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Poodles are beautiful creatures – whether you have a toy, standard, miniature, or mix, these beautiful animals are beloved for their intelligence, grace, and companionship. Does your poodle need another dog? Most poodles don’t need another dog to have fulfilled lives. If your poodle has separation anxiety or you spend long hours away, you may want to consider getting another dog. But since some poodles do and others don’t need another dog, we’ve done the research to help you make the right decision for your poodle. Poodles were initially working and retrieving dogs, so they are intelligent, protective, and loyal. They love to please their humans, often becoming very attached – and sometimes possessive – especially if a new dog or human is brought into their situation. Do Poodles Need Other Dogs? That Depends on Your Pup! Since they have always historically lived, worked, and played with humans, poodles need a lot of human attention. If you work long hours or have other responsibilities that limit quality time with your pup, another dog can calm and comfort your poodle when you aren’t available. Poodles can become anxious if left alone, so sometimes a companion dog is a good idea. It will depend on your fur baby's unique temperament and level of anxiety, attachment, and abandonment difficulties. But keep in mind what we said earlier about their tendency towards possessiveness, especially in the presence of a new dog or human. It’s essential to do your research on what types of temperaments get along with your poodle. Should You Get Another Dog? Get to know your dog’s level of attachment. Do you recognize symptoms of separation anxiety or unhealthy attachment issues when you leave home? If you are considering getting a companion dog for your poodle, the following guidelines will help you and your poodle make a smooth transition to a multi-dog household. Consider these variables when making your decision, and be mindful of your choices. Figure out If Your Poodle Needs A Companion Dog When considering if your poodle needs another dog, it’s essential to understand his or her temperament. Do they seem to have a hard time being left alone? Have your neighbors told you that your poodle barks nonstop when you’re away from home? Maybe you’ve come home and stepped in an accident that happened while you were gone or noticed extremely clingy or withdrawn behavior when you are home. These could be signs that your poodle suffers from separation anxiety. Not all poodles with separation anxiety have the same symptoms. It can also manifest as a “hunger strike” when your dog seems to have lost his or her appetite. You notice items excessively chewed up around your home or even destroyed furniture; these can also be signs of severe separation anxiety. If you suspect your poodle is struggling with any health issues – mental or physical – it is always important to discuss your worries with your veterinarian. If you suspect anxiety, it may be time to move forward with getting a dog for your poodle. Are You Ready for Another Dog? All good pet parents want the best for their loved ones. But sometimes, when we want the best for someone we love, we can ignore our own needs. When you’re asking yourself, “Does my poodle need another dog?” also ask yourself, “Can I handle another dog?” Taking on another dog is a significant, lifetime commitment. You don’t get any guarantees that things will go perfectly, so take this decision seriously. There are many things to consider. Your budget for medicine, vaccines, and medical emergencies will double. That’s twice the dog food, another round of obedience training, and twice the dogs in your current space. Are you financially, emotionally, and physically ready to make these changes? Consider Alternatives Does your poodle need another dog? Or would one of these alternatives work out? If your poodle’s anxiety is not severe or extremely problematic, but you still don’t want him or her to be lonely while you are away, consider hiring a dog walker or taking your pup to doggy-daycare or a dog hotel. Even taking simple steps to socialize your poodle to their new environment or neighborhood can be a great way to mitigate anxiety. Take a walk through your neighborhood or to a local park. Get acquainted with the neighbors and their dogs! These methods will ensure that your poodle is getting socialized, getting attention, and learning to cope with your absence without you having to commit to getting another dog. Decide to Get Another Dog for Your Poodle Considering all the factors, if everything is still pointing to getting another dog for your poodle, that’s great. We love dogs, and there’s always more love to go around. But before you bring home another furry friend, it’s critical to carefully consider which breed you want to make part of your pack. Not all pairings are alike, so check out the list below for what you should know when you’re looking for another dog for your poodle. Choose Your Poodle’s Companion Dog Wisely Choose carefully as some breeds are more suitable poodle companions than others. Of course, this can also depend on the animal’s unique temperament, but using this list of breeds that have a good relationship with poodles (inspired by poodled.com) can help you make your decision: Breeds to Consider: Another Poodle: As the saying goes, some things are so nice, you have to do them twice. In this case, getting another poodle for your poodle is a great idea. In addition to being sweethearts, poodles are social, intelligent, and active. They get along with most other dogs, including other poodles, and of course, they’ll love you! Poodles are possessive of their humans, so with any breed, this could be the case when you get another dog. Keep in mind that your poodle may fare better with specific ages and sexes depending on his or her. Basset Hound: These short and stout, floppy-eared hound dogs have a relaxed, mellow, and sweet disposition, perfect to calm your poodle during an anxiety attack, or better yet – to stop one before it stops. Their sweet, quiet demeanor will be an anchor to ground your poodle in moments of anxiety. Cocker Spaniel: Smart, gentle, and good-spirited, these happy pups will brighten your poodle’s day, bringing a little more joy and companionship into their life and a bit more peace and calm into yours – knowing that your poodle is in the gentle, happy paws of your Cocker Spaniel. Labrador Retriever: These gentle giants are eager to please and get along great with other dogs. They have an easy-going temperament and will make a perfect pal for your poodle. Labs can keep up with your poodle when it’s time to play but have the ability to switch into a calming mode when they need to. Shi Tzu: These little guys and girls get along well with poodles and makes for a fun pack. In addition to distracting your poodle from your absence or another anxiety trigger, they also match the fun, vivacious energy of your poodle. Neither one will get bored with the other! Pug: These little sweeties do exceptionally well when socialized as puppies with other dogs. Their steady demeanor makes them a great companion for poodles. There are many more breeds of dogs that get along with poodles, but we hope by providing this list that you will see the importance of doing your research into these things before moving forward. Bring Them Home Once you’ve selected the newest member of your pack, it’s time to meet the poodle. Introduce your poodle to its new companion in a neutral zone like a new park, so the new dog not an intruder in your poodle’s home or usual territory. Upon meeting, allow for them to get acquainted through sniffing and greeting. Reward good behavior and take note of any growling or aggression. If all goes well, walk them together to give them more time to get acquainted. When both dogs seem comfortable with each other, it’s time to bring your new dog home. Allowing the new dog to enter your home first will show your poodle that you have officially accepted them into the pack, and your poodle will want to follow your lead. Make sure each dog has its own bed and space, as well as a food bowl to discourage any fighting over territory. And congratulations on making your fur family bigger! Conclusion As pet parents and owners, we want to make sure that our fur babies are happy. So, we have to ask important questions, like “does my poodle need another dog?” This major decision is ultimately up to you to decide what’s best for your poodle. By using this guide and asking yourself questions along the way, we are sure you'll make the best decision for yourself and your poodle!

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