Cats live in the eternal welfare state. They expect you to do everything for them and expect to do nothing in return.
A dog is prepared to work for his living. If you don’t give him a job, he finds jobs on his own, even if it is just keeping the communistic squirrels in their place.
Actually, cats can keep all rodents out of the house. I have the laziest, most insolent feline that ever drew breath, but she does keep the mice population down to a bare minimum. Also, their extraordinary hearing will allow you to pick up on intruders - if you watch their ears prick up at the right time.