Some dogs get along particularly well with cats because of their past, while other breeds' hunting instinct is triggered immediately.
For this reason, it also makes sense to select the breed specifically. Regardless of this, the following tips will also help your two four-legged friends get used to it:
- Bring the dog and cat together early
- Build the habit gradually
- Make sure both of you have a place to retreat
- Feed both animals separately
Sometimes animal shelters also offer dogs that already have a history with cats. Below you will learn about 31 cat-friendly dog breeds.
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#1 Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier comes from the USA and is a black and white dog with a friendly, playful personality. It is the first breed of dog bred in America. [1]
Globally, this clever dog makes it into the 21 most popular dog breeds in the world. He loves the attention of others and enjoys playing the clown in front of a group.
The cat-friendly dog breed is very suitable for beginners and for keeping in apartments. The Boston Terrier is easily enthusiastic and very trusting.
Fun fact: During World War I, an American Boston Terrier named “Stubby” was commissioned as a sergeant. He also received several medals for his honorable service as a war dog.
#2 Maltese
The Maltese is a small, light four-legged friend. He is easy to train and doesn't shed much. The small dog only needs a moderate amount of exercise, but barks a lot.
He is one of the dogs that gets along well with cats. This makes it particularly popular with first-time owners. Globally it is ranked 37th on the popularity scale. [2]
The sociable, active four-legged friends hate loneliness and have difficulty coping with the cold. In addition, despite their fur, they often get sunburned in summer.
Fun fact: A New York billionaire's Maltese inherited $12 million after his death – making him the richest dog in the world.
#3 Long-Haired Collie
The long-haired collie comes from Scotland. He is an intelligent, active four-legged friend with a strong hunting instinct. He was primarily bred as a shepherd and family dog. [3]
Today it is also very popular as a cat-friendly dog breed. This collie is protective and devoted to the family.
He needs a lot of attention and doesn't like loneliness. He also has an innate, strong herding instinct. The Collie is one of the 40 most popular breeds worldwide.
Fun fact: If you have children, be prepared for this dog to “herd” them. So whenever they run too far ahead or move out of place, the long-haired collie will pick them up again.
#4 American Cocker Spaniel
The American Cocker Spaniel comes from the USA and was bred as a waterfowl hunting dog. Today the four-legged friend is primarily popular as a family dog. [4]
The curly-haired dog impresses with its sociable, calm nature. He is playful and a dog that gets along well with dogs and cats. He is also a great swimmer.
The American Cocker is considered high-maintenance and often suffers from ear infections. He has difficulty staying alone and often reacts sensitively to criticism.
Fun fact: When experiencing intense pleasure, Cocker Spaniels often lose control of their bladder. They therefore often leave a small puddle behind when greeting people.
#5 English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is a four-legged friend with a stubborn, courageous nature. She barks little, has a weak hunting instinct and needs little exercise. [5]
However, this medium-sized Great Dane is difficult to train and tends to be stubborn. Despite everything, she is a friendly family dog who really likes children.
The cat-friendly dog breed is easy to keep in the apartment. Many specimens are so lazy that they hardly want to leave the house.
Fun fact: Because this dog breed has very short legs and little stamina, these animals rarely reproduce independently. The majority of English bulldogs are therefore artificially inseminated by breeders.
#6 Xoloitzcuintle
The Xolo is a Mexican hairless dog. This breed of dog has been kept as a domestic dog for 3,000 years. It was often used as a living “hot water bottle”. [6]
Although the four-legged friend has no fur, he is not considered hypoallergenic. In rare cases it can still trigger allergies. The four-legged friend also barks a lot.
The large animal lives up to 18 years and needs moderate exercise. It is easy to train and is one of the dogs that gets along well with cats.
Fun Fact: ““Xoloitzcuintle” is the most misspelled dog name in the world. That's why I was careful not to use the name too often in the text.
#7 Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is a sniffer dog breed from England. The four-legged friend with the good nose is particularly popular as a search or police dog. [7]
The four-legged friend is also great as an apartment dog or for first-time owners. He has a friendly, submissive nature and gets along with very little exercise.
The cat-friendly dog breed gets along very well with children and other dogs. The gentle animals don't like loneliness that much. They then like to cry out of frustration.
Fun fact: This breed naturally suffers particularly often from flatulence. Stinky dog farts are part of your everyday life with this four-legged friend.
