Dogs With Cats

[brightstar123]

I have considered an adult rescue dog, although in larger breeds I'm worried about health concerns like hips and elbows. A retired (cat-friendly) greyhound could be a good choice I think, as they are generally pretty healthy.

I do understand that socialisation and training are very important, although I do think that some breeds are more naturally inclined to co-exist with smaller animals. For example, a Husky would probably not be a great idea!

[melzawelza]

I have considered an adult rescue dog, although in larger breeds I'm worried about health concerns like hips and elbows. A retired (cat-friendly) greyhound could be a good choice I think, as they are generally pretty healthy.

I do understand that socialisation and training are very important, although I do think that some breeds are more naturally inclined to co-exist with smaller animals. For example, a Husky would probably not be a great idea!

It's not just socialisation and training - it's the individual dog.

While the Husky breed as a whole may trend towards not coexisting well with cats due to prey drive, there are plenty of Huskies that that live with cats without issue.

Likewise with any high prey drive breed. When you look at trends within the entire gene pool, you may have more dogs than the average that don't do well with cats, but there will always be many dogs that are fine. Vice versa with other breeds known for less prey drive. While more dogs than the average may be fine, you are still going to get plenty that aren't.

If you were getting a puppy and you wanted to maximise success it would be understandable to go for a dog from a breed less likely to trend towards high prey drive, but if you're getting an adult dog that has been fostered or raised with cats then breed is much less important than the behaviour of an individual dog.

Cat friendly Grey could be a good choice! :)

[Mystiqview]

I used to have a protection trained Doberman that was chased around the yard by a baby gosling just getting its adult pin feathers . So anything is possible.

Of the breed you listed in your first post, most of those should be fine with cats. But as everyone has pointed out, it really comes down to the individual dog and cat. Even if your source a pup from a breeder who also has cats, the individual pup you have may not do well with cats.

A working dog, even one such as a border collie - it is a fine line working the the instinct to herd to bring a animal to you and herd an animal to eat. Very similar traits are being used. There are many working dogs who are out down because they crossed that line. Old farmer belief, that once they taste blood there is no going back.

Look at the breed and type of dog you would like first then, look deeper towards finding one that will be good with cats from a breeder. As you already have cats, they will probably be more upset at the new interloper than a pup will be with a cantankerous old cat. Sure it will be good to chase, but with training they will know the rules

[CrazyCresties]

Yes the right grey could be great - Our Frida and friends :)

[Brandiandwe]

The right grey can certainly work. But the best results are often with cats who aren't skitty or likely to run from the hound but is likely to stand its ground.

[Pretty Miss Emma]

Everyone has already mentioned the socialisation thing. But I have 2 BC's and 2 cats (plus all my foster kitties!!!). So really I just wanted an excuse to share a cute picture!!

[Remarkabull]

My Bosdogs are wonderful with any animals. We've got cats and they have also been introduced to birds, rabbits, snake, a turkey and horses and have been friendly and affectionate with all. All the pups I've bred are the same. We recently had one of the male pups come back and stay for a week and he was fine with the cats. He is almost 1 now and hasn't had access to cats since he left here at 8 weeks of age.

[Rebanne]

All of my GSD's and greyhounds have been ok with the cats, some better then others, as in will allow the cats to sleep with them. I fostered for GAP for a few years and only ever had problems with one they sent to me, the rest were cat tolerant with no problems.

I'd be only allowing fostered adult dogs into my house with the cats.

[kelpiecuddles]

Greyhounds are gorgeous companion dogs but I agree on making sure that any one you get has been well tested and socialised with cats. We took on a GAP greyhound many years ago and a couple of weeks later she tried to eat our cat(as in actually put holes in her) We were devastated and were forced to take her back to the foster carer. Wouldn't stop me from having another one down the track but I think I'd be more careful about asking lots of questions about how the carer had tested the dog.

[Guest Clover]

I'm another one that is going to say I think it is how a dog is raised and bought up around cats.

And just wanted to show off a photo from last Friday night.

Photo 1 - 2014-04-10 by -clover_elvis-

The Terriers are not left alone with the cats when we are not there.

