Adding a new pup to the household is always a joy. Well, not always. Sometimes, things don’t go so well when a one-dog home becomes a multi-dog home. Luckily, some friendly breeds tend to do very well with other dogs around.
We spoke to Dr. Liza Cahn, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance, to get some insight into the best breeds for homes with more than one dog.
“There are many factors that influence whether a dog will get along with other dogs,” Dr. Cahn says. “While certain breeds are known for being friendly and sociable, all dogs are individuals. Temperament, personality, spay-neuter status, and early experiences can all play a role in whether a dog will do well in a multi-pet household.”
No matter the breed, training/socializing your dog is crucial. “Experiences during the socialization window (3–14 weeks) are especially impactful on how your dog will interact with their environment, including other animals, as an adult,” she adds. It’s important to introduce the dogs slowly and provide enough time and resources for all pets in the home.
That said, some breeds do seem to adapt better to multi-dog households than others. Here are the dog-friendly breeds Dr. Cahn suggests if you want a pup that gets along well with other dogs.
Related: 5 Easygoing Dog Breeds That Are Built for Laid-Back Living
1. Golden Retriever
“Gentle, playful, and patient, Goldens are known for getting along well with pretty much everyone, including other dogs,” says Dr. Cahn. “This intelligent breed is adaptable, easy to train, and eager to please, making them an excellent addition to any family.”
These happy dogs are famously friendly and even-tempered, and if you want a pup that makes you smile, they’re also one of the funniest dog breeds you can own, getting up to all sorts of adorable hijinks with their buddies.
Breed Stats
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Personality: Joyful, bright, adaptable
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Height: 21.5–24 inches
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Weight: 55–75 pounds
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Lifespan: 10–12 years
2. Labrador Retriever
“Bred for working with people and other dogs, Labs are generally friendly, curious, and tolerant of other animals,” Dr. Cahn states. They’re often employed as service and therapy dogs, as these outgoing canines are very social and in tune with their surroundings.
Despite their relatively large size, which can be intimidating to some, Labradors rarely have an aggressive bone in their bodies. They’re much more likely to greet both canine and human friends (or strangers) with an enthusiastically wagging tail.
Breed Stats
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Personality: Friendly, biddable, active
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Height: 21.5–24.5 inches
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Weight: 55–80 pounds
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Lifespan: 11–13 years
3. Standard Poodle
Elegant and neatly coiffed, Standard Poodles are often unfairly maligned as being cold or intolerant, but nothing could be further from the truth. “Poodles are known for being intelligent, playful, and good-natured,” says Dr. Cahn. “They are easy to train, and most will quickly learn the appropriate skills for living with other dogs.”
Poodles thrive on companionship, and though they may not be as immediately unreserved as Labs or Goldens, they are very affectionate and loyal to those in their households.
Breed Stats
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Personality: Smart, athletic, fun-loving
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Height: Over 15 inches
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Weight: 40–70 pounds
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Lifespan: 10–18 years
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4. Beagle
“Originally bred to work in packs, Beagles are generally highly sociable, easygoing, and enjoy interacting with other dogs,” Dr. Cahn states. These little hound dogs love to play and romp with all of the other canine companions in the home.
Food-motivated and howl-happy, Beagles are larger than life and know how to share the love. And if you’ve never seen a pack of these floppy-eared pups running together, it’s pretty darn adorable.
Breed Stats
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Personality: Curious, cheery, alert
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Height: 13–15 inches
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Weight: 20–30 pounds
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Lifespan: 10–15 years
5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Aside from being some of the cutest dogs ever, Cavaliers are also among the most affectionate and loving. “These sweet and mellow dogs often enjoy the company of people and other dogs,” as Dr. Cahn says.
Incredibly patient and gentle, Cavs have a high tolerance for new additions to the family and are typically quick to include them among the people and animals they adore, melting expressions included.
Breed Stats
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Personality: Gentle, affectionate, social
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Height: 12–13 inches
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Weight: 13–18 pounds
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Lifespan: 12–15 years
6. Australian Shepherd
“Intelligent herding breeds, such as Aussies and Border Collies, often make the list of best breeds for multi-dog households,” according to Dr. Cahn. “These breeds are playful, energetic, and easy to train; however, they require extensive physical and mental stimulation as well as a more experienced owner.”
If you can handle an Australian Shepherd’s energy, they make wonderful friends for other dogs, many of whom will appreciate having such an exuberant playmate.
Breed Stats
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Personality: Loyal, eager, energetic
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Height: 18–23 inches
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Weight: 40–65 pounds
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Lifespan: 12–15 years
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Related: 4 Dog Breeds That Bond So Deeply, You Might Need to Get a Second Toothbrush
References
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