Dog Breeds - introducing cats to dogs

[katy82]

I've been thinking of getting a dog but I have 2 cats. Are there any dog breeds that are known as being better with cats or any breeds that are definitely not a good idea. I've tried to do some research on the internet but I haven't had much luck. I know that when I do get a dog I want a rescue dog but I'm just trying to get some ideas as to what to look for. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. As for the cats I don't think they would have any problems with the dog they are very laid back and not high strung at all.

[Luba]

It's best then to adopt a dog from a rescue that has previously lived with cats


www.petfinder.com do a doggie search, they explain and there are little emoticons that tell you if the dog is good with cats.

Best of luck!!

[katy82]

Thanks for the advice on the website...I've looked at petfinders a couple of times and it's excellent. Now when I do get a dog what is the best way to introduce the cats to the dog. The cats aren't very old they are both a year old but neither have had any experience with dogs.

[mastifflover]

If you can introduce them on neutral territory (outside) not in the cats home, they are usually more accepting. You will also need a friend to help so you can hold your cats and they can hold the dog on a leash a go slow let them sniff and approach on there own time. It may take a few days of introducing them but if you go slow they will probably get use to each other as long as they are not being forced. I am sure others here will have some other suggestions. I have not done it woth cats but I have with dogs.

[Lucky Rescue]

You CANNOT introduce cats to a dog the way you introduce two dogs. If you try it, you'll have a big mess on your hands.

Do not take the cats outside for this. They must be on their own territory in the home.

Find a dog that is living or has lived with cats and does not chase them. Then set up the cats in a spare room with all their stuff and put up a baby gate. If you get a big dog, you can raise the gate just high enough for the cats to get under. The dog has to learn he cannot go in there.

Let the cats come out when they feel like it. They will be much braver knowing they have a "safe" place. Keep the dog on leash first,and correct him if he tries to approach the cats (unless the cats are willing) Reward the dog for ignoring the cats.

Since your cats are young, they will probably be more curious than frightened, IF the dog doesn't lunge at them. Never allow the dog to chase the cats.

Do not ever hold a cat up to a dog's face. . The dog could end up blinded, and you could be badly hurt. The cats must make all the moves and cannot be forced to interact with the dog. They will do when - and ONLY when - they feel it's safe to do so.

[katy82]

I was looking into Schnauzers but I've heard that they are notorious for being cat chasers. Does anyone know if this true? I know it also depends on the individual dogs personality but at the same time I don't want to adopt a breed of dog that is known for not getting along with cats. Any suggestions?

[Anna1]

I know this original post is a few years' old, but I'm also in the same situation. I have two cats, Moe & Pie-Pie. Moe is about 17 years old, and Pie-Pie is about 8. Moe is a bit skittish around other animals. He has adjusted to Pie-Pie, but only just :-} I lost both my dogs a few years ago, and I am finally at the point where I am ready for another. I just need some recommendations of breeds to definitely stay away from - those that definitely do not get on well with cats. And I see from this forum that there is some discussion about whether or not it's better to get a puppy versus a dog that has lived with cats. I was thinking about getting a puppy, so that the puppy would adjust to them more easily. But I'm wondering now if if that is the best idea. My plan is to adopt a puppy or dog from my local animal shelter, but I've also noticed from this thread that some of you are of the opinion that rescue dogs are better. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions, thoughts, or can refer me to any other Web sites, books, experts, etc.

Thanks so much!

-Anna G.
Dallas, TX

[Megan1967]

I'm glad that people have continued to respond to this thread. I have the same dilemma. I really wanted to get a Parson Russell Terrier (AKC version of the Jack Russell), but chickened out and got my rescue corgi, Monty instead.

He has been great with the cats. They live in parallel universes that never intersect. I was hoping for the dog and the cats to bond, but this is the next best thing.

The success with Monty gave me the courage to try a Parson pup and after a week I felt I had made a serious mistake and returned him to the breeder. He was just a pup and any pup would chase a cat - basically trying to play with the cat, not hurt or hunt it, but I just couldn't see my cats ever learning to live with such an active dog (Monty is a slug). A couple stood their ground, but several were terrified (I have 7). If they kept running in terror I couldn't blame a terrier for his prey drive kicking in and I am inexperienced with training dogs in the first place. I think the sheer number of cats I have was the biggest problem. Unfortunately, one of the youngest cats was the most terrified, he's a fairly jumpy cat to start out with, so I don't think I could get a terrier while he is alive. I hope he will have a long life and that will mean possibly 14 to 16 years before I could even consider trying this again.

