Best Companion Dogs for German Shepherds: Perfect Friendly Matches

Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are the safest second dog for a German Shepherd. The American Kennel Club (AKC) rates both 5 out of 5 for getting along with other dogs, and it rates the German Shepherd itself only 3. Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Boxers, Dobermans, Standard Poodles, and Belgian Malinois can also work, but each needs more planning from you.

The pick matters less than the match. Look for a dog in the same weight range, with energy you can keep up with, and introduce the two slowly. This guide gives the reason for each breed, what to plan for, and how to set up the first weeks so the two dogs settle in.

Quick picks

The numbers below come from each breed's AKC page. They describe the breed on average, so they tell you what to expect, not what your particular dogs will do.

AKC ratings for each breed, from 1 to 5. Energy is first, then how well the breed gets along with other dogs.

Breed	Energy, other dogs	Plan for
Labrador Retriever	5, 5	Shedding
Golden Retriever	3, 5	A calmer pace
Border Collie	5, 3	Herding
Australian Shepherd	5, 3	Herding
Belgian Malinois	4, 3	Prey drive
Boxer	4, 3	Same-sex tension
Doberman Pinscher	5, 3	Socialization
Standard Poodle	4, 3	Grooming

A simple way to read the table: if this is your first two-dog home, start with the Lab or the Golden. If you train for a sport such as agility or scent work, the Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, and Standard Poodle fit that life. If you have handled high-drive working dogs before, the Malinois and the Doberman are open to you. Whichever you pick, a dog within about 20 or 30 pounds of your Shepherd is the safer range for rough play.

Understanding German Shepherds

Before you browse breeds, know what you are pairing with. German Shepherds were bred to work, and the AKC rates them 5 out of 5 for energy, trainability, and need for mental stimulation. Those traits are why they are such popular working dogs and family protectors.

Temperament and personality traits

The breed standard, quoted on the AKC page, describes a "certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships." In plain terms, your Shepherd is loyal to the household and cautious about new faces, and that includes new dogs. The AKC rates the German Shepherd 3 out of 5 for getting along with other dogs, which is the middle of the scale. Plenty of Shepherds do well with a second dog. They just do not assume every dog is a friend.

Early socialization helps a great deal. A Shepherd who met many dogs as a puppy usually accepts a newcomer more easily than one who has been the only dog for years. The AKC calls early socialization and puppy classes "vital" for the breed. For more on how the breed behaves around other animals, see our guide to German Shepherds and other pets, and for the wider personality picture, German Shepherd temperament.

They also want a job. A Shepherd with nothing to do will invent a task, and you will not like the choice. That is a good reason to pick a companion who joins in, not one who watches from the couch.

Exercise and energy levels

The AKC says the breed "requires lots of exercise for his physical and mental well-being," and it does not give an hour count, so ignore any guide that promises an exact number. What a Shepherd needs is daily, varied work: exercise, obedience drills, scent games, agility, and hikes on new ground. The same loop around the block gets dull quickly.

This is why the companion matters. A dog who can run a trail with your Shepherd and then settle with a puzzle toy afterward is the target.

Factors in choosing a companion dog

A friendly dog is not automatically a good match for a Shepherd. Check three things before you commit, or you will spend the first months refereeing.

Size compatibility

The AKC lists adult German Shepherds at 65 to 90 pounds for males and 50 to 70 for females. It's not all about the breed, but size still counts.

A 15-pound dog can be hurt badly by a wrestling move your Shepherd thinks is ordinary. A companion within about 20 or 30 pounds of your Shepherd keeps rough play safe, and two similar dogs also tend to share doorways, beds, and bowls with less friction. A hard daily run on pavement wears nails down fast, and we reviewed the Nail Grinder for German Shepherds for that.

Activity and playfulness match

Match the play style. If you pair a Shepherd with a low-energy dog, one of two things happens. The Shepherd pesters the other dog, or the two ignore each other and you have two solo dogs sharing a house. The better pairs are the ones where both dogs go for the tennis ball at the same time.

Training and obedience

Shepherds like structure, and a companion who is trainable makes the house easier to run. The AKC rates every breed in this guide 4 or 5 out of 5 for trainability. When both dogs know sit, stay, and recall, two dogs are not much harder to manage than one. Start your new dog's basics before you ask the two to share a yard, and do not skip the puppy class if the newcomer is young.

Top breeds as German Shepherd companions

These breeds have the best fit on the three checks above. Every dog is an individual, so treat the AKC figures as a starting point and meet the actual dog before you decide.

Labrador Retriever

The AKC rates Labs 5 out of 5 for getting along with other dogs and describes them as "companionable housemates" who "socialize well with neighbor dogs and humans alike." At 55 to 80 pounds they are close to a Shepherd's size, and a 5 out of 5 energy rating means a Lab can keep up on a long hike.

That friendliness is the main reason this pairing works. A Lab greets a wary Shepherd with no challenge in it, which gives the Shepherd time to decide the newcomer is fine. The AKC also rates Labs 5 out of 5 for trainability, so early lessons stick. Plan for a dog with a big build and plenty of shedding.

Golden Retriever

Goldens also score 5 out of 5 with other dogs, and they weigh 55 to 75 pounds, so the size match is good.

