15 Canine Breeds with Serious Feline Vibes

Dogs and cats have long been cast as opposites in the world of pets—one loyal and exuberant, the other aloof and mysterious. But nature doesn’t always stick to the script. Some dog breeds challenge these stereotypes by displaying behaviors and personalities that are strikingly cat-like. Whether it’s their quiet independence, graceful agility, or habit of meticulously grooming themselves, these unique canines seem to straddle the line between pup and purr.

If you’ve ever wished your dog could embody the calm, curious elegance of a cat—or you’re a die-hard cat person toying with the idea of adding a dog to your life—these breeds might be exactly what you’re looking for. They offer the best of both worlds: the companionship and trainability of a dog, paired with the cool composure and quirks of a feline.

From breeds that climb like cats to those that prefer their alone time, here are 15 dogs that might just make you wonder if they’ve got a little cat DNA hidden in their genes.

1. Shiba Inu: The Canine Ninja

Alert and nimble, Shiba Inus possess that unmistakable cat-like aloofness that makes you work for their affection. They meticulously groom themselves, often licking their paws and wiping their faces just like tabbies.

Independent to their core, these Japanese hunting dogs decide when cuddle time happens – not you. Their piercing eyes seem to judge your life choices while they perch on furniture, surveying their domain from elevated positions.

Shibas even do the classic feline stretch, extending their back legs behind them in a yoga-worthy pose. When startled or excited, they might emit their famous “Shiba scream” – a vocalization as dramatic as any cat’s midnight yowl.

2. Basenji: The Barkless Wonder

Basenjis carry themselves with the same regal poise as Egyptian royalty – fitting since they’re one of the world’s oldest dog breeds. Instead of barking, they make unique yodel-like sounds, reminiscent of a cat’s varied vocalizations.

Fastidious about cleanliness, Basenjis spend considerable time grooming themselves. Their short, fine coats rarely smell doggy, another trait cat enthusiasts appreciate. These clever hunters maintain an emotional independence that would make any feline proud.

Watch a Basenji’s movement and you’ll notice the same calculated precision cats display before pouncing. They’re notorious for their stubborn streak and selective hearing – ignoring commands not aligned with their current interests, just like our feline friends.

3. Italian Greyhound: The Elegant Sunbather

Dainty and graceful, Italian Greyhounds move with the same fluid elegance as ballet-dancing cats. Their slender bodies and delicate steps create an almost ethereal presence as they navigate their surroundings with precision and poise.

Sun worship defines these sensitive souls – they’ll migrate around your home throughout the day, following warm patches of sunlight just like cats. Their tendency to burrow under blankets mimics a cat’s love for snug, hidden sleeping spots.

Despite their athletic capabilities, Italian Greyhounds prefer conservation of energy, lounging dramatically across furniture when not engaged in brief bursts of playful activity. Their large, expressive eyes communicate volumes without making a sound – a silent language cat people will immediately recognize.

4. Chow Chow: The Fluffy Loner

Behind that lion-like mane lies a personality that screams feline independence. Chow Chows approach relationships with calculated reservation, choosing their favorite humans carefully and often bonding deeply with just one family member.

Their famous blue-black tongues flash momentarily as they groom their luxurious double coats with surprising attention to detail. Unlike typical dogs, Chows rarely seek approval or validation, perfectly content in their own company for hours.

Territorial and somewhat aloof with strangers, these ancient Chinese dogs maintain a dignified distance until they decide you’re worthy of their attention. Their straight hind legs create a distinctive stilted gait that resembles a big cat’s measured prowl more than a typical canine trot.

5. Afghan Hound: The Aristocratic Beauty

Flowing locks and regal posture give Afghan Hounds an air of feline elegance that few other breeds can match. Their almond-shaped eyes hold a distant, contemplative gaze that seems to look through you rather than at you – reminiscent of a cat’s enigmatic stare.

Selective hearing is an Afghan specialty. Commands are considered suggestions, evaluated based on personal interest rather than obligation to please. Their natural grace extends to movement – they navigate obstacles with calculated precision, rarely knocking things over despite their flowing coats.