If anyone knows of a dog that has many of the traits of a Parson, with a lower prey drive I'd love to hear about them. I like the fact that they are smart, feisty, mischievous, clown-like affectionate dogs. I like their size combined with the fact that they don't act like "little dogs." I really like their body structure which is very moderate, balance, healthy. I don't want a dog that has any extreme features which will make it less sound. I love Monty dearly, but I can't see getting another corgi because they are dwarfs. Breeding specifically for a genetic weakness makes no sense to me. I hate the fact that I have to worry that he might hurt himself jumping up and down from high places. I want a solid sturdy dog. I do like the personalities of the corgis I've met so I might mellow on this point.

[jessi76]

Originally Posted by Megan1967

I don't want a dog that has any extreme features which will make it less sound. I love Monty dearly, but I can't see getting another corgi because they are dwarfs. Breeding specifically for a genetic weakness makes no sense to me. I hate the fact that I have to worry that he might hurt himself jumping up and down from high places. I want a solid sturdy dog.

corgi's are very sturdy dogs. Their short legs have a definite purpose, they are a herding dog, low to the ground so as to not get kicked by cattle. I don't understand why you think they are "dwarfs" and that it's a genetic weakness. I see it as a strong point of the breed, to be able to herd so successfully.

as for dogs that are good w/ cats, I think harmony can be achieved with any breed, if rules are set and followed STRICTLY... NEVER EVER allow the dog to chase the cat, and the dog must have a strong LEAVE IT. I have a basenji-mix and 2 cats who all live in harmony - my dog understands the cats are higher up in the pack than he is, he is NEVER allowed to chase or rough house w/ them, and he must LEAVE IT if asked (which he does). these are "his" cats though - stray cats who wander into our yard would not be treated so kindly.

[Megan1967]

This is from the national breed club:
http://www.pembrokecorgi.org/genetics.html

I know why the corgi was bred the way it was and in many ways it is a sturdy breed, but they are prone to seriously hurt their backs in a way that dogs of normal height aren't. I also don't mean to sound like I'm passing a value judgment on dwarfism in terms of human beings, but it is a genetic abnormality and does have a number of health issues associated with it.

Many dogs were bred for specific purposes that make them less sound overall, even though they are perfectly suited to the task for which the breed was developed. Any extreme trait is bound to have problems. The giant breeds are a good example of this. Very well suited to the task they were bred for, but fraught with health issues.

The thing is, while a breed may be well suited to a particular task, it is rare that dogs are used exclusively if at all for those purposes anymore. There was a time when a dog was a tool, not a pet. As long as it served it's purpose well the ability to function in different areas was not emphasized.

[Megan1967]

Ironically, this is on the front page of the pets.ca web site today.
http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-...ebred-dogs.htm

[bengalca]

We have a bengal tiger, 5 yrs, that has a huge prey instinct and basically hunts down and kills anything smaller than him and even some three foot tall raccoons. Wewant to get a dog but don't want the cat to hurt the dog or the dog to hurt the cat. We were aiming for a puppy. The dog has to be family friendly. Is this a pipe dream? The vet suggested a pug but we are afraid the cat would stalk it and kill it. We would like a medium sized dog.Any suggestions?

[hazelrunpack]

Is this a joke?

You have a 5-yr-old tiger with huge prey instinct and you worry about a new dog hurting the cat?!? Not likely...

However, if you do have a 5-yr-old tiger with a huge prey instinct, introducing it to a dog would likely have dire consequences for the dog...no matter how big, what breed or what age...

[SnowDancer]

The original poster, katy82, adopted an American Eskimo - unfortunately she no longer posts - I also have an American Eskimo and it was nice to have someone with the same breed. When we adopted our guy we still had our 22 lb. cat who loved me, but had been trying to kill me from the day we rescued him. Our Eskimo weighed 11 lbs. when adopted but they got along very well -at first cat chased him, but as Eskie grew to 22 lbs. they were even - and played - until the Eskie took exception to the cat knocking me down the stairs, tripping me so that I ended up face down in kitty litter, jumping on my head from dryer - that type of thing - good thing the cat really loved me! At that point the Eskie started to stand between us - but did not harm the cat. The cat died last Dec. at age 16 and we won't be getting another cat. Many people on Eskie board have cats that get along with their dogs - and others have cats that were there first and want to pack the the Eskies' suitcases and move on - so it is a crap shoot. Prior to our Eskie we had an Alpha mini Dachshund - 10 lbs. and he took care of the 22 lb. cat - benevolent - but the cat was a lot more careful in how he treated me. Actually we have had 5mini Dachshunds and a Beagle and all lived peacefully with our cats - so I just think luck of the draw. BUT I WOULD NOT GET A SMALL DOG with a big cat with a prey drive. All of our Dachshunds were fully grown when rescued -there is not a chance I would have brought home say a 5 lb. puppy with a cat with a huge prey drive - mini baby Dachshunds look like mice.

