Items12The creator’s order
- 1
Cavalier King Charles SpanielThe closest thing to a safe first guess for a cat home. Cavaliers are not much bigger than a cat, gentle and adaptable, and they usually want company more than a chase.
The useful twist is that they are also fearless for their size, so a hissing cat is unlikely to cow one. That steadiness helps…0 - 2
Basset HoundA hound that would rather nap than give chase. Bassets were bred to follow rabbit and hare at a slow pace on foot, and they have a low prey drive for a scent hound, with a loyal, patient, low-key temper that leaves a cat plenty of room.
Their pace is a real advantage: a cat can always outwalk one.…0 - 3
Golden RetrieverThe pick for a home that wants a big dog, thanks to a tolerant, easygoing and sociable nature. Goldens even have a reputation for guarding a household kitten as one of their own.
Size and enthusiasm are the trade-offs. A young Golden's bouncy greeting can flatten a small cat's confidence, so the…0 - 4
Bichon FriséA cheerful, non-aggressive little dog that is friendly with people and other pets and tends to pick up a cat's boundaries quickly. Its small, sturdy build and sociable temper help when a home already runs on a cat's schedule.
Its playfulness is the thing to manage. A Bichon may keep inviting a…0 - 5
Labrador RetrieverOutgoing with everyone, regardless of species, and with a low prey drive. A Lab is far more likely to try to carry a cat around gently than to go after it, and it is smart enough to learn and respect a cat's boundaries.
Energy is the honest drawback. An under-exercised Lab turns that friendliness…0 - 6
Shih TzuBred as a companion rather than a hunter or herder, and it shows. A Shih Tzu is small, gentle and cuddly, and is more likely to want to settle near a cat than to make a project of it.
That makes it a strong match for a quiet home or a shy, older cat. The trade-offs sit elsewhere: the long coat…0 - 7
Maltese dogSweet-tempered, low on prey drive and tiny, under 7 pounds by the American breed standard, which helps a cat feel less outmatched. A Maltese tends to be more curious than confrontational, so first meetings are often a sniff rather than a standoff, and many end up content to curl up with the…0 - 8
PugA small dog that is tough enough to take a cat as a playmate, and sociable enough to treat one as company. For households where everyone is out during the day, a cat and a Pug can keep each other from being alone.
Pugs are clowns rather than chasers, so the usual risk is pestering, not hunting.…0 - 9
BulldogIts looks can worry a cat at first, but the Bulldog is known for a kind, easygoing temper and a friendly attitude toward other animals. Low energy is a plus here: a Bulldog that would rather lie on the cool floor gives a cat little reason to feel hunted.
Expect the cat to need a few days to get…0 - 10
Continental Toy SpanielThe Papillon, the butterfly-eared variety
About the size of a cat, which makes it one of the least intimidating dogs a cat can meet. Papillons are happy and curious, and that curiosity often turns into friendship rather than a chase.
Expect a dog that wants to join in with whatever the household…0
