Which dog breed to introduce to two cats?

[jaffajiffy]

Hi cat lovers. This is a dog query but from a cat's perspective!
We have two rescue cats aged 6 (I've had them since kittens) - one very independent tabby female and one very needy scruffy male with low self esteem. My DH is desperate for a dog, so we are cautiously looking into what's best. I would normally go straight to the dog home and adopt an unwanted dog, and we don't mind a dog that's not a pure breed, but I'm wondering if adoption is feasible in this case. We are thinking we'd need to get a puppy, so the cats can lick it into shape, and to get a breed that's fairly docile. We really like spaniels though have no strong preference for any kind of dog really. We live in London so thinking we can't do a huge dog. We do have a garden, and will obviously be on hand for lots of walks. I will also be off work from Oct so have plenty of time to give time for training, etc. I'm also pregnant, due April, with our first child and think I'd like to get the dog sorted before DC arrives!

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Adoption would be OK if the rescue centre knew the dog and (hopefully) its history - they'll generally advise whether a dog is good with cats/children/other dogs or not. On the other hand, buying a puppy gives you the opportunity, as you said, to bring it up with cats and to realize its true (very lowly) place in the family pack.

On breeds - well, you'll get as many recommendations as people on this board and their experiences. My own experience is with Border Collies who have generally been excellent with my cats or other neighbourhood cats.

In your situation, I would not, I have to say, get a spaniel (can be a bit quick tempered) or a hound or terrier (hunters.) Basically, I'd avoid any dog that might be tempted to chase and grab a cat by the scruff of the neck and shake it - due to instinct. (Yet you may find many here who will disagree from their own experience.)

Remember as well that you'll need to get a breed that's child-friendly.

Ho hum -

Cavalier king charles spaniels are a good choice, they are not too big, have happy temprement and are good with children and cats generally speaking, and if looking at rescue maybe getting in touch with cavalier rescue,

I'm not really a dog person so cant advise on breeds. But how do you think the cats would tolerate a dog?
DH would love a dog but i know one of my cats would attack it to the point of serious damage as he hates dogs with a passion, So would never consider it as the cats come first.

I personally wouldn't get another pet whilst pregnant as you will have enough on your plate coping with pregnancy and preparing for the baby.
What if the cats and dog never settle with each other, What happens if they haven't accepted each other by the time baby is born?
What happens if the cats get stressed and start toileting all over the house?

Puppies are hard enough work without being pregnant and imo it's just like having a naughty toddler.
It is a constant stress and worry when you have animals that dont get along, (have had to deal with it myself)

There are so many things to think about when introducing new pets to existing pets. Wouldn't want to do it during pregnancy TBH. But that is just my opinion and a personal choice.

Others may have done it with no problems and it may go without a hitch,
but truth is you just dont know how its going to turn out so be prepared for every situation and be willing to put in alot of hard work if needs be.

If you adopt, I imagine there will be dogs whose previous home life was known to the rescue centre, and they could find you a small breed that had lived with cats previously. However, the fact that you are pregnant may be a problem when it comes to adopting. You have time for the dog now, but you will have much less time when the newborn arrives, and the rescue centre might tell you they don't home just before life-changing situations. Only way to find out is to talk to the centres though.

You don't need to get a puppy. It is not the cat's job to lick it into shape, it is your job to set boundaries. A puppy is a huge amount of work, and I would have a thought a puppy is much more likely to accidently antagonise that cats than an adult dog would be.

I think you really need to think through how you are going to manage 2 walks a day and adequate mental stimulation for a dog when your newborn first child arrives.

To echo other posters, I'd advise no hounds (whippets / greyhounds / lurchers etc) and no terriers (Jack Russells, Patterdales, Staffies etc) as these are highly motivated to chase small furries...Staffies in particular are very powerful and a cat will be dead in seconds if it decides to turn on your cat (I know, I watched my next door neighbours staffy kill my other neighbours cat...ripped it to pieces in front of her.) Both hounds and terriers were bred to chase and kill and these instincts are very strong in these breeds as a general rule.

The woman who owns our local shop had two staffy crosses and a cat. All three lived together for four years, until she came home to find one dead cat in many scattered pieces, and two smug dogs. I am not hating on this breed here BTW, I'm just relating this to you for careful consideration. Not ALL hounds / terriers will do this, but it's best to be on the safe side.

TBH, I would be really really cautious about getting a dog with established cats. If it was me I just wouldn't do it as most cats are quite highly-strung little buggers and may decide to a) piss everywhere to show their strong disapproval or b) develop other behavioural issues such as biting and clawing or c) sod off entirely to another, dog-less house.

Before anyone has a go at me for hating dogs, BTW: I love dogs. So ner. :) I'm just realistic about how much stress this will cause the cats.

If you absolutely MUST get a dog, get a very small breed which is less likely to pose a physical threat to a cat.

I second the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, with all the caveats about getting a puppy just before having a baby. My sister has one and it is best friends with her cats.

My friend got a red setter puppy to add to their combo of labrador and two cats.

The youngest cat moved out.

Very good notes here- thank you! I wonder if you're onto something re. time once the baby arrives. DH can walk it at least 3 x / day, but I'd still have to offer some care while coping with a newborn, I suppose. So this afternoon I discovered this site www.oldies.org.uk/ which has dogs that are already used to cats, and I'm happier adopting. Might be a better idea.

How can one find out whether a cat can cope with a dog? They were here first, and I wouldn't do anything to unsettle them permanently.

Anyway, lots to think about. Thanks again.

You might want to think about the timing of it all wrt the cats - would they cope with the introduction of dog AND baby in quick succession? Maybe wait and see how they react to the baby first?

I have 3 cats. 2 rescued. And I have recently had a border collie puppy.

The cats enjoy chasing the pup!