Are you a dog person or a cat person? Probably a dog person because of the nature of our site here. But we can’t ignore that many people among us prefer cats, which may include members of your household. And one day, they will want to bring a cat home to your current dog-owning family.

Will they get along? Will they fight over territory? You can relax! Because there are actually a number of cat breeds that complement dogs, tolerate dogs well, or exhibit dog-like qualities. Let’s dive in and talk about 4 of the best cat breeds for dogs!

Maine Coon

Hailing from the New England region of the United States, the Maine Coon is a large, long-haired cat renown for their playful and social nature. They are the largest breed of domestic cat and are just majestic with their wild, shaggy coat and thick body. Male can weigh 18-25 pounds, with females coming in at 10-17 pounds,

But don’t let the looks fool you, this breed’s temperament is very relaxed. Because of their large size, and gentle yet curious nature, they’ll get on with their new doggy friends well! And if that isn’t accommodating enough, you can even train Maine Coons to fetch or go on walks.

Ragdoll

The lovely blue-eyed Ragdoll gets its name because they go limp when you pick them up. Adult can tip the scales at above 20 pounds, so it’s not going to be very often that you’ll be picking them up! But they will make fast friends with your dogs, because they are puppy-like in nature as well.

The muscular, long haired Ragdoll’s name extends to its personality too. These striking cats are loving, docile, and can tolerate overly affectionate dog behavior. And since they’re quite large, they can keep up with most dogs physically. Or they will just make extra-large pillows for smaller pups!

British Shorthair

The British Shorthair breed is yet another large, easy-going cat breed. In contrast to the other breeds though, this breed is short-haired. But even though their fur is short, British Shorthairs still draw attention to their coat because it shimmers! A common color coat on them is a solid gray-blue known as “British Blue” and the fur crackles in the light.

A powerful-looking, stout cat with a thick neck and an adorable, chubby face, the British Shorthair is a great companion to your dogs. They also are non-aggressive and laidback, so overactive pups don’t need to worry about a paw across the face.

And anyone who has spent time online knows the British Shorthair as the “I Can Haz Cheezburger” cat!

Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian Forest Cat is a legendary forest-dwelling animal and knows the secrets of men and the world. Sightings often involve people only seeing brief magical flickers of their long, fluffy tail from between trees. At least this is how the stories are told in Norway, where they are known as the Norsk Skogkatt.

Scientists believe Vikings brought some of these cats with them on trips to America, and the cats who settled there eventually became Maine Coons. That explains why the Norsk Skogkatt is also a dramatically large cat with a sweet, mellow personality! Like Maine Coons, they will get on with your dogs well due to their size, intelligence, and playful nature.

Author Bio

Gary H. blogs at Maine Coon Hawaii, where he publishes in-depth guides on Maine Coons and other cat-related topics.