Want a dog, but have cat and limited outdoor space - what to do?

[MaudesMum]

I have one stroppy cat, which I'm very fond of, but she hates visiting dogs (as well as other cats and most humans). I'm now mostly working from home and have a support structure in place for when I don't, and would love the companionship and exercise that a dog would bring.

However, because of the way my outdoor space is organised, I can fence off my small yard but not my garden, and that seems to be a problem with most rescues. Should I therefore go for a puppy, which would be challenging to train especially for a beginner but would (from what I've heard) be better in terms of my existing cat or should I hold out for a rescue dog that is cat-friendly and hope I can persuade them that a small outdoor space is acceptable? My ideal breeds are Border or Jack Russell terriers, but I'd be entirely happy with smallish scruffy mixed breeds, or even a smaller lurcher.

[Ropsleybunny]

We have only a small garden area but we live close to a park. I take Ddog to the park every day so she can have a good run round, so I don't think the small garden matters.

I'm not sure about cats and dogs though.

[crazycatgal]

Your cat would be much more willing to accept a puppy. Bringing an adult dog into the cat's home is more likely to cause problems.