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Who says cats and dogs have to be enemies? From Bassett Hounds to Irish Wolfhounds, several gentle and friendly dog breeds are known for their ability to get along well with cats.
“Dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities – and, although it is not possible to say definitively that a certain breed will get on with cats, there are traits common to certain breeds that can help make predicting their temperament easier,” Dr. Guy Sandelowsky, vet and founder of Omni, tells Country Living.
“Generally speaking, calmer, friendly and not overly playful breeds are more likely to live in harmony with a cat household. Although breed plays a role, a more important factor will be how the two pets are introduced and also the set-up of the living environment,” Dr. Sandelowsky explains. “Supervised, puppy/kitten introductions tend to work best, with a gradual build-up over time. It’s also vital to ensure both pets can escape into their own ‘safe’ environment to rest, play and eat. The latter is especially true for cats!
“Ultimately whatever dog breed is introduced to a cat, exercising caution is always advisable as technically speaking, cats are not the most sociable of pets and some unpredictable behavior and fear/stress/aggression-related behaviors are possible.”
Take a look at the list of dog breeds that get along with cats below:
1) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are gentle, calm and unlikely to assert dominance. This breed can get along with almost every person and animal, including cats.
“Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are renowned for their gentle devotion, friendly, and sweet, intelligent character,” PDSA Vet, Nina Downing, previously told Country Living. “They generally fit in well with family life, but as for all dogs, socialisation is key to a happy and well-rounded pet, who can cope with situations confidently.”
2) Basset Hound
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Basset Hounds are generally tolerant and patient, making them a great fit for homes with cats. They are less likely to get overly excited or aggressive towards other pets.
“These breeds are somewhat lazy compared to other breeds and like to lounge around and chill,” Dr Sandelowsky explains.
3) Irish Wolfhound
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Irish Wolfhounds are big friendly giants and tend not to provoke.
While they do get along well with cats, the PDSA advises that any introductions should be done very slowly and you should always supervise their time together to begin with.
4) Saint Bernard
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Saint Bernards generally thrive in the company of both humans and cats. One of the friendliest breeds of dogs, Saint Bernards are sometimes even known as a ‘nanny’ dog because of their kind and careful temperament. They truly are gentle giants with a seemingly never-ending patience.
Dr Sandelowsky says: “These are caring, calm, large and highly intelligent dogs.”
5) Pekingese
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When it comes to living with cats, Pekingese breeds can coexist peacefully. They are known to be affectionate and playful, traits that can play a significant role in building a harmonious relationship between the two species.
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