Choosing a Dog that is good with other dogs
Before choosing any dog to suit your lifestyle requirements you should read our Guide to Choosing a Pet Dog to get an overall view of the many areas you should consider before making your final decision to get the right pet dog for you.

Dogs breeds friendly towards other dogs:-
Some dog breeds have an innate ability to be friendly with and get on with other dogs of whatever breed. Most dogs will need some degree of socialisation to acheive this friendly dispositio and there are some breeds that have problems in their behaviour towards other dogs. This reaction may be based on fear, suspicion or just a plain aggressive nature. Some terrier breeds are good examples of small dogs with aggressive natures.

There are some basic areas that anyone, whatever their lifestyle requirements, should consider before making the choice of what type of dog would be most suitable.
These start with details about your lifestyle:- (Previous dog owners will probably have assessed these points already but their lifestyle and requirements may have changed).

Our Guide to Choosing a Pet Dog contains a further, broader, range of information that you should consider before choosing any new pet dog.

How active are you, what are your energy levels? The activity levels of dog breeds will vary, many dogs require long walks and outside exercise (boredom and bad behaviour often result from lack of exercise}
What size of dog would suit your lifestyle:- (dogs fall into three size groupings- small, medium and large),
Is your accommodation and outside space sufficient for a large dog?
Are you able to handle a larger dog on walks?
Could you lift or carry a larger dog if necessary?
Small dogs can also be full of energy and busy dogs at home can cause all sorts of problems
How much time can you give to your pet dog. Apart from exercise, dogs could make other demands on your time.
Easy to train dogs obviously require less time spent on training.
Little or no grooming may be a factor.
Do you require a dog that likes playing or a more docile “lapdog”?
Noise levels…many dogs react to unfamiliar noises, some by barking or growling and others who may be more shy or reserved can become frightened. Extreme barking can obviously cause problems for you or your neighbours.
Will you need to leave your dog alone for short periods? (Doctor or hospital visits even social visits to “dog free” zones). Some dogs can cope with this, others, unless trained, find it difficult and can get bored.
Will the added cost of keeping a dog fit in with your lifestyle and circumstances?

Some suggestions for Dog Breeds that are good with other dogs.

Dog Breed

Alsatian (German Shepherd Dog)
A multi purpose breed, apart from pets their more obvious uses are Guard Dogs, Police Dogs and Guide Dogs.
Loyal and protective these dogs can make ideal family pets but need to be socialised from puppies.

Basset Hound
Bassets adapt well to town or country life. Quite the charmer, the Basset loves children and is a good watchdog, making it a deservingly popular pet.

Beagle -
Medium sized happy and lively dogs, alert with a tolerant nature, can show an independent streak and a desire to follow scents. A lovely dog with a gentle nature, affectionate and friendly, good with children.

Bedlington Terrier
As with many terriers can be fiesty and tenacious. When socialised they become sweet natured and affectionate family members. Generally good with other dogs and pets but sometimes reserved with strangers.

Bichon Frise -
Good natured small dogs that make excellent pets . Very attractive and distinctive with a predominately white coat and a pocket-sized appeal, they do not need particularly long walks and make excellent gentle and loving companions.

Border Collie
They're good with children and make excellent watchdogs. Highly intelligent, readily trained dog breed. Keen, alert and responsive to commands. Enjoys the company found in a family enviroment and also that of other dogs.

Cairn Terrier
The cairn is typical terrier; plucky, spirited, inquisitive, hardy, clever, stubborn and scrappy. It is responsive to its owner's wishes with a desire to please. It enjoys playing with children and is tough enough to withstand some rough friendly play

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel -
A generally playful dog that likes human company, but are sometimes reserved with strangers. Affectionate and devoted to owners and children, good with other pets and friendly towards unfamiliar dogs, thrives on human contact and will love being part of your family.

Chihuahua -
Alert, spirited, bold little dog that is also friendly and affectionate.Devoted to owners and usually good with children and other pets Chihuahuas have strong personalities and tend to bond with one adult. Their tiny size makes them easy to handle.

Cocker Spaniel -
Medium sized dog that is friendly, energetic and keen to please. Good with children and other dogs the Cocker Spaniel makes an ideal family pet. Has lots of energy and can be trained with patience

Dachshund
Available as long or short haired varieties, Small but active little dogs. Friendly with family and other pets but can become a "one man dog". Playful, friendly, brave and fearless.

English Setters
Graceful, elegant dogs with plenty of energy. Friendly dog, excellent with children, has a soft mouth but can be lively and exhuberant.

English Springer Spaniel
A great all-round family dog . Affectionate, friendly, active and enthusiastic, Highly intelligent and easy to train. Good with other animals and children, forms close bond with the whole family and if they get plenty of exercise are prepared to snooze at home if left alone.

Labrador Retriever -
A kind natured dog not aggressive, intelligent and easy to train learning commands very quickly.
Reliable, trustworthy, calm, friendly, gentle and confident. A very popular dog that is very eager to please you and is always ready to have fun.Good with children and other dogs.

