If you already have a cat, consider adopting an adult border collie from a rescue or shelter that does cat-testing. Long post alert! Curious to know as well, I conducted some research and asked pet parents around. I've been thinking of getting a Border Collie pup since my Golden Retriever passed away a few months ago, however I have 2 cats (who got along fine with the Golden, respecting each others space) and am concerned how a Border Collie would get along with them, as I keep hearing that they do not mix well due to their herding instinct. However, this can lead to the Border Collie becoming more obsessed with cats over time. Are border collies good with other animals? On the bright side, Border collies and cats can get along exceptionally well when raised together. A professional trainer or behaviorist can offer tips to make the introduction go more smoothly. The powerful Alaskan Malamute generally roams in a group with its fellow canine friends. By If only I dared let her have a real go at them I might have a garden! If your border colliecontinues to rush at the cat, remove it and repeat the procedure; if not, youll have to try again. Known as a family companion, the Alaskan Malamute is a friendly dog. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. There are also many cases where the cats usually carry it very well after this process and even have fun. Much depends on the personality of both your collie and your cat and the age at which they are introduced. But thankfully, it can be done with the right mindset and approach. Generally a sociable breed, Border Collies normally enjoy the company of other dogs and can get along with cats if introduced from an early age. 2 border collies, 2 cats. And some hounds, especially scent hounds, were bred to work closely in packs, so they are usually friendly with other furry family members. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'petcreeks_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_4',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-petcreeks_com-medrectangle-3-0');In this post, I will highlight some advantages and disadvantages of having a border collie and a cat, then I will discuss ways to introduce both of them. You are advised to consult with the vet or a professional if you are experiencing any issues with your pets getting along. An excellent strategy to help your pets acclimate each other's scents is to exchange their toys, blankets, and beds at least twice a day. Being raised with cats will naturally teach them to associate cats with their environment and fellow members of the family. Meg loves it. Put simply, yes and yes. exceptionally well at most canine sports, so consider enrolling your dog in any This will help to tire your border collie out and also let them relieve some aggression and let of some steam. Like all dogs, Border Collies still hold onto some of the hunting impulses that they were originally bred for. Well, the cat suddenly started running at both my dogs. and she chased them just about every chance she got. . Through this process, the puppy learns to be comfortable and confident in a variety of situations. A Border Collie is a medium-sized breed weighing between 14 and 20kgs, with a height between 50 and 55cms. If your cat likes fun and games, they and your Border Collie might get along quite well and will enjoy their time together. A Border collie is also an excellent playmate to older kids. Dog ownership is not all about rainbows and sunshine, especially if you have a whip-smart Border collie. But if you're the owner of an adorable Beagle, you may be wondering if he or she will get along with a cat. In reality, dogs and cats can and often do live together in peace. Provide plenty of mental and physical stimulation: Make sure your Border Collie gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. He will run in front of her to provoke herding and then will let her herd him to his bed or to the windowsill. Most adult dogs are 18 - 22 inches tall and reach a weight of 30 - 55 pounds. Border collies were bred initially as sheepdogs, and these highly intelligent dogs love nothing more than to be put to work. Most canine breeds coexist with cats, but what about Border collies and cats are they good with cats? Poodles aren't afraid to give their fair share of rough play either. Collies are generally very loyal to their owner and to anyone else they see as a part of their pack. Get expert advice to help your pet live its best life, 15 Friendliest Dog Breeds That Love People. There should be no problem as long as your Border collie finds him uninteresting. But in order to properly assess this question, we need to look into the specifics of the breed. Its inevitable that having a border collie and a cat together would result in competitiveness and jealousy. As an adult cat, Tiger Lily teased the pups when they came but as they grew she started to recognize them as potential pals. However, American shorthairs, Maine coons, and Ragdolls are cat breeds that are known for getting on great with pooches. They were primarily bred to hunt and kill small furry animals. Make him your jogging partner or train him to become an athlete. Although not all herding dogs live well with cats, collies are a bit mellower than some other herding breeds and generally can resist the instinct to herd when the behavior wouldn't be appropriate (such as chasing the family cat). He is 12 now and has not slowed down noticeably. Start by allowing the cat and dog to smell each other from a distance. Introduce your pets face-to-face and have them watch each other move around. Introduce the Bengal cat and dog before moving both pets into the same home. Occasionally, even a well-trained border collie might attempt to herd and chase cats once in a while, so your cat must have a means of escape. My goal is tolerance between the two. Bearded Collies are also smart enough to manipulate their owners. Why is my Border Collie obsessed with cats? They will be raised around the cats and will not know anything different. Consult