Best breed to live with cats and children

[zippyswife]

I don’t know if this dog exists… I’m about to be a first time dog owner and looking for an easy to train, calm breed that is good with cats (ours died but would like another in the future) and children (6,9,11).

I did start a thread about border collies and it was a resounding no. I have been looking on rescue websites (nationwide) but they don’t seem to have any that fit the bill and most seem to have behavioural problems.

The character is what I’m after rather than appearance. I have time to excercise 1-2 hours a day and I’m around for most of the day so it won’t be left alone for long periods. Although I don’t want a dog that requires constant stimulation.

Don’t know if all these character facets contradict each other and maybe a dog like this doesn’t exist?

I think most dogs are fine with cats if they're introduced properly.

I'm a dog walker and the vast majority of dogs also live with cats with absolutely no issue - just make sure the cats have plenty of high-up spaces to escape if necessary, and you'll also need to make sure cat litter trays/food are out of reach too.

I have a beagle with three cats and they all live together just fine. Beagles are also great with kids but they can be difficult to train so I wouldn't necessarily recommend for a first-time owner unless you have lots of time and patience

we have fostered different dogs, and used to dog sit for friends.

While one or two wanted to chase our cat, most, after a day or two, accepted that this cat was part of the family. Ironically it is even easier with a kitten as they tend to be fearless and boss the dog!
We eventually adopted one of our fosters, he was a springer spaniel and was fine with the cat. In the end they were even friends.

breeds we fostered:
bulldog
great dane
german shepherd (but he was an old boy)
golden retriever
labrador x 2
springer spaniel.

I think it is mostly down to character, and that is individual to the dog. There are several threads about how hard it is to adopt from rescues at the moment, on there there are lots of ideas about how to get a dog. Including how to find a decent breeder.
The real no-nos for cats are sight hounds (greyhounds, whippets, lurchers etc) as most of those do have a high prey drive, but not all.

If you are looking at a rescue look for one that has been fostered. We have a Spanish Podenco who was fostered with children and cats. Our very elderly 3 legged cat is still the boss of the house!

We have a Labrador who is lovely with the children and good with the cat. Top end of your exercise time. We also have chickens and ducks and we’ve trained her to ignore them. That said I know someone else with a lab who’s a real challenge so it’s very character based. Definitely spend time with the parents.

We looked at rescues and young children plus cat meant we were a no despite lovely rural location and lots of time to give a dog. We found a breeder through a friend. Her parents are working dogs on a farm. Around us there are a lot of big estates and gamekeepers often have labradors. Although they are working dogs they are also part of the family and used to children etc. Proper health checks done on parents, crufts registered. We’ve had no health problems and only been to vet for standard checks and vaccinations.

Our Goldie is/slightly of the cats (they were here first). We have always had Goldies with cats and once when our resident cat had kittens our dog at the time absolutely adored them.
Most dogs can live with cats, especially if the cats are there first but in general I would say anything with a high prey drive is riskier such as a Greyhound or terrier

@fairylightsandwaxmelts I have 3 beagles and echo everything you've said. Lovely dogs, great with kids and cats, not easily trainable. (Although I do agility with one of mine.) They will happily sleep the day away and are just nice to be around. But not trainable.

My starting point would be a well bred labrador or golden retriever, I think, depending on whether you can be bothered with the coat. They're generally love everything bundles of fluff, and significantly more biddable than my guys.

Our Cocker spaniel is great with cats, we have trained her not to chase, don't get me wrong she jumps about like a loon trying to entice then to play but they're old and don't want to, they just hiss and she gets the point. I think if they were younger they'd be playing with her.
She's great with the kids, my mum has a cockapoo who is also great with her cat, and she absolutely adores the grandkids, so does my cocker.
I have a soft spot for spaniels so will probably always recommend them, active, loyal, smart and not too big or smelly or hairy.
No puppy is going to be calm, just a word of warning there, and being a first-time dog owner is so bloody hard, my Ddog is 8 months and some days I really regret my decision to get a dog as I get absolutely no peace at all.

I had a Labrador. When our cat had kittens she used to put them in bed with the dog to babysit. Dog loved it. She was embarrassed but pleased as punch laying in her bed covered in kittens 🥰

We have an 18month old sprocker spaniel and a 14 year old cat. No real problems.

We got a puppy after a dreadful experience with a rescue dog we should have never been allocated. I would say regardless of which dog you settle for, educate yourself first. It's will be you that's training the dog and seeing boundaries for the animal at home, so arm yourself with information first. There's loads online. Cesar Milan is on you tube and is really popular. Good luck.

I'd go for a puppy or an older dog from a breeder. A well bred show lab would be my first choice for what you describe. If not I'd aim for a staffy.