Poodle (Miniature) -
The miniature poodle is lively, amiable, playful, eager to please, responsive and obedient making it one of the most popular varieties of dog. Quite sensitive, tending to be devoted to one person, may be reserved with strangers. It is good with children, other pets and dogs. Some tend to bark a lot.

Maltese -
The Maltese is a tiny, docile breed that is extremely affectionate and loves to be pampered it is among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, and its trust and responsiveness are appealing Easy to train, they love to play fetch and learn tricks. They do not shed but require regular brushing to keep their coats from matting. Like other non-shedding dogs, they are a good choice for allergy sufferers. A good pet in limited accommodation, the Maltese's exercise needs are minimal

Norfolk Terrier
Norfolks are charming small, active teddy bears of dogs that are friendly and amusing companions.
outgoing, fearless that enjoy playing with children.

Norwich Terrier
Feisty but friendly little dogs, lots of energy and enjoys play. Good family pet who enjoys children and other pets if socialised early. Intelligent and easy to train.

Papillon -
A small pretty and lively dog ideal as a companion or as a loving easily socialised dog for families Its beautiful coat is prone to frequent shedding and needs to be combed at least daily. These dogs make wonderful lapdogs, and they are relatively quiet, compared to other small breeds.The breed is also relatively hardy.

Pekingese -
Small affectionate little dogs with long silky coats and a shortened pug like face. They are affectionate but have independent personalities. Pekingese usually get along well with other dogs and people, but may be wary of strangers. They need regular grooming but require little exercise.

Pomeranian -
These vivacious, extrovert little dogs will bring a smile to any face, although sometimes they can be noisy. They just love to snuggle up and nap in a person's lap. They usually prefer adults to children and get along well with other pets. They are intelligent, feisty dogs and have a low need for exercise. Despite having fluffy coats they do not need much grooming.

Poodle (Miniature) -
The miniature poodle is lively, amiable, playful, eager to please, responsive and obedient making it one of the most popular varieties of dog. Quite sensitive, tending to be devoted to one person, may be reserved with strangers. It is good with children, other pets and dogs. Some tend to bark a lot.

Standard Poodle
All around the standard poodle is a great dog. With its pleasing attitude, loving disposition, an amazing patience this dog makes a great kids dog.

Pug -
A small dog that is sociable, homely, companionable and friendly , their playful and clownish nature makes them ideal family pets.
Not overly intelligent which means patience is required when training..Has a low exercise requirement but can be high-energy dogs that love to cuddle. Can shed quite a bit which mighy require regular grooming.

Schnauzer (Standard) -
Medium sized dogs that are sociable and playful although they can be very protective and have strong guarding instincts. Their coat requires professional clipping. Alert and playful enjoys company, very good with children especially if raised with them

Shih-Tzu -
Active, friendly, alert little dogs with an independent nature.Affectionate and devoted to their owners, good with children and other animals They live for human companionship; and have a have a sweet, gentle disposition Their long coats can require high-maintenance grooming, or they can be trimmed in a "puppy cut" which requires less

English Springer Spaniel
A great all-round family dog . Affectionate, friendly, active and enthusiastic, Highly intelligent and easy to train. Good with other animals and children, forms close bond with the whole family and if they get plenty of exercise are prepared to snooze at home if left alone.

West Highland Terrier
Very popular pets, active and playful they can sometimes be feisty and independent but they are also affectionate and loyal.
Alert dogs they make good watchdogs.
Affectionate and loyal towards owners and great with children if raised with them.
Friendly with strangers and other dogs if well socialised. upkeep.

Dachshund
Available as long or short haired varieties, Small but active little dogs. Friendly with family and other pets but can become a "one man dog". Playful, friendly, brave and fearless.

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How active are you, what are your energy levels? The activity levels of dog breeds will vary, many dogs require long walks and outside exercise (boredom and bad behaviour often result from lack of exercise}

How much time can you give to your pet dog. Apart from exercise, dogs could make other demands on your time. Easy to train dogs obviously require less time spent on training. Little or no grooming may be a factor. Do you require a dog that likes playing or a more docile “lapdog”?

Noise levels…many dogs react to unfamiliar noises, some by barking or growling and others who may be more shy or reserved can become frightened. Extreme barking can obviously cause problems for you or your neighbours.

Will you need to leave your dog alone for short periods? (Doctor or hospital visits even social visits to “dog free” zones). Some dogs can cope with this, others, unless trained, find it difficult and can get bored.

Will the added cost of keeping a dog fit in with your lifestyle and circumstances?

Some suggestions for Dog Breeds that are good with other dogs.

top of page

How much time can you give to your pet dog. Apart from exercise, dogs could make other demands on your time.
Easy to train dogs obviously require less time spent on training.
Little or no grooming may be a factor.
Do you require a dog that likes playing or a more docile “lapdog”?