a professional: If your dogs chasing behavior is severe or you are unable to address it on your own, consider consulting a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. Males have muscular bodies and long fur around their chests and the sides of their bodies. If the Collie was likely to try herding other members of the family, let's call it all but a done deal with the Border Collie. Weighing less than seven pounds on average, the Maltese is around the size of a cat, which causes many cats to feel comfortable around it. My bc stares at her andknows not to chase and to keep space between them but hes always watching the cat. Nevertheless, it is crucial for any owner to understand the personality and specific traits of a particular dog or cat, before having them coexist. The dogs are taught that they mustn't chase the cats, but I do allow play if the cat intiates it. Height: Standard: 15 inches; miniature: 10 to 15 inches; toy: 10 inches and under, Weight: Standard: 45 to 70 pounds; miniature: 15 to 18 pounds; toy: 5 to 9 pounds, Physical Characteristics: Curly, dense, single-layer coat that may be one of many solid colors, including white, black, gray, brown, and apricot. I don't mind the cat giving the dog a whack but I'm always afraid of the cat scratching an eyeyikes. Standard Poodle Poodles are highly energetic dogs that can definitely keep up with a husky's playfulness and exercise routine. Can A Border Collie Get Along With A Cat? Tip #2: Introduce Your Border Collie by Sound and Scent. Most pugs lack the inclination to chase or otherwise bother a cat, so they generally can live successfully with felines. Kittens are energetic and playful, both of which are qualities any Border collie will appreciate. This can include going for walks, playing fetch, and training. An adult Border collie from a rescue or shelter can be more challenging to introduce and train around cats. Bag - Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dog Food With Probiotics for Dogs, Salmon & Rice Formula Oat meal is easily digestible and gentle on the digestive system. If your cat and your border collie get along, and your cat likes mischievous fun, they can often have a stimulating time together. This is not to say that at adult stages border collies cant get along with cats, they do get along but require more supervision. An excellent strategy to help your pets acclimate each others scents is to exchange their toys, blankets, and beds at least twice a day. Imagine my Robin's surprise when she tried curling up in his tail while he was sleeping! For instance, even though beagles tend to be good with cats, your beagle might not be. First of all, you should get each other used to the companion's body scent. The Border Collie, a medium-sized dog at 30 to 45 pounds, possesses a seemingly supernatural amount of energy and stamina a hardiness that was developed when he was required to work all day in. The management and training will allow both animals to feel safe in one another's presence. Border collies can get along well with cats and dogs of any breed, so long as they're introduced at a relatively young age in a calm, secure environment. I've got a cat tree out of my BC's reach that my kitty can retreat to when he's had enough play time, and he treats it as his safe zone. This is, of course, is most likely to occur if your border collie and cat have been socialized properly. Or at least, they can get along with cats living in their homes if they are trained and socialized accordingly. It is important to remember that each pet is an individual and may have different needs. I let the dogs out of the car when we pulled up and Meg went straight up to my aunt's little old black cat who was sitting in front of the house. You can then separate your border collie from your cat. Tip #5: Give Your Border Collie a Purpose. one of these classes to burn off his excessive energy. So these fluffy little canines are rarely a threat to feline friends. Hyperactivity can get your dog into all kinds of mischief. They befriend cats, squirrels, and most importantly other dogs quite fast. Plus, collies tend to be gentle dogs, including with kids and other family pets. Laser beam stare, too. Its in their blood to herd anything mobile, including cats. After a couple of weeks, I was able to call his attention away from the cats if they were far enough away, but I never trusted him (after the first 2 times when he tried to get them), and he and I lived tethered together. Likewise, it teaches him that the cat is here to stay, rather than an intruder he needs to chase away. Only positive training techniques should be used. Better yet, take him by the leash and remove him from the room until he cools off. Getting a cat can assist a border collie in overcoming socialization and anxiety issues. This large breed is generally known for its calm demeanor and somewhat low activity level, so its size shouldn't be that intimidating for a cat. The dog did corral the cat onto the coffee table once, and kept him pinned up there for a few minutes, until I made him stop. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. You wouldnt be as concerned if it were just chasing. Rep the procedure, keep eye contact, and address your border collieby name. Over time, the dog can become protective of the cat as though it was part of the family. As highly trainable and people-pleasing dogs, most goldens can be taught to live successfully with cats. But what about cats? Generally, most Bearded Collies are sensitive, impressionable dogs. They seem to be larger than female Borders, but this is barely noticeable since both have the same physique. Until youre sure theyll be able to stay together, separate areas should be supplied. Do collies get on with cats? An excellent example is the Carlson Expandable Walk-Through Pet Gate with a Small Pet Door. Otherwise, it would be impossible to snap him back out of his predatory state. At just three to seven pounds, they are smaller than most cats. He generally ignores them unless they initiate contact with