Whether you’re a cat person who fancies switching things up or want to introduce a canine pal into your feline household, it’s helpful to know the best dog breeds for cats to avoid an unhappy household.
Doing your homework to find a dog breed that’s amenable enough to accept a cat – and knows the difference between playtime and alone time – will help you cultivate a harmonious home with happy pets. Although it might be an idea to invest in one of the best pet cameras to ensure your pets play nicely in private!
Of course, some dog breeds are not usually a good choice for cat families. Sighthounds, which are bred to chase, could be a risky choice. Likewise, some herding breeds would not be suitable if they attempted to round your cat up. But fear not – there are plenty of gentle and calm dog breeds that would make a perfect pal for your feline.
There are ways to game the system a little when it comes to dogs and cats coexisting in the same home, and getting some expert advice on dogs and cats living together is the best way to start once you’ve settled on your favorite of the best dog breeds for cats.
Best dog breeds for cats
1. Pug
Behold: the couch potato in canine form. Loving nothing more than a snack, a sleep, and a belly rub, the humble pug has been cultivated over centuries as one of the world’s most quintessential lap dogs.
As such, they are docile, friendly, and aren’t inclined to go zooming around after their feline friend. Sure, they like the odd bit of mischief, but it doesn’t last long – a pug would far rather be snoozing. They’d be a great match for a low-energy cat breed, such as a Persian or exotic shorthair.
2. Golden retriever
We’re dialling up the energy levels now with arguably the ultimate family dog. Golden retrievers are active, fun-loving dogs that are happiest when exploring and learning. Sounds a bit intense for kitty? Well, worry not – goldens are also touted as one of the best family dogs thanks to their gentle and affectionate natures.
What’s more, these canine Einsteins rank as the fourth smartest dog breed according to the widely-regarded research of respected neuropsychologist Professor Stanley Coren. Therefore, as long as you set clear boundaries, a golden will soon learn cat-appropriate conduct, no matter the breed.
3. Corgi
A small-to-medium-sized dog, Corgis are intelligent and inquisitive pups with a happy outlook on life.
Originally bred for herding, a Corgi might seem like something of a rogue choice, but when paired with a cat who’s up for a game and can hold their own, such as a Maine Coon or ragdoll, your canine-feline duo could be the best of friends.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the sweetest, gentlest pooches around. This breed is often recommended for first-time dog owners due to its small size, low-maintenance lifestyle, and trainability.
A Cavie, being highly adaptable, would be a suitable pal for pretty much any kind of cat. On top of this, having a kitty companion could hugely benefit a Cavie – what could be a better antidote to the breed’s reputed separation anxiety than a comforting cat pal?
5. Basset hound
The basset hound is a scent hound, which means they are bred for tracking rather than chasing – in theory, your feline friend shouldn’t be a prime chasing target! Overall, Bassets are pretty laid back and very people-oriented. Their love of attention can be another gateway to separation anxiety, so a cat friend could be a great way to keep your hound happy.
An affectionate nature makes Bassets great for families, but their attention span is limited when there are plenty of interesting smells afoot. Oh, and you’ll need to get used to them sounding the alarm to strangers!
6. Maltese
A diminutive doggy, the Maltese has an exceedingly non-threatening aura that any moggy will appreciate. Another classic lapdog, Maltese are a loving and low-energy breed with gentle manners and quiet nature.
This makes them a great match for laid-back kitties, such as munchkins or Himalayans, or perhaps a senior cat who’s not into intense play. Maltese are another breed that prefer near-constant company, so a kitty friend will help address this need.
7. English Bulldog
Stocky, short-legged and super-chilled, the Bulldog is a type of dog who’s happy to go with the flow. Don’t be fooled by their stern expressions – English Bulldogs are as sweet as pie!
They do have a somewhat stubborn streak, but their docile natures and tolerance mean your kitty is free to bat and nuzzle a Bulldog without fear of repercussions. A bulldog won’t bark much, but they snort and grunt a fair bit, which you’ll either find charming or somewhat grating.
8. Beagle
Excitable but gentle, beagles are the kind of dogs made for families. They can be trusted with children and love play, and don’t get on well with sitting still. An equally active cat pal, such as a Burmese or Abyssinian, could be the perfect boredom buster.
Beagles are great tracking dogs and can be tricky to train, but get one on side with a positive reinforcement training and the best dog treats, and you’ll have a loyal friend who’s fit, happy, and well-socialized thanks to their feline family member.
9. Newfoundland
One of the most affectionate dog breeds, these gentle giants may be huge, but don’t let their intimidating size put you off welcoming one into your home. Underneath their large exterior beats a sweet and soft heart that warms easily to cats and other animals.
Viewing felines as potential friends, the noble Newfoundland is patient, calm, and protective of all their family members, including any cats who might be part of the crew.
