7 Dog Breeds That Usually Get Along With Cats

Choosing a Dog for a Home With Cats

No breed guarantees safety with cats. Documented, calm behavior in a cat-owning foster home tells you more than a breed label or a brief shelter assessment.

This unranked shortlist starts with larger retrievers, moves to smaller companions, and ends with a hound. The American Kennel Club's cat-friendly breed overview offers a starting point, not a safety rating. As you browse adoptable dogs on Paaw, ask about each dog's cat history.

Golden Retriever

Goldens are often sociable and responsive to training, useful traits for learning to leave a cat alone. But friendliness does not make chasing safe.

A large, bouncy adolescent can overwhelm a cat without intending harm. Prioritize an adult whose foster caregiver has seen them rest calmly while cats move around the room.

Labrador Retriever

A sociable Labrador may learn to settle on a mat and turn away from a cat when asked. Those everyday skills matter more than an enthusiastic greeting.

Young Labs can be energetic, powerful, and eager to chase. Ask the foster caregiver what happens when a cat runs, not just whether the dog tolerates a still cat.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavaliers are often gentle, people-oriented companions, and their smaller size may feel less imposing to a cat. Look for a dog who can relax nearby without constantly following or approaching.

They are still spaniels and may chase moving animals. A cat walking away should be allowed to leave, not become an invitation to play.

Bichon Frise

Bichons are often sociable, small companions, but excited barking or repeated invitations to play can upset a reserved cat. Choose one who can disengage when the cat wants space.

Budget time and money for coat care, too. The AKC's Bichon profile describes frequent brushing and regular grooming needs. Cat compatibility is only one part of a workable adoption match.

Papillon

A Papillon can be an adaptable companion in a home with cats, but small does not mean sedentary. These active dogs need play and training rather than an assumption that they will quietly share the sofa.

Protect both animals from rough play. Similar size does not prevent a dog bite or a cat scratch from causing injury.

Pug

A sociable Pug with cat experience may be worth meeting. Lower exercise tolerance, however, is not proof of a calm temperament or a lack of interest in chasing.

Flat-faced dogs can have breathing difficulties and trouble coping with heat. Review the individual dog's breathing, activity limits, and ongoing care needs with the rescue and your veterinarian before adopting.

Basset Hound

Bassets are often easygoing and social, which can make them candidates for a cat-owning home. A relaxed appearance is not proof of compatibility: this is still a hunting breed.

When you find shelters and rescues near you, ask about previous indoor life with cats, chasing, and fixation, meaning sustained staring that is hard to interrupt.

A Safe Start for Your Dog and Cat

Include mixed breeds and cat-experienced adults in your search. Once you choose a dog, follow the gradual approach described by Best Friends Animal Society's introduction guidance:

1. Start in separate rooms and exchange bedding so each animal can investigate the other's scent.
2. Give your cat a dog-free room with food, water, litter, and reachable elevated resting spots. A stable cat tree is optional, not a substitute for separation.
3. Progress to brief, controlled introductions with a secure barrier and, when sharing space, the dog on leash. Reward calm attention away from the cat.
4. Do not allow chasing. Separate them if either animal becomes distressed, and do not leave them together unsupervised until you have established safe behavior over time.

For the full process, learn how to help your adopted dog and cat live together safely.