Just a quick question.

Next year I will be having 6 weeks off over the summer and I would like to bring a dog into my family.

Orginally I thought about getting a labrador puppy but people have drawn my attention to getting an older rescue dog.

All I want to know is that is it possible to get a dog from a rescue centre that will get on with cats (for we already have a cat - that is why I originally thought about getting a puppy so that it will grow up used to our feline friends).


Thanks for your help.

Hi Mr H- good rescue organisations usually assess all incoming dogs and should be able to tell you if certain dogs are used to cats.

Most labs I've come into contact with have been pretty laid back with cats, provided they've been taught that they are not for chasing, so it really does not matter whether you opt for a pup or an older dog.

If you really want a Lab [and it sounds like you do], you could try the Lab breed rescue societies (there are a few up n down the UK- think we may already have suggested some on the other thread) as pups and older dogs often become available through no fault of their own- this is a very popular breed (or so the many breeders seem to think) and whilst many do find their way into loving new homes as pups, not all breeders take the time to ensure they have guaranteed homes for the number of pups produced, so you might well find a young lab through breed rescue. Recently, I was offered a free 7month old ETT (English Toy Terrier) but couldn't persuade the other half to take him at this point (he still thinks our dobe is too giddy, I still think she would be great with another dog, particularly a dog rather than a bitch, but there you go), so he went elsewhere (damn) - but I was offered him because I'd joined the ETT breed society and had put my details forward as someone interested in adopting- always worth trying with lab rescue. If you specify that you're looking for a cat-friendly pup or older dog, they may be able to find a match.

It's difficult to say for sure whether your cat will take to either a pup or an older dog, it's just one of those things you 'll never know until you get one- we have a dobe who was introduced to our old moggies as a pup and some hated her, some didnt seem to mind, but fortunately none left home as a result - luckily, we instigated dog gates so that the cats could come n go through the cat flap without having to put up with giddy dobe pup chasing and banging the cat flap at every turn- and we took care to reassure our cats that they were 'top dog'.

We later introduced kittens at various points and this was far more successful- each kitten had come from a 'bomb-proofed' home and was already familiar with dogs, so our big daft barking beastie posed no threat. Our one remaining old moggie still hates Ailsa but this moggie is not typical - she is scared of her own shadow and she and the other 'posh' cats are all indoor cats anyway, so danger of any leaving home in a sulk.

We've recently introduced an juvenile/adult cat and it's still early days so far as cat/dog relationship is concerned but nothing more than we expected. Whatever you opt for, to make things easier I would def recommend getting at least one dog gate so that dog/ cat can have their own space. Good luck and hope you find what you want. PS dont feel pressurised into getting what everyone else proposes - at the end of the day, you know what you want and you're giving yourself plenty of time to research and track down the one for you.

thank you very much for this katkin, everytime you always give me an answer and make me think about elements of pet ownership I haven't considered - cheers :thumbsup:

You're welcome Mr H -at the end of the day, you're the one who'll be living with your chosen pet, not the rest of us, so it's important to choose the right one for you. This next few months will fly by, now you've decided to take the plunge. Happy hunting!

A few years ago we got a rescued Labrador but had to return him the same day as he chased one of our cats. He'd have been a lovely dog (he rested his head on my shoulder on the way home in the car). It turned out that he'd been attacked by a cat a few days before. Back at the Rescue Centre (I'd give you the details but they've changed over the years....sorry) we ended up with an older dog, he was somewhere between 7 and 8 years old. We had him for about 3 years and built him up from a thin, undernourished and nervous dog into one that anyone would have been proud to own. We thoroughly recommend getting a rescued one, my parents had two and they were great. It's as though they know and appreciate a good home.

My Dog Sandy was a cat chaser according to the rescue centre but they allowed me to take him anyway. He had one run in with my tom cat and also the kitten i had and then all was good. Sandy loves my cats to bits and Hunny sleeps beside them and Jess attacks them in play and all is good:D good luck with whatever you decide.x

As has been said previously, most rescues will "cat test" dogs for you. However if a cat will run, a dog will chase and this is natural behaviour. It may take time to settle a new dog and cat together. Once the cat stops running and faces up to the dog, things usually settle down. Please dont give up after one day though.:(

Once you have decided on a dog you will then have to accept that your cat may need lots of time to adjust to the new arrival, even if the dog has been cat tested.

Its great to here you are considering a rescue dog, good luck :love:

Agree with Gemima- you can put barriers on place to deter the natural chase instinct and can also teach your dog that cats are not for chasing - even greyhounds can be trained to get along with cats if you have the patience. I certainly would not give up after a day - after 6 yrs, our dobe Ailsa still occasionally gives chase, so to prevent any mishaps we still have a couple of dog gates in place - one in the attic so that the cats can eat in peace and one on the landing which is raised so that cats can walk under it but the daft dobe can't. Fortunately, I think our cats do not see her as a threat, just a big bumbling mutt with no brain.