[PreciousFlower]

Get a puppy if you already have cats and want a dog. A dog raised around cats learns to love and protect them very quickly. Or, alternatively, an adult dog who is known to have been raised around cats. They will have more patience with the attacks the cats pour upon them until the cat learns this intruder is not a threat.

CATS see DOGS as threats.

It's harder to introduce an adult dog who has never known cats to be a part of his/her famliy for that dog to learn to accept them. That dogs sees cats as PREY, or something to be tolerated in your presence and then to be chased or eaten when you're not looking.

A puppy, on the other hand, is more interested in PLAYING. And even this can pose a problem. Dog language and Cat language pose a BIG communication problem between the two species.

Dogs who want to play pounce with their bottom up in the air with their tails wagging. When dogs wag their tail, they are happy and excited.

Cats who are attacking pounce. A Cat who is wagging its tail does not want to play, is NOT happy, and is angry, and, is about to strike out in attack. A Cat who is wagging its tail is often also growling at the same time. They are definately NOT interested in playing with the "monster" you bought into their territory.

BIG communication problem between the two species, but with patience on the part of the owner, they can and do develop strong friendship ties.

I was raised in a home with cats, dogs, birds, retiles, all at the same time. I currently have a puppy and 4 cats and one of the cats is a kitten the same age as my puppy Flower (who already stands at 4 feet). Flower (6 month puppy) and Gracie (6 month kitten) are play buddies. Kobi and Shylo (both 1 year) have learned to tolerate Flower. Jazmyne (3 years) still hisses at Flower.

It's important to keep ALL claws trimmed, to include the cat and the dog. You don't want them to tear eachother and you into shreds as they 'get used' to each other.

[PreciousFlower]

Originally Posted by bengalca

We have a bengal tiger, 5 yrs, that has a huge prey instinct and basically hunts down and kills anything smaller than him and even some three foot tall raccoons. Wewant to get a dog but don't want the cat to hurt the dog or the dog to hurt the cat. We were aiming for a puppy. The dog has to be family friendly. Is this a pipe dream? The vet suggested a pug but we are afraid the cat would stalk it and kill it. We would like a medium sized dog.Any suggestions?

You have a Tiger and you want a dog. And you're concerned the dog might hurt the cat, or visa versa. Are you kidding?

Why not a Bear? The two would be able to hold thier own should one get hungry and start looking at the other.

I would someday like to have a tiger as a pet, but that is going to wait until I no longer live on a planet full of sinful humans which has caused animals to eat eachother for food. Your tiger doesnt belong with you as a pet. What happens if children come around? Or if he gets loose off your property and decides to eat at the local playground?

[InTheseBones]

I think maybe theres been a misunderstanding.. not sure though.

Theres a breed of cat, called a Bengal Cat..
And bengal ca did describe her pet as a cat. Maybe tiger was a slip of the tongue.
moggies.co.uk says:
"Bengals do reveal traces of their wild origins in some of their character traits. they can be restless, lively and curious. They particularly love the thrill of the chase and the hunt. Bengals are a large breed, it is friendly , loving, alert, curious and intelligent. The Bengal has little fear of other cats, or any other animal and makes a charming pet."

So that could tie in with the huge prey instinct and fearlessness of reasonably big animals bengal ca described.


Then again, she might own a tiger. But a five year old tiger is preeeeeeeeeety big, and I doubt anyone would let it out of sight long enough to hunt a racoon.

[pglewis]

To heck with worrying about a tiger... I'd never want to live anywhere that had three foot tall raccoons!!

