brightstar123 Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Hi everyone, I'd like to ask everyone's opinions about which dog breeds they think work particularly well with cats? I'd love to give a retired bitch or older dog a home, but I know a puppy would probably be easier to socialise with the cats. We love medium to large breeds and have three rescue cats that live indoors. They are big confident cats but they do run around and play inside sometimes. They've had varying experiences with dogs, from a house sitter that brought his terrier x with him (unknown to us) and it chased the cats constantly and aggressively for a month, to a lovely quiet foster lab who didn't react to them at all. Breeds that I've considered could be possible are the lab or golden, maybe a sighthound so long as the cats are never outside with the dog (I love deerhounds!), a more laid back working dog like a kelpie, border collie etc and even a Dobermann. We do like working-type GSDs and Belgian Shepherds but obviously they usually have a lot of prey drive. We love our cats and don't want to have a dog that is constantly tempted - that wouldn't be fun for us or fair on the cats or the dog. I understand the need for early socialisation with cats and training, but obviously some breeds are easier to keep with cats than others! I'd love to hear other peoples' experiences keeping cats and dogs together (particularly large and giant breeds) and which breeds seem to work well. We are open to just about any breed and obviously our main concerns are temperament and health. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystiqview Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 It depends really on how the dog was raised and whether the cat was raised with dogs. Regardless if the dog was raised with cats, each animal has to get used to the other in the new setting. I had one border collie I taught to chase (the neighbours) cat. Damn thing was a nuisance and used to fight under our bedroom window at night. So I taught my dogs to put the cat out. They just used to chase it. If they ver caught the cat, I would say they possibly would end up second best, unless they score a lucky hit. The same dog has killed a bandicoot and a hare that has gotten stuck in the dog yard. However the same dog went to live with a friend who had cats. They knew what she was like with cats and kept an eye on her while there. She went to chase the cat a few times, but she could also be easily called back. After about a week, they were all fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) Just to enjoy. Not suggesting you get a Tibetan Mastiff. But the owners on this site tell how they did research at first re how TMs got on with cats. They said that breeders told them that if the TMs had early socialisation with cats, things would be fine. So they got TMs that fitted this from breeders who owned cats.... & have a bunch of gorgeous photos to show the results: http://www.dorisanddodger.co.uk/#/tms-and-cats/4534013159 Edited April 10, 2014 by mita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) As MV says it can depend on a lot of things. I have introduced both adult dogs and puppies to cats. My first cat I got as a kitten when dogs were older. Multiple Pyrs and a Dalmatian. The Pyrs were fairl easy to introduce and once the cat 'belonged' it was theirs. In fact the kitten (who was a 'feral') bonded with one of the dogs before me! The Dalmatian was another issue. High prey/chase drive so She took a lot longer. Though eventually accepted them and no longer chased (took about a year). I am guessing that introduced as a pup rather than at 5 years old it may have been an easier process. I have also introduced a 10 year old cat chasing GSD. Who after 6months to a year gave up the chasing. This of course took work, supervision and persistence. All my current dogs were introduced as a pup. You do need to supervise and teach the rules of 'no chase' etc. but that will be the case with any pup. I do find the Pyrs are excellent with small animals. Though this is not the easiest breed to own overall, so not the only category to consider if putting them on your list. This goes for all the livestock guardian breeds. Edited April 10, 2014 by espinay2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 I have socialised many different breeds to cats. The hardest to socialise, in my personal experience, have been the small terrier breeds, unless reared with them from a young age. One breed that seems to fit well really with cats and may play with them is the Tibetan Spaniel, which might be a bit small for your wish list. Most of the non-terrier companion toy breeds are easily socialised to cats. I will say that a LOT depends on the individuals - especially the individual cats. A cat that will stand its ground and ignore stupid barky rushes is the main reason I have been able to successfully socialise so many foster dogs to cats. A cat that runs flat out at the first sight of a dog will naturally provoke chasing behaviour from most dogs, some will be in play mode and others may be in prey mode. Of my foster dogs that are perfectly behaved in the house with cats, some of them will chase the same cats if they encounter them outdoors. Personally I allow that, given that all my cats are indoor cats I rather like it if they are chased back into the house. Adventurous foster cats that try the doggy door soon are discouraged haha from repeating the adventure. Your best bet is to settle on a breed or mix that you like first and then start the search for an individual that has a fairly quiet temperament and/or has been already socialised to cats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ish Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 My cats have never had a problem keeping my GSDs in line! My female cat is confident and bossy without being aggressive - she'll smooch up to the dogs but if they're rough she'll tell them so. She doesn't go over the top with the hissy spitty thing which I think can stir the dogs up, nor does she ever run away. She's always got a safe place to get away from them however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Myself I have had Rottis, Staffords, Dobes, BC's and whippets