I am hoping to get a rescue cat in a couple of weeks would an older cat or a kitten be easier to introduce. Storm is a 1 year old male rough collieand has little experience of cats, any suggestions would be most helpful.

I seem to remember a saying along the lines of a kitten  to a dog but not a puppy to a cat...........I actually cant help as have no real idea, although years ago we had a lab puppy, our cat chose to live away from her altogether, sadly after 51/2years lab pts, but then cat came back to living among us again.
Karen

In the past I've only been successful by introducing a youngster (either puppy or kitten) to an established older animal that was already used to the other species.

When I was very young we had a cat, to whom we carefully introduced a puppy; he grew up to be respectful of our cat (though 'outsiders' were fair game!), so when  the original cat died we could introduce a kitten quite easily. When the dog died we could then introduce a new pup to the established cat (who was used to a dog in the house) without too much difficulty - and so it went on.

However we had a break when we were without a cat, and my current dogs aren't used to them at all. There's no way I could introduce a cat or kitten to them, however much I'd like to. It'd simply be murder. I won't get a kitten until my dogs are very, very elderly.

TBH it depends on the cat if you are looking at an older cat Some cats will be used to dogs & some won't A younger one will probably adjust quicker

My BC hasn't had any experience of cats & when I took my cousin's cats to the vets their meowing to each other terrified him ! Mind you they were very loud(& they are two large cats too)as they are brother & sister & not used to being apart at all

I'd go for a younger cat personally, unless you find an older rescue you like that's definitely okay with dogs.

I've tried introducing a pup to older cats - my dobe, my cats were 6 and 17 at the time - and it didn't go well.  Remy just has too strong a prey drive, and he's chased them from day one - considering that neither cat was used to big, energetic dogs (the oldun had only lived with an ageing spaniel, the younger no dog at all - she doesn't like cats much!), it's no surprise that my house is now separated for cats and dogs.

As for younger cats - my brother got two kittens not long after he brought home his dog (absolute maniac, chases cats in the garden etc) - they grew up with her and aren't really scared of any dogs now, although they will still leave if Remy's around.  But they rub up against Opi quite happily.  Kittens I think are just more likely to handle it better - good as you can socialise them with your dog as youngsters, and kittens are fairly fearless little things IME - less chance of them running away! :)

>However we had a break when we were without a cat, and my current dogs aren't used to them at all. There's no way I could introduce a cat or kitten to them, however much I'd like to. It'd simply be murder. I won't get a kitten until my dogs are very, very elderly

I love cats but my views on getting one are the same as yours, Jeangenie. Certainly, the idea of getting any cat (let alone a rescue) and then subjecting it to the attentions of a lively young dog who is of a breed that views small furry animals as between meal snacks is not one I would consider. At the very best it would be an unsettling home and at worst we could have a tragedy on our hands.

I realise that there are many examples of cat and dog co-existance that aren't a nightmare but I don't think I'd be taking the chance with a rescue cat unless I had a dog who was used to living with cats and whose reaction to bringing one home was reasonably predictable.

It's a shame, because I'd have loved to have kept the stray kitten I found a couple of weeks ago as she was utterly enchanting, but I simply don't trust the younger dogs with small furries, and I'd have hated a tragedy.

I have done it both ways introducing pups (border collies) to cats and kittens to dogs and never had any problems. They all snuggle up together.
Funnily enough a friend of mine has rough collies and now has two rescue cats with no history. One was a young (approx. 2 years) male and the other a 7 month female.
She introduced them slowly and carefully. The cats always had somewhere to escape to and at the start sat on her knee so the dogs could come in and have a sniff.
They both now co-exist quite happily together with no problems. It's the cats that are in charge.
The main thing is judging your own dog and going with your gut feeling of whether you'd feel it was right or not. Then if you decide to get a cat. Work out a plan of action of what you are going to do to introduce them in the right way.

Well ive chosen the kitten from a rescue centre and he is coming home on friday so i will keep you posted as to how it goes- keep fingers crossed

I would love another cat been three years since we lost our last one(aged 19)but the time isn't right yet

Best of luck with your rescue kitty

I think a kitten would be better only for the cats sake. If you introduce an older cat that hates dogs you could be asking for trouble.

If you are lucky to have a glass door you can let the cat live one side and the dog the other so they can see each other but not actually get at each other, and gradually introduce them.

Be careful if you get an older cat.  I was biten last year by a stray cat and was very ill afterwards, because their saliva can break down our tissue, my hand was in a right mess and I had to have it operated on and was so ill aftewards.  So be careful, either get a dog friendly cat or a kitten.
Rachel

ooh you poor thing silverdog hope youare ok now.
the kitten im bringing into our family is 9 weeks old and i have a hugh crate to keep him in when he and the dog are unsupervised .so hopefully they will soon get fed up with each other. will report back next week

Well kitty is home a tiny scared little scrap, He is in storms huge old puppy crate theres plenty of room for bed/food/ litter tray/scratch post ect.storm seems more interested in trying to get his tongue through the bars to reach the food. poor kitten naturally hisses any tine storm goes within a foot of the crate, will save a face to face introduction for a coulpe of day till kitten has settled and storm is more familiar with the hissing black bundle! I am giving storm lots of fuss and attention cos i do believe he is a wee bit jelous so am trying not to put his nose out too much

allgoing well storms not that bothered by the kitty so i dont think i will be keeping the crate up for long. I do think it has upset storm though hes been very down in the dumps today and he did not even want to go for a walk (i guess he worried he might miss something) i have been giving him ots of affection and attention so im sure it will pass

Just one piece of advice. If you are keeping the kitten in the crate. Keep the dog away from it if the kitten is hissing. He will have no where to run and hide in the cage if he's not happy.
You could cut a hole in a cardboard box and put it in the cage. They love it to escape to and even play with.
Glad first days are going well.

ive put the crate away now cos the kitten wasnot happy and storm is starting to accept him being around, the were actually playing today. I couldnt be happier

Great news!

I have 3 working Border Terriers and am having another kitten in a few weeks time.  They will all be "interested" at first but with a bit of patience they will all be ok, just time and patience.
Dawn.

O.k 1 week in Storn follows the kitten everywhere licking and nibbling his back ( so much so the kitten , kermit by the way has a permanent damp streak on his back) they play hide and seek round the sofa  and when kermit had had enough he wil hiss and wack storm on the nose and go and sleep behind the sofa, so i think they are great company for each other. we are lucky its gone so well .

Brilliant I love to see dogs & cats being mates & enjoying each others company