[kelpiecuddles]

Yep, agree with what the others have said. For 4 years until he died of old age(got as a rescue of unknown age) my New Zealand white rabbit's best friends were a kelpie and a basset hound! He used to eat out of their bowls, lie in the sun with them and even played chasey in the yard! The rabbit was 100% free range and used to get in the kennel with the dogs to sleep a night or come and lie inside with them in the family room. I probably wouldn't rate my chances of succeeding with that with a high prey drive breed although i think it's a pretty good effort still with a herding breed and a scenthound but it all came down to being raised from day one on the understanding that the rabbit was part of the pack. If you can get a dog of any breed that has been raised well with cats and your cats are quite confident then you should be fine. :)

[dee lee]

If you are interested in adult rescue dogs, just inform the rescue org that you'd like a cat compatible dog. The foster carers will be aware of which of their dogs would work.

Its also, as someone else said, dependant on the personality of the cat. Before we adopted our Goldie from GR rescue, the carer mentioned that she was concerned that, whilst she felt Honey was perfect for us in all other areas, she was concerned might chase our cat if she ran. Knowing our cat, I wasn't too concerned - she's a very tough character with lots of street savvy. Sure enough, after the initial interest from the dog & lots of disgusted glares and paw swipes from the cat, a hierarchy was established. Jaz the cat firmly on top. :laugh:

Poor Honey has been booted out of her big bed by a 3 kg bully more times than I can count. :laugh:

[Teebs]

I had a bull terrier and a Staffordshire bull terrier with cats.

My 13 year old cat grieved for a long time after we lost my Bully but they all got along well

[pepe001]

All my GSDs have been good with cats - 2 working line, 2 showline and one cross. My current WL GSD hasn't got a cat to meet as mine have both passed away so I took him to the local vet to meet their cat. He was initially shocked that such a thing existed and then proceeded to clean its face and but. My rules are simply - don't chase cats and no one has ever even tried.

A friend got a greyhound bitch many years ago. And something amazing happened. Her old ex-stray cat who lived under the couch for years and only came out for food, feel in love. He moved out from under the couch and stuck close to the hound. This continued until he died. They would eat, sleep and wander around the house together.

[mita]

Everyone has already mentioned the socialisation thing. But I have 2 BC's and 2 cats (plus all my foster kitties!!!). So really I just wanted an excuse to share a cute picture!!

I'm glad you did. :) Lovely pic. I like how the two of them are colour co-ordinated.

[griff]

I have 3 indoor cats all love dogs and will go up to them to say Hi, 1 cat will whack a dog and people as they walk by her , thankfully my 2 where afraid of her and did not react to her . Both dogs where older when I got them and both never lived with cats . I guess it came down to both dogs having no prey drive and enjoyed living in doors with the family.

[Maddy]

Personally, I wouldn't get a sighthound if I had cats, especially not a greyhound.

Some greyhounds are great with cats but those dogs are the exception, rather than the rule. And even then, I'd be very careful about where you got the dog from. GAP Vic or GSN are the only two mainland groups I'd trust to test dogs properly.

[The Spotted Devil]

A friend of mine just adopted a Grey from GAP Vic and they are thrilled to bits with him. Great with dogs and cats. His name is Dave lol. Just reminded me of the lovely Stan.

[brightstar123]

Thanks everyone for the great replies so far. So many cute photos too :)

Putting together what everyone has said, I think my number one choice is an older dog (of just about any medium to large breed) being rehomed by a breeder, from health-tested parents and raised around cats. That would be perfect! I'd also consider a rescue dog fostered with cats, although I'd be more careful with this option as recommended by others. Also a puppy from a breeder with cats could be good too.

Someone recommended a setter to me yesterday - I've haven't really encountered many English/Irish/Gordon setters so not sure about that idea. Like everyone says it's also the individual dog and cats too. Anyway any further recommendations are welcome and keep the photos coming! If anyone can suggest anywhere to look for an older dog other than the mature dogs section on DOL or Pet Rescue please let me know! Or if there are any breeders that raise their large-breed pups around cats and have available pups this year, please speak up :)

[Diva]

I have always had cats with my Borzoi, even though they are sighthounds who love to chase they are quite able to distinguish their cat from other cats. Some people can't do it though, and it ends in tragedy, so the nature of the individual dogs and cats is very crucial. The best dog I ever had with other animals was a Belgian Shepherd, she was a 'guardian' to every animal she came across, bigger or smaller than herself. Except people, she only trusted her own family when it came to humans.