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Andy Burnham's poodle-mix may not get on with cats — but these 6 dog breeds do
Our new PM is keeping his dog well away from Larry, but these cat-friendly breeds prove they don't have to be enemies
We may have a new Prime Minister, but there's someone else in charge already at 10 Downing Street: Larry the cat.
Andy Burnham has revealed he won't be bringing his dog with him to No. 10 because of Larry – a power move cementing Larry as the true 'top dog' of Downing Street.
Mr Burnham and his family rescued Bichon-Poo Axel from Dogs Trust 10 years ago. Now he'll be staying at home in Greater Manchester, while our new PM splits his time between Westminster and his Makerfield constituency. "He wouldn't get on with Larry, let me put it that way," Mr Burnham told the BBC. "I think he's going to have to stay up north, because he's kind of got that angry little man thing going on."
It doesn't have to be this way, though. "Dogs and cats can become friends," says Leah Callaghan, veterinary nurse at Butternut Box. "Many dogs can learn to be calm and respectful around cats when they are introduced gradually and rewarded for the right behaviour."
A dog's breed plays into its ability to get on with cats, too. Dogs with higher chase drives are less likely to cohabit happily. On the other hand, several gentle and friendly dog breeds, from Bassett Hounds to Irish Wolfhounds, are known for their ability to get along well with cats.
"Dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities – and, although it is not possible to say definitively that a certain breed will get on with cats, there are traits common to certain breeds that can help make predicting their temperament easier," Dr. Guy Sandelowsky, vet and founder of Omni, tells Country Living.
"Generally speaking, calmer, friendly and not overly playful breeds are more likely to live in harmony with a cat household.
"Although breed plays a role, a more important factor will be how the two pets are introduced and also the set-up of the living environment. Supervised, puppy/kitten introductions tend to work best, with a gradual build-up over time. It's also vital to ensure both pets can escape into their own 'safe' environment to rest, play and eat. The latter is especially true for cats!
"Ultimately whatever dog breed is introduced to a cat, exercising caution is always advisable as technically speaking, cats are not the most sociable of pets and some unpredictable behaviour and fear/stress/aggression-related behaviours are possible."
Take a look at the list of dog breeds that get along with cats below:
Golden Retriever
A family-favourite for good reason, Golden Retrievers tend to be extremely friendly and gentle. They lack a strong chase drive and are easy to train, so introduced the right way they can become an excellent cat companion.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are gentle, calm and unlikely to assert dominance. This breed can get along with almost every person and animal, including cats.
"Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are renowned for their gentle devotion, friendly, and sweet, intelligent character," PDSA Vet, Nina Downing, previously told Country Living. "They generally fit in well with family life, but as for all dogs, socialisation is key to a happy and well-rounded pet, who can cope with situations confidently."
Basset Hound
Basset Hounds are generally tolerant and patient, making them a great fit for homes with cats. They are less likely to get overly excited or aggressive towards other pets.
"These breeds are somewhat lazy compared to other breeds and like to lounge around and chill," Dr Guy explains.
Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds are big friendly giants and tend not to provoke.
While they do get along well with cats, the PDSA advises that any introductions should be done very slowly and you should always supervise their time together to begin with.
Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards generally thrive in the company of both humans and cats. One of the friendliest breeds of dogs, Saint Bernards are sometimes even known as a 'nanny' dog because of their kind and careful temperament. They truly are gentle giants with a seemingly never-ending patience.
Dr Guy says: "These are caring, calm, large and highly intelligent dogs."
Pekingese
When it comes to living with cats, Pekingese breeds can coexist peacefully. They are known to be affectionate and playful, traits that can play a significant role in building a harmonious relationship between the two species.
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
Cara is Commissioning Editor at Country Living, covering everything from style and interiors to sustainability, artisans and the great outdoors. She has previously worked for Good Housekeeping, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Prima and Red, and has an MA in Magazine Journalism from City University and a BA in Music from the University of Oxford. Follow Cara on Instagram @caralaskaris or Linkedin.
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