Dog breeds.....and cats

[CurlyTop1980]

My kids and husband have been wanting a dog for years. When we lived abroad (pre kids) we dis have a dog. Never in the house. But lived all year round in a warm climate. Dog had a kennels etc. Husband grew up with dogs.

But we have e cats. Husband is wanting a miniature schnauzer
. Is this a good dog for living eith cats and what is the temperament of the dog?

Any advice?

Done on the right way most dogs can live with cats if obtained from a puppy or a rescue that is known to have previously lived with them.

The bigger issue is how will the cat feel about it!

We always had cats growing up then introduced dogs and were lucky but it isn't always the case.

We have a jack Russell x chihuahua who we got after we had a cat, she has always been amazing.

Our cat died and we recently took on 2 rescue cats. The dog pretty much ignores then as she did with the old one.

One cat just ignores the dog, occasionally passes by but generally treats her with contempt.

The you get more recent rescue is a complete pyscho. One minute she is calm and they sniff at each other with no issues and the next the poor dog gets attacked just for breathing.

It is a minefield, but think very carefully about it before you do it.

I have a Pomeranian living with a cat for the second time in his life. First time cat was here first then dog came along. Cat died around 6 years ago and dog been on his own since then. Now dog is in the 13 and we've rehomed a cat. All been fine

Most dogs can live with cats if brought in young. I’ve had a terrier hound cross with a very high chase drive live very happily with cats for many years (after some training). Currently I have a 12 month old border terrier and a 12 year old cat and she’s a pain to him but it’s just play. She is calming down around him and will now come to us when she sees him for a treat or a game. They are separated when we can’t supervise.

My cat is really laid back, doesn’t run and shows zero fear around the puppy. He came to us as a cruelty case 10 years ago and was petrified of our last dog. She largely ignore him as she lived with two others before so he soon came round. So it’s as much about cat personalities than dogs.

I’ve known very high drive dogs live very happily and low drive be sods. But most are fine from puppies. Eventually. You need facility to separate completely for as long as it takes. We had a breakdown in management early on and my cat bit the puppy. She thought it was a great game. They never should be left to sort it out. Our vet has said he’s treated and removed enough puppy eyes to know they need careful consideration for some time.

I have a cat and she hated my terrier. He would chase her and had a high prey drive. They were not young together. They didn’t have physical contact as in fight but cat was very miserable. When he died she seemed happier

I now have a cockerpoo puppy. Older Cat is completely in charge and tells puppy off. Puppy does not harrass cat at all as slightly afraid. I keep cat and dog away from each other in their own areas as much as poss. Puppy currently respects cats warning signs and cat is not miserable as feels safer and isn’t chased.

it’s a minefield. Some dogs have high prey drive and can’t seem to learn to leave cats alone. The issue I had with a male dog was him being territorial over the house and pushing the cat out

We have a spaniel and two cats. The cat and dog team up on our poor other kitty then the other cat turns on the dog. It can be chaotic. The dog next door sleeps with one of their cats and chases the other, their other dog tolerates both cats fine and just potters around. I’d say do a lot of research, ring a vet or rescue and don’t touch greyhounds or pitchers, they chase cats

Generally IME it depends if the dog is a chaser of cats.

we had a very confident cat who loved dogs. To the extent he’d wait for his favourites on the garden wall at walk time for a play.

he only ever met two dogs he couldn’t get on with- a patterdale and a greyhound. Most dogs will approach/let a cat approach warily, these just chased flat out without even stopping to see what they were chasing.

a friend has a standard schnauzer. It’s scared of cats. I have a terrier that hunts for mice with my cat in a team.

I actually find cats get on with dogs better than they do other cats. Had all sorts of problems keeping more than one cat, but a cat and a dog fine.

Thanks for all your replies!!!

We have two rescue cats and a golden retriever. Got the puppy first and when he was 6months old got the cats (who were 5months old) we’re 8 months down the line and they all get on very well though my cats don’t like any other dog

IME most dogs are fine with cats - it's whether the cats will tolerate the dog that's the problem 😬

We have a beagle and three cats and they all get along fine - but he will still chase strange cats out of the house so that's something you need to be aware of. He loves "his" cats but not strange ones 😂

That’s typical of a territorial dog, my male dog used to act differently around ‘intruders’ and warn them off! But chasing our cat was him being a dickhead basically 😆

We've had a JRT (proper farmyard rat-catching type) and three high-drive gundogs with cats. The cats arrived first, so the dogs knew them from puppies, and honestly, the dogs were fine.

One of the cats, however, was an utter arse and gained great pleasure from laying ambushes, jumping out, hissing and spitting and then running off laughing before the dog could collect its wits

I have 2 dogs and 2 cats and all get along just fine. They were introduced as puppies/kittens though when I took early retirement from work. We couldn't have pets before because both of us worked long hours and it wouldn't have been fair to them.

We had dalmatians for years. Our cats always bullied the dogs. Blocked them in rooms and wouldn't let them pass, smacked them as they walked under the table etc. the dogs just took the abuse.

One of the cats, however, was an utter arse and gained great pleasure from laying ambushes, jumping out, hissing and spitting and then running off laughing before the dog could collect its wits

That sounds like my oldest cat 😂

The dog still tries to play with him then tries to run to me for sympathy when he gets whacked on the head 🙈

My cat is known as 'Twat cat' by my husband. We have taught puppy that when he comes in she comes to us for fun or snacks. All good. She is getting it. He's really boring. If she does then he will actively get closer and closer and then extend a delicate paw between the barriers we have up just to remind us all who is in charge. She can't contain her wiggly bum then and he saunters off, his work done 😂

My last two cats were much more normal. My first male was firm but fair with our dog (she came first). The female was lovely but she was fostered with all dogs so thought she was one. She ADORED our dog so we were relieved when she died a little bit before her. Current one, well he's a character (but we love him...sometimes!)