Dog breeds with low prey drive to live with an indoor cat

[sweetpickle2]

Want to get a dog, our cat is indoors (health reasons) so want a breed that will work with this ie no high prey drive types. Any suggestions?

I have a Labrador who is scared of most cats and would happily keep her distance from one. I wouldn’t go for a terrier type of dog

Hard to advise without more details about what you can provide a dog. What size home? How many (if any) children and what ages? How often it'll be left alone. Do you want shedding or something that doesn't shed? What size? How long do you want to walk it for etc? Have you had a dog before? What size is your garden? etc.

Personally, I always advise poodle. Can't go wrong with a good old fashioned poodle. Perfect dog for 99.9% of people.

No children, couple who both work from home, 4 bed house with medium sized garden but access to lots of parks and green walks very close by (Peak District) with an appetite for walks. Shedding fine, any size up to enormous (ie no Great Danes).

I have a working cocker spaniel who has zero prey drive- only interested in the ball but I believe some do he is also afraid of cats after some bad experiences with them. I do believe some cockers do have prey drive, I’m not sure you will ever be able to guarantee no prey drive but I imagine having the dog from a puppy will help.

English bulldog?

I mean there are no guarantees.
I have a pug. Fat, lazy, kid friendly clowns right? Not mine. She's a violent menace.

My friend has a JRT that lives with rabbits. Go figure.

I think you would be better going to a rescue centre and meeting some dogs that are known to be cat friendly as choosing something just based on a breed trait isn't guaranteed.

Miniature schnauzer. Lovely breed.

Golden Retriever. Just from personal experience of having the dear, derpy, dribbly shedder, who even ran away from our chickens (as well as the cat). Miss him!

It depends on the cat imo.

if the cat runs, the dog will chase. If the cat stands their ground the dog will back down.

we’ve had many dogs, many cats, all been fine with each other. I find a dog and a cat often get in better than two cats.

My miniature poodle wasn't interested in chasing anything, lived very happily with an introduced cat, ignored the semi ferals on my sister's farm. Hiked and walked for miles anywhere with me off lead.
My first Border Terrier wasn't bothered about our cat, but the cat was here first and not afraid of dogs. He also hiked everywhere off lead with no problems.
My current Border is very driven , but we don't have a cat now.

I have several friends with lurchers (high prey drive) who happily live with cats - including new, scared, rescue kittens - and all cats have been fine. On the other hand, another friend's cocker would happily chase a cat.

My WCS has a HUGE prey drive and cannot be trusted around cats at all.

I would avoid any terrier or working breed personally. Possibly a llasa apso or Havanese might be suitable.

This

plus you also need to consider the dog too. We have friends whose poor lab is terrorised by their cat on a daily basis.

It really could go either way for both animals - nightmare or fine. It will be crucial you are clued up to manage it as their relationship develops starting from day 1.

My lab goes for anything that moves.

@sweetpickle2 thank you! Depending on the nature of your cat, you could consider a Labrador Retriever or a Poodle. Poodles really are lovely (and overlooked) little dogs with very robust personalities and not big enough to accidentally hurt a cat during their puppy years!

I'd avoid Golden Retrievers personally.

We had a terrier puppy with 2 established cats who were used to GSDs previously. Initially the pup irritated the cats but they stood their ground and pup learned to respect their space. All became best of friends sometimes from a respectful distance sometimes from close quarters laying by the fire in winter.

Lhasa Apso. They bark at intruders. They need a groom every 10 weeks but have lovely temperaments. Very loyal and affectionate and as only small/medium dog only needs 30 mins walk twice a day. Very cute too. My 2 happily live with my 2 cats. Never go at cats on walks.

Usually if you get the cat first and the dog as a puppy they learn pretty quickly not to mess with the feline! Our old house cat and JRT were best friends for 15 years

I have a Havanese. He is the most placid, lazy dog, perfect around humans, babies and dogs. But he has an indomitable prey drive around cats and foxes. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I have a tiny terrier with a very strong prey drive.
However, the breeder advised she would be fine with cats if - and only if - she was brought up with cats
Same advice applied to children.
The cat test was never applied, but she is great with children

I’ve had multiple Yorkshire terriers been fine with cats. Had one that would go out hunting with the cat for small rodents.

most were so good with cats I could take them to mates houses with cats they’d never met and they’d be fine.

same with cairn terriers as well. I also dog sat poodles which were fine with my cats.

I’ve a Jack Russell & a Springer Spaniel and 2 cats. The cats rule. No question about it, the dogs are total wimps, won’t even go upstairs if a cat is anywhere near them.

Mine went to make friends with my mums cat and got a smack in the face 🤣 terrified of cats ever since, poor dog!

Golden retriever. When I was a kid I used ro let the hamster crawl on the dog! Poor hamster

They dog also ignored the rabbit and guinea pig

If you bring a puppy up with cats, and teach it that chasing cats is a no-no, and make sure the cat has a high surface to get to when the puppy is being playful and exuberant, you should be fine.

I've had four high prey drive dogs who all grew up with cats, and we used to get a heap of cats and dogs in front of the fire in the winter. A