10. Japanese Chin
The Japanese Chin is often touted as a cat-like breed, so it’s little wonder they appear as one of the best dog breeds for cats. They are small, silky and keep themselves fastidiously clean – but they’ll still need daily grooming.
They’re lively in short bursts but don’t require much walking, and are intelligent enough to enjoy play while being quiet enough to avoid taking things too far. In fact, a high-energy cat breed might be a bit much for the Japanese Chin, who’s a certified lapdog! Any shorthair cat breed would be a suitable pal for this little guy.
11. Chinese Crested
Another cat-like breed, the Chinese Crested is a hairless dog breed with friendliness in spades. They have a naked body with a fluffy head and ‘socks’, and the excess sebum they produce relative to their coat means they benefit from a weekly wash with one of the best dog shampoos. Moisturizer and sun lotion should be applied routinely, too.
A fun-loving and inquisitive lapdog, the Chinese Crested is too fragile for a super-boisterous home and will benefit from a household with older kids and a senior or low-energy cat breed, such as a Devon or Selkirk Rex.
12. Shiba inu
Another dog with a high play requirement, the bold and sociable shiba inu is a fun family pet who loves to get involved and voice their opinion. They can be tricky to train, but once they are on side you’ll have a whale of a time.
As for their kitty credentials, this Japanese dog breed will say a happy 'konnichiwa' to just about any they meet, but may require a bit of extra training to ensure they understand proper manners around a cat.
A shiba should have a feline roommate who matches their energy and enjoys play, and becoming accustomed to a cat in the house could be a great transferrable skill when out and about on walks, too. Essentially, it’s a win all around!
13. Bichon frise
Another sweet little lapdog, the French bichon Frise, is one of the best dog breeds for new owners and so serves as a wonderful introduction to the canine world.
These walking powderpuffs are smart and easy to train and crave human company, which makes the prospect of a cat friend all the more appealing if you need to leave the house for extended periods.
14. Papillon
Though small in size, many papillon aficionados don’t see them as lapdogs due to their high energy and athletic capabilities. That said, paps are super-smart and love a job, so teaching your pooch to respect a kitty’s way of life shouldn’t be a tall order.
Equal to their love of play and exercise is their obsession with cuddles, so pair your pap with a playful yet affectionate cat such as a ragamuffin, and they will get along famously.
15. Labrador Retriever
With brains, brawn and bountiful energy, Labrador Retrievers are the dog that has it all. They are one of the most popular dogs for families for their trainability and gentle, patient natures, which, despite their size, also makes the Lab one of the best dog breeds for cats.
They need plenty of exercise – around two hours a day – but also plenty of mental stimulation, so a suitably inquisitive and playful cat could lend you a helpful paw in this area.
16. Cocker spaniel
While the working variety is a very busy dog that rarely, if ever, switches off, the show variety of the cocker spaniel is a much more docile family pet – nicely in between a working type and the Cavalier King Charles energy-wise.
As you might expect of a spaniel, the cocker is endlessly friendly and affectionate and doesn’t take much convincing to play nicely with just about anyone. When sufficiently walked (no less than an hour of brisk walking daily), they are happy to hang out at home with a bit of entertainment, such as a long-lasting chew toy, a dog puzzle toy, or a feline friend to play and snuggle with!
17. Miniature schnauzer
A small, compact, and loving little pooch, the miniature schnauzer is a joy to be with. They are bright, sweet, and smart, respond well to training, and seem to intuit when it’s appropriate to be boisterous and when to hold back.
As a small dog breed with a sing-song bark, they aren’t intimidating. As such, these pups are favoured by families with kids of all ages, so it stands to reason that the mini schnauzer is also one of the best dog breeds for cats.
18. Pekingese
Another quiet lapdog, the Pekingese is a total sweetheart that seeks out cuddles and loves living life in the slow lane. They enjoy a few bouts of daily play, but the Pekingese is another delicate pup who won’t stand for rough activity, and will need an equally chilled and sensitive feline companion to ensure they are not overfaced.
19. Shih tzu
The shih tzu is a brilliant starter dog. Easy to train, care for, and exercise, the only high-maintenance aspect is a daily brush of the coat – and an amenable kitty could give you a hand with her rough tongue!
A toy dog breed, they are small enough to not be intimidating while having enough moxie to keep up with a kitty who’s on the more playful end of the scale.
20. Havanese
Rounding off with another toy breed, the calm and eager-to-please Havanese is a wonderful dog for all ages, from toddler to senior. Relatively high-energy for a lapdog, they love to play as much as they love a cuddle, so a cat pal would help satisfy their need for mental stimulation and assuage any separation anxiety that might arise.
Be aware that these little dogs are barkers, so you may need to prepare yourself for two four-legged tearaways causing a commotion as they chase about the house and yard!
Read next: Best cat breeds for dogs
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis de Leaver.
This feature was last updated in May 2025 by Bethany Stone.
