wanting to add a dog to our happy family

1821 Views 18 Replies 15 Participants Last post by brandon, Feb 13, 2004

kate0225

Discussion Starter · Feb 11, 2004

We're in the process of building a new house and would love to get a dog when we have to room. I have posted questions on dog forums about which dogs are the most tolerant of cats. Now I'm sending the question to the cat people. Do any of you have dogs in your household along with your cats? Have you added a dog to the family after the cats have been around for a while? (In our case 5 years). If you do have a dog, what kind of breed is it? Any suggestions about which dog breeds do the best with cats? Thanks in advance for you help. I'll check back soon! - Kate

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drjean

· #7 · Feb 12, 2004

If your family is so happy, why would you want to get a darned ol' dog? (Okay, just kidding!) :lol:

Terriers and huskies can also be dangerous around cats. Terriers are bred to hunt small furry animals, and huskies are just plain unpredictable.

In my experience, some herding breeds (collies, shelties, Aussies, Old English) may actually be the safest. However, not the military ones like German Shepherd dogs, Belgians, Turvurens, or heelers/cattle dogs, because they are bred to nip and bite.

If you get a puppy, the cats will be able to train it up right, no matter what kind of dog it is. But it is best to avoid breeds with a strong prey drive or those that tend to be excitable.

Although if I got another dog (my Aussie was the best!), I think I'd get a German Shepherd dog.

Cheers,
Dr. Jean

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drjean

· #9 · Feb 12, 2004

Greyhounds that have been trained to race are very dangerous around cats. They are naturally a very sweet and passive breed, but a dog that has been on the track has been trained to chase small, furry objects. If they've been used only for breeding or are too young to have been trained to race, then they're fine.

Cheers,
Dr. Jean

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drjean

· #12 · Feb 12, 2004

I sponsored a rescued Greyhound (one of the blood donors at vet school), which meant that I could take him out for walks, and occasionally I took him home. He had to be leashed around the cats because he would go after them every time. He was a very sweet dog, but he had a high prey drive. He even went after a horse once, tried to hamstring it and did some damage. The horse kicked him pretty good and evidently knocked some sense into him, because he's now living happily on a ranch!

I guess I should have been more clear. Adult Greyhounds can easily be trained *not* to go after the cats, but a dog fresh off the track needs careful monitoring until you're sure they've gotten over their love of chasing small furry animals that run!

Cheers,
Dr. Jean

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