with cats. All have been fine but I never leave the cats and dogs together in the house for example. The young whippet occasionally forgets himself and fly buys one cat and gets roared at for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brightstar123 Posted April 10, 2014 Author Share Posted April 10, 2014 Thanks for the replies so far, the pics of the TMs with the cats are great! Interesting about the Pyrs, I actually love livestock guardian breeds and was wondering about the likelihood of it bonding with the cats if introduced at a young age. I was considering Pyrs and Maremmas here mainly. As you said though, there are other factors to consider. We do live in the city about half of the week, then spend 3-4 days on a large horse stud with cattle, horses, chooks, cats and small dogs. Lots of room to run freely there. In the city though, we have an average-sized well-fenced yard, can provide approx 1.5-2hrs leash walking daily plus some free running, games, training etc. Happy to groom, I've had long haired GSDs before, a Keeshond etc so the long coat doesn't put me off much. We would prefer to have the dog inside with us in the evenings/ at night and mainly outside if we are out. We like to take our dog out to do things with us e.g. the beach, cafe etc but there would be times when it would be home alone. Not sure if this lifestyle could suit a livestock guardian breed - many people online comment that they shouldn't be keep as pets but then others seem to do so with great success. If we got the right pup from a litter and put a fair bit of work in while it was young, could it work?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brightstar123 Posted April 10, 2014 Author Share Posted April 10, 2014 And I totally agree with you RuralPug, it does depend on the cats. Two of our cats are really good - curious and interested in making friends after the initial horror has worn off. The third is a big fellow of around 10kg who was attacked by a staffy in the past. He is a bit hissy and will lash out if pushed at all, although he generally won't run. He tolerated the lab though as she just ignored him (I think she was scared of him!) Even though I think I could get it to work with a breed with more chase or prey drive like GSDs, rotties etc, I don't want the cats to be chronically stressed and defensive. A breed with very low prey drive would probably be the easiest for everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) One breed that seems to fit well really with cats and may play with them is the Tibetan Spaniel, which might be a bit small for your wish list. I will say that a LOT depends on the individuals - especially the individual cats.... Just to illustrate what you've said, RP. Not suggesting a Tibetan Spaniel! But here's a baby Tibetan Spaniel being introduced for the first time to the resident cat. The Tibbie is accepting of a new 'friend'... but, baby that he is, he still takes his cues carefully from the puss. Puss is relaxed at first, but does a 'Watch it, buddy!' warning. But pup keeps showing he means no harm.... just would like to play. Little tail wags & he lies in a relaxed starfish pose. After a period of that... puss relaxes back. You get the feeling, this pair will be fine. Edited April 10, 2014 by mita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) Hi everyone, I'd like to ask everyone's opinions about which dog breeds they think work particularly well with cats? I'd love to give a retired bitch or older dog a home, but I know a puppy would probably be easier to socialise with the cats. We love medium to large breeds and have three rescue cats that live indoors. They are big confident cats but they do run around and play inside sometimes. They've had varying experiences with dogs, from a house sitter that brought his terrier x with him (unknown to us) and it chased the cats constantly and aggressively for a month, to a lovely quiet foster lab who didn't react to them at all. Breeds that I've considered could be possible are the lab or golden, maybe a sighthound so long as the cats are never outside with the dog (I love deerhounds!), a more laid back working dog like a kelpie, border collie etc and even a Dobermann. We do like working-type GSDs and Belgian Shepherds but obviously they usually have a lot of prey drive. We love our cats and don't want to have a dog that is constantly tempted - that wouldn't be fun for us or fair on the cats or the dog. I understand the need for early socialisation with cats and training, but obviously some breeds are easier to keep with cats than others! I'd love to hear other peoples' experiences keeping cats and dogs together (particularly large and giant breeds) and which breeds seem to work well. We are open to just about any breed and obviously our main concerns are temperament and health. Thanks! I have a working line Malinois and she has an exceptionally high prey drive, but she is great with my cat and as she has been taught from day one how to get (appropriate) prey drive satisfaction she has never looked at my cat as a prey item. She will sleep on my bed next to the cat all night, I have never had a problem with them together. IME with the right management and training there is no reason you can't have a prey driven dog live safely with a cat. Edited April 10, 2014 by huski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Our whippet x koolie is a bird, rabbit and other small critter killer but she is fine, if not scared of our big cat. He thinks he's a dog and has the balls (in a purely metaphorical sense) to stand up to her. She chased him once, he ran and then turned around and whacked her one and it hasn't happened again. Haha. I watch the one with no prey drive more as he's more likely to want to play and get pawsy with them, but the cats can look after themselves pretty well. I often come.home to a picture much like the above, 4 furry butts sharing warmth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) I've always introduced puppies but the law of the land is simply: The Cats Rule. There has been a strict NO CHASING rule in place but I had to modify that in the last few years as one of my cats loves to play with the dogs and will tease them until they relent and chase