Hi
We have a two year old cat at home, he's been fixed and generally is quite well behaved, and we've recently decided to get a dog too. Someone offered us a 4 year old Beagle and told us that even though it's not a puppy and has never been in a household with a cat, it should get along fine with a cat, do you think it will work? Also, do Dalmations get along easily with cats?

Are there specific breeds that get along better with cats?

Thanks!

May sound strange but it is probably down to the cat, if he is the type to get out of the way, all will be fine. But if he is a stand my ground type it will depend on if the dog is prepared to accept that, think the Beagle will but I do not have that sort of knowledge of Dalmations. Could you 'borrow' the Beagle to see how it went. Ja:)kie

Dallies get on ok with cats when introduced early enough :)

However, make sure you can cope with the mountains of white hair everywhere, the constant need for exercise, and a really boisterous dog. They are the most fantastic dogs in the world (in my humble opinion, but then i'm biased!), but you really have to be committed. Please contact the Breed Club for a reputable breeder if you decide to go ahead - puppy farms love dalmations as they are very popular with the "Christmas Present Brigade"
Good luck!!
Chloe :)

I have a Tom cat therefore he's more inclined to stand his ground and with a bitchy GSD she also stands her ground:) The GSD has been with the cat since she was 8 weeks old and to this day they don't get on and barely stand to be in the same room as each other:)

Stacey x x x

We were looking after an unwanted cat about a year old till we found her a home 6 months later. She got along great with our boston's and slept cuddled up to our wolf/rott at night. You would think she was just another dog because of the way she played with the boston's. She now lives on our friends farm, she was a pretty calico cat.

Hello

I had a rescued dalmatian, we rescued him at three years old. We also wanted a cat and so rescued one also. he was 5 months at the time.

We introduced the cat slowly to the dog, bit by bit. First left the cat in a carrier with one of us stroking the dog and one stroking the cat. We praised both of the animals and eventually closed the gap for nose touching. We were relaxed and looked around the room whilst they nose sniffed.

We chatted and remained calm throughout.

After about 20 minutes we took the cat out, stayed by the dog but not restraining him too much as that may cause defensive behaviour. We remained chatting and calm.

The dog sniffed the cat and the cat was a bit afraid at first. Then the cat was allowed to go to the floor and the dog stroked and spoken to calmly. We kiss our dog a lot (ooo I hear you say but thats us) and so we kissed the cat too to let the dog know it was a friend and not a threat to the household.

The cat stayed under a chair staring at the dog. The cat had been praised and this caused purring. We praised the dog the same way. After a time the dog was released and he stayed where he was. We carried on speaking as though we were not bothered but remained alert.

Then the dog approached the cat, sniffing and the cat allowed this. The dog returned to his original place. We then moved away (not far) from the pair of them and again remained calm. Then the dog approached the cat again and sniffed more intense. The cat again allowed this.

Then we returned to the pair of them and praised them both. It had worked fine and they remained friends (with a yorkie too, bought later and repeated above) for many years. The cat pined after the two dogs died of old age. So there is such as thing as three in a marriage after all.

One last note which may amuse you. We tried to teach the dalmatian and the yorkie to fetch, didn't have much luck but the cat retrieves anything and everything in site. He could go all day just jumping over the fence bringing back his collar, ball, silver paper, anything you throw and shout 'fetch'.. The dogs never got the hang of it.

Hope this helps.

regards
Jackie