#8 German boxer
The German Boxer is a friendly, confident dog breed with a playful nature. The “Knautsch-Fressen” are very popular worldwide and make it to 11th place. [8]
The cheerful animals are usually late bloomers that take a particularly long time to mature. They have difficulty staying alone and have difficulty coping with heat or cold.
Due to their short snouts, the four-legged friends often suffer from breathing problems. Nevertheless, they are great family dogs that get along well with cats and love children.
Fun fact: The boxer has his name for a reason. This four-legged friend has a tendency to stand on its hind legs when playing and use its paws for “boxing”.
#9 Bichon Frize
The Bichon Frisé is a four-legged friend from the Mediterranean region. In the past, he was often kept on sailing ships and is still popular today as an ideal travel dog. [9]
Thanks to his soft fur, which doesn't shed much, he is a hypoallergenic four-legged friend. The small dog is the 46th most popular dog breed worldwide.
The four-legged friend is ideal for first-time owners and well suited to keeping in an apartment. It is also a cat-friendly dog breed that barks little.
Fun fact: The fur of these dogs is so fluffy that it is often compared to cotton.
#10 Mastiff
The Mastiff is an English four-legged friend with a courageous, protective nature. It is not suitable for beginners and should always be left in experienced hands. [10]
The large, muscular animal is one of the heaviest dog breeds in the world. The Great Dane species weighs around 100 kg. In the past it was primarily kept as a guard dog, later as a war dog.
The Mastiff is well suited as a house dog. It is a dog that gets along well with cats. It copes well with cold, but not so well with heat. He gets along very well with children.
Fun fact: These dogs can grow as big as a small pony! With a size of up to 94 cm, they are absolute record holders when it comes to shoulder height.
#11 Welsh Corgi Cardigan
The Welsh Corgi Cardigan, as its name suggests, comes from Wales. The little four-legged friend is active, alert and loyal. He is easy to train and has a strong hunting instinct. [11]
Corgis also shed a lot and bark a lot. They are the smallest of 56 German Shepherd breeds and can be used in a variety of ways. They are ideal for families.
They are generally great beginner dogs. Corgis are one of the cat-friendly dog breeds. Despite their short legs, they move unusually quickly.
Fun fact: This breed was not bred for herding, but rather to drive wild herd animals away from its master's property.
#12 Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog is a friendly, lively four-legged friend. He is known by the abbreviation “Sheltie”. The beautiful dog was bred as a German Shepherd. [12]
But he is also very suitable as a family or therapy dog. When fully grown, the Sheltie weighs around 9 kg. He will be between 12 and 18 years old. He loves activity and barks a lot.
It is a dog that is good with cats. He needs a lot of exercise and has a mediocre hunting instinct. He is very easy to train and is extremely loyal and obedient.
Fun fact: These dogs used to pinch sheep's heels to show them direction. Even today, the animals tend to behave like this when visitors want to leave the house.
#13 Pug
The pug is a loving, attentive four-legged friend from China. He sheds a lot and is only moderately easy to train. He needs a moderate amount of exercise and barks very little. [13]
Typical of the four-legged friend are its many wrinkles and short nose. Many pugs often suffer from breathing problems. They don't cope well with heat.
In addition, four-legged friends tend to be overweight. In general, they are lazy dogs who get along well with cats. Pugs are easy to keep in apartments.
Fun fact: These dogs are also colloquially known as “shadows” because they follow their master everywhere. The toilet is no exception.
#14 Poodle
The Poodle originally comes from Germany and is considered one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. The four-legged friend is considered hypoallergenic and particularly clean. [14]
Poodles are obedient, intelligent animals with a weak prey drive. They only need a moderate amount of exercise and shed very little. Overall, they are easy to train.
The cat-friendly dog breed is trusting and protective towards the family. But poodles get along well with strangers or dogs.
Fun fact: Poodles are one of the few dog breeds that can learn a real flick-flack.
#15 Newfoundland
The Newfoundland from Canada is a trainable, friendly four-legged friend. The large dog sheds heavily and has a strong hunting instinct. He needs a moderate amount of exercise. [15]
Adult animals can be around 70 cm tall and weigh 80 kg. The animals were originally bred for fishermen. Today they are often used as rescue dogs.
They are dogs that get along well with cats. They cope well with cold, but not with heat. The bear-like dogs are very suitable as family dogs.
Fun fact: There have been several stories in the Canadian news about…