by alldogsbigandsmall.com

Created on: January 11, 2010   Last Updated: January 12, 2010

I feel the best choice depends in a large part on the dog’s personality and current social environment, as well as the person’s economic situation. If it is a feasible option, then yes, in most cases, your family dog would be happier with a companion of their own kind. One only has to watch two dogs at play to see the puppy like joy and feeling of acceptance it brings to them both.  

A Whole Dog Journal, December, 2009 article entitled: Like Attracts Like, states A compatible, available playmate for your dog? Priceless .  Dogs are pack animals and we, as their people, become part of their pack. But are we prepared to be in pack behaviour with said dog a good deal of the time, or will we be away working, socializing or otherwise engaged in activities that we cannot or will not include our pet? Personally I draw the pack line at butt sniffing , neck biting, and rolling in smelly things in the yard!

A canine companion is an even more crucial factor for a happy dog in situations where the family dog is not so much included in the family life for example, an outside dog, or one where the family is away for most of the time. I love all the dogs in my life dearly. All of the dogs in my life have good healthy homes. Some sleep in the bed , go with me on trips, and are lavished with attention however, with limited time not all of them get as much individual attention that I would like to provide, so they have a canine pal to keep each other happier than they would be alone. I lost a dog last year to age and her companion had been her son. Together since his birth, they had played and chased and genuinely enjoyed each other’s company, he was obviously devastated. I naturally made it a point to spend more time with him, yet there was a new neediness about his demeanor that remained. While searching for another suitable companion for him, I managed to re-acquire his litter sister, (that is a whole other story!) The dogs were four years old at this time and the happy family reunion I had visions of, did not happen immediately. What was I thinking? They were no longer puppies, they were dogs four years of age and large enough at 70-80 pounds to hurt each other. Then after 3-4 days of supervised introductions and interactions I was thrilled to see them romping about playing as best of friends, both happier than they had been alone! It was priceless.

Do our dogs compete for our attention, be it treats, petting, play, or interaction? You bet they do, but when we leave them to themselves to do necessary human things and see them joyously chasing, sniffing, and play biting and, yes…even smiling. I know it is the only choice for me.

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