him. This will help to reinforce the desired behavior. Especially dogs, he enjoys writing and sharing his 10 years of experiences with dogs so far. Ive kept them in separate rooms for the first month and fed them on opposite sides of the gate. I used to try an split them up when they wrestled, but I gave up a couple months ago. The cats always determine how much interaction they want. Herding of other animals can be defined in multiple ways, including chasing, nipping, and barking. Your border collie may end up herding or chasing away the cat. This heavy-duty worker is 23 to 25 inches tall, and this well-furred Alaskan Malamute has an affectionate side. You should complete your border collies obedience training and socialize before considering bringing in a cat if you must have an adult cat. If your puppy is raised with cats, there is less of a chance that he will see cats as animals that need herding. You can teach this command by holding a treat in your hand and allowing the dog to sniff it. Another reason why a Border Collie may become obsessed with cats is a lack of mental and physical stimulation. Your cat wont appreciate being on the receiving end of this treatment, so you must supervise their interactions. Nope, they are mortal enemies, don't get along at all. Put your new cat on a leash next to your border collie after youve walked him around the house and praise him if hes calm. Border collies do not necessarily have to be employed in farms, but you should always give this work-driven canine a job to keep him pumped up. Nibbling is one of the many ways dogs play, but you do not want to tolerate this behavior around cats. (and 2 small dogs) No problems between the dogs and the cats. How many hours should a border collie sleep, Do Border Collies calm down after getting neutered or spayed. Without enough exercise, they may become bored and develop unhealthy behaviors, such as an obsession with cats. It is important to provide each animal with its own space and resources, like food bowls, beds, and litter boxes. Do border collies and cats get along well with one another and can they peacefully co-exist in your home? This includes Amazon. Once they stop running, he loses interest. Border Collie. Not all Border Collies despise cats, some get along with them. If all else fails, you might want to train your collie using the Mini Educator E-Collar. Intrigued and needing to know this myself, I decided to conduct some research. You must never punish your dog, even if you disagree with the way they are behaving with your cat. You can encourage your puppy to engage in play with your cats, just make sure that all interactions are gentle. Emmie has, a couple of times, gone into stalk and chase mode with the cat, but now seems to respect him and will only sniff. One that you may have could be around housing multiple pets. Border collies have lots of energy that needs to be channeled the right way. While you can teach a puppy to obey commands, you can't train the herding instinct out of him. These dogs require a lot of exercises and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. If you see your pup nipping your cat, you must separate the two straight away. Step 1. She always stops when I tell her to. Massage your hands on your border collies back while drawing the cat closer with one hand to praise him for being calm. Although Border Collies can be good with cats, not all Border Collies will get along with cats. Disconnect the leash and put on some pet-friendly movies to watch with your border collieand see how they react. Feeding schedules can also be based on your pet's age, size, and health. They do need exercise, but they are not as "high octane" as the border collie. At any rate, I pay attention and judge the behavior of individual dogs and cats and manage appropriately. When the BCs were puppies I let the cats intimidate them a little, so they know the cats aren't afraid of them and have weapons at their disposal. The others more or less tolerate Birdie, and if she's being obnoxious to them I just correct her. Hence, it would be best if you taught your Border collie that supervising the whiskered creature is not his job. Make sure that your cat or cats have a safe place when they need to escape your dog. But then again, maybe they also know I won't let it go but so far. Border Collies are medium-sized dogs. Border collies need both physical and mental challenges -- agility courses, training, games of fetch and regular walks or runs. But only if they are properly socialized and trained from a young age. Your pup might not control his bite and injure the unsuspecting feline. If some canine breeds have a locking jaw, the Border collie has a locking stare. Unfortunately, this signature glare is one of the things that set Border collies and cats at odds. To increase your chances of a happy multi-species household, make sure your individual animals' temperaments and personalities are compatible. Furthermore, some high-energy herding breeds, such as border collies, often cant stop themselves from herding everyone in the house, cats included. Teach your dog the leave it command: This command tells the dog to stop what they are doing and focus on you. How big do Border Collies get? Because border collies are friendly dogs that enjoy being around other dogs, it will be simple, yetyou have to beconsistent. Put all of your border collies toys, bed, bowls, and other possessions away before bringing in the cat. When you are away from home, make sure that you put your puppy in a crate, so that you can monitor their behavior with your cats until they are fully socialized. We do not tolerate any interaction with the 2 that are intimidated, we let the ones that like to play set the pace, but call a halt if it gets out of hand, the ones that ignore them are, quite frankly, ignored right back. It's too bad because the cat is black and white. very BC looking. It takes a lot of time and works to groom a border collie and a cat. 5 Borders, 4 cats. and 2 cats. Pause and study your border collies reaction before introducing new names or prizes. Developed to be excellent shepherd dogs, Border Collies relish the chance to learn and let off steam. