The Dogs That Think They’re Felines: Meet the Breeds Vets Say Have a Secretly Catlike Soul
Most people assume choosing a pet means picking a side. You are either a dog person or a cat person, and the two camps rarely overlap. But spend time with certain dog breeds and that boundary starts to blur in surprisingly delightful ways.
When people talk about cat-like dogs, they are usually describing a familiar set of behaviors more commonly aligned with felines: independence, quiet confidence, and affection that shows up on their own terms. These traits stand in sharp contrast to the eager-to-please, tail-wagging energy most people picture when they think of a family dog. Breed history, genetics, individual personality, and environment all play a role in shaping how dogs interact with the world.
Breeds developed for hunting or working independently naturally evolved traits that mirror feline characteristics, such as heightened self-sufficiency and reserved demeanors. This is not a quirk or a training failure. It is simply the result of thousands of years of selective breeding for traits that look strikingly familiar to anyone who has ever shared a home with a cat.
Parade Pets recently spoke with Dr. Nita Vasudevan, Veterinary Consultant at Embrace Pet Insurance, who identified five breeds she considers the most genuinely feline-like in both personality and appearance. The Basenji, a breed from Africa, is described by Dr. Vasudevan as “quiet, clean and often groom themselves like cats,” adding that “they also have an independent streak and don’t always crave constant affection, which makes them one of the most feline-like breeds.” Instead of a traditional bark, the Basenji makes a distinctive yodel-like sound, and the breed is widely considered by owners and breeders to be the most cat-like of all dogs.
The Shiba Inu also earns a place on the list, with Dr. Vasudevan describing the breed as “dignified, independent and meticulous.” Shiba Inus are known to have a mind of their own, may be slow to respond to commands as they decide when to engage, and share a cat’s deep love of personal space, happily spending hours in a sunny spot watching the world go by. Then there is the Afghan Hound, which turns heads for its appearance as much as its attitude. Dr. Vasudevan describes Afghan Hounds as “strikingly cat-like in appearance,” while noting they “can be aloof, independent thinkers and selective in their affection.” According to PetMD, Afghan Hounds are “bred to work independently rather than taking cues from people,” a trait that, combined with a strong prey drive, makes the breed deeply catlike in nature.
Rounding out the group are two sighthounds that might surprise even seasoned dog lovers. The Italian Greyhound enjoys sunbathing like a cat, really dislikes getting wet, and loves being perched on elevated surfaces. These tiny dogs are roughly the same size as a typical housecat, and their elegant frame only adds to the feline illusion. The full-sized Whippet completes the five, bringing the same quiet grace and preference for warmth and stillness that many cat owners find so endearing in their own companions.
Betsy Banks Saul, the creator of Petfinder and a veterinarian, reflected warmly on the comparison, saying “I believe that cats are noble creatures and dogs are lucky to find themselves compared to them.” It is a sentiment that feels entirely right when you watch a Basenji groom itself in a patch of sunlight or a Shiba Inu decide, with full feline confidence, that it will come to you when it is ready.
If you have ever lived with one of these quietly sovereign breeds, we would love to hear how your dog has surprised you with their inner cat.