Grooming occupies significant time in an Afghan’s day, though they prefer you handle the brushing while they maintain the dignified pose. Unlike eager-to-please dogs, Afghans approach training with a what’s-in-it-for-me attitude that any cat owner will find strikingly familiar.

6. Saluki: The Desert Sprinter

Ancient Egyptian artwork features both cats and Salukis – perhaps because they share so many traits. These sighthounds possess incredible bursts of speed followed by long periods of serene lounging, mirroring a cheetah’s energy conservation strategy.

Salukis maintain a certain emotional distance, forming deep bonds with their families while remaining somewhat detached and independent. Their quiet, undemanding presence in the home contrasts with their explosive athletic abilities outdoors.

Fastidious about their sleek bodies, Salukis have minimal “dog odor” and clean themselves with cat-like dedication. Their expressive, deep eyes seem to contain ancient wisdom, observing rather than participating in household chaos. When they do seek affection, it’s on their terms – a gentle nudge of their long, elegant muzzle against your hand.

7. Lhasa Apso: The Sentinel Fluffball

Don’t let the fluffy exterior fool you – Lhasa Apsos harbor the independent spirit and territorial nature of a much larger guardian. Originally bred as monastery sentinels in Tibet, they maintain a watchful, suspicious approach to strangers that mirrors a cat’s cautious assessment.

Personal space matters tremendously to these little lions. While they enjoy companionship, they frequently retreat to private spots for undisturbed solitude. Their long, flowing coats require regular grooming, but Lhasas themselves are surprisingly fastidious, often cleaning their faces after meals.

Hierarchy and status concern Lhasas greatly – they can be bossy about their possessions and sleeping spots. Watch them navigate furniture by strategically plotting their path before leaping, calculating each move with feline precision rather than the clumsy enthusiasm of typical puppies.

8. Pekingese: The Imperial Lap Warmer

Pekingese dogs carry themselves with the imperial dignity of ancient Chinese royalty – which makes sense, as they were literally treated as such for centuries. Their self-importance rivals any haughty Persian cat, believing the world revolves around their magnificent presence.

Selective hearing defines the Peke personality. Commands are considered, judged, and often dismissed if deemed beneath their royal status. Despite their small size, they move with measured deliberation, placing each paw with purpose rather than bounding energetically.

Pekes choose their favorite person and bestow affection as a privilege, not a right. Their lion-like manes and flat faces create an expression of perpetual judgment that cat owners will instantly recognize. When annoyed, they won’t hesitate to voice their displeasure with surprisingly varied vocalizations.

9. Japanese Chin: The Feline Impersonator

Japanese Chins perform an extraordinary feat – they actually climb like cats! These agile little dogs navigate vertical spaces with surprising skill, perching on narrow ledges and backs of furniture to survey their domain from above.

Grooming rituals occupy significant portions of their day. Chins use their dainty paws to wipe their faces clean after eating, exactly like cats. Their expressive, wide-set eyes communicate volumes without making a sound, shifting from playful to imperious in seconds.

Despite their toy size, Chins maintain a dignified demeanor that seems at odds with typical small dog behavior. They form strong bonds but retain independence, choosing when interaction occurs rather than constantly seeking attention. Their light, prancing gait creates minimal sound as they move through the home with cat-like stealth.

10. Whippet: The Couch Potato Sprinter

Sleek and slender, Whippets embody the contradictory nature cats are famous for – explosive speed followed by marathon napping sessions. Their energy conservation strategy involves claiming the softest spots in the house, preferably burrowed under blankets with just their narrow snouts peeking out.

Whippets shiver easily, seeking warmth with the same determination as sun-worshipping felines. They’ll migrate around your home following patches of sunlight throughout the day. Unlike typical dogs, Whippets rarely have that distinctive doggy odor, maintaining a clean, low-maintenance coat.

