So I have been thinking about getting a dog. We had a husky/shepard mix growing up. Don't get me wrong, I love my Limerick, but I miss having a dog. Does anyone know what dog breeds that are traditionally "cat friendly"?
Originally Posted by white cat lover
I'm inclined to encourage you to looking into adopting an adult dog who's been proven cat friendly.
I agree 100% with sharky!Originally Posted by sharky
most any dog if a puppy cant be taught protper kitty to doggy edicate
I beg to differ here. Some dogs just have too high a prey drive to be taught to live with cats. Trust me....I've seen people adopt dogs from the HS where I volunteer with the knowledge they have the desire to chase cats....only to return the dog after it killed cat(s).Originally Posted by faith's_mom
Any dog can be taught to live with cats,
I fostered a JRT who did great with kitties. I've fostered the following breeds who did well with kitties:Originally Posted by bnwalker2
I have a Jack Russell and a Jack Russell mix. I have heard so many times that Jack Russells should not live with cats. But my two are WONDERFUL with the kitties, even the tiny kittens. It definitely has more to do with the individual dogs personality than with the breed itself.
I have rehabbed dogs who were known cat chasers...one even truly made killing cats his favorite hobby...he took a bit longer than some of the 'chasers' or ones who had only killed once or twice, but eventually he knew my voice and hand cues so well that even he could be in mid chase, and would stop dead in his tracks, and come back to me...I will state it once more, it really does not matter the breed...honest...otherwise NONE of us should have half the breeds of dogs we have, because they were all originally bred to hunt, or herd, which means to 'chase' to a dog who is not trained; I won't name breeds here, because I have worked with so many, and so many mixes it's beside the point that I am trying to make. With PROPER training, even with a behaviorist if necessary, a dog can be taught to leave something alone; because he respects you as his master, over his instinct to chase.Originally Posted by white cat lover
I fostered a JRT who did great with kitties. I've fostered the following breeds who did well with kitties:
JRT
Rat Terrier
Chihuahua
lab x
corgi/heeler x
coonhound x
dane/boxer/lab/...?? x
husky/am staff x
kerry blue terrier/pooodle x
poodle x
rott/mastiff x
There's more I'm sure of it!
I've also fostered the following breeds who did NOT do well with the kitties:
Pit
Am Staff x
German Shorthaired Pointer
Spring Spaniel x
Husky x
Weim x
beagle x
lab x
Chihuahua
It's all going to depend on the dog. For some dogs, they've been bred for their prey drive & as hunting dogs for so many years you can never over-ride that instinct.
That said, I've got a purebred Lab & a lab/gsp mix who both do well with the kitties.
It's kind of in my 'nature' to love on the 'unwanted' or "troubled" animals...just like the nature of my work as a Youth Pastor...can you geuss what kind of kids I work with there???Originally Posted by white cat lover
I know of several dogs taken in by trainers that have never been able to be trained out of the "kill kitties" instinct. I'm willing to give you that some dogs can be trained out of it, but not all of them can.
That said, a lot of people won't bother to train them.I give you lots of credit for taking in doggies who are known cat chasers, I refuse to foster them if I have an inkling they'll try to harm the kitties. Mostly cuz I can't always keep 15 kitties away from a dog.....they seem to know when the doggie hates them & antagonize the dog.