When you’re considering adding a large dog to a household that already has cats, it’s important to choose a dog breed that is known for being calm, gentle, and well-suited to cohabitate with feline companions. While it’s a common misconception that larger dogs are automatically aggressive toward cats, many big dog breeds can live harmoniously with cats, given the right training and socialization. These dogs often possess a calm demeanor, lower prey drive, and a willingness to coexist peacefully with other pets, including cats.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 best big dog breeds for cats in the world, focusing on breeds that are typically known for their good-natured personalities, their adaptability, and their ability to live peacefully with feline friends.
Top 10 Best Big Dog Breeds for Cats in the World
1. Newfoundland
The Newfoundland is a large, gentle giant with a calm, affectionate temperament that makes them a fantastic choice for homes with cats. Despite their imposing size—Newfoundlands can weigh between 100 and 150 pounds—these dogs are known for their patience and tolerance, especially with smaller animals. They are particularly good with children and other pets, including cats, and they usually have a low prey drive.
Newfoundlands are intelligent and trainable, which allows them to adapt to different household dynamics, including cohabitating with cats. Due to their laid-back nature, they are less likely to chase after or intimidate cats, and instead, they are more likely to coexist peacefully, even forming close bonds with feline companions.
Key Traits:
- Gentle and calm
- Patient and tolerant
- Large size (100–150 pounds)
- Low prey drive, making them excellent companions for cats
2. Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their calm demeanor and loyalty, making them one of the best large dog breeds for homes with cats. These dogs are affectionate and social, often forming close bonds with family members and getting along well with other animals. While they are large, typically weighing between 70 and 115 pounds, they have a gentle and friendly nature that is ideal for coexisting with cats.
Bernese Mountain Dogs are intelligent, and with proper training and socialization, they can learn to live harmoniously with cats. Their calm disposition and low-energy nature make them excellent companions for both cats and humans. As long as they are introduced to cats early and given proper guidance, Bernese Mountain Dogs are more likely to enjoy peaceful coexistence.
Key Traits:
- Calm and gentle
- Affectionate and social
- Large size (70–115 pounds)
- Tolerant and good with other pets
3. Great Dane
Great Danes are known for being gentle giants, and despite their enormous size (weighing between 110 and 175 pounds), they are often excellent with cats. These dogs are not known for being aggressive or overly energetic, which helps them to get along well with other pets. Great Danes are patient, calm, and affectionate, and they often form close bonds with their human family members as well as with other animals, including cats.
While it’s important to introduce a Great Dane to a cat carefully, they are usually gentle and social animals. They have a low prey drive and, when properly socialized, can live harmoniously with cats. Their calm and laid-back temperament helps them to avoid chasing or bullying cats, making them ideal for multi-pet households.
Key Traits:
- Gentle and affectionate
- Calm demeanor despite their large size
- Large size (110–175 pounds)
- Social and patient with other animals
4. Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is one of the largest dog breeds in the world, but despite their intimidating size—often reaching 120–180 pounds—they are incredibly gentle and friendly. These dogs are known for their calm, even-tempered nature and have a reputation for being excellent with cats and other pets. Their laid-back demeanor and friendly personality make them a good choice for households with cats.
Irish Wolfhounds are highly trainable and sociable, meaning that with proper introduction and socialization, they can live in harmony with cats. While they do have a strong prey drive due to their history as hunting dogs, this instinct is usually not directed toward smaller household animals like cats, especially when they have been raised in a multi-pet environment.
Key Traits:
- Gentle giant with a calm temperament
- Highly trainable and social
- Large size (120–180 pounds)
- Low prey drive when raised with other pets
5. Mastiff
The Mastiff is a massive breed, known for its protective instincts, but it is also one of the most calm and good-natured large dogs. Typically weighing between 120 and 230 pounds, Mastiffs are known for being laid-back and patient, making them excellent companions for both humans and cats. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are generally not aggressive toward smaller animals when properly socialized.
Mastiffs have a gentle, affectionate nature and are highly devoted to their families. While they may have a natural instinct to protect their territory, they are usually relaxed and tolerant toward other pets, including cats, especially if they are introduced early. Their calm demeanor and loyalty make them a great addition to multi-pet households.
