Can Dogs Have Best Friends? Recognising Comfortable Canine Bonds

By Dr Duncan Houston

Your dog may become especially interested when one familiar dog appears, then show little enthusiasm for a different neighbour. Dogs do not necessarily treat every social partner the same way.

Calling one companion a “best friend” can be a useful everyday description. The more important question is whether both dogs comfortably choose the interaction.

Quick Answer

Dogs can show preferences for familiar companions and develop comfortable social relationships. Look for repeated voluntary interaction, relaxed shared time and the ability of either dog to take a break, rather than one dramatic greeting. Support suitable relationships at the dogs' pace, and do not force a dog who prefers more space into frequent play.

What does research tell us?

In a 2015 experiment, dogs used an apparatus that could deliver food to another dog. They provided more food to familiar partners than to unfamiliar ones, showing that familiarity affected this particular social task.

The study does not provide a household test of friendship. Do not place food between dogs or ask them to share a bowl to demonstrate a bond.

A separate Dog Aging Project study used owner-reported information from 21,410 dogs and found associations between aspects of the social environment and reported health. The authors explicitly noted that the observational data could not establish causality.

That finding is not a reason to get another dog as a health intervention. It does not prove that a playmate extends an individual dog's life or treats distress when left alone.

Look for a pattern of mutual comfort

Observe several ordinary interactions, not only the initial burst of excitement. Useful questions include:

• Do both dogs choose to approach or remain nearby?
• Can one move away without being persistently followed or blocked?
• Can they pause and do something else?
• Is relaxed shared time possible without continuous physical play?
• Does the pattern remain comfortable across repeated meetings?

One dog tolerating another's attention is not the same as both enjoying it. Equally, two dogs do not need to wrestle or sleep touching to coexist comfortably.

Choose companions around the individual

Consider activity level, play style, physical size, age and the ability to disengage. These are practical questions to assess, not a formula that guarantees compatibility.

A lively puppy can be difficult company for an older dog who wants quiet. A dog who enjoys one familiar partner may still find a busy group uncomfortable.

When considering another dog for the household, seek advice from a responsible rescue, breeder or qualified reward-based professional about the actual animals. Do not choose solely because two breeds are said to be friendly.

Make a first meeting manageable

1. Choose a suitable neutral space with room to increase distance.
2. Have a capable adult handle each dog with comfortable, secure equipment.
3. Begin walking apart, allowing both dogs to observe without a forced greeting.
4. Move closer only while both remain comfortable.
5. Keep any greeting brief and allow the dogs to move on.

Progress can mean a calm walk at a distance. It does not require nose-to-nose contact on the first outing. If either dog becomes worried or overexcited, add space and make the next attempt easier.

Ask your veterinary team about any individual health considerations before planned contact.

Protect resources and rest

Give dogs separate opportunities to eat, drink and rest. Do not assume an apparently close pair is comfortable sharing every toy, chew or bed.

Arrange the space so neither dog has to pass the other to reach an essential resource. Supervise new interactions and use suitable separation when you cannot watch them.

Keep valued items out of initial meetings if they could create competition. A good relationship does not remove the need for thoughtful management.

Know when to pause the interaction

• Comfortable: both dogs can participate or leave. Keep meetings manageable and include breaks.
• Needs adjustment: one repeatedly turns away, retreats or struggles to disengage. Increase space and reduce the demands.
• Safety concern: lunging, snapping or persistent pursuit makes the encounter unsafe. Separate safely and get qualified support before repeating it.

Do not ask dogs to “sort it out” while one is trying to escape. Nor should you punish warnings that tell you the interaction needs to change.

What if your dog does not want dog friends?

Some dogs prefer a small familiar social circle; others enjoy human company and individual activities without close contact with other dogs. A crowded dog park is not an essential part of every dog's life.

Provide suitable exercise, sniffing, play and rest. If other dogs repeatedly trigger difficult reactions, choose quieter routes and seek individual advice rather than arranging more intense encounters.

Getting another dog is a substantial care commitment. It should not be used as a shortcut for an existing dog's behavioural difficulty.

Common mistakes

• Assuming all dogs need a large group of playmates
• Testing friendship through shared food or chews
• Mistaking one-sided pursuit for mutual play
• Forcing greetings because the dogs have met before
• Turning an observational health study into a promise about lifespan

Frequently asked questions

Can my dog prefer one dog over others?

Yes. Familiarity and the history of comfortable interactions can matter. Observe the individual relationship.

Do friends always share toys?

No. Manage valued resources separately rather than expecting sharing to prove a bond.

Is a dog happy without another dog at home?

Many dogs can have a fulfilling routine without a canine housemate. Match social opportunities to the individual.

Should I get a second dog to fix separation problems?

Do not assume another dog will resolve them. Seek individual veterinary and qualified behaviour advice first.

Let both dogs help set the pace

A useful social relationship is one both animals can comfortably manage. Protect choice, separate resources and value calm companionship as much as energetic play.

Sources

• Quervel-Chaumette and colleagues: familiarity and prosocial responses
• McCoy and colleagues: social environment, reported health and study limitations
• Dogs Trust: introductions and individual compatibility
• Dogs Trust: space and support around difficult encounters
• Dogs Trust: individual enrichment

ASK A VET™ supports social opportunities that fit each dog. Your veterinary team can help when comfort or behaviour changes affect familiar relationships.