Not every dog gets along with every cat, but some breeds seem naturally inclined to be gentle, curious, and friendly toward our feline friends.
These dogs often display patience, playful restraint, and a strong desire for companionship, even when the cat isn’t quite as welcoming.
This content is for general information only. Individual dogs may vary in temperament and behaviour. Always supervise interactions between pets and consult a veterinarian or certified trainer for guidance specific to your animals.
1. Golden Retriever
Perpetual tail-waggers with hearts of gold, these dogs refuse to take a cat’s rejection personally. Their easygoing temperament allows them to respect feline boundaries while maintaining hopeful enthusiasm for potential friendship.
Golden Retrievers often lie down to appear less threatening when approaching cats. This natural diplomatic skill makes them excellent peacekeepers in multi-pet households.
2. Labrador Retriever
Labs bring a special blend of enthusiasm and restraint to cat relationships. When a feline hisses warnings, these adaptable dogs often respond by backing off without holding grudges.
Their food-motivated nature works wonders during introductions, many Labs learn to associate cats with positive experiences through reward-based training. This intelligent breed quickly figures out which behaviors earn a cat’s tolerance.
3. Beagle
Driven by their nose and social nature, Beagles approach cats with friendly investigation rather than predatory interest. Their medium size prevents them from appearing too intimidating to most cats.
While bred as hunting dogs, properly socialized Beagles distinguish between prey and family members. They’re known for their expressive eyes and melodious howls, but around cats, many learn to tone down their vocal tendencies.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
These aristocratic little dogs seem almost cat-like in their ability to read a room. Cavaliers rarely chase or bark at cats, preferring to approach with gentle curiosity instead.
Their soft, expressive eyes often work magic even on standoffish felines. Many cat owners report that their Cavaliers eventually become favorite napping partners for cats who initially wanted nothing to do with them.
5. Basset Hound
With their droopy eyes and ears that nearly sweep the floor, Basset Hounds bring comedy and calm to multi-pet households. Their low-to-the-ground stature makes them less threatening to territorial cats.
Despite their hunting heritage, most Bassets prefer lounging to chasing. They’ll often simply ignore a cat’s hissy fits, eventually winning over feline housemates through their unflappable demeanor and couch-potato lifestyle.
6. Boxer
Boxers are the gentle clowns of the dog world. When properly introduced to cats, they often become their biggest defenders and most enthusiastic playmates.
A Boxer’s expressive face shows every emotion, including their confusion when a cat rebuffs their friendly advances. Their bouncy energy requires proper training, but many Boxers develop remarkable self-control around their feline housemates.
7. Collie
Famous for their role in “Lassie,” Collies bring remarkable intelligence and empathy to interspecies relationships. Their herding instinct translates into a protective attitude toward smaller household members, including reluctant cats.
Collies watch over their feline housemates with dignified attentiveness. Their patience is legendary, often giving cats all the time they need to warm up without pushing for immediate friendship.
8. Shetland Sheepdog
“Shelties” possess an almost supernatural ability to read feline body language. Their small-to-medium size and fox-like face often seem less threatening to cats than larger breeds.
Originally bred to herd sheep in the challenging Shetland Islands, these dogs apply their problem-solving skills to cat relationships. Many Shelties instinctively know when to approach and when to give a grumpy cat space.
9. Poodle
Ranking among the most intelligent dog breeds, Poodles quickly learn the complex social rules of cat interaction. Their hypoallergenic coats make them practical choices for households with both cat allergies and cat lovers.
Standard, miniature, or toy, all Poodle varieties show remarkable adaptability. They often win over reluctant cats through calculated patience rather than forced interaction, respecting boundaries while maintaining friendly interest.
10. Papillon
Named for their distinctive butterfly-like ears, Papillons bring cheerful energy to multi-pet households. Despite their small size, they possess surprising confidence that often earns reluctant cats’ respect.
Papillons rarely take offense at a cat’s initial coldness. Their playful but non-aggressive style of interaction frequently transforms feline indifference into tolerance, and sometimes even friendship.
11. Newfoundland
Despite their bear-like appearance, Newfoundlands move with surprising gentleness around smaller creatures. Their calm, low-energy approach often makes nervous cats feel safer than around more unpredictable breeds.
Historically bred as water rescue dogs, “Newfies” apply their protective instincts to all family members. Many cat owners report their massive Newfoundland becoming their feline’s favorite pillow—once the initial shock of their size wears off.
12. Irish Setter
With flowing mahogany coats and boundless enthusiasm, Irish Setters bring joyful energy to any home. Their hunting background requires proper training, but well-socialized Setters often become surprisingly respectful of feline housemates.
Irish Setters’ natural exuberance requires channeling through exercise before cat introductions. Once their energy is properly managed, many develop sweet, almost maternal relationships with cats, even those who initially hissed their disapproval.
