do any of you have any thoughts on introducing a new dog to resident cat? any good breeds?

[CharlotteBronteSaurus]

we have a lovely 7yo black moggy. She is quite chilled in character - not too feisty, not too nervous, quite likes the hustle and bustle of a busy house.

when dd2 turns 3, we would like to think about getting a dog. we had rescue greyhounds when I was growing up, but given that few of these were cat-safe, we'd be looking at other breed. House and garden are small, so a small dog would be better. Would I be right in assuming that getting a puppy might be more successful than trying to introduce an adult dog? are any breeds better/worse with small furries? or is peaceful coexistence between cat and dog just the luck of the draw?

[digerd]

I've had 2 Lhasa Apsos females and both been friendly to all creatures especially cats. Non aggressive and are not yappy or barky dogs. They do have abundant coats which can be kept in a cute short 'puppy cut'. Your cat sounds lovely.

[Floralnomad]

Don't get a Patterdale terrier , also there have been a few threads recently on this topic so it may be worth you doing a search .

[D0oinMeCleanin]

if you like greyhounds i know of a gorgeous deep fawn coloured grey who is cat-friendly, well, cat-fearful would be more accurate, who is looking for a new home, although he is not small by any stretch of the imagination, he is very calm, gentle and easy going. there's also a smaller, young lurcher girl who is child and cat friendly.

[CharlotteBronteSaurus]

Oh dooin, don't tempt me
we're in a little Coronation Street terrace
Knowing how greyhound stretch out to colonise the entire sofa/bed/space by the fire I don't think we can comfortably accommodate one.


i have been pondering on getting a Manchester terrier - would all terriers be a no-no?
i love the Lhasa, but it may not pass DH's criteria of being a sufficiently blokish dog

[slambang]

Terrier and cat - perfectly do-able.
We introduced our terrier puppy (Cairn) to Stupid Cat who is highly neurotic.
It took a bit of training. Puppy was first introduced on the lead to cat who was horrified and took flight - excellent chasing fun! Puppy got reprimanded a few times for chasing and Stupid cat didn't help matters by scarpering every time puppy came close. The corner was finally turned when Stupid Cat learnt that if she actually stood her ground she could biff puppy on the nose.

They are now actually proper friends and play together or curl up together (fighting for the best spot next to the radiator). Dog has learnt not to chase Stupid Cat but the lesson apparently doesn't apply to other cats in the area>

It's not all bad - Stupid Cat often gets bullied by other neighbouring cats and dog will now protect her by chasing the bullies out of the garden.

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

My mums grumpy old cat tolerates my Border terrier. She bossed him from the start and he is very respectful of her space. They even share a sofa from time to time. She won't even be in the same room as my uncles spaniel.

[Marne]

My Staffie x loves my cat, I think there's a photo on my profile, but we had the dog first, we have just got a lab pup a few weeks ago and although the pup doesn't take no notice of the cat the cat is not happy that we have a pup.

[MikeOxardAndWellard]

I would avoid terriers and sight hounds. But loads of adult dogs in rescues are fine with cats. French bulldogs are small and easy, great with people, never known one to be a cat chaser (or any sort of chaser)!

[gymmummy64]

If a rescue then do ask lots of questions about how they ascertain a dog is ok with cats. Our rescue dog was supposedly 'cat friendly' but once we got him home, he was anything but. The test seemed to comprise of showing the dog a cat in a cat basket and seeing if they reacted. Our dog was fine as stationary cats are not exciting. Cats in motion on the other hand,,,

If we were to get another rescue dog and certain behaviours were particularly important then i would go for a rescue that fostered out. I think there are limits to what you can learn from a dog in kennels

[SomeRainbow]

We got a cocker spaniel when our cat was a similar age to yours. To be fair Cat was clearly horrified to start with but they are now friends. Dog was absolutely bonkers initially and really all Cat could do was stay out of the way, but the mad puppy thing doesn't last forever, if you attempt to train them. We got a stairgate so it was clear to Dog she wasn't allowed upstairs and Cat knew for certain she could escape if necessary - she also had a route from the upstairs to her cat flap that she could do without walking across the floor. Dog did get a tap on the nose a couple of times early on and that did help her to learn how far she could go (she was really shocked!).

[Wolfiefan]

Loooove the sound of the big fawn/grey. I'd love a greyhound head to cuddle. (3 seater sofa so we might kind of fit!)
DH would have a fit!

[digerd]

Charlotte
My Dh was the same at first and although we got 2 Westies soon afterwards, the Lhasa became his favourite. Everybody fell in love with her looks and nature.