A question about cats. (Sort of)

[Ritz459]

I know this is a Dog Forum but I have a question regarding cat breeds. Does anybody know of a breed of cat that is sociable, likes to travel, and can get along with other animals and will walk on a leash? (I know a dog fits all of those criteria but I can't find a small type of dog that 'fits' me.)
Since my G. Pig died, I've been looking for a small, sociable animal to get. (I really like Ferrets but my mom isn't captivated about them..) I've heard that Pixie-Bobs (that is a type of cat that looks like a Bobcat) are very friendly and like to go places, but does anybody know of any other type of cat that would fit the criteria mentioned above? I would prefer a short haired cat. My fave. type of purebred cat is the Siamese(sp?) and the Bengals. (Those are cats that look like mini, Leoperds and they come in a white coat and those look like Snow Leoperds!!)

[Ritz459]

I just went on CatFancy.com (of all things... LOL) and I was looking at diff. profiles for the Cats and I think I like the Pixie-Bob the most. It said down at the end of the article, "If you've owned dogs all of your life, this is the breed for you." They sound really cool, but just in case, does anybody know of any other breeds I might want to consider?

[PitBullie09]

Hmm..Why not just adopt one?! Go to your shelter and pick one out..

But in your dogs...(if you were lookin for one) I would reccomend the chihuahua

But I think the Pixie-Bob sounds good..

[Rip's Girl]

Quite honestly, I'd do as Southern_girl said. After volunteering at shelters for years I've seen hundreds of cats, all were beautiful. Some had shy personalities, and some were as dog-like as they come. Shelter cats have such a variety of personalities, most are mixed breeds but on occasion you find a pure bred.. I've never seen a pixie bob before, but I'm sure some shelter out there has one. Or, even if it's not a pixiebob, I'm sure there is a perfect cat out there for you.

Perosnally, even though I've bought my dogs from breeders, I would only adopt a cat or kitten from a shelter. Who knows, you could probably find a pixiebob on petfinder...??

[doberkim]

i would go to a shelter without a doubt.

what you are asking for can easily be found in an adult cat. Just like with puppies, I have seen many kittens grow up and be not what people wanted - right now I have a kitten that has been with me (fostered the entire litteR) for almost 2 months, and hes NEVER going to be good around Bowie, no matter what. ont he other hand, the ADULT cats I have adopted are all wonderful with bowie and they sleep in the same bed, wrestle, and in general love each other.

Go to a shelter and adopt a cat. Purebreds are in sheltesr too (and rescues) _ I just adopted a flame point Birman from a shelter

[Ritz459]

I would normally adopt a cat from a shelter too, but since I'm looking for a certian type of temperment, I was looking at the purebreds. I'm sure I could find a shelter cat that has the temperment I'm looking for, but it would be hard.
I was looking at small dogs but since I have younger siblings (that drive me CRAZY!! ) the Papillion and the other small fragile dogs are out. So are the terriers. The small dogs that are left are the ones that require a whole bunch of grooming. (Like the Bichon Frise, Poodle, Coton De Tuler(sp), etc.) I'm not a big fan of grooming, so I can't find a small dog to 'fit' me! I like Pugs but I've heard that they shed a WHOLE bunch.
Concerning cats, we currently have a 11yrs old, neutered male, HUGE tabby cat. If we brought in a kitten, would we have problems with Rush (the cat) marking?

[Ritz459]

I might look on Petfinder for a Pixie-Bob....

[Rip's Girl]

Ritz, why would the terriers be out? Terriers are the hardiest small dogs there are, and they are not all snappy or bad with kids. That's like saying that all working breeds are aggressive.

What about a breed like a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? They aren't high-shed, they're sturdy and agreeable with younger kids, good with other dogs, and don't require any grooming other than brushing and the occasional bath. And, most of them are still under 20lbs. So, they aren't dainty like the Papillon, but small enough to be a lap dog. A west highland white terrier is a very sturdy dog as well and, although they aren't as patient as the CKCS they are one of the sweeter terriers.

Anyways.. about the cat.. I agree completely with Kim. That personality is VERY easy to find in a shelter cat, and I speak from experience. There are always 'doggy' cats at shelters. I almost adopted a DSH from the shelter I volunteer at, he and his littermates are so dog-like that their mews even sounded like growls. "Wroo, wroo" in a very low tone. And we get cats like that in there all the time. one of them, Slim, would even fetch things. (he was the one that I was going to adopt.. The shelter kept him as their mascot, though.)

[GoldenRetriever07]

I would have to agree with southern_girl09 about just going to your local animal shelter and picking out one. Pixie Bobs are kind of cool looking cats and would probably be a great cat for you!

[IceyBlueSibes]

I'm not sure if you have considered a Jack Russel Terrier or not, but they are very hardy dogs, full of energy and very outgoing. Personally, they are not the dog for me, I don't care for them much. Just way tooo hyper for me. A neighbor of mine has two of them... one is very yappy, not very friendly, but the other one, Zack, is too cute. He's small and has a crooked spine, but boy I tell ya, that doesn't stop him from chasin his tennis ball!

Just a thought
But I agree, go to a shelter... the shelters will be able to tell you about their personality!

[Ritz459]

Ritz, why would the Terriers be out?

I wouldn't like to trim/clip a dog a whole bunch and I know that sometimes they don't tolorate little kids. (As in a four year old.)
I've also read/heard that CK Charles Spaniels shed a WHOLE bunch.


Actually, I just thought of something. I could get a Dachshund. They are small and sociable and I could trian it to track!! (I really want a dog to do obedience or tracking wtih.) I might be able to talk my mom into letting me get one too! (If I can't talk my mom into letting me get a Dachshund pup, I will go to a shelter and look at the cats.) I also like Bassets but they can get to be pretty heavy. (And the dog I get will have to sit on my lap if/when we take it places.) Also, I won't get a puppy if I pass the Leader Dogs for the Blind puppy raising thing. (They still haven't contacted us. It has been almost 2 weeks...) I'll get a cat if I pass the LDBPR thing. It just depends what happens!

[doberkim]

why couldnt you find that in a shelter cat?

i have 2 of them right here.

both are cool with my dog (i specifically adoped them for this).

frankie wrestles with the dog, she has a harness she can wear when she is outside. she is playful, she enjoys cuddles, and she is incredibly sociable.

she was in a cage at a shelter for 6 months after she came in wih a litter of kittens.


watson is newly adopted, and he is absolutely sweet. he gets along well with all my other animals, he curls up with the dog (though he doesnt want to wrestle with them). he wants nothing more for people to pet and love him.


what i am saying is that adopting an ADULT cat from a shelter it is VERy easy to know EXACTLy what you are getting.

[doberkim]

oh and ALL my cats coexist with other cats, dogs, mice, rats and a gecko.