The 12 Best Dog Breeds for Cat Owners in 2026

You love your cat. You’re also seriously thinking about getting a dog. And now you’re wondering: will my cat survive this? Will I? The good news is that plenty of dogs don’t just tolerate cats. Many actually thrive with them. Picking the right breed is probably the single biggest factor in how smooth that cohabitation goes. The best dog breeds for cat owners tend to share a few key traits: they’re not intensely prey-driven, they warm up to new housemates without drama, and they don’t spend all their energy trying to stalk anything smaller than them. This list covers 12 breeds that regularly come up in multi-pet households as genuinely solid choices. Each one comes with a quick note on temperament, key traits, and tips for the introduction. What Makes a Dog Good With Cats? Not all dogs see a cat as a friend. Breeds developed to chase small, fast animals (terriers, some sighthounds, certain scent hounds) often have a prey drive that makes peaceful cat cohabitation difficult. That doesn’t mean every individual dog of those breeds is a threat. But when you’re choosing a first dog to bring into a cat household, starting with a breed that’s wired for cooperation rather than chase makes e...