Key Traits:
- Calm, gentle, and patient
- Loyal and protective
- Large size (120–230 pounds)
- Non-aggressive with proper socialization
6. Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards are well-known for their friendly, patient, and gentle nature. These large dogs, which weigh between 120 and 180 pounds, are typically very good with children and other pets, including cats. Despite their size, Saint Bernards are generally calm, tolerant, and easygoing, making them excellent companions for families with multiple animals.
Saint Bernards are sociable and love being around people, which helps them adapt to homes with cats. Their relaxed and non-aggressive temperament means that they are unlikely to chase or intimidate cats, and they often form close, affectionate bonds with their feline companions. With the right introduction, a Saint Bernard can coexist peacefully with cats and other pets.
Key Traits:
- Gentle, calm, and affectionate
- Good with children and other pets
- Large size (120–180 pounds)
- Easygoing temperament and good with cats
7. Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes are large, strong, and athletic dogs, weighing between 75 and 100 pounds. While these dogs were originally bred for pulling sleds, they are generally friendly and affectionate, making them good companions for cats in the right circumstances. Alaskan Malamutes are loyal, intelligent, and have a calm demeanor when not engaged in physical activity.
These dogs do have a strong prey drive due to their hunting and working history, but they are not typically aggressive toward cats, especially when raised with them from a young age. Alaskan Malamutes are social dogs that enjoy the company of their family members and can learn to coexist peacefully with feline companions when introduced properly.
Key Traits:
- Loyal, intelligent, and social
- Calm when properly exercised
- Large size (75–100 pounds)
- Can coexist with cats if properly trained and socialized
8. Leonberger
The Leonberger is a large, majestic breed, known for being affectionate, gentle, and friendly with both humans and animals. These dogs, which typically weigh between 90 and 170 pounds, are known for their calm, patient nature. Leonbergers are great with children and other pets, including cats, and they are typically non-aggressive and tolerant.
Their friendly disposition makes them excellent companions for cats. While they are large, Leonbergers tend to have a relaxed demeanor that allows them to peacefully coexist with smaller animals. With early socialization and training, Leonbergers can learn to respect the space of their feline housemates, making them ideal for multi-pet households.
Key Traits:
- Affectionate, calm, and gentle
- Patient and non-aggressive
- Large size (90–170 pounds)
- Great with children and other pets
9. Doberman Pinscher
Although the Doberman Pinscher is known for its athleticism, intelligence, and protective instincts, it is also a breed that can get along well with cats, provided they are properly trained and socialized. Dobermans are loyal, affectionate, and eager to please, which makes them excellent companions for families with cats.
While Dobermans can be energetic and alert, they are typically not aggressive toward cats when raised together. Proper introduction and early socialization are key to ensuring that the Doberman respects the cat’s space and does not engage in chasing behavior. Dobermans are highly trainable, so with patience and consistency, they can learn to coexist peacefully with cats.
Key Traits:
- Loyal, intelligent, and affectionate
- Highly trainable and eager to please
- Large size (60–100 pounds)
- Good with cats if socialized properly
10. Boxer
Boxers are friendly, energetic, and playful dogs that are generally good with children and other pets, including cats. Weighing between 50 and 80 pounds, Boxers have an athletic build, but they are also affectionate, social, and calm when they are not engaging in physical activities. Boxers are known for their loyalty, and they tend to form strong bonds with their human and animal companions.
With early training and proper socialization, Boxers can learn to get along with cats. They are generally non-aggressive and can coexist peacefully with cats, especially if they are introduced properly. Their playful and affectionate nature makes them a good fit for families with both dogs and cats.
Key Traits:
- Friendly, energetic, and playful
- Affectionate and loyal
- Large size (50–80 pounds)
- Non-aggressive with proper socialization
Conclusion
Choosing the right large dog for a home with cats can make a huge difference in the harmony of your household. While many big dogs have a reputation for being intimidating or overly energetic, the breeds listed above are known for their gentle, calm, and affectionate personalities. With proper training, socialization, and introductions, these big dog breeds can live harmoniously with cats, offering love, protection, and companionship in a multi-pet home.
When considering any dog for your family, it’s crucial to assess the individual temperament of the dog and ensure that both the dog and the cat are given the opportunity to adjust to each other at their own pace. With patience, respect, and careful management, even the largest of dogs can become beloved companions for your feline friends.