St. Bernard, not reactive, no prey drive.
Will be friends with all other pets/kids.

I grew up with a rescue crossbreed who was incredibly gentle with both people and other animals. I wouldn’t focus so much on the breed, (apart from avoiding obviously tricky working breeds like Border Collies), but more on finding an individual dog to suit you.
Generally dogs get on with cats if the cats are there first, or if you introduce a kitten or young cat to a young dog. I don’t have a cat now and so my dog will chase them, but my previous dogs grew up with cats and they were great friends.
If you are going to get a rescue dog then the advice above on getting one that has been fostered is sensible. Not all rescue dogs have major problems by any means. My childhood dog had ended up in rescue due to family circumstances, she hadn’t been ill treated and there were no problems with her at all. I used to help out at a rescue centre and there were many other dogs like this, where circumstances had changed for the owners, or people had taken on a puppy carelessly and then couldn’t care for it properly.
DH’s elderly Grandmother took on a rescue dog, he must have been about six at the time, and he fitted into her life perfectly. Ditto my friend’s Mum who is mid seventies.
A good rescue place will try and match you well with a dog.

@BettySweaty

We have an 18month old sprocker spaniel and a 14 year old cat. No real problems.

We got a puppy after a dreadful experience with a rescue dog we should have never been allocated. I would say regardless of which dog you settle for, educate yourself first. It's will be you that's training the dog and seeing boundaries for the animal at home, so arm yourself with information first. There's loads online. Cesar Milan is on you tube and is really popular. Good luck.

Please be careful with Cesar Milan, some of his methods are horrible

I've had very prey-driven dogs with a cat, and they were fine, because the cat was there when they arrived as puppies.

To echo @Hoppinggreen, @BettySweaty Cesar Milan and similar "trainers" methods are outdated and very much NOT recommended. They're based on the entirely debunked "pack" theory and use negative reinforcement.

As for a dog for your family - yes the most important thing is to understand training. That perfect family dog that doesn't worry the cats only happens because you've put the work in. Look into dog trainers who use positive reinforcement.

Rescue dogs that can live with cats and kids and don't have a long list of behavioural issues do exist - but are usually only on websites for mere hours before they're reserved and find their new homes, if they hit the website at all. You need to be checking websites several times a day for updates, speak to the rescues if you can as well.

Remember, every rescue dog with complex behavioural issues started out as an innocent puppy and a blank canvas, humans are the most likely cause of those behavioural issues, either using inconsistent training, no training, or abuse :(

Staffy

Pug!

I have said this on other threads, but I have never ever met a friendlier and more loving dog than our little boy. He adores children and pets and has THEE sweetest temperament. He is friends with rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, cats, birds and other dogs and absolutely loves being fussed over by children. At home, as long as the electric blanket and/or someone warm is on the sofa, he just sleeps all day cuddled up to someone.

Rough Collie would work well, but if you don't want the (not as bad as it looks) grooming then the Smooth Collie would be a good bet - many characteristics of the Border Collie without being quite so full on.

We have a Springer Spaniel poodle cross that is lovely with the children, friends with the cat and also trustworthy with the chickens.
I think poodles are great dogs. Very intelligent.

We had a poodle 🐩 before and omg he was incredibly intelligent, but SO full of energy!! He was really hard work and suffered from terrible separation anxiety. He was beautiful, loving and very healthy though

Lots of dogs are ok with cats, if they're brought up with them from a puppy and taught not to touch the cats. Off the top of my head I know of a Lakeland terrier type, a lurcher, a collie/lab cross and many others who live with cats, as well as my own collie. In my dog's case, on the first day she came home as an 8 week old puppy, senior cat scratched her on the nose and established the house pecking order in one move. He did the same with my sister's cocker spaniel puppy - neither dog will mess with him. The key is to reinforce the message that any attempt to chase/menace the cats is not allowed. It can also work with an older dog and a kitten - my childhood dog was a collie cross and the kitten we got after a year or two was in charge of the household. They used to sleep in the same bed.

@Whitney168 I love the sound of a smooth collie- just been reading up on them after your suggestion. Looks they are pretty much extinct in this country though. Such a shame as they look like such a great family dog.

Lots of brilliant advice and recommendations on here. Much appreciate! I’m going to have a good read up on those suggested.

[quote zippyswife]@Whitney168 I love the sound of a smooth collie- just been reading up on them after your suggestion. Looks they are pretty much extinct in this country though. Such a shame as they look like such a great family dog.[/quote]
Not at all, @zippyswife! You might have a short wait for a puppy, but they are very much alive and well in the UK.

Smooth Collie Club of GB and Collielife websites are both good to contact breeders and see puppy adverts, and the club has an active Facebook group too.

(There is a 6 month male pup from a reputable breeder advertised on Collielife now.)