11 Cat Friendly Dogs for Your Kitty

If you’re an animal lover, you’ve probably wondered which dog breeds best go with cats. After all, most dogs are different, so you want to make sure you pick one that will get along well with your sweet kitties! For those of you who are cat owners looking to bring home a puppy this year, here are some of the best cat friendly dog breeds you can get.

1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are small dogs known for their friendly, affectionate personalities. You probably already know what this dog breed looks like thanks to a little Disney movie called The Lady and the Tramp. Spoiler alert: the Lady was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!

This adorable dog breed is an excellent companion to humans, as well as other pet species including cats and other dogs. Because of their docile and playful nature, they also are great playmates for children.

On average, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels grow approximately 12 inches high and live between 12 and 14 years.

2. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is another small dog breed. These tiny white dogs have a plush, fluffy coat and a cheerful attitude. Their round features often make them appear as small teddy bears in your home!

One of the smallest on this list, the Bichon Frise grows between 9 and 11 inches in height and has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. This adorable breed is incredibly affectionate and gets along well with other pets and small children. However, you should be prepared to do a ton of grooming to this hypoallergenic friend.

3. Beagle

Beagles are one of the more popular dog breeds in America. In fact, they’re so popular that some Beagles even have jobs like police dogs do. For example, the Department of Homeland Security sometimes uses specially-trained Beagles in airports to detect food and drugs in pieces of luggage. The name of these special dogs? The Beagle Brigade.

Though Beagles were originally bred for hunting, they’re quite loyal to their family members – even those that aren’t human. They’re incredibly intelligent and get along well with cats and dogs alike.

However, you should always keep an eye on any new Beagle you bring home to make sure it doesn’t start chasing your cat. If it does, don’t worry too much – eventually your cat will become “old news” and your Beagle will stop chasing and start cuddling.

4. Golden Retriever

If you want a bigger dog, try a Golden Retriever! These gorgeous dogs are some of the most popular worldwide due to their easygoing, sweet disposition. Golden Retrievers love to impress their owners and make excellent therapy dogs due to their gentle demeanor.

Though large in size, Golden Retrievers are small at heart. Because of their gentle nature, Goldens often get along extremely well with other cats in the home. Many cat owners have walked into the room to find their cats and Golden Retrievers cuddling together on the couch.

Since Goldens are much bigger than your cats, always make sure you keep an eye on them in the first few weeks that you let them interact with one another. You should also have a safe space for your cats that your dogs can’t access to ensure they can escape if they feel stressed.

5. Pug

Though Pugs have been controversial in recent years due to some breeding practices, they are still incredibly common dogs. Pugs are known for their small, short faces and stocky bodies. They also have many wrinkles around their face that make them look soft to the touch.

Pugs have a long and ancient history that goes all the way back to ancient China. Originally, Pugs were bred to be lap dogs for Chinese emperors, which is why they are small and require little exercise.

Because of this calm behavior, Pugs also make great dogs for those who have cats in the home. Your Pug will come to love your cats quickly, and hopefully, your cats will return the feelings!

6. Labrador Retriever

Another great choice of large dog to go along with your cats is the Labrador Retriever. Though they are similar to Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers are different in a few key ways. The primary differences are that Labrador Retrievers have shorter fur than Goldens, and they also come in three colors: yellow, chocolate, and black.

Labrador Retrievers are some of the friendliest dogs around and are known for making excellent additions to families with small children and smaller pets. They also love the water and need lots of exercise to stay happy and healthy. If you want a big dog that will definitely get along with your cats, Labrador Retrievers are your best bet.

7. Boxer

Boxers are mid-sized dogs that are greatly misunderstood thanks to their name. Though the name “Boxer” sounds intimidating, Boxers are really anything but that. This sweet dog breed is known to be a lover, rather than a fighter. In fact, they’re one of the smartest dog breeds around and make excellent service dogs when trained properly!

Boxers are fun-loving and playful in nature, and get along with just about anyone – including your cats. Just keep an eye on your pets for the first few weeks after introducing your cats to your Boxer; some boxers have a high prey drive and may feel inclined to chase your poor cats, though this should slow down with time and training.

8. Collie

If you want a herding dog, Collies make an excellent choice. There are two types of Collies: Rough Collies and Smooth Collies. Though these two types have different coat lengths and textures, both types are extremely gentle and make excellent companions for humans and cats alike!

Plus, since they’re herding dogs, they don’t have as high of a prey drive as some other medium- to large-sized dogs. They are incredibly loyal to their families and are some of the most intelligent dogs in the world. On average, they reach between 50-75 pounds and can live between 12-14 years, so your cats could have a lifelong friend in this shaggy breed!

9. Shetland Sheepdog

Another loyal herding dog breed is the Shetland Sheepdog! Shelties, as they’re affectionately known, have long, thick double coats that are perfect for cuddling up with. However, they will also require a lot of grooming, so you should keep this in mind before bringing that cute puppy home!

Shelties are actually extremely similar to Collies, and are often considered just miniature-sized Collies with thicker fur. Because of their smaller size, they eat less than your typical herding dog, which can save you money in the long run.

Like Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs are known to be incredibly loyal and intelligent. They are also gentle in nature and have sweet personalities that mesh well with cats of all ages. If you want a cat-friendly pup as special as your kitties, you can’t go wrong with a Sheltie.

10. Irish Setter

Those who love noble-looking dogs will enjoy the gleaming red coat of an Irish Setter. This breed is quite friendly and reliable while also being known for their loyalty and sweet disposition. Their shiny red coats can curl up at times, giving them a distinct appearance among similar dog breeds.

Irish Setters are sweet, but can be goofy at times. They are often considered slow to mature as their puppy stage often lasts longer than some other dog breeds. However, they still make excellent dogs. Just ask three of our former US presidents – at least three Irish Setters have been raised in the White House at one point or another!

Because of their soft personalities, Irish Setters get along great with cats. Just make sure you introduce them slowly, especially if your Irish Setter is still in its puppy phase.

11. Shih Tzu

Finally, the Shih Tzu makes excellent tiny companions for your feline friends! Shih Tzus are small dogs with big personalities. They’re extremely loyal and won’t hesitate to run to protect their owners, even if they don’t even reach the height of their owner’s knee!

Unlike many dogs, Shih Tzus have hair rather than fur. This means your dog will need regular haircuts in addition to daily brushing and regular washing. However, a well-kept coat on a Shih Tzu is one of the most beautiful sights among dog owners!

Just as they are devoted to their owners, Shih Tzus are incredibly loyal to their furry families. They will quickly get along with your cats and become close friends with them. Because they are close in size to cats, your cats will also likely not see them as a threat, so they will feel more comfortable around them.

Final Thoughts

Though no dog is guaranteed to get along with your cats (just like your cats may not like any smelly dog you bring home, either!), picking from one of these breeds will definitely make it much more likely for your furry friends to get along. As long as you introduce your new pets to one another slowly and safely, your cats and dogs will bond with each other before you know it.

Thanks to Lex Leigh for This Article!

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