Years ago, my sidekick Poncho the dog and I received a Dear Inquisitive Canine email from a Great Dane named Chenpo. His human was considering bringing another Great Dane into the family and wanted some guidance: Was adding another dog to the household a good idea? And, if so, how could she help set everyone up for success?
It’s a question I continue to hear from dog parents, so Chenpo’s dilemma is well worth revisiting.
Here’s what he had to say:
Dear Poncho,
I am a 4½-year-old Great Dane male (intact). My human wants to adopt another Great Dane for me to have something called a “playmate.” I must confess that other large dogs annoy me and I just want to bark at them. However, I really, really love people (I always get good attention), and I really, really love to play (almost as much as I love napping).
I currently have a little friend, Maggie, whom I love dearly, and we get along quite well. Maybe she is this “playmate” thing?
Do you have any pointers I can pass along to my human to help her decide whether we should adopt another Dane? And, if we do, how should we go about it? I want my human to get off on the best paw possible.
May your nose always meet with interesting smells and your water dish be full, cold, and fresh!
Chenpo McCarty
Dear Chenpo, you’ve already given your human some very useful information. You enjoy people. You enjoy Maggie. And apparently, large dogs aren’t always your cup of kibble.
Those preferences matter.
Before bringing another dog into the household, here are some questions I’d encourage your human—and anyone considering another dog—to ask.
Why do I want another dog?
This is probably the most important question.
If the primary reason is, “I want my dog to have a friend,” first ask whether your dog actually wants another canine housemate.
Some dogs enjoy living with other dogs. Some enjoy a few carefully chosen dog friends but would rather not share their home with one. Others prefer human companionship.
A dog who enjoys visiting with a friend isn’t necessarily asking for a roommate.
If guilt about leaving your dog home alone is driving the decision, bringing another dog home may not solve the problem. Depending on your dog’s needs, a dog walker, pet sitter, appropriate enrichment, more quality time together, or professional support for separation-related distress might be more useful.
And remember: a second dog shouldn’t be expected to serve as entertainment, emotional support, or a babysitter for the first one. Ideally, you want another dog because you want another dog and are prepared to meet that individual dog’s needs too.
What does my current dog seem to want?
Chenpo’s relationship with Maggie tells us something important: he can enjoy canine companionship.
But it doesn’t tell us that he’ll enjoy every dog—or another Great Dane simply because he happens to be one himself.
Look at the dog in front of you.
Does your dog seek out interactions with other dogs or prefer keeping some distance? Does your dog enjoy active play, quiet companionship, or both? Can your dog relax around other dogs? Are there particular sizes, personalities, play styles, or energy levels your dog seems more comfortable with?
If your dog regularly shows fear, frustration, tension, or reactivity around other dogs, I’d address that before bringing another dog into the home. A qualified reward-based trainer or behavior professional can help you evaluate what your dog’s behavior might be communicating.
The goal isn’t to convince your dog to like another dog.
The goal is to determine whether there is a genuinely compatible match.
Is this the right time to add another dog?
Bringing home another dog takes more than simply putting two food bowls on the floor and hoping for the best.
Do you have enough time to help both dogs adjust? Can you provide separate walks, training, enrichment, rest areas, feeding spaces, and one-on-one attention when needed?
Even dogs who ultimately become wonderful companions may need gradual introductions and plenty of breathing room while everyone settles into a new routine.
And sometimes management remains part of life with multiple dogs. That isn’t failure. It’s responsible guardianship.
What if they don’t become best friends?
This is an important question to answer before bringing another dog home.
Success doesn’t have to mean two dogs wrestling happily in the backyard, sharing a bed, and becoming inseparable.
For some dogs, peacefully sharing a home while enjoying separate interests is a perfectly successful relationship.
But what happens if they are chronically stressed around one another? What if one dog needs much more space than anticipated? What if they simply aren’t compatible?
If you’re adopting through a shelter or rescue, ask about its support and return policies. If a thoughtfully structured foster-to-adopt arrangement is available and appropriate, that may provide additional information before making a permanent commitment.
Hope for friendship. Plan for reality.
Are there foreseeable changes ahead?
None of us can predict the future with 100 percent accuracy, but consider what you already know.
Changes in housing, employment, finances, health, family dynamics, travel, caregiving responsibilities, or relationships can affect everyone in the household.
Caring for two dogs can be very different from caring for one—especially if their needs change over time.
Can I afford another dog?
Food is only the beginning.
Consider preventive veterinary care, unexpected medical expenses, medications, training or behavior support, pet sitting or boarding, supplies, grooming when applicable, licensing, insurance if you use it, and emergency care.
And remember that needs often change as dogs age.
For giant breeds such as Great Danes, many everyday expenses can also be considerably larger—sometimes literally.
What kind of dog would be the best match?
Chenpo’s human initially had another Great Dane in mind. But I wouldn’t make breed the deciding factor.
Breed and genetics can give us useful information, but they don’t tell us everything about the individual dog standing in front of us.
Consider the whole dog: age, personality, activity level, social preferences, play style, ability to settle, medical needs, behavior history, and how that particular dog responds to your resident dog.
Maybe the best match turns out to be another Great Dane.
Maybe it’s a mixed-breed dog.
Or maybe Chenpo decides Maggie is quite enough canine companionship, thank you very much.
Keep an open mind.
A Few More Questions to Ask Yourself
- What will I do when I travel and can’t take both dogs?
- Are my current living arrangements appropriate for two dogs?
- If something happens to me, who will care for my dogs?
- Am I physically able to meet both dogs’ needs?
- Do I have enough time and energy for each dog individually?
- Can I provide appropriate physical exercise, enrichment, rest, and training?
- Can I manage the dogs separately when necessary?
- Is everyone in my household truly on board?
- What happens if one dog becomes ill, injured, or needs significantly more care?
- Do I have access to qualified veterinary and behavior support if problems arise?
Before You Bring Another Dog Home
Bringing another dog into your family is a long-term commitment, and the decision deserves more thought than simply, “My dog needs a friend.”
Sometimes another dog becomes a beloved companion to everyone in the household. Sometimes the dog you already have would vote for keeping things exactly as they are. Both answers are okay.
Chenpo already has humans he adores, a friend named Maggie, plenty of opportunities for play, and—apparently—a serious commitment to napping. Another dog might eventually make a wonderful addition to his family. Or he might already have exactly what he needs.
The inquisitive thing to do is gather information, stay curious, and pay attention to what the dogs themselves are telling us.
Thinking about bringing another dog home after the death of a beloved companion? There are some additional questions worth asking about grief, readiness, expectations, and making room for a new relationship without asking a new dog to replace the one who died. Read more about welcoming another dog while grieving.
Updated August 11, 2026.