Do Maine Coons get on with dogs?

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There are two reasons why a Maine Coon cat might or might not get on with dogs. The first concerns selective breeding. This is a friendly cat breed but then again all of them are. But if breeders selectively breed for a particularly friendly character and socialise their cats then they will get along with dogs more so than others potentially.

Maine Coon in The Netherlands. Photo: Dani.

The second factor is socialisation which I have referred to above. If a breeder of Maine Coons allows the kittens to share plenty of time with a family dog during their early years i.e. the first 10 weeks of life lets say, then they will forever get along with dogs.

The primary reason why a Maine coon cat might get along with dogs is because they are socialised to dogs. And this aspect of rearing a cat applies to any breed or random bred cats. It doesn't have to be a cat who is a member of a cat breed to benefit from socialisation.

MAINE COON PERFORMS DOG-LIKE TRICKS

So if a website says all Maine Coons are good with dogs and they get along with dogs, don't believe them. You have to ask whether a particular individual Maine Coon cat is socialised to domestic dogs. A lot of breeders will make sure that they are but some don't I'm sure.

There is an argument that all breeders should ensure that their cats are socialised to (1) other cats, (2) dogs and obviously critically (2) humans. If they can achieve that and produce a healthy Maine Coon cat with a good character they have done an excellent job of work.

Note: Socialisation is getting a cat to become familiar with and relaxed around another species of animal or individual animal. It is achieved by the cat having good experiences with another animal including the human-animal. They learn that the other animal is non-hostile and friendly. Often they make friends as a result. It takes a little time. It can take 18 months so socialise an adult feral cat to be socialised to people.

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