tzus and Pekingeses, the Pug was a permanent fixture in the Imperial court. This trio shares something else in common: they all can get along well with cats. It is not surprising because the Chinese nobility often allowed cats in their properties as an effective vermin control.

You may also like our article on Dog Food for Pugs.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

This is another herding breed that defies stereotypes about it. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a great herding dog. So, it does have the tendency to nip at the heels of young kids and small animals like the cat. It does not mean them harm, though. All it wants is for the members of its family to be always together. And this is what makes the Pembroke Welsh Corgi so adorable.

The breed also has a small stature, complete with short and stubby legs. It has a bold personality, but one that it tempers with kindness and gentleness. Its playful nature will come in handy when entertaining your cat. Its small size will also not intimidate your furry feline. Its territorial nature can be quite a handful, however. The good news is that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is easy to train. You should start as soon as you bring it home.

Bichon Frise

One of the planet’s most affectionate canine breeds, it is not surprising why the Bichon Frise is also in this list. It can be an adorable companion for your cat, nudging its cotton-ball cloud of fluffy hair onto your kitty’s body. It is a dog that loves being the center of attention. And while it can be territorial, it will never hold any grudge against your cat if the feline decides to take a bite at the treat you give to the Bichon Frise.

This pet loves to cuddle and it will not mind sharing your lap with another pet. Its sweet demeanor is enough to melt your heart. Wait until it shows its funny antics and you will love the Bichon Frise forever.

While these canine breeds are ideal for households with cats, one has to keep in mind that socialization is crucial in maintaining the peace. Only with your care and supervision will you be able to foster the friendship between your pet dog and cat.