[Kelly C]

Stay away from all sled dog breeds. There are exceptions but your chances of getting one are about as romote as finding a husky that can be walked off leash. I've raised 3 Huskies with a cat and under no circumstances would I leave them unsupervised. I've nearly lost her twice and know 3 people so far that have lost cats to huskies. We sled dog enthusiasts have a saying: "cat" is the other white meat. --Kelly

[likeakristin]

I have two cats, 5 and 6 years old. One can be a total brat, but can turn around and be very loving, and the other is the sweetest, friendliest, most trusting cat I've ever met. These are my babies and I'm worried sick about them right now!

My husband and I have been wanting a puppy. We just brought home a boxer mixed with some sort of hound dog last night. Was this a really big mistake?

We were told the puppy (who is 6 months old) was a boxer mix, and didn't find out until we picked her up that she was mixed with some kind of hound dog. The poor baby has been through so much (parvo, coccidia, broken leg) in the past 6 months, and now that she's over her viruses and the cast is off and the broken leg gaining strength, we brought her home.

But it didn't hit me right away that it might be a problem that she's part hound. She lived with cats in foster care and while she chased after them, and plays rough, she seemed to only be interested in playing. The cats would hiss or smack, and she would leave them alone for a few minutes.

We took her on a walk this morning, she did the classic hound stance several times, and tried to eat a dead bird that we found in our path. Are my cats doomed to be eaten if we keep this dog? I'm so incredibly attached to them, it would really break my heart if we lost them! Or am I just freaking out a little too much?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Chaser]

You may want to start a new thread in order to get more responses to your question...

But IMO, you do not need to worry so much. If your dog lived in a foster home with cats, then I think all should be well. I would recommend using a baby gate to block off an area of your house so that the cats have a safe space away from the dog - let them get used to each other from a distance and at their own pace. Also make sure you keep your pup as well exercised as possible (based on any limitations that may still be present from the leg injury). A tired dog is less likely to focus excessive energy on the cats. Make sure he has interesting toys to play with as well. If he begins playing too rough with the cats, I would clap your hands loudly to interrupt him, tell him "NO!" firmly, and redirect him to play with one of his toys. Praise him when he listens and leaves the cats alone. He'll need you to teach him that playing rough with the cats is not acceptable. I do not think he will eat your cats, but you'll want to avoid any accidental injuries from him playing too rough. You may also want to start working on the "Leave It!" command on walks so he'll learn to leave yucky dead things alone!

A first pup can be a pretty overwhelming experience, but I assure you it does get easier! There are a lot of experienced members on this board and I would encourage you to keep asking questions of any problems you encounter with your new puppy - people will always be happy to help! I would also recommend attending obedience classess to strengthen your bond with your new pup and to learn to work through issues like the ones you've mentioned. Although breeds do have some common traits and tendencies, breed isn't everything, and the behaviour of your dog is more a result of how you teach it than the instincts that it was born with.

Congrats on rescuing your pup, and I'm sure members would love to see some pictures of your fur gang!

[likeakristin]

thank you so much for your response! i am beginning to feel better about this situation, i just know that it's going to take a lot of work! but we're more than willing - we've treated our cats like family members for years, and are excited to give such a sweet little pup who has been through so much a home!

also, thanks for making me feel welcome on the board. i'm sure i will come back for more info, and post some pictures soon as well!

[usf5678]

We had a 3 year old tabby before we adopted our beagle/basset hound puppy 6 months ago. They don't get along, but they can tolerate each other. The cat is slowly realizing that the dog is here to stay. It takes time.

[bmxman]

Originally Posted by Chase_Mom

Although breeds do have some common traits and tendencies, breed isn't everything, and the behaviour of your dog is more a result of how you teach it than the instincts that it was born with.

I agree my 2 cats are a lot more comfortable with my new puppy and it's only been 3 weeks...both my cats are over 8yrs old and now they pretty much have got it all figured out. We have had no fighting or injuries at all. We did have to spend a bit more reassurance time with the cats but so far everything is going well. The only thing that's really come up is when they surprise each other turning corners or walking by.

[erin_e_123]

I'm so glad I found this forum! I rescued my now 7 month old kitten from a humane society in June and today my boyfriend and I brought home a 4 month old shizh tsu/poodle cross. We thought it would be a good idea to get a dog and cat when they were both small, but so far it hasn't been good. My cat keeps trying to hit the puppy and the puppy is growling at the cat and I'm not sure what to do. We live in a small apartment, so there isn't much room to keep them away from each other to slowly transition them together. I feel like if I seperate them, they will feel like they are being punished because I can't be with them both at the same time. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Is it just going to take time for them to get used to each other?