I grew up with cats and dogs in our household, and my family shared the compact space of our condo with the animals without any major issues at any point. While all our pets were of unknown breeds as they were all also rescue animals, it is known that dogs of some breeds do better with sharing a tight space with cats than dogs of some other breeds.
Among the breeds that make excellent companions for household cats and do very well with living in apartments are pugs, French bulldogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Golden Retrievers. In addition to tolerating compact spaces (provided that the dog gets sufficient exercise), the dog needs to be either very sociable or responsive to training, or both.
Qualities Important for a Dog Living with Cats in an Apartment
Good Response to Training
Solid working intelligence is important for a couple of reasons.
Your dog should know commands to be respectful of close neighbors, their pets, and, of course, the cat in your household.
Some dog breeds might be prone to chasing or barking but, as long as your canine friend can learn to manage the urge, instinctive urges can be addressed effectively.
Dogs that are people-oriented, sociable, and have an average to high working intelligence behave more predictably than dogs that are independent, stubborn, and hard to train.
Confident and Friendly or Neurtal with Strangers, Dogs, Cats
Your prospective dog needs to learn to live peacefully with your cat but also should not be hyper-alert around your neighbors’ pets, and unfamiliar people.
If you live in a condo or an apartment, you will take your dog out for walls at least a couple of times a day. Naturally, you are going to encounter other people with your pup.
The dog has to be calm and reserved around the people in the elevator or in the hallways. Neighbors can behave in different ways, too, and might have rowdy children. The dog has to be comfortable with all that.
Some of your neighbors will have dogs too, and, of course, your canine pet must be able to meet those dogs without any incidents.
The Ability to Tolerate Being Alone in the Apartment
Separation anxiety is a common source of nuisance behaviors in dogs, which could quickly become a major issue if you live in an apartment complex. A dog should be comfortable with being alone in the apartment.
The companionship of other pets alleviates anxiety, especially separation anxiety. That said, a dog should tolerate being in a small space on his or her own.
Taking your dog out for a walk before and after your absence from home, and providing toys and puzzles are some of the ways to help a pet combat separation anxiety.
The Dog Should Not Be Very Vocal
Reactive, loud pups can struggle with the urge to bark at noises, as well as people, animals, and cars they see through a window.
Closing the blinds could be effective in addressing barking at the things the dog sees outside. There are ways to target other specific triggers and behaviors, too. However, dogs that can reliably control their urge to bark or howl are better suited for living in apartments.
Many apartment complexes do not tolerate even occasional barking or howling incidents. So the issue has to be pretty much resolved to avoid uncomfortable situations, such as having to move or, worst case scenario, give up your furry friend.
The Dog Should Tolerate Compact Spaces.
Frankly, most dogs do okay with this aspect of apartment living, as long as you have the time and energy to provide your pet with sufficient exercise.
Even the most dynamic and clever breeds, such as border collies, can thrive in a small space but be prepared to take them outside a lot and find things for them to do indoors.
Other dogs, such as French bulldogs and pugs don’t need much exercise and are likely to do well in a small space, as long as they get a couple of casual walks in the great outdoors daily.
Low Prey Drive
A strong prey drive is a problem for many dogs, both purebred and mixed-breed.
Some breeds are known to have strong hunting or herding instincts and the urge to chase, nip, and even grab can be hard to tame. Some of the classic, popular breeds that have a strong prey drive include border collies, Australian shepherds, and beagles.
In fairness, there are other factors, such as working intelligence, that can make a pup your cat’s best friend. Border collies are often great with the cats in their household because they are so responsive to training. Beagles are happy animals and can also live in peace with a cat. Both are, however, prone to chasing smaller animals outdoors.
Other dogs with a strong prey drive, such as Akitas, will always need supervision around other pets, even cats in their own home.
7 DOG BREEDS THAT ARE GREAT WITH CATS AND APARTMENT LIVING
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are fabulous pets for many kinds of households, certainly including individuals or families residing with a cat in an apartment.
