Cat friendly medium to big size dog

[StrongerThanYouTh1nk]

I am considering getting a dog, always wanted one but never had one, so only starting to understand what’s involved. I really like walks (I’m an outdoors person generally) and mostly work from home so I’m hoping getting outdoors time (or motivation for it) won’t be an issue. No ‘enclosed garden’ but plenty of countryside on our doorstep and a large field right across the street. I have a 16 year old daughter who is autistic (high functioning, for a want of a better word), she likes alone time and likes the idea of a dog a lot. We have a 5y old cat. Saw a viszla x labrador on dog rescue facebook page and he looked very much like our kind of dog! Can’t take him though as we’re currently on holiday (for the first time in four years). What would you suggest / any thoughts or advice? Thanks x

just letting them out for a wee might be a consideration without an enclosed garden. The other thing I’ve found is dogs can be great with cats, cats on the other hand have to want to accept the dog and that’s always been a bigger issue in my experience. They speak very different languages.

dogs can be hugely helpful with autistic people and can really help. There’s also charities which help train them to recognise when someone’s about to become over whelmed and help them stay safe.

I think it might depend on the individual dog. I know someone that had a big Staffordshire bull terrier that got on really well with their cat. I don't suppose anyone would recommend them as a cat friendly breed but he was. If you got a puppy and brought it up alongside the cat it would probably be fine but there are no guarantees. Getting a rescue of any breed might be a problem unless it was definitely known to be OK with cats.

I was going to suggest gun dog breeds, as they are generally very social with both people and other animals, though seems that's what you are already looking at.

Cat might take a while to accept the dog at any rate, my cats took ages to accept my red setter pup.

Also not having an enclosed garden might be quite annoying as you'll have to accompany your dog out for every single wee!

I've been on holiday with our dogs to places without an enclosed garden. It gets tiring pretty quickly, I personally wouldn't get a dog without one.

Depending on the dog, walks may be less enjoyable with a dog! Often, especially if young, they require a lot of management.

Personally, I wouldn't get any dog without an enclosed garden. Now he's toilet trained, it's so convenient to just be able to open the back door, send him out to do his business and let him back in without having to go and stand out with him in all weathers.

However, saying that, you won't know any different so as long as you don't mind going and standing outside with your dog on a lead several times a day while they toilet, it might be fine.

As for whether the dog will be good with cats - it's really down to the individual in my experience. I have a beagle who is excellent with cats (his breeder had cats and we've always had cats which helps) but I know others who would terrorise them constantly. Ideally you'd want a dog with a fairly low prey-drive but even then that's no guarantee.

I have a Labrador, beautiful temperament and the best boy. However he hates cats and would injure one badly, very quickly.

Friend had Staffies and poms, along with cats and rabbits! Free running, all lived harmoniously. Loads of land, exercise, space. Perhaps that’s the key.

Growing up had a JRT, adopted a cat - cat was the boss.

I think it helps to have a dog first and then get a cat ime.

Your cat may not thank you for bringing a dog into their space, there have been a few threads on here saying just as much where the cat has basically moved out, or sits forlornly under the hedge in the rain, but won’t come into the house with the dog. It’s not a risk I’d take tbh.

How is the cat with dogs? I introduced my cocker spaniel as a puppy to a mature resident cat - the cat never made himself exciting by running away, he was a tough old bruiser and he just used to sit there and give the puppy "you are entirely beneath my notice, stupid canine, but I might still rip your throat out anyway" evil looks. We kept a pot of treats handy for the puppy and rewarded calm around the cat. The spaniel has a very high prey drive but he's rock steady with cats thanks to that early learning.

Personally I'd not do it without enclosed outdoor space. I 'holiday' at my parents place in the countryside but although there is 1/4 acre, there's no enclosed, safe, land. I can only do two days until I want to come home to my garden, and the sea.

As PP have said, the lack of an enclosed garden will probably be a bigger issue than the cat.

We've had several puppies - a JRT and high-drive gundogs - with cats and the puppy soon learns that the cat is another member of the pack, and one to be deeply respected. We've also introduced a cat to resident dogs and again, it didn't take long (it helped that the cat was a calm and sensible character, and the dogs had grown up with a resident cat).

I don't think breed matters as much as the age of the dog and how the intro is managed.

We currently have a dog and no garden as that's the only rental place we could get for now, and I agree with the others that it is really hard and I wouldn't want to do it again if I could avoid it. If he decides he needs the toilet during the night, we've got no choice but to get up get dressed and go outside for him. Whether it's raining, windy, thunder, pitch black in winter there's no getting round it. I do really miss being able to just open the back door and let him out. We do make sure he goes to the toilet at night before bed, but he usually needs it again by about 6.30am without fail. Gone are the days of lie ins where he could let himself out of the dog flap

Rescue places around here wouldn't rehome to a house without an enclosed garden. You may be luckier where you are but it's one of the first thing they all ask.

I've got a golden retriever who is great with my cat. Got the dog as a puppy though, and the cat was about 3 years old.

In 2020 we got a dachshund as a puppy. He wanted to chase the cat everywhere but cat soon showed the Doxie who was the boss. The cat rules the roost to be honest and both dogs give her space and leave her alone or they know they'll get a left hook from her.

Watching with interest. I’ve wanted a dog for ages, but I’ve also got a much loved 12 year old cat who has always ruled the roost. I worry that the cat would hate it and might even run off to find a new less doggy home. I wish there was a way to guarantee the cat would be ok with it but I’m not sure there is tbh.

My parents have had Staffies and cats, but generally from puppies, and as the dogs were never allowed upstairs the cats had their own space. The cats were always the boss.

Neighbours got 2 lab puppies and one of their cats moved out and was (with original owners agreement) taken on by another family up the road.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts, that's really useful. I have a paved 6x4m backyard that I could potentially enclose. Our neighbours recently got a dog and have done just that - built a 6feet fence around it and have put a raised bed with grass that's about 3x2meters. This is however a bit of a project that won't happen fast and wouldn't be cheap. It would also mean I am giving up my driveway space for a car (which I can park on the street but driveway is nice!)

So, all this considered, I have looked for dogs in my area on BorrowMyDoggy website and have found loads in the area waiting for company, including several (!) viszlas and labradors. I am tempted to go down this route first and learn more about dogs before committing fully.

Update: made friends today with a lovely 3 year old labrador through BorrowMyDoggy - we had a great time! Not met my cat yet but he is quite cat-friendly generally so fingers crossed they will find a way to co-exist :)