Dogs Good With Cats and Other Pets

Breed dogs for dogs good with cats and other pets? Advertise here

Buyers and trainers use this page to find breeders whose lines do this work. List your kennel free, tick the industries your dogs work in, and advertise litters and stud dogs from proven working lines.

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Is it free to advertise here?

Yes. A breeder profile and your litter and stud dog adverts are free. Premium profiles, featured placement and sponsored articles are optional paid extras; see pricing.

Do I need a licence to advertise puppies?

In England you need a dog breeding licence from your council if you breed three or more litters in 12 months or breed and sell dogs as a business, and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own schemes. Licensed breeders show their licence number and issuing council on every advert. Puppies must be at least eight weeks old before they go to new homes.

Is my listing already here?

We add licensed breeders from councils' public registers. Search for your kennel name; if it is listed you can claim it and edit everything.

About dogs good with cats and other pets

If you already share your home with a cat, rabbits or guinea pigs, the right dog is one that treats them as housemates rather than quarry. Dogs good with cats are usually made rather than born: a puppy raised around cats, from a breed with lower prey drive, and introduced with care, has the best chance. This page covers dog breeds that get on with cats, the breeds that need careful assessment, and what to ask a breeder.

What this work involves

Living peacefully with other pets depends on three things:

Prey drive. The instinct to watch, stalk, chase and grab varies between breeds and between lines within a breed. Sighthounds and terriers were bred to chase and catch small animals, so they need careful assessment.
Early experience. Puppies that meet calm cats and other animals in their first weeks usually accept them more readily as adults.
Management. Even a trusted dog should not be left unsupervised with small pets. Give cats high perches and dog-free rooms, and keep rabbits, guinea pigs and birds in secure housing the dog cannot reach.

Dogs good with other pets still need training: a reliable “leave it”, a calm response to a running cat, and rewards for relaxed behaviour.

Who trains and supplies these dogs in the UK

Most companion dogs come from private breeders, from hobby breeders to licensed breeding businesses, and are trained by their owners. The breeders who matter most here raise their puppies in the house alongside cats or other animals. Licensed breeders in England must implement, and be able to demonstrate, a documented socialisation and habituation programme for their puppies, so ask to see it.

Rescue charities rehome adult dogs: Dogs Trust publishes advice on helping dogs and cats live together safely, and Blue Cross offers behaviour advice from its animal behaviourists. An adult rescue dog that has already lived happily with cats can be a safer choice than a puppy. The Royal Kennel Club’s breed information describes each breed’s original purpose, a useful guide to likely prey drive. Canine Breeder lists breeders; it does not supply or train dogs.

Breeds and lines

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: gentle and sociable, and often suggested as one of the low prey drive dog breeds.
Retriever (Golden): soft-natured and trainable, bred to carry game gently.
Labrador Retriever: generally easy-going with other animals, although lively working lines may be keener to chase.
Bichon Frise: small, friendly and usually unbothered by cats.
Papillon: a lively toy breed that often lives happily with cats, though its small size means a boisterous cat can hurt it.

Sighthounds such as greyhounds and whippets, and terriers, vary a great deal. The Greyhound Trust says greyhounds have an instinct to chase, but some can be trained to live happily with cats and other small pets, and its branches will advise which of their dogs may suit a home with a cat.

What to ask a breeder

Are there cats or other pets in your home, and have the puppies met them?
How do the parents behave with cats, both indoors and when a cat runs?
Can I see your socialisation and habituation plan for this litter?
Would you recommend a puppy from this litter for a home with rabbits, guinea pigs or birds?
If the introduction goes badly, will you help and, if needed, take the dog back?

Legal and welfare notes

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, owners in England and Wales must meet their animals’ needs, including any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals. In a multi-pet home that means separate, secure space for cats and small pets, and never forcing an introduction.

Frequently asked questions

Which dog breeds get on with cats?

Gentle companion and gundog breeds such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Golden Retriever, Labrador, Bichon Frise and Papillon usually adapt well, especially when raised with cats. The individual dog and its upbringing matter as much as the breed.

Are there low prey drive dog breeds?

Broadly, yes. Companion breeds tend to have lower prey drive than sighthounds and many terriers, which were bred to chase. Lines within a breed vary too, so ask the breeder about the parents.

Can a greyhound or terrier live with a cat?

Many do, but it needs care. Choose an adult that has been assessed with cats, or a puppy raised alongside them, introduce them slowly, and supervise until you are certain.

Breeders who raise their puppies around cats and other pets are welcome to list on Canine Breeder and say so on their listing.

Dogs good with cats and other pets