Best Dog Breeds for Families with Cats

Cats and dogs are legendary enemies. Many dogs will attack cats on sight, just by instinct alone. Thankfully, many breeders have realized that this isn't the way things should be — and as a result, many dogs are quite friendly to their feline counterparts.

Even though most dogs will be okay around cats, if you really want to make sure that your pupper won't end up making your cat's life hell, your best option is to choose a cat-friendly dog breed. Many dog breeds have been given the seal of approval for canine-feline interaction.

If you want to adopt a dog that you know for sure will pair well with your cat, we suggest you adopt one of the best dog breeds for families with cats. The following brands have been cited by the AKC and other dog breed experts as the most cat-friendly dogs in the world.

Golden Retrievers

If you've ever met one of these sweet, golden-furred dogs, you'd know why it's not in the least bit surprising that they're one of the best dog breeds for families with cats. They're notoriously good natured!

For most dog lovers, Golden Retrievers are one of the best family dogs, period. They get along with kids, babies, cats, birds, and just about every single other living, breathing creature. They are easy to train, love to play fetch, and also are able to handle an active life.

Bichon Frise

It is insanely hard to upset the happy-go-lucky dog known as the Bichon Frise. This pint-sized dog breed is known for its cheerful disposition, as well as the fact that it's one of the best breeds for apartment-dwelling families.

Hypoallergenic and cute as a button, little Bichons are probably the most adaptable dogs you'll find. This also means that you can expect Bichons to be perfectly fine with having a cat in the house.

Labrador Retrievers

Much like the Golden Retriever, Labradors are known for being extremely good-natured and perfect for families of every kind. However, unlike Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retreivers often have a much stronger instinct to "fetch" things.

Even though a Lab's bite may be gentle, badly trained doggies might still upset a cat by trying to fetch the cat for their owners. As long as you're good about training them, these adorable pups are one of the best dog breeds for families with cats.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

The adorably small Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a lot of traits that would make it one of man's best friends. Cavies are adorably small, work well in small apartments, and also are fairly easy to train.

A major people-pleaser, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is known for being great with kids and cats alike. In fact, the AKC calls them one of the best dog breeds for families with cats primarily because of their good nature.

Overall, it's really had to go wrong when you choose this tiny Spaniel dog.

Papillons

Papillion is the French word for "butterfly," and the dog breed that goes after the same term has become most well known for their "wing-like" ears.

Small and charming, Papillons are known as a top quality lap dog for families that have small kids. Since they are generally good natured and aren't shy by any means of the word, Papillons are often one of the best choices for families that want both a dog and a cat.

Families that don't have too much time to exercise pets might find that a cat will keep this highly active dog perfectly content. That's one major reason why breeders believe that this is one of the best dog breeds for families with cats.

Japanese Chin

Many dog owners might find the Japanese Chin to be one of the most unusual breeds they've ever seen — at least, in terms of behavior. These tiny, apartment-friendly dogs are known for acting very similar to cats. They love to perch, make little noise, and are independent yet friendly.

The fact that they have such cat-like demeanors is one of the biggest reasons why the AKC considers them to be the best of the best dog breeds for families with cats. When you add that to their apartment-friendly personalities, it's easy to see why Chins are a very popular city dog to own.

Basset Hounds

Farm owners can tell you that Basset Hounds are dogs that are perfectly equipped to live among a slew of other animal species. They are mellow, relaxed dogs that just really like to live a slow-paced life.

Though they might be a bit lazy compared to other dog breeds on this list, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Basset Hounds are one of the best dog breeds for families with cats because owners never have to worry about this dog getting too excited around their feline counterpart.

An ideal pet for farm and suburban families, Basset Hounds can often be spotted napping alongside family cats.

Pomeranians

These little fluffy balls of love are known for being some of the cutest dogs ever to walk the earth — and they're perfect for families that want to keep their pets indoors most of the time. If you love jumpy little fluffs, you'll want to check out this puffball of a dog breed.

Along with being one of the most excitable and active small dogs out there, Pomeranians regularly get cited as one of the best dog breeds for families with cats. AKC dog breed experts say Pomeranians are cat-friendly breeds because they are sociable, but also intelligent enough to figure out when they're getting on a cat's nerves.

Border Collie

This classic ranch hand dog is known for being very active, very outdoorsy, and also for being one of the most intelligent dog breeds out there.

Originally, these dogs were bred to round out sheep and other small animals on ranches. They also are known for being easy to train and taking subtle hints on how to treat other animals. So, they won't hurt your cat — and they will be quick to take cues on how to be more cat-friendly in your home.

That being said, Border Collies are known for being pretty sly at times. So, don't be surprised if they end up tricking you once in a while, too!

Newfoundland

Newfoundlands are proof that you don't need to have a small dog, or even a medium-sized dog, in order to also have a cat at home. Bred to help protect livestock from predators, Newfoundlands are gentle giants that will almost immediately click with smaller pets.

Cat-owning families who have plenty of wide open spaces will find the Newfoundland to be a perfect addition to their home. After all, they're considered one of the best dog breeds for families with cats — especially when you take their massive size into consideration.