and wrestle. However, the pups quickly learn who they are allowed to play with and who will smack them down unceremoniously if they look at her sideways. Dizzy will often snuggle with the dogs and Lilly will tolerate them as long as they don't annoy her. My darling Brontë would just squeak in protest if the dogs sniffed her bottom and she wasn't as confident with rambunctious puppies so I was more protective of her. I have had an ACD in the past and currently have a Dally and a field bred ESS. I suspect they just consider the cats as part of their "pack" - I have no doubt they would chase a cat silly enough to venture into our yard because it's out of context. My Dally has also been responsible for socialising quite a number of foster kittens....he just adores them and will lie outside their room until they are old enough to meet him. I will never, ever forget the sight of him, as an 8 week old puppy, gently picking up Lilly's tail and trying to carry it into his bed. The look on Lilly's face was absolutely priceless and she has never let him forget it. Lap time is a valuable commodity in this house....Lilly will put up with anything... Edited April 10, 2014 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 My suggestion is that whatever breed of puppy you get, get one from a breeder that has cats. My first GD puppy was raised with 3 cats who stood up for themselves if necessary, and even though we didn't have cats, he never really saw cats as prey and I'm pretty sure it was due to this early exposure. When we met cats on walks he could actually say hello to them (if they were interested of course, mostly they weren't). So I think you'll be giving yourself a head-start if you get a puppy that's already had experience with cats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentchild Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 I've had a Rottie with my cat and a Aussie Shepherd with my cat - both were introduced to my cat as adult dogs. The Rottie I would say was better with my cat as she was naturally a very gentle old soul with hardly any prey drive. The Aussie is a bit more afraid of the cat, but mostly because since she was a pup she had been trained by her breeder to be very respectful and wary of cats! Both of them could sleep side by side with the cat with no issues. My cat is also very good with dogs, no hissing, spitting, and rarely any crazy play, just the occasional head butt and snuggle (and the occasional evil paw swipe if passing too close!). She seems to read the dog's body language very well too. I'm not sure it's so much the breed more than it is the temperament, training and socialization. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Thanks for the replies so far, the pics of the TMs with the cats are great! Interesting about the Pyrs, I actually love livestock guardian breeds and was wondering about the likelihood of it bonding with the cats if introduced at a young age Most of mine don't necessarily 'bond' with them. Just cohabitate well. I have only had the one instance of what I would call true 'bonding' and that was the kitten with my now departed Milou. Said cat is now a teenager and gets on with the dogs, but none have replaced 'her' dog. I was considering Pyrs and Maremmas here mainly. As you said though, there are other factors to consider. We do live in the city about half of the week, then spend 3-4 days on a large horse stud with cattle, horses, chooks, cats and small dogs. Lots of room to run freely there. You won't be able to let a pyr etc 'run freely' unless it is in a well fenced area. We have a saying 'Ana off lead pyr is a disapyr'. While young (up until about 2 yrs) they will need good supervision around stock - especially poultry - as while they have a low prey drive, youngsters like to play and don't understand that others don't want to. . In the city though, we have an average-sized well-fenced yard, can provide approx 1.5-2hrs leash walking daily plus some free running, games, training etc. Consider issues like barking, digging, shedding, and again the fact that free running outside of a fenced area is a no-no. No long walks on lead while young either for a growing giant breed. Good socialisation is a must. For the right owners willing to work with their natural instincts and to manage them, this type of life you describe looks workable on the surface at least for a pyr. See info on my website. In particular read the article on barking. Happy to answer more questions privately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Both my kelpie and basset are great with the cat :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homeriver Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) My lab chases the cat in the day and then they sleep cuddled up together at night. I think it's all a big game and the cat comes to stir up the dog to get the chasing started. Then the cat climbs a tree and the lab goes back to sleep Edited April 10, 2014 by newbie1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 I see it as it takes two to tango ,some Cats are just plain nasty & no dog should have to live with them . When people phone about puppies many will say how is your pups with cats & our reply is how is your cat with dogs & if it doesn't work out what is the plan , We then have the owners of totally house cats only so no cat doors so then we ask where will the dog live & what access inside /out will it have . Both need to have a routine they can all live to . Our most trusted around cats where our Greyhounds but our Grey would be the first to kill chooks so depending on what access they will have on the farm may make other breeds better suited for the WHOLE package Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melzawelza Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 If you're looking for an adult why not consider an adult rescue dog that has been fostered in a home with cats? Breed is less important in this situation - what is more important is the individual dog, and getting a dog that has been fostered with cats and you KNOW is ok to live with them will offer the best chance of success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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