Do Dogs Have Best Friends? How to Recognise Positive Canine Relationships

By Dr Duncan Houston

Some dogs seem to light up when a particular companion arrives. Others are content with a quiet walk beside one familiar dog and show little interest in a whole group. Those preferences matter, even if “best friend” is a human label.

The useful question is whether both dogs repeatedly choose and enjoy the interaction. That helps you support a good relationship without assuming every excited greeting or wrestling session is welcome.

Quick Answer

Dogs can develop preferences for particular canine companions, so “best friends” can be a reasonable everyday description of a positive relationship. Look for repeated comfortable interactions, voluntary approach and the ability for both dogs to take a break. A wagging tail or constant proximity alone does not prove friendship, and a dog does not need to enjoy every other dog to have a good social life.

What does research tell us about canine friendships?

Research supports the idea that familiarity influences some social behaviour between dogs. In one food-donation experiment, dogs behaved more helpfully towards familiar canine partners than unfamiliar ones.

That finding does not mean every familiar pair shares equally, feels the same way or has a relationship identical to human friendship. Laboratory tasks examine particular behaviours under particular conditions.

For an owner, the practical value is to take individual preferences seriously. Repeated observations of the same pair in ordinary situations are more useful than declaring a friendship from one photograph.

What might a comfortable relationship look like?

Both dogs choose contact

Notice whether each dog approaches at different times and whether contact resumes after a pause. One dog continually pursuing another is different from both choosing to spend time together.

Also notice what happens when space is available. A dog that remains nearby because the room is small has not necessarily chosen closeness. Give each animal a way to move away.

They can share an activity without pressure

Companionship does not have to be energetic play. Dogs may enjoy walking in the same area, investigating separate smells or resting comfortably at a distance.

Quiet coexistence can be a good outcome. Do not keep trying to provoke wrestling because a calm relationship looks less entertaining.

They can pause and do something else

A useful interaction allows breaks. Watch whether either dog can stop, sniff, drink or return to its handler without being immediately crowded again.

Different sizes, ages and play styles affect how a session works. A younger dog's enthusiasm does not remove an older dog's need for space and rest.

Why is a wagging tail not enough?

Body language needs to be read as a whole and in context. Dogs Trust emphasises that physical appearance, the situation and the dog's individual pattern all affect interpretation.

Look at movement, posture, facial expression, distance and what each dog does next. One isolated sign cannot tell you that an interaction is safe or enjoyable.

A dog may appear very interested in another dog while the second animal is trying to disengage. Assess both participants instead of judging the meeting only by the more enthusiastic one.

How can you support a positive friendship?

1. Choose a suitable setting. Use enough space and practical control that both dogs can move comfortably
2. Keep early meetings manageable. Short, calm opportunities can tell you more than a long, highly excited session
3. Observe both dogs. Do not focus only on whether your own dog wants to continue
4. Allow breaks. Make room for separate activities and end the meeting before the animals become overwhelmed
5. Adjust the activity. A shared walk may suit the pair better than close-contact play
6. Review the pattern over time. Preferences and comfort can change with experience and circumstances

When introducing unfamiliar dogs, use an appropriate introduction plan rather than assuming they should immediately work things out together. Dogs Trust advises careful handling and watching for excessive arousal or distress.

What should you do about toys, food and resting places?

Getting on well during a walk does not prove that two dogs are comfortable sharing every resource at home. Avoid using a shared bowl, chew or toy as a test of friendship.

Provide separate resting options and manage feeding appropriately. Each dog should be able to get away from the other when it wants to. The RSPCA specifically highlights the need for space to disengage in multi-dog homes.

If conflict appears around particular items or locations, remove the opportunity for repeated conflict through safe management and seek suitable professional guidance. Do not force sharing to prove the relationship is strong.

How do you decide whether to continue an interaction?

• Comfortable to continue: both dogs can engage and disengage, and the activity remains manageable for their size and style
• Time for a break: one repeatedly moves away, the activity becomes increasingly one-sided or the dogs can no longer respond to ordinary guidance
• End and seek help: there is threatening behaviour, repeated conflict or a risk of injury. Create safe separation rather than insisting they remain together

This is a guide to observation, not a diagnosis of why a dog behaves that way. If you are uncertain about safety, work with a qualified professional who can assess the actual pair and setting.

What if your dog does not want a canine best friend?

Individual dogs differ in how much contact they enjoy and which companions suit them. A dog that prefers a small number of familiar dogs does not need to greet every dog on a walk.

Support an appropriate social life through the interactions the dog can enjoy, alongside exercise, enrichment and human companionship. Do not use crowded dog areas as a compulsory test of sociability.

If the dog is frightened of or shows aggression towards other dogs, the RSPCA recommends avoiding those difficult situations and seeking veterinary or qualified behaviour support. Forcing repeated close encounters is not a shortcut to friendship.

Should you get a second dog as a companion?

A second dog is a separate commitment, not an automatic solution to loneliness or a behaviour concern. Consider time, cost, space, individual compatibility and the ability to care for both dogs separately when needed.

A successful playdate also does not guarantee easy cohabitation. The dogs would share a home, routines and resources, which is a different arrangement.

Discuss a proposed match with the rehoming organisation or an appropriate professional. Look for a realistic introduction process and a plan for managing the household, rather than choosing only by breed or appearance.

Common mistakes

• Using tail wagging as the only sign of enjoyment
• Assuming constant pursuit is mutual play
• Insisting on shared food or toys to demonstrate a bond
• Expecting every dog to enjoy a busy group
• Ignoring changes because the dogs have always been friends
• Getting another dog without planning for individual care

Frequently Asked Questions

Can two dogs be friends without playing?

Yes. Comfortable walks, shared exploration and relaxed coexistence may suit them better than wrestling.

Does my dog need to greet every dog it meets?

No. Respect its preferences and the other dog's space. Appropriate social contact is more important than meeting as many dogs as possible.

Can dogs have more than one preferred companion?

Yes. Different relationships may involve different activities. The human idea of one exclusive best friend is not a requirement.

Why do dogs that normally get on sometimes disagree?

The context matters, including space, resources and what is happening around them. Manage the immediate situation safely and seek help if conflict repeats or safety is uncertain.

Support the relationship both dogs choose

Value the repeated pattern: mutual interest, comfortable activity and room to take a break. A good canine friendship should make everyday life more enjoyable for both animals, without pressure to perform friendship for people.

Sources

• Quervel-Chaumette and colleagues, Scientific Reports: Familiarity Affects Other-Regarding Preferences in Pet Dogs
• Dogs Trust: Understanding Your Dog's Body Language; Introducing a New Puppy or Dog to Your Dog
• RSPCA: Keeping Your Dog Company

ASK A VET™ supports clearer care conversations. Describe what each dog does before, during and after an interaction when asking for help with a social relationship.