The difference from a Lab is pace. The AKC gives Goldens a 3 out of 5 for energy, a step below the Shepherd, so a Golden usually plays hard for a while and then settles.

For a Shepherd who needs a calmer housemate to copy, that is a plus. For a Shepherd who wants a nonstop running partner, it is a minus. Goldens also show up on lists of the cutest dog breeds, so expect plenty of compliments on the walk.

Plan for a dog who is easy to read but not a full-time exerciser. You will still need to run your Shepherd separately some days.

Border Collie

Border Collies are for the GSD owner who wants to turn their backyard into a dog Olympics venue. These dogs are often considered the most intelligent breed in the world (yes, even smarter than German Shepherds), and they have energy reserves that seem physically impossible for a 30 to 55 pound dog. If your German Shepherd is the type who's still bouncing off the walls after a two-hour hike, a Border Collie is one of the few breeds that can match that intensity.

The catch is herding. The AKC notes the breed's "tendency to herd animals and people," and its other-dog rating is 3 out of 5. A Border Collie may circle, stare, and nip at your Shepherd, who may do the same back. Teach a solid "leave it" early, watch rough play while the size gap shows, and give both dogs a job such as agility or scent work.

Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherds weigh 40 to 65 pounds and are built tough, so they handle Shepherd-style play better than most mid-size dogs. The AKC rates energy 5 out of 5 and lists herding, agility, and obedience as natural fits. A Shepherd and an Aussie share a work drive, which is why the two often settle into the same routines quickly.

The AKC also says Aussies "exhibit an irresistible impulse to herd, anything: birds, dogs, kids." That means nipping at heels. Two high-drive breeds in one house need real daily exercise and mental work. If they are bored, they will find their own projects, and your furniture will be part of them.

Belgian Malinois

A Belgian Malinois looks like a leaner Shepherd and works in many of the same jobs. The AKC lists 60 to 80 pounds for males and 40 to 60 for females, with a 4 out of 5 energy rating. It says "exercise, and plenty of it" is key to a Mal's happiness. A Shepherd who works seriously, in sport or service, may find a Malinois is the one dog who matches that effort.

This is the advanced choice. The AKC rates the Malinois 3 out of 5 with other dogs and says Malinois "have a high prey drive and are strongly interested in moving objects." That can include a smaller dog, a cat, or a Shepherd running across the yard. Early socialization and obedience are, in the AKC's words, "musts." If you have not trained a high-drive working dog before, choose a different breed from this list.

Boxer

Boxers come in around 65 to 80 pounds for males, and the AKC rates energy 4 out of 5. The AKC describes the breed as "bright and alert, sometimes silly, but always courageous," which suits a Shepherd who plays hard: the Boxer is sturdy enough not to be bullied and silly enough to lighten the mood.

The AKC gives one specific warning. Boxers are "not always tolerant of other dogs of the same sex," and "most Boxers of opposite sexes enjoy each other's company." So if you have a male Shepherd, a female Boxer is the safer match, and the reverse. Boxers are also mouthy in play, with lots of jaw sparring. Most Shepherds take it fine, but call a short timeout if either dog gets wound up.

Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman and the German Shepherd both came out of Germany, and they are close in size: the AKC lists Dobermans at 75 to 100 pounds for males and 60 to 90 for females. Both score 5 out of 5 for energy and trainability, so one morning run suits both dogs. For a Shepherd who likes to have a serious partner, this can be a good fit, and our guide to the Tactical Harness for German Shepherds covers gear for two dogs that pull hard.

Both breeds are protective, and both can be wary of strangers, so socialization matters more here than with a Lab. The AKC calls puppyhood socialization "imperative" for Dobermans, and its other-dog rating is 3 out of 5. Introduce the pair slowly, practice calm greetings with visitors, and reward relaxed behavior at the front door.

Standard Poodle

Standard Poodles started as water retrievers and are athletic dogs under the haircut. The AKC rates them 5 out of 5 for trainability and playfulness and 4 for energy. Males run 60 to 70 pounds, so they fit a Shepherd. Females run 40 to 50, closer to the small side of the safe range, so a male Poodle is the easier match for a large male Shepherd.

Poodles are quick learners, and that keeps a bored Shepherd from being the only clever dog in the house. One correction to a common claim: the AKC calls the coat "low-allergen," not hypoallergenic, and a Poodle still needs regular grooming. You will not escape Shepherd fur either way.

Special considerations for multi-dog households

Picking the right breed is half the job. What you do in the first weeks decides whether the two dogs settle or stay tense.

Introducing the two dogs

The AKC says the dogs should meet in "a neutral place" and not inside the established dog's home. Walk them together on loose leashes somewhere neither dog considers home, then walk into the house together.

Watch both faces. The AKC lists relaxed faces, play bows, and fast wagging tails as good signs, and yawning, turned heads, tense jaws, a low tail, shaking, or a raised ridge of hair as signs the meeting is too much. If you see the second list, put distance between the dogs and try again later. If you are adding a puppy, the same guide says to give your adult dog "a break from the puppy several times during the day" and to keep supervising.

The first month

Plan the first weeks before the new dog arrives. Set up a gate, a crate or an exercise pen for each dog, as the AKC suggests, so you can separate the two in seconds.

For the first few days, keep them apart when you cannot watch, and keep toys, chews, and bowls in separate places. Take short walks together, