Why Mists have their dog-friendly reputation
The Australian Mist is unusual among breeds in being purpose-built for modern indoor life. Developed in Australia from Burmese, Abyssinian and domestic shorthair foundations, the breed was selected deliberately for an equable, people-oriented temperament that could cope with children, visitors and other animals in the home. That selection shows. Mists are typically placid without being dull, tolerant of handling, and less inclined than many breeds to panic or lash out when a large animal approaches with friendly intentions.
Plenty of Mists go beyond tolerance into real companionship, greeting the household dog, sharing a sunny patch of floor and joining in household routines. If a breeder or rescue tells you a particular Mist kitten was raised underfoot in a home that included dogs, treat that as valuable information: early, safe exposure to dogs during kittenhood stacks the odds further in your favour.
The dog decides as much as the cat
No breed of cat can compensate for a dog that wants to chase it. Before crediting the Mist's temperament with a guaranteed success, assess the dog honestly. A dog that fixates on cats outdoors, lunges at movement or has a history of grabbing smaller animals brings a prey-drive problem that management, gates, leads, lifetime separation, has to solve, because training alone may never fully switch it off.
A calm dog that can hold a sit while the cat crosses the room, and that loses interest quickly, is the realistic partner for a Mist. Size cuts both ways: a very large, boisterous young dog can injure a cat in clumsy play without a trace of malice, so supervision standards should stay high even when both animals clearly like each other.
A first fortnight that builds trust
Start with separation and scent. Keep the Mist in one settled room with litter, food and hiding places, and let dog and cat investigate each other's bedding before they ever meet. Feed both animals either side of the closed door so the new smell predicts good things.
First meetings should be engineered to be boring: dog on a lead, cat free to leave, high-value treats for the dog for ignoring the cat, and sessions short enough to end while everyone is still relaxed. Let the cat approach the dog rather than carrying it toward him. Over days, drop the lead only when the dog's body language is loose and disinterested, and maintain escape routes and high perches the dog cannot reach so the Mist always holds the exit option. Never leave the pair unsupervised together until that calm has been consistent for weeks, not days.
Living as a mixed household afterwards
Once settled, the ongoing risks are mundane: dogs raiding cat food and litter trays, cats stressed by a dog crowding their resting places, and mealtimes in shared spaces. Feed the Mist somewhere the dog cannot reach, keep a tray in a dog-free zone, and make sure the cat's favourite sleeping spots include at least one the dog cannot share uninvited. Most Mists handle the rest with their characteristic good humour. In that mixed household, Family Sharing through KinsLe lets the owner grant the relatives he picks direct access to the Mist's profile.