Dogs that get along with cats

Breeds with a low prey drive live more easily with a cat, especially if they grow up around one from an early age.

Ranked using our 1 to 5 ratings on 20 criteria, up to date as of October 13, 2026.

Refine with your own criteria

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

United Kingdom · Companion and toy dogs

Small · moderate energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
Coton de Tulear

Madagascar · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Havanese

Cuba · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · moderate energy · high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Bichon Frise

Belgium / France · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Japanese Chin

Japan · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · calm · average coat care

Sensitive to heat
Golden Retriever

Scotland · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs

Large · high energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
English Cocker Spaniel

England · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs

Small · high energy · high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Labrador Retriever

Great Britain · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs

Large · high energy · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Brittany

Brittany, France · Pointing dogs

Medium · boundless energy · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Chihuahua

Mexico · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · moderate energy · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
French Bulldog

France · Companion and toy dogs

Small · calm · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Bernese Mountain Dog

Switzerland · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Large · moderate energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
White Swiss Shepherd Dog

Switzerland · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs

Medium · high energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
Eurasier

Germany · Spitz and primitive types

Medium · moderate energy · average coat care

Struggles when left alone
Pomeranian

Germany · Spitz and primitive types

Very small · moderate energy · high coat care

Sheds a lot
Shih Tzu

Tibet / China · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · calm · very high coat care

High-maintenance coat
Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Islands, Scotland · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs

Small · high energy · high coat care

Struggles when left alone
English Bulldog

England · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Small · very calm · low coat care

Demanding to train
Miniature Poodle

France · Companion and toy dogs

Small · high energy · very high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Pug

China · Companion and toy dogs

Small · calm · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Leonberger

Leonberg, Germany · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs

Giant · moderate energy · high coat care

Sheds a lot
Basset Hound

Great Britain · Scent hounds

Small · calm · low coat care

Struggles when left alone
Maltese

Malta, Mediterranean basin · Companion and toy dogs

Very small · moderate energy · very high coat care

Struggles when left alone
Boston Terrier

Boston, Massachusetts, United States · Companion and toy dogs

Small · moderate energy · minimal coat care

Struggles when left alone

Breeds to avoid with a cat

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