Personal space matters to these sensitive sighthounds. While affectionate, they often prefer lounging alongside you rather than on you, maintaining a bubble of independence. Their graceful movements feature the same calculated precision as a cat’s, rarely knocking things over despite their speed capabilities.

11. Papillon: The Butterfly-Eared Climber

Despite their dainty appearance, Papillons possess surprising athletic abilities that would impress any cat. Their name means “butterfly” in French – fitting for dogs who seem to float through the air when jumping between furniture pieces.

Papillons calculate their jumps with remarkable precision, rarely misjudging distances. Their natural climbing tendencies often lead them to the highest point in a room, where they can monitor activities from a safe vantage point. Unlike many small breeds, they groom themselves fastidiously, paying special attention to their face and paws.

Intelligence shines in their expressive eyes, observing and analyzing before deciding whether to participate in family activities. While social, Papillons maintain an independent streak that manifests as selective listening when commands conflict with their current interests – a trait cat owners will immediately recognize.

12. Manchester Terrier (Toy): The Sleek Shadow

Glossy black and tan coats give Manchester Terriers a panther-like appearance in miniature form. Their movements possess the same fluid grace as hunting cats, with calculated precision rather than bouncy enthusiasm.

Manchester Terriers approach cleanliness with remarkable dedication. Their short, sleek coats rarely smell and they’ll often lick their paws clean after outdoor adventures. Personal space matters tremendously – while affectionate with their chosen people, they frequently retreat for solitary relaxation.

Selective hearing defines the Manchester personality, especially when distracted by potential prey. Their prey drive rivals any feline hunter, with laser-focused attention on small moving objects. Watch them bask in patches of sunlight, stretching their sleek bodies to maximize warmth absorption just like cats seeking the perfect sunbeam.

13. Chinese Crested: The Exotic Sunseeker

Chinese Cresteds display a surprising feline tendency – they actually groom their faces with their paws! This distinctive behavior looks remarkably cat-like, especially when followed by their characteristic face-rubbing against favorite humans.

Warmth-seeking defines these nearly hairless dogs. They’ll migrate from sunbeam to sunbeam throughout the day, creating nests from blankets and pillows. Their skin requires similar care to a hairless cat’s, needing protection from sun and cold.

Cresteds form intense bonds with their people while maintaining an independent streak that manifests in selective listening. Their graceful, prancing gait creates minimal noise as they move through the home. Most cat-like of all is their climbing ability – Cresteds can navigate vertical spaces with surprising agility, often found perched on furniture backs or windowsills.

14. Tibetan Spaniel: The Watchful Companion

Nicknamed “little lions” for more than just their looks, these small companions boast a feline flair in both demeanor and behavior. Once nestled in Buddhist monasteries, they were known to perch on high walls, calmly surveying their domain like miniature sentinels—channeling their inner cat more than their canine roots.

Defined by independence, their bond with humans is genuine but never needy. Their expressive, almond-shaped eyes speak volumes, often shifting moods from mischief to mindfulness without a bark.

When meeting new people, their approach is measured—neither fearful nor overly friendly. Fastidious by nature, they maintain their own grooming rituals with a precision that puts many dogs to shame. Perhaps most revealing of all is their love for high resting places, where they can observe the world while keeping a healthy distance and sense of personal space.

15. Brussels Griffon: The Expressive Sentinel

Brussels Griffons possess what might be the most expressive faces in the dog world – capable of conveying judgment, curiosity, and disdain with subtle shifts that rival any cat’s emotional repertoire. Their almost human-like expressions communicate volumes without making a sound.

Personal space matters tremendously to Griffons. While devoted to their people, they frequently retreat to private spots for undisturbed contemplation. Their tendency to perch on furniture backs allows optimal surveillance of their domain – a behavior straight from the feline handbook.

Griffons approach relationships with thoughtful reservation rather than immediate enthusiasm. Strangers must earn their trust gradually. Their compact bodies move with surprising grace and agility, navigating tight spaces with precision. Most cat-like of all is their selective hearing – commands are considered optional suggestions when they conflict with a Griffon’s current interests.