Golden Retriever

The 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 first year needs real daily exercise and supervised meetings. An adult from a rescue with a known cat history skips most of that.