Which dog is best for your cat? 5 Things You Need to Know

 9:23am, 24 May 2025

Many parents of cats believe that dogs and cats cannot live together for a long time, but according to research, dogs and cats can also live together peacefully, which is also a common phenomenon in many families.

Most dogs can learn to coexist happily with cats, and most dogs can be trained to be good companions for cats, but it can be more difficult for other breeds of dogs and their owners to share space with cats. So learn to choose the right dog for your cat.

So, which dogs are the best companions for cats?

Whether you have plenty of space and large backyard, small apartments with limited space, or an environment in between, there are dog breeds for cats.

Cats prefer medium to large dog breeds.

If you have enough space for them, this group of large dogs will be a great playmate for your cat:

Beagles:

Beagles are known for being in a herd and friendly to people and other animals. Although they may chase your cat, they are unlikely to do any harm to your cat.

beagles are affectionate dogs who like to hug them with anyone who allows them to hug, but they become overactive when unpopular. Although they don't call much, they call very big, so they are not suitable for smaller yard families, but are perfect for larger backyard families.

cocker spaniel:

These gentle dogs like to please humans, and can get along well with other animals, making them one of the most suitable dog breeds for cat owners.

Cocker Spaniel is a lively medium-sized dog who likes to hug with her companion. They are not picky about whether they hug partners or cats, they will hug anyone.

Boxer Dog:

Although this breed seems threatening, socialized boxer Dogs are considered particularly friendly, lively and enthusiastic to other animals (even cats).

Ideally, boxer dogs should be paired with larger, well-behaved cats that aren't easily frightened by a large dog that jumps around and tries to force them to wrestle matches.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever is a very popular dog breed in the United States.

Golden Retrievers are not suitable for being guard dogs, but this characteristic also makes them one of the most suitable dogs for cats - they regard everyone, even cats, as kind companions.

And they are very smart dogs and are fairly easy to train.

Giant Poodles (also known as standard Poodles):

Poodles are called "comedians in the dog world" because they are friendly and smart dogs that can get along well with children and other animals.

The Giant Standard Poodle is a lively breed that requires plenty of space and exercise to consume excess energy.

The following are small dog breeds suitable for cat breeding.

If you have limited space, these small breeds will not interfere with your personal style:

Cavalier King Charles spaniel:

Cavalier King Charles spaniel are quiet and restrained, and they will most likely respect your cat and give them enough space in their territory. That being said, the Knight Hounds hate being alone and in families with other pets they perform better when human friends are not at home.

Bichon (also known as curly Bichon):

Bichon is one of the best dog breeds in terms of compatibility with cats. These carefree little wool balls are friendly to everyone, including cats.

They are naturally fun, and your cat is likely to be regarded as a playmate by this breed. They are best for getting along with a cat who is not easily angry and willing to play with them.

Maltese:

This is a leisurely breed that likes to get close to the owner and snuggle in the arms of any owner when you have the chance. Maltese dogs are calm and petite, and are excellent apartment dogs, and they are indifferent to any cats around them.

Mini or toy poodles (like Teddy):

Because they are smaller versions of standard poodles, they have the same characteristics and character as standard poodles, and for all the reasons mentioned above, they are excellent cat-friendly dogs.

Mini Poodles usually weigh between 15 and 20 pounds, but toy Poodles usually weigh less than 10 pounds, so both breeds are suitable for families with limited ground space.

Chihuahua Breeds:

Chihuahua is the smallest toy breed, they like to have easy wrestling matches or chases with kittens, and they are also happy to share their beds or legs with their cat companions.

Although some Chihuahuas are aggressive, this is not a problem if they can be properly socialized, and these smaller puppies are too small to pose a real threat to the health of their cats.

Breeds that need to be alert when approaching dogs and cats

According to The Cat Site, dog breeds with strong desire to hunt may pose a threat to cat groups.

These dogs include hunting dogs that are bred to track prey, such as most hounds and terriers, as well as sled dogs, such as the Alaskan malamute and Siberian malamute dogs.

While some sheepdogs, such as German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds and Border Collies, do not pose a serious threat to cats, others, such as Border Collies, may try to drive their cats into the fence, and cats may not like being directed.

While it is crucial to realize the troubles that a particular breed can cause, each dog is different and should be treated separately. Who knows what will happen? Maybe your kitten and terrier will become your best friend.

Other factors to consider

Your cat's personality is as follows:

Some cats are happy to be human companions and perform best when kept as the only pet.

On the other hand, some cats seem to hate everyone. Only when you are familiar with your cats enough can you tell whether they can tolerate or even like dogs.

The following are the breeds of your cat:

Some cat breeds tend to be more inclined to get along with other animals (such as dogs) than others. According to the PetHelpful website, Ragdoll, Siberian and Maine cats are all strong and friendly cat breeds and are not afraid of dogs. The age of the dog is:

puppies, regardless of their breed, are easier to get along with their home cats than adults. If you introduce your puppy to your cat at 4 to 12 weeks of age, then he won’t have too many difficulties to adapt to the presence of his feline companion.

Introduction process

After finding the new dog companion and preparing to take it home, the first step should be to introduce the new dog companion to the cat. The most important aspect of a successful introduction is to act cautiously.

Split them apart within the first few days and let them sniff each other through obstacles like pet doors or bathroom doors so that they can get used to each other.

provides your cat with a safe hiding place and escape route if they feel threatened and allow them to meet each other under careful supervision, preferably if the dog is tied up (even indoors).

It is crucial to remember that while it is crucial to know the best dog breed for cats, dog breeds are only one factor to consider.

You should end up choosing a dog that not only gets along with your cat and the rest of your home, but also suits your lifestyle and the size of space you can provide for it.