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15 Best Dog Breeds For Getting Along With Other Pets

By: Ejay Camposano
A college graduate with a degree in Electrical Engineering, Ejay has a diverse background that combines technical expertise with a passion for pets and is now one of the content writers at IHD. Read more
| July 3, 2024

Integrating a new dog into a household with existing pets can be a daunting task, but choosing a breed known for its friendly and sociable nature can make the process much smoother. Dogs that are good with other pets typically have a calm, patient demeanor and a history of living harmoniously with other animals. Whether you have cats, rabbits, or other dogs, certain breeds are more likely to adapt well and form positive relationships with your existing pets. This article explores fifteen of the best dog breeds for getting along with other pets, detailing why each breed is well-suited for multi-pet households and what makes them unique companions.

15. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for their gentle and affectionate nature, making them excellent companions for other pets. These small dogs are incredibly sociable and thrive on human and animal interaction. Their calm demeanor and patience make them particularly good with cats and smaller animals. Cavaliers enjoy playing and snuggling with other pets, and their friendly disposition ensures they integrate well into multi-pet households. Regular socialization from a young age helps reinforce their natural friendliness, making them one of the best breeds for living harmoniously with other animals.

14. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are famously friendly and sociable, traits that extend to their interactions with other pets. Labs are known for their gentle and patient nature, making them excellent companions for cats, rabbits, and other dogs. Their playful and energetic demeanor means they enjoy interacting with other animals, and their intelligence and trainability help them adapt well to multi-pet households. Labs are also known for their protective nature, often forming strong bonds with all members of the household, whether human or animal. Regular exercise and socialization ensure that Labradors remain happy and well-adjusted in a multi-pet environment.

13. Beagle

Beagles are pack animals by nature, which makes them excellent companions for other pets. These small to medium-sized dogs are friendly, curious, and social, traits that help them get along well with other animals. Beagles have a strong sense of smell and love to explore, often leading them to interact playfully with other pets. Their gentle and tolerant nature makes them particularly good with cats and smaller animals. Beagles thrive in environments where they have plenty of companionship, both human and animal, and regular socialization helps reinforce their friendly disposition.

12. Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are well-known for their friendly and tolerant nature, making them ideal companions for other pets. These large, gentle dogs are incredibly patient and loving, traits that help them form strong bonds with other animals. Golden Retrievers are playful and enjoy interacting with other pets, whether through play or simply relaxing together. Their intelligence and trainability make them easy to integrate into multi-pet households, and their protective nature ensures they get along well with all members of the family. Regular exercise and socialization are key to maintaining their friendly demeanor.

11. Boxer

Boxers are known for their playful and energetic nature, making them great companions for other pets. These medium to large-sized dogs are friendly and sociable, often forming strong bonds with other animals in the household. Boxers enjoy playing and interacting with other pets, and their patience and tolerance make them good with smaller animals and cats. Regular exercise and socialization help Boxers remain well-adjusted and happy in a multi-pet environment. Their loyal and protective nature ensures they get along well with all members of the family, making them a great choice for households with multiple pets.

10. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frises are small, cheerful dogs that are known for their friendly and sociable nature. These dogs are excellent companions for other pets, including cats and smaller animals. Bichons are playful and enjoy interacting with other animals, often forming strong bonds with their furry companions. Their gentle and tolerant nature ensures they get along well with all members of the household. Regular socialization and playtime help Bichons remain happy and well-adjusted in a multi-pet environment. Their hypoallergenic coat is a bonus for families with allergies, making them a great choice for households with multiple pets.

9. Collie

Collies are known for their gentle and intelligent nature, making them excellent companions for other pets. These medium to large-sized dogs are friendly and sociable, often forming strong bonds with other animals in the household. Collies are particularly good with smaller animals and cats, thanks to their calm and patient demeanor. Their intelligence and trainability make them easy to integrate into multi-pet households, and their protective nature ensures they get along well with all members of the family. Regular exercise and socialization are key to maintaining their friendly disposition, making them a great choice for households with multiple pets.

