Hello cat lovers. Are you in the market to adopt a dog into your cat’s world? Into your home? This can be a challenge. It is very important to find a dog that will fit your lifestyle, get along with your cat(s) and gasp! your child(ren)… but that is a different post. Today’s focus is on adopting a puppy/dog when you own or plan to own a cat.

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It is true a dog can be a man’s best friend but that statement does not always follow true for cats. Not all dogs and cats get along or live in harmony. Thankfully, this is not true for us! Our cats love our Maggie and she loves them. Maggie loves her cats so much that if she sees a stray cat or any cat outdoors she freaks out thinking they should be here in the house.
Maggie is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. They are known as a herding breed. Luckily for our 9 cats, Maggie is not good at herding – nor does she show any interest in it. Yes, we indeed lucked up on our Maggie behaving so well with our cats. Our goal is for you to research breeds and hopefully have the same great sibling furbabies in your home as we do.

Our list below is our personal opinion and the breeds may or may not work well in your home. This is a guideline for you. To compile the list, we looked at breeds that have a history of hunting, herding, and/or just known to be super hyper and with that energy, that breed may not mix well with your furbaby. Now naturally your cat is going to be afraid and/or on guard at first meet. That does not mean the puppy/dog will not be a good fit for your family. It will depend on the temperament of the puppy/dog and what he/she does when the cat hisses and swats at him.

So without further ado, here is our list of the 5 worst dog breeds to adopt if you have or plan to have a cat.

1. Afghan Hound

The Afghan Hound dog is a beautiful breed. They are super intelligent and very high energy. This breed was originally used to hunt hare, wolves, and even snow leopards. This breed does have the strength and speed to bring down prey and additionally they have the stamina needed to maintain a strenuous chase for a long time. The Afghan Hound dog breed is known to have a strong interest in chasing cats – which we cannot blame them due to it’s in their DNA but as a cat owner, you need to be aware. Note they make great show dogs but they also need a lot of maintenance for their fur. We strongly advise against this breed for cats but if you do adopt an Afghan Hound be prepared for trouble.

2. Australian Cattle

This is probably our favorite breed on this list. An exceptional problem solver and popular show breed. This breed is smart – The Australian Cattle dog is on the list of one of the smartest dog breeds according to the AKC. This breed is also known for herding like the name clearly states. Their agility, strength, and outrageousness allow them to easily control and move cattle. This breed is great with kids and other dogs, but not so much for your kitty. We feel they need a job at home to keep them out of trouble. They may tolerate cats if raised with them. However, due to their strong prey drive, they tend to thrive in a cat-free household. That is why, sadly, this breed made our list.

3. Bluetick Coonhound

The Bluetick Coonhound dog breed is famous for being the mascot of the University of Tennessee. (our current state – GO VOLS!) This breed is also intelligent, not Australian Cattle dog smart but smart enough. This is also a very stubborn breed to train and needs more of a firm hand in training. With that being said this breed was made for hunting and loves to hunt. The Bluetick Coonhound dog is a great family dog and loves kids, but if you have a cat you might wish to skip this breed. Sadly, they are known to chase cats. It is in their nature and it is not fair for your cat to live in fear of a dog.

4. Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky, not to be confused with the Alaskan Husky or the Malamute is an AKC and CKC registered breed. Siberian Huskies are not really a good choice to adopt if you wish to have cats. They have strong predatory instincts and may simply see a cat as prey. This breed is extremely active and needs a lot of exercises. They are smart and great with kids.

5. Beagle

The Beagle is on this list because they are traditionally bred to hunt small game. For this reason, they may be among the worst dogs for cats. While historically this breed was used to hunt animals like rabbits, the prey instinct typically carries over to other small animals as well. This breed isn’t typically used for hunting anymore but it still has that strong trait in him/her. If you have a cat in your home, the chances are almost guaranteed that your Beagle would find great joy in chasing your kitty. They are a very energetic breed and they love to have a job to do. If you do get this breed then you must find creative ways to redirect your Beagle’s energy. Otherwise, it will just be a matter of time before it begins pursuing your feline companion.

Honorable mentions of the worse dog breeds for cat owners are:
⦁ Greyhound
⦁ Jack Russell Terrier
⦁ Miniature Schnauzer
⦁ Weimaraner
⦁ Saluki
⦁ Smooth Fox Terrier
⦁ Schipperke
⦁ Bedlington Terrier

We do not write this to scare you from adopting any of these breeds. Like any dog, there are always exceptions and with strict training, a relationship between your new pup and cat(s) could be forged. Very important with your pup, whatever breed you adopt, if you do not train properly and set boundaries there could be problems. It will not be the dog’s fault for doing what he/she was bred to do. It is important to remember that a dog’s ability to get along with cats will depend on the individual dog and the extent of its prey drive. Dog owners should use a systematic approach to introducing a dog to its new home to ensure a smooth transition.
Here at Kittystead, we recommend a slow introducing process by keeping the dog and cat separated from each other for the first few hours, maybe even days if your time and space allow. This gives a chance for everyone to become comfortable with each other’s scents. We would not recommend just thrusting them directly into play, as this will most likely end badly. After a few days, allow your dog to be in the same room with the cat after everyone has calmed down. Be sure to provide plenty of positive reinforcements for appropriate behavior as an incentive to get your dog to continue to behave well in your cat’s presence.

RECAP of the 5 Worst Dog Breeds For Cat Owners
⦁ Afghan Hound
⦁ Australian Cattle
⦁ Bluetick Coonhound
⦁ Siberian Husky
⦁ Beagle

We hope we have helped you in the process of getting a new puppy/dog. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for tips and all happenings at Kittystead. Any comments or questions please post below.