I've had had a Shepard, we had to put her down about a year ago. And currently have a Lab/Pit mix. Both dogs love(d) the cats but they grew up with the cats. Both are great dogs in there own right.

Funny antidote with the Shepard, she didn't bark much and we knew something was "up" if she did. First time I heard her bark I was out front and some sketchy looking solicitors started walking up my driveway, I just looked at them and said you got 5 seconds to get back on the sidewalk or I'm letting the dog loose. Completely on cue the Shepard barked at them from behind the chain link fence. They were well past my yard in that 5 seconds.