8. Poodle

Poodles, whether Standard, Miniature, or Toy, are known for their intelligence and friendly nature, making them great companions for other pets. These dogs are highly trainable and adaptable, traits that help them get along well with other animals. Poodles are playful and enjoy interacting with other pets, often forming strong bonds with their furry companions. Their gentle and tolerant nature ensures they get along well with all members of the household. Regular exercise and socialization help Poodles remain happy and well-adjusted in a multi-pet environment. Their hypoallergenic coat is a bonus for families with allergies, making them a great choice for households with multiple pets.

7. Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels are known for their friendly and affectionate nature, making them excellent companions for other pets. These medium-sized dogs are sociable and enjoy interacting with other animals, often forming strong bonds with their furry companions. Cocker Spaniels are playful and gentle, traits that help them get along well with smaller animals and cats. Their intelligence and trainability make them easy to integrate into multi-pet households, and their loyal nature ensures they get along well with all members of the family. Regular exercise and socialization are key to maintaining their friendly disposition, making them a great choice for households with multiple pets.

6. Newfoundland

Newfoundlands are large, gentle dogs known for their friendly and tolerant nature. These dogs are excellent companions for other pets, including cats and smaller animals. Newfoundlands are known for their calm demeanor and patience, traits that help them get along well with all members of the household. Their intelligence and trainability make them easy to integrate into multi-pet households, and their protective nature ensures they form strong bonds with their furry companions. Regular exercise and socialization help Newfoundlands remain happy and well-adjusted in a multi-pet environment, making them a great choice for households with multiple pets.

5. Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdogs, or Shelties, are known for their friendly and intelligent nature, making them excellent companions for other pets. These medium-sized dogs are sociable and enjoy interacting with other animals, often forming strong bonds with their furry companions. Shelties are playful and gentle, traits that help them get along well with smaller animals and cats. Their intelligence and trainability make them easy to integrate into multi-pet households, and their loyal nature ensures they get along well with all members of the family. Regular exercise and socialization are key to maintaining their friendly disposition, making them a great choice for households with multiple pets.

4. Papillon

Papillons are small, intelligent dogs known for their friendly and sociable nature. These dogs are excellent companions for other pets, including cats and smaller animals. Papillons are playful and enjoy interacting with other animals, often forming strong bonds with their furry companions. Their gentle and tolerant nature ensures they get along well with all members of the household. Regular socialization and playtime help Papillons remain happy and well-adjusted in a multi-pet environment. Their intelligence and trainability make them easy to integrate into multi-pet households, making them a great choice for households with multiple pets.

3. Great Dane

Great Danes are large, gentle giants known for their friendly and tolerant nature. These dogs are excellent companions for other pets, including cats and smaller animals. Great Danes are known for their calm demeanor and patience, traits that help them get along well with all members of the household. Their intelligence and trainability make them easy to integrate into multi-pet households, and their protective nature ensures they form strong bonds with their furry companions. Regular exercise and socialization help Great Danes remain happy and well-adjusted in a multi-pet environment, making them a great choice for households with multiple pets.

2. Havanese

Havanese are small, cheerful dogs known for their friendly and sociable nature. These dogs are excellent companions for other pets, including cats and smaller animals. Havanese are playful and enjoy interacting with other animals, often forming strong bonds with their furry companions. Their gentle and tolerant nature ensures they get along well with all members of the household. Regular socialization and playtime help Havanese remain happy and well-adjusted in a multi-pet environment. Their intelligence and trainability make them easy to integrate into multi-pet households, making them a great choice for households with multiple pets.

1. Samoyed

Samoyeds are medium to large-sized dogs known for their friendly and sociable nature. These dogs are excellent companions for other pets, including cats and smaller animals. Samoyeds are playful and enjoy interacting with other animals, often forming strong bonds with their furry companions. Their gentle and tolerant nature ensures they get along well with all members of the household. Regular exercise and socialization help Samoyeds remain happy and well-adjusted in a multi-pet environment. Their intelligence and trainability make them easy to integrate into multi-pet households, making them a great choice for households with multiple pets.

In conclusion, these fifteen dog breeds are known for their friendly and sociable nature, making them ideal companions for multi-pet households. Each breed offers unique characteristics and qualities, but they all share the common trait of getting along well with other animals. Proper socialization, training, and regular exercise are key to maintaining their friendly demeanor and ensuring a harmonious environment for all pets. By choosing one of these breeds, families can enjoy the companionship of a dog that will integrate well with their existing pets and bring joy to their household.