I was wondering how Berners do in relating to cats and if any users here have any stories or words of wisdoms in this regard? I only ask because we have one cat and I don't want to create trouble by introducing a Berner. I assume they're like other dogs in this respect but thought it would be good to see if anyone else had dealt with this before.

We dont have a cat, but just last week Riley and I went to visit a friend of mine that has 2 cats. I was a little nervous about how he would react. He was intrigued, but after the first minute or two of sniffing each other, he just went on about his business. These cats were already used to dogs though, so that probably helped.

It probably does depend a lot on the cats in question. That's good to know that they can get along with them if the cats are okay with the dog's presence as well. Here's hoping for the best!

My father always told me (and I've been wanting to try this for a long time) that the best way to keep cats and dogs peacefully is to raise them together- from when they are little kittens and puppies.

But I suppose there are other ways...?

Your father is probably right! I can tell you that I have 7 cats and when we brought our Berner home she bugs the cats non stop! it has to the puppy in her still. when we had our first dog who was an adult by the time the first cat arrived, the dog could of cared less. So, i think a puppy would bother the cat and an adult dog would be better

I can't answer for berners but I hope its true, but I have a golden retriever and 2 cats, one of which is 10 years old, my golden is 9. I had a golden who passed away at the time I brought the kitten home and they were amazing together. Alley cat, real original huh? was 1 when we brought home our golden puppy and they ADORE each other! They lay together, groom one another and drink from the same bowl! If I give Auggie chicken, beef or eggs, Alley is right next to him sharing! I swear! And as for Oliver,our 2 year old cat, he does pretty much the same things, even playing chase with Auggie! They are brothers and sisters so to speak and I am hoping to add a berner pup to my furry family in the spring. Every thing I've heard and read say they are very tolerent of other animals. Of course the puppy will try to play and chase the cats, thats what puppies do.......Part of my training her will be tolerance and gentleness with the others in her family......Good luck and enjoy! PS I also work from my home though, so they are rarely alone in the training stages.

I have a Berner female who was five when I brought home a little rescue cat on a whim one day. The cat is naturally on the shy/timid side, and I kept her in a back room separated from my Berner with a baby gate for a couple of weeks. I figured they could get used to one another's scent and presence. After that I supervised them together. My Berner is a sweetie but she's just so much bigger, and the cat usually hung out under the sofa. My experience is the dog loves the cat, but the feeling isn't always mutual. It was about a month before I left them alone together. They're not best friends, but they do keep each other company. The cat is now the alpha - my Berner will walk around her. Personally, I think it's fun having one of each.

We have 2 berners and a 6 mo old kitten who all get along famously. We brought the kitten home when he was 4 mo. It took only 2 days before he realized our dogs were big friendly goofs who just wanted to make friends. Now, the cat sits while the dogs sniff at him and I have not seen him react negatively to them for weeks. They also share sleeping arrangements on the mat at the front door; they don't "cuddle" together but I think it's only a matter of time before they do. The only trouble we have is that we have to guard the cat food from the dogs and the dog food from the cat! I have even seen the kitten eating from the same bowl as big boy Leo, completely unconcerned although Leo lives and breathes for food and gobbles his food - you'd think that little kitten would be worried he'd be eaten too, but no, they both had their heads in the bowl, completely unconcerned about each other. We just had the kitten neutered and the dogs seemed very worried that the kitten was missing for a day - when he came home, they greeted him like a long lost friend. I do think the cat will be the "alpha" of the animal pack even though he is about 1/2 the size of their heads. Another thing I've noticed; our dogs used to be quite skittish about our grandson, especially after he started walking, but now (grandson is 21 mo), they don't blink when grandson goes over and sits on them or decides to prod at their eyes or ears. I really think berners are just naturally so laid back and accepting that they will get used to almost anything!

Our cat actually prefers to drink out of the Berner's water bowl, even though she has her own little water bowl. I think she likes the big girl more than she's letting on

my cat was 5 when i got Storm. I've had to watch Storm because he is a puppy still and so big but the training is working.

the cat tolerates Storm and acts like she hates him but she checks on him all the time. When storm was laid up she was right there to keep an eye on him. now that he is healed up the chase is on and she loves it. My furniture doesn't but she gets her exercise this way.