When it comes to keeping dogs and cats together, the dynamic can vary wildly. Some dogs are naturally more inclined to chase, while others are generally more relaxed with feline companions. Your dog’s breed can play a significant role in determining compatibility with a cat. If you’re planning to introduce a dog into a home with a resident cat, or vice versa, understanding breed-specific traits is essential. Below are 20 dog breeds known for potential challenges in households with cats.

1. Greyhound

Greyhounds are known for their incredible speed, originally bred as racing dogs and hunters. This history gives them a strong prey drive, making it hard for them to resist chasing small, fast-moving animals like cats. Even with training, this instinct is deeply ingrained, so it’s crucial to supervise a Greyhound around cats, especially if your cat likes to run or play. Some Greyhounds may adapt with early socialization, but they’re often better suited for homes without smaller pets, as the urge to chase may remain strong​.

2. Siberian Husky

Siberian Huskies are independent, energetic dogs that were originally bred for sled-pulling and survival in harsh climates. Their strong prey drive, coupled with a playful nature, often leads them to chase smaller animals like cats. If a Husky hasn’t been well-socialized with cats from a young age, they may see cats as prey or competition. While training and supervision can help, their intense drive to chase moving objects may persist, making it challenging to maintain a peaceful cat-dog household with a Husky​.

3. Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terriers are small but fearless, with a history of hunting vermin like foxes and rabbits. Their high energy and intense prey drive make them likely to chase anything that moves, including cats. Because of their tenacious nature, Jack Russells may not back down easily once they start a chase, which can be stressful for a cat. Early socialization and training can help, but these terriers are often better suited to homes without smaller pets. In a single-pet environment, they can focus their energy on interactive play with humans.

4. Weimaraner

Weimaraners are powerful and intelligent, and they were initially bred to hunt large game, which makes them alert and driven. This breed’s prey drive can lead them to see cats as potential targets rather than companions. Despite their loyalty and eagerness to please, Weimaraners may find it hard to ignore smaller animals unless they’re socialized extensively. Their size and energy make it crucial to train and supervise them closely around cats. Homes without other small animals may be the best setting for this breed​.

5. Afghan Hound

The elegant Afghan Hound, with its flowing coat and aristocratic looks, might seem cat-friendly, but their sighthound background means they have a strong instinct to chase. Afghan Hounds were bred to pursue small animals, so they may see a cat as a target rather than a friend. This breed’s aloof nature can also make it less tolerant of the playful curiosity that many cats show. While some Afghan Hounds adapt to feline companions, they are generally better suited to homes without cats or other small pets​.

6. Schipperke

Schipperkes are small, lively dogs originally bred to work on barges and control vermin. Their high prey drive and curious nature can lead them to chase cats, especially if the cat runs or plays frequently. Schipperkes can become quite fixated when something catches their attention, which may make life stressful for a household cat. While training and early socialization can help, Schipperkes generally retain their instinct to chase smaller animals. Homes without cats or small animals tend to be more suitable for this breed​.

7. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are affectionate with their families but can have a high prey drive that may make coexisting with a cat difficult. Known for their strong, muscular build and playful energy, Staffies often enjoy chasing smaller animals if given the opportunity. While they can learn to live with a cat, it requires patient socialization from an early age. Even with training, many Staffies may still pose a risk to smaller animals due to their prey instincts. Consider avoiding this breed if you have a resident cat​.

8. Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute, originally a working sled dog, has a high prey drive, similar to the Siberian Husky. These powerful dogs have an instinct to chase and hunt, which can make them challenging companions for cats. Malamutes can be stubborn, so training them to leave smaller animals alone can take considerable time and effort. Even with socialization, their natural hunting instinct may make them unsuitable for homes with cats. Families who adore this breed but have cats may need to set up separate spaces​.

9. Whippet

Whippets, gentle and calm with humans, are sighthounds with a natural drive to chase moving objects. This prey drive can be a problem for homes with cats, as Whippets may find it hard to resist pursuing a quick-moving cat. Even with early socialization, many Whippets remain strongly inclined to chase smaller animals. They’re generally better suited to households where they’re the only pets or with animals they don’t perceive as prey. A Whippet’s calm demeanor can be misleading, so supervision is still necessary​.

10. Schnauzer

Standard Schnauzers are intelligent and loyal, often used as guard dogs and for working tasks. However, they also have a high prey drive, making it challenging for them to coexist with smaller animals, including cats. Schnauzers are known for their love of chasing, which can make life stressful for a household cat. While early socialization and training can help mitigate these instincts, they may never fully disappear. This breed is best suited to homes without small animals like cats, who may become targets​.

11. Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is a high-energy, intelligent breed often used in police and military roles. Their strong prey drive and intense work ethic mean they can become fixated on chasing smaller animals, including cats. Without early and consistent socialization, a Malinois may view a cat as prey, creating a potentially dangerous situation. Even well-trained Malinois need supervision around cats due to their natural drive to chase. This breed thrives in active, single-pet homes, where it can focus on its human family​.

12. Pharaoh Hound

Pharaoh Hounds are graceful, ancient dogs with a keen instinct for hunting. As sighthounds, they were bred to chase small game, so their prey drive remains high today. This means they may see a cat as something to pursue rather than a friend. Even with training, Pharaoh Hounds often retain a strong chase instinct, especially if a cat runs or plays actively. They’re best suited to homes without small animals, where their hunting instincts won’t be triggered. Pharaoh Hounds are loyal but thrive best in calm, single-pet environments.

13. Manchester Terrier

Manchester Terriers were bred to hunt vermin and have a high prey drive, which can make coexisting with cats challenging. These dogs are tenacious and energetic, often chasing anything that moves, including a household cat. While Manchester Terriers can be socialized with cats, their instinct to chase may never fully disappear. If you choose a Manchester Terrier, close supervision around cats is essential. However, this breed is often best suited to homes where it’s the only small pet, allowing it to thrive without the urge to chase.

14. Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier, with its soft, lamb-like appearance, was bred as a hunting dog for small game. This breed has a strong prey drive and may view cats as targets to chase or intimidate. Bedlington Terriers are lively and intelligent, which can lead to a curious or confrontational relationship with a cat. Early socialization may help, but Bedlingtons often retain their instinct to chase. Homes without smaller pets are generally the best fit for this active, single-minded breed. Their high energy and hunting instincts make them better suited to active, cat-free households.

15. Saluki

The Saluki is an ancient sighthound known for its speed and hunting skills. This breed’s prey drive can be strong, and they often chase anything small that moves. While some Salukis can be socialized to live peacefully with cats, the instinct to pursue smaller animals may still linger. If you have a Saluki and a cat, close supervision and separate spaces are recommended. Salukis are often better suited to homes where they’re the only pets, so they can freely indulge in their natural behaviors without stress​.

16. Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dogs, also known as Blue Heelers, are highly intelligent and energetic herding dogs. Their strong herding instinct can sometimes lead them to chase or nip at smaller animals, including cats. Without careful training and supervision, this instinct can create tension or stress in a household with a cat. Though socialization from a young age helps, Australian Cattle Dogs often retain their instinct to pursue and control, making them better suited to homes where they don’t need to share space with smaller pets​.

17. Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolfhounds are large, gentle dogs, but they were originally bred to hunt wolves and large game. While generally calm and friendly, their strong prey drive may cause them to chase smaller animals, including cats. Their size can be intimidating to a cat, and if they decide to pursue it, their strength could put a cat at risk. Although some Irish wolfhounds can coexist peacefully with cats through proper socialization, this requires close supervision and careful management. Their size and instinctive behaviors make them better suited to homes without small pets​.

18. German Pinscher

The German Pinscher is an alert, active breed with a strong prey drive, making them prone to chasing smaller animals, including cats. Their hunting background and determined nature can cause them to become fixated on cats, which may lead to tension or stress in a multi-pet home. Early socialization is key if you want to introduce a German Pinscher to a cat, but even with training, close supervision is necessary. Due to their strong instincts, this breed often thrives best in homes without small pets.

19. Dogo Argentino

The Dogo Argentino is a large, muscular breed developed for hunting big game. Their strong prey drive and protective nature can make it difficult for them to tolerate smaller animals, including cats. Without extensive socialization, a Dogo Argentino may view a cat as prey, which can make coexistence both difficult and dangerous. Though loyal to their families, this breed may not be ideal for households with cats. Dogo Argentinos generally thrive best in homes without other small animals, where their hunting instincts are less likely to be triggered​.

20. Basenji

The Basenji, known as the “barkless dog,” is intelligent and independent, with a high prey drive due to its hunting ancestry. Basenjis are known for their curiosity and may find it hard to resist chasing a cat, especially one that runs. While some Basenjis can live peacefully with cats with consistent socialization, many retain their hunting instincts and view smaller animals as prey. This breed is often more suited to homes without small pets, where they can safely channel their energy and curiosity.