What breed of dog should i get?

Question

I need one that will get on well with my cat? i brought home a wee Jack Russel and it nearly killed it!!

Answer 1

I would go with a gentle dog that isn't a rat.
Something along the lines of Golden,Lab, or a Husky get along great with cats, and all you have to do to get rid of its energy is take it for a run. Or it will take you for a run rather, lol. Good Luck!

Answer 2

We've got two cats and we got a very boisterous Jack Russell puppy six months ago. For the first few weeks, the cats were both terrified of her (one hid away and wouldn't even look at her) but now, although they're not thrilled when she charges into the room or jumps up on the sofa when they're trying to sleep, they tolerate each other much more now and things have settled down a lot.

As you say, a Jack Russell didn't work for you, but my advice is don't go for a puppy that is too big in size. I think the only reason why my cats managed to adjust to the dog is because she was so tiny as a baby.

There are lots of lovely little terriers out there, like Westies and small spaniels like Cockers and King Charles Cavalier without having to go for a tiny toy dog variety like a Poodle or a Yorkie, which can also be very snappy. If you have your heart set on a bigger breed though, Border Collies make wonderful, tolerent and gentle pets and they are only medium sized. A Beagle might also be good because they only grow to below knee-height and have a reputation for a good temperament. I hope you find the perfect dog soon!

Answer 3

Ahh.. a jack Russel's probably not the best option, I'd say rescue a dog, from the dogs trust, RSPCA or another humane society or kennel, it can be so rewarding giving a dog a second chance. My Nan has 2 rescue dogs and they're both lovely. You can also find out whether the dog gets on with cats while your there as rescue dogs tend to have a profile of everything the association know, do look around first though because the perfect dog could be out there for you waiting for another chance at life :]
Hope I've helped! xxx

Answer 4

My Jack Russell gets on really well with my four cats, introduce the cats gradually to the dog - the Jack Russell will soon sort the cat out and determine the pecking order.

Answer 5

You might consider getting a mixed breed. The local humane society in my city has a website that features different dogs, what their breed or mixes of breeds are, and whether or not they get along well with cats and children.

We don't have a dog, but our neighbor has a whippet that my cat loves. Our friend has an Alaskan Malamute that he brought over to visit, and our cat really likes him as well. I think the larger, calmer dogs have more of a calming influence on cats than the more energetic terrier-types.

I would imagine that a Basset Hound would be a good dog to have around your cat too, as they are pretty calm, easy-go-lucky dogs.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Difficult question to answer - you have to take into consideration how much time you have to exercise the dog everyday (bigger the dog, the more exercise needed) how much you can afford on food (Bigger the dog, the more food needed), how much space you have at home, but most of all how your personality and that of the dog will match. If you go along to an all breeds dog show you will see about a hundred different breeds and you can speak to the breeder about a specific breeds temperament etc. We have always had a gundog (Cocker Spaniels, Retrievers, etc.) who are fairly steady, calm animals along with several children and cats and never had any problems. Log on to http://www.the-kennel-club.org and you can look up the breed standards which describe an ideal example of specific breeds, giving height, weight, colour, type of coat (do you want to spend a fortune often at a dog parlour) and basic characteristics and temperament of the different breeds.
Alternatively go along to your local animal shetler or RSPCA.

Answer 7

I would get a boxer! They are big dogs and do not like to be messed with, so you have no worries about the cat nearly killing it! Also they can be really friendly so as long as your cat is friendly towards it.

It depends on the temperment of the dog and if it is alright with being around a cat! You see because it might be abit scared with being in a new household and being introduced to new animals (not even the same species!)

So good luck with your problem!

Answer 8

It's been said in other answers but bears repeating: your local humane society is best. For one thing, they will specifically screen a potential dog for its friendliness to other pets to make sure it's okay to bring the pet home. After all, they want to give the pets homes, not have the dog be returned because it tried to kill the cat! :-)

Plus they have all sorts of breeds to choose from, often times pure breeds. I have had pure breeds AND mixes. In my humble opinion, ALL are wonderful. But the humane society should give you an opportunity to pick out a pup, spend some time with it, and see if it's the right match for you! Good luck!

Answer 9

I have a black Labrador and a wee black cat and they are the best of friends. If anything, the Labrador is a bit scared of the cat and gets a daily smack but nothing which would cause any harm. They are really sweet together and each will get up and welcome in the other after a trip to the garden!
My cat is about 12 years old and my Labrador is 7.
Good luck.

Answer 10

I had the same problem with my cat, we'd had her years, so she nearly killed a 2nd cat we bought- and then attacked our germen shepard pup. Looking back we did basically put him straight in her way.
I think it wont be so much the breed of dog that you get, I think it'll be introducing them that causes your cat to accept the dog.

Try introducing them on neutral ground- bringing a dog straight home, you're intruding on the cats territory that its been used to- its bound to be defensive/feel threatended and want to get the upper hand as such.


As for the people that have suggested pitbulls, I think it should be illegal to breed them. England ought to take France's stance, and pass a law to have all pet ones neautered. There's hundreds of stories every year about this breed turning, and biting people. Only the other day a 5yr old was killed

Answer 11

the cat and dog would get along better if they were both yung but i guess if the cat i fulgrown then get a puppy that is smaller is size than the cat is so the cat is not intemadated by the dog oh and get a girl dog because females are less likly to be aggressive towards authority figures (the cat)
well mine is a lab and chow mix he is verry small he doesn`t even come up too my knees he is great he doesn`t poop or pee in the yard and he was really easy to train it took a grand toatal of 7 days to get the basics down sit, stay, lay, roll, give me 5, up/stand on 2 legs, come, fetch, treed (he trees raccoons , o`possum, and stray cats) we have a cat too and he leaves her alone cuz he is scared of her we had her for 4 years before we got him. now after 3 years of them living together she runs all over him if he has a toy she`ll run up to him and hsssss and he will run for his life then the cat just walks away from the toy she has fun scaring the dog..