Being a cat lover doesn’t exclude you from loving other animal species. Indeed, some enlightened dog-people see the error of their ways and know their fur family is not complete without a feline to rule to the roost.
If you yearn for a multi-lingual household (barks and meows) then it’s best to choose a cat breed that isn’t fazed by a dog’s enthusiastic (but often bad-mannered) approaches and won’t live in a state of perpetual fear.
Ideally you want to choose a cat breed with a reputation for being robust, which enjoys company, and loves to engage in play. Get the odds stacked in your favour by sourcing a breeder who socializes her kittens with dogs before leaving her care. That way, the kitten will accept your dog as a friend, making her less likely to run (a fast way to invite a dog to give chase).
Best Cat Breeds for Homes With Dogs
Let’s take a look at some felines that will give Rover a run for his money.
- Norwegian Forest Cat: Large and rugged, this cat with a hardy façade loves being a home body. This breed knows its own mind, and perhaps more than others does what she wants on her terms, which is no bad thing when it comes to standing up to a dog. Sensible, social, and adaptable the Norwegian Forest Cat is open-minded about training and can be taught to walk on a leash or play fetch – and set a good example for the dog.
- Japanese Bobtail:This is a cat that’s naturally happy and outgoing, with a good sense of humour and loves to be at the centre of things, and is also a great starting point in a mixed species home. These unusual looking cats with their distinctive look of a truncated tail (less than three inches) and long back legs, love to carry things in their mouth and play fetch. Sounds almost dog like don’t they?
- Siberian: Big, docile, cheerful, and charismatic, the Siberian is another cat that’s been described as dog-like. Although not a common breed, it’s worth putting the effort in to find a good breeder as the Siberian will make a heat-seeking cuddle companion for your canine friend. In fact they are good all-rounders and get along with just about anyone or anything including children and dogs. Oh yes, and they also enjoy walking on a leash and playing with water.
- Bombay: With copper-coloured eyes and a coal black coat, the Bombay is rightly described as a ‘Parlour panther’. Congenial and outgoing, they have been described as a cross between a cat, dog, and a monkey. They like being busy and aren’t upset by hustle and bustle, all of which sounds a great qualification for setting up house with a canine cousin.
- Tonkinese: Best described as fun-loving, the Tonkinese loves to play interactive games such as hide-and-seek, tag, and fetch. The good news is this playful vent stays with them throughout life, making them a sort of purr-petual kitten who will appreciate a gentle game with anyway prepared to play – including the dog. Indeed, a bored Tonkinese is liable to get up to mischief, so a canine companion is not a bad idea. The main downside of the Tonkinese is their chatty nature; they like to tell you what’s going on and often do so in a unique, duck-quack-like chatter.
And finally, when you already own a dog be sure to assess their temperament to ensure it is suitable to take on a cat or kitten. Bear in mind that some terrier breeds just can’t help themselves when it comes to cats, and won’t be able to resist giving chase. This may be fun for the dog but it could end in serious injury for the cat, or at the very least an emotionally traumatized feline too fearful to leave their hiding place to eat or toilet.
Do the newbie a favour by making sure the dog is trained to execute a perfect “Sit” and “Stay” no matter what the provocation. Not only will the dog be more obedient to your wishes, but it gives you the necessary control to nip a game of chase in the bud.
And finally, make sure the cat has plenty of hiding places, such as a cardboard box in each room, plus a vertical escape route such as tall cat towers to scale and stay out of harm’s way.
Do you have a favourite breed that you think gets on well with dogs? We’d love to hear your recommendations on the best cat breeds for homes with dogs.
Now I want them all.
So many new breeds to think about
We’ve never had a specific breed of cat, but our big old tabby and our labrador mix were great pals when I was a child. 🙂
Very interesting. We don’t think we’d like sharing our home with a dog.
I love this list! Our dog has raised two DSH kittens and that definitely made for a harmonious home, but now our cat seems to only like Gremlin! haha as long as he’s happy!
I hadn’t really considered that some cat breeds might be better suited for living with dogs. Our tuxedo cat was a stray. Despite the size difference, our Keeshond was afraid of cats. They shared a water bowl and respected each other’s space. Sometimes I’ll catch him snuggling with the dogs we have now.
I’ve heard Maine Coons are good with dogs as well! I really want one of those. I’ve also thought about getting a Siberian. I thought it would cool to have Siberian Huskies and a Siberian cat! Either way, I love long haired cats. I grew up with two boy cats, so I think I will get a girl when I do get one.
I love seeing a dog and a cat that get along! I haven’t personally had that combination in my home, but my mom has. She had a long haired black cat named Tootsie that would hang out with and play with her 4 American Eskimo dogs. Tootsie was the boss, of course!
Oh, this is really great information! I’m sure a lot of families would like to have both and not really know how to get this info! Great post!
With three dogs in the house, two of whom have never lived with a cat, I would be really nervous about the dogs overwhelming or hurting a cat. I grew up with both cats and dogs and I really do miss having both in the house. I’ve thought about trying to do a meet-n-greet at the local shelter to see how Simon and Piper would do. I appreciate your advice, not only about breeds of cats but also about introducing older dogs to a kitten.
We have a ‘robust’ kitty, living with three dogs! Great post
Interesting post thanks but Layla is not a cat happy dog, she is actually scared of them so no cats in our house at this moment
I was just thinking about this topic today — but as Dog Mom to a rather frisky terrier, I’m not sure it’ll ever work out! Would love a kitty though!
As we have one of the above mentioned terriers, we just don’t have cats. The cats are all mostly bigger than him anyway so I don’t worry about them getting hurt but I worry about him giving chase and the cats doing something to him.
My Husky loved my cat, but she wanted nothing to do with the canine intruder! After our dog trainer taught us the Leave It command, all was peaceful in the house & they coexisted nicely. These are interesting breeds!
Hmmm, our himalayan kitty didn’t make the list but we are not surprised. We love her but she is not impressed with us at all!
When I rescued Pippa (dog) she was living in the shelter with at least 40 cats. She was just living together with them in harmony! So she sometimes has very cat-like movements! I have no idea how my other dogs would react if we got a cat :D!!
All three of our cats “found us” so we didn’t look for a specific breed (unless rescued is a breed!). Luckily our cats get along with our lone dog. And he tolerates them. 🙂 This is a great list for someone who is getting ready to add a feline friend to their dog household.
The only breed I have seen ‘for real’ is the Norwegian Forrest Cat. It was HUGE, I was amazed, so it’s a good call suggesting that. I would love to meet a Tonkinese and I have met a Summer (er I mean a Somali) 🙂
I’m surprised Burmese aren’t listed, tho they are very like the Bombay & Tonkinese. Having said that, I have 2 Burmese and 1 Dog, introduced when the cats were 10 & 6… the older hasn’t been too impressed and the younger is very interested in the dog. I think the key to 100% contentment is introducing them when either party is a kitten or a puppy, of any breed. Or, a Rescue Cat that has already lived happily with a Dog.
We don’t have any doggies. We know for sure that Will’s (mommy’s boyfriend) cat doesn’t do well with big dogs. That’s why he had to be rehomed.
I’m actually quite good with dogs (I have to be, to be a therapy cat!), and my half-brother Sizzle lives with a dog breeder! So many Somalis do well with dogs too.