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'petcreeks_com-box-3','ezslot_8',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-petcreeks_com-box-3-0');Do border collies get along with cats? Border Collies are generally known to be very good with cats. Occasionally Anni will initiate play with Meg. She strutted off to do whatever it is she does all day and left them hiding in the car. A border collie herding a cat might be well-intentioned, but it can lead to injuries for the cat if nipping is involved. And its good manners extend to cats as well as people. A natural part of herding is 'nipping' which will not likely be received very well by your cat. This helps prevent competition and conflicts. Forcing the border collieand the cat to play or interact is not a smart idea. Also, it helps to provide your cat with a high place to run to. Here are a few things you can do to address a dogs chasing behavior: It is important to remember that training takes time, patience, and consistency. As it can be counterproductive and can lead to further behavioral issues. Out of sight, I heard a yelp from Meg and then both dogs come running full speed back to the car and jump in. As you may already know, the Border collie is the worlds premier herding breed, and he loves to work above anything else. CERTIFIED GENTLE AND SAFE Chlorine free and color safe. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'petcreeks_com-box-4','ezslot_6',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-petcreeks_com-box-4-0');Border collies do get along with cats if you get both pets from their puppy and kitten stages. A border collie may stare at cat as part of their instinctual herding behavior. This way, your collie will be used to being around them from a young age. Cats Tend To Get Used To Border Collies If it is true that at the beginning, the grazing behavior can tire an uncomfortable the cat. Border collies will not generally attempt to attack a cat. Yes, I have 2 border collies, 1 cat of my own, 2 permanent fosters and my mom's cat. Encourage your little collie to interact with the feline member of the household, but be sure to supervise playtime. He actually hasn't gotten outbreaks of either condition since I adopted my dog, which surprised me! The list of things must include a playpen (the MidWest one from Amazon is ideal). Proper training and specific techniques can help reduce herding behavior and the likelihood of nipping. In fact, dog trainers use this tool to stamp out the predatory drive in aggressive breeds. [Dangerous or Protective? This is a question that we will be discussing in this post, so keep reading! Although the Border collie is not an aggressive breed, he has been bred to inherit the first few steps of the wolfs Predatory Sequence Eye, Orient, Stalk, and Chase. Despite the fact that the cat does not bother the dog in any manner, the dog always growls with bared teeth at your cat. Male Collies can grow from 19 to 22 inches tall and can weigh from 30 to 55 pounds. Are you constantly searching, Does your cat behave differently after a grooming appointment? Plus, the dog breeds that are typically people-pleasing and trainable are ideal, as they can be taught how to coexist nicely with a cat. Therefore, you need to be on hand so that you react to any unfavorable situation and be sure to reward your pets for every positive behavior. Although your collie may not mean harm to your kitty, the latter may act aggressively out of fear or confusion. In fact, toy poodles are roughly the size of many cats and often will become close companions and playmates with their feline friends. A Maltese is usually fine lying on the couch, ignoring much of anything else going on, including the activities of a cat. Pasted as rich text. They blended so well together, you couldn't tell where cat ended and dog started. Once these little ones develop the ideal behavior in their younger ages, the rest of your life will be a cake-walk! They are loyal, patient, and low-key dogs. They are extremely intelligent and have to be trained correctly to avoid behavioral issues. He doesn't like and will move away. Border Collies are a versatile breed. For better outcomes, a border collie that is raised around cats will likely result in better success. Border Collies love chasing or herding things and can start chasing or herding this may be difficult for you and your cat. Sure, staring down wont injure a cat, but it causes the recipient stress that can manifest in physical ways. That is why it is crucial to divert your collies attention to other things other than herding. Likewise, a cat who tries to escape will only trigger the Border collie to run after him. Border collies can be good with cats. 7 Causes & Control of Border Collie Aggression, This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on our links., Is your Shih Tzu constantly licking their paws? The doggie cat hunts my JRT and the JRT is afraid, very afraid. Puppies raised with cats are less likely to exhibit predatory aggression towards them when they become full-grown adults. Spread a blanket that your cat typically sleeps on your collies bed to get them acclimated to the fragrance. Today this pooch makes an ideal pet because of their friendly temperament and playful nature. Firstly, before we continue it is important you know that border collies are not the best breed of dog for cats because they were selectively bred to be herding dogs. Use positive reinforcement: Reward your dog when they do not chase a cat or when they come back to you when they see a cat. They should be praised for their excellent performance. The Pomeranian is a spirited and engaging toy dog. Use positive reinforcement: Reward your Border Collie when they do not chase or try to herd a cat. They even sometimes snuggle together, which is pretty shocking considering that neither cats nor BCs are usually too enthusiastic about cuddling.