Best Companions for Golden Retrievers: Dog Breeds They’ll Get Along With

It’s a well-known fact: Golden Retrievers are among the most loyal, intelligent, family-oriented dog breeds. 

How often have you spotted a Golden, whether driving by in your car while he/she is on a walk with its human, or on a television commercial, and felt a smile spreading across your face? 

Yes, everyone loves the Golden Retriever, synonymous with joy, youth, and purity.  Now that you have a Golden Retriever, what about a companion for her?

What Do I Need to Know About My Golden?

The Golden Retriever breed was developed in Scotland during the late 19th Century.  Initially bred for hunting, they acquired the “Retriever” title because of their unique ability to gingerly fetch shot waterfowl. 

Goldens have a love of water, and an inner and outer coat which regulates body temperature, withstands a range of climates, and repels moisture.  According to the Country Living list, here are more fun facts about your Retriever:

• They are often used on search and track missions, because of their keen sense of smell.
• Golden Retrievers make great therapy dogs.
• They are considered to be the 4th smartest dog breed.
• They are the 3rd most popular breed in America.
• Presidents Ford and Reagan both had Goldens while in office.
• They are easy to train.
• Golden Retrievers are known to become sad and even depressed when left alone for long periods of time. According to experts, you should not leave your Golden alone for more than 7 hours at a time.  

What Are the Benefits of Having a Companion?

I rescued my Georgie a few months prior to adopting my Gus.  When I had only Georgie alone, I felt as if it was a challenge at times to meet her every need.  She seemed to require my constant attention. 

I did not know exactly what was missing until I got Gus five months after.  I knew then that what was lacking was the relation to another one of Georgie’s own kind. 

Her brother became immediate kin, and they developed a routine of play and affection that had long since begged to be awoken.

I should reiterate the last fact from a previous paragraph: Golden Retrievers are known to become sad and even depressed when left alone for long periods of time; you should not leave your Golden alone for more than 7 hours at a time.  Yikes!  This is news to me! 

Let’s look at other reasons you might want to get a companion dog for your Golden:

• Two is better than one.  What do I mean? You get more joy, more laughter, more life.
• Your Golden will “train” his/her new companion.  Your Golden has already established their place in your home and will help set the tone for dog number two, whether it be potty-training or bedtime routine.
• Your Golden will have a playmate whether you are home or not.  Increased physical and mental stimulation means increased fulfillment for your dogs.
• Loneliness for your O.G. (that is, Original Golden) will be minimized.  Depression will cease to be an issue.

Read a first-hand account: Adding a Second Dog to the Family

What is the Best Companion Breed to My Golden?

According to information on Purina‘s website, among the 25 listed best breeds for multi-dog households are the following breeds:

• Pekingese
• Beagle
• Boston Terrier
• Poodle
• Collie
• Portugese Water Dog
• Golden Retriever
• Pug

You may be wondering, as am I, which breed would best pair with your Golden.  I believe it is a matter of breed preference. 

You are already familiar with the temperament of your Golden Retriever, so I would suggest reading material for specific breeds before making a decision: Best Dog Books For New Owners

Perhaps you may even consider another Golden Retriever to complete your pair. 

To further your dog education, you might want to speak with your veterinarian, and maybe some folks who currently have a two-dog household with a Golden.

How Do I Introduce a New Dog?

You have decided to get your Golden Retriever a companion.  Congratulations!  Now it’s time to find out the best way to acquaint dog to dog. 

Let’s begin by taking dog, er, baby steps, further explained in: Introducing a New Dog to your Current Dog:

1. Introduce in neutral territory on leashes, such as on a walk, or in a park.  Let your dogs walk side by side (you will need another human to help), and praise behavior.  Keep the mood light and fun.
2. If you are going to crate your dogs while away, crate them side by side.  I only crate on occasion, but I have the double-doored crate with paw protector bottom from Amazon, which I love.  I put my dogs’ crates close enough that if they lie against the side, they can touch.  That way, they have the comfort of each other and can deeply bond aside from human facilitation.  This particular crate is available in multiple sizes that suit both my big boy Retriever and my little girl Beagle!
3. While feeding, you may want to consider separation with a baby gate at first, which helps establish a safe and healthy feeding boundary.  This allows your dogs to see each other but does not invite a reason for them to create the behavior of food protection.  I have the one from Amazon show below.
4. Establish a schedule.  Dogs feel safe when they know what to expect.  Your Golden Retriever and her new friend will be assured by a routine.
5. Get proper training.  This means, work either with a trainer or solo to establish healthy and clear behavior expectations with both dogs.  Your expectations can differ from someone else’s.  This is your language with your dogs.  You may decide this means that they do not beg for your food, or you may decide this means sit, shake, and stay.  Whatever boundaries you determine as healthy must be consistent.

Top Product Recommendations

Primetime Petz 360 Configurable Gate with Door

If you’re introducing a new pet into the family, it’s advisable to get a solid partitioning gate that will help give each dog their own personal space whilst still being able to see and interact with each other. You may only need the gate for a couple of weeks or you might want to keep it to give your dogs their own safe space when they need it. 

Either way, the Primetime Petz 360 Configurable Gate with Door is a great option. It can fill a gap up to 80-inches wide and can be configured pretty much however you like thanks to the 360° hinges. This means it can also be made into a playpen for your pup and it can be folded up easily and transported. The gate swings both ways so you’ll find this freestanding gate super easy to use. 

Want to make sure it fits in with your current decor? Firstly, this gate is made with furniture-grade wood and it also comes in two colors; walnut and white. 

Regalo 4-in-1 Play Yard Configurable Gate

Regalo are well-known for their high-quality baby products, including safety gates and playpens. Luckily for us, all these products are also perfect for our babies. For example, their 4-in-1 Play Yard Configurable Gate is perfect for our furry friends. It can expand to cover a huge 192-inch space and it’s white so it’ll fit in with almost any decor. 

It’s also got some hinged panels so you don’t just have to have this gate in a straight line, you can bend it into a playpen too! The gate has a double lock lever handle, so even the cleverest of pups will not be making a great escape out of this gate. It is 28-inches high, so if you have a super large breed dog that likes to jump over things this may not be the best option for you, but the all-steel construction is a great positive. Even the largest of breeds won’t be able to break through that. 

Regalo Easy Step Walk-Through Gate

This Regalo Easy Step Walk-Through Gate has a sturdy steel construction and an easy one-touch safety lock so it’s super easy for you to walk in and out of but your fur baby will not be able to figure it out! The gate is 30-inches high and can be mounted in a space from 29-34 inches. If you have an unusually large door frame you want to fit this gate into it does come with a 6-inch extension which works for spaces up to 38.5-inches. 

This gate is super easy to install because it can be pressure mounted, however, if you have a larger dog and you’re worried they’ll be able to knock the gate over, it also comes with all the hardware to mount it directly on the wall. This will make it much sturdier and it’ll be able to withstand even the largest of dogs pushing against it. 

Conclusion

Now that we have a bit of education on the history of your Golden, the behavior tendencies, and the benefits of a companion for him, it is up to you to make the best decision for your home. 

I had a full life when I had just Georgie.  I had my hands full, my home full, and my heart full.  I personally did not believe there could possibly be any more room to fit another dog. 

I had no idea the way that everything– hands, home, and heart–  could shift to make room until I got Gus.  My whole world grew.  So did Georgie’s. 

Do you think it’s time that you and your Golden might need some growth?

Further read:

Best Puppy Playpens (10 Top Picks for 2021)