Famously friendly, docile, and buoyant pets, in general, Cavaliers are quite easy to train and can adapt to a variety of living arrangements.
Cavaliers do very well in apartments and do amazingly well with cats. Grown-up animals still need a gradual and proper introduction. A Cavalier and a cat that grew up together are very unlikely to quarrel.
Keep in mind that Cavaliers are, unfortunately, prone to separation anxiety and may struggle with being alone in an apartment. Other pets, however, including a cat, will help by providing company.
2. Bernese Mountain Dog
These large dogs may seem imposing but they are gentle and sweet companions, good with other household pets, as well as children.
Berners are bright and patient, they are also quite easy to train. So, these dogs learn to get along with cats and behave well around them.
Berners do well with apartment living for several reasons, including being courteous around strangers and confident and friendly with other dogs.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are active animals, so they do need a good amount of exercise daily. As long as they can release their energy, Berners have no issues with living in small spaces.
3. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are universal pets for individuals and families. These dogs seem to be next to perfect for pretty much any household and that includes households with cats in apartments or other compact spaces.
Golden Retrievers are intelligent, congenial, and capable of living peacefully with most pets. Goldens can be great friends with kitties.
Like Berners, Golden Retrievers are energetic dogs who need to run around, interact with other dogs, hike, spend time with the family, and so on. They need your time and energy more than they need ample space at home, so these dogs do fine in apartments.
4. French Bulldog
Happy, friendly, and not particularly demanding dogs, French bulldogs are perfect for apartments and cats.
French bulldogs do not have the problem of being excessively energetic and sporty, so they do fine with mild to moderate exercise and living in tight spaces. French bulldogs do not bark much and they do quite well with being home alone for a few hours. These pups are also charming and most neighbors feel comfortable around these pups.
French bulldogs get along with cats and other pets, and other dogs too. They are not known to guard resources or be particularly aggressive toward other animals. It is important to introduce a French bulldog to a cat gradually and carefully, like with any other pet regardless of the species or breed. In general, however, there are rarely any problems between cats and French bulldogs.
5. Pug
Pugs are excellent dogs for apartment living and great companions for household cats (and people, of course).
Friendly, docile, and cheerful, pugs are patient and moderately energetic pets. These dogs are wonderful for families with kids and they live peacefully with most other pets.
Pugs do not need much exercise, although they benefit from being moderately active and going for walks a couple of times a day. They are certainly among the breeds that do not have any trouble living in a small space.
Just like French bulldogs, pugs are not noisy and not reactive to noises outside, which is so important for people living near their neighbors.
6. Poodle
Poodles – from toy to standard ones – are good dogs for city living and, specifically, sharing an apartment with a feline companion.
Toy poodles love to play with cats. Standard poodles might be friendly with cats or have a somewhat aloof disposition to them. It is important to introduce a grown-up cat to a grown-up poodle carefully and gradually.
When it comes to apartment living, there are some conditions with this breed.
Specifically, poodles love to bark, which could become a problem. However, poodles are also famously easy to train, which allows these bright dogs to learn to keep their voices at bay.
7. Beagle
Beagles are buoyant, bubbly, friendly companion dogs that do very well with cats and in apartments.
Beagles are not easy to train but their amiable personalities help them get along with other pets and people. Most behavioral issues, such as aggression, are rare.
Being active animals, beagles need your time and energy to take them outside to play and run around. As long as the dog gets plenty of exercise and socialization daily, living in small spaces is not likely to become an issue.
To Conclude
There is plenty of variability within each breed, and some dogs do not conform to the common traits of the breed.
Overall, however, the breeds we discussed above are suitable for sharing a small space with people and cats.
It is important to remember that most dogs need daily exercise – in variable amounts and of variable intensity – and most do pretty well in any household as long as you take them outside to run around regularly.
Finally, the personality of the cat is a very important factor and it can often determine the success of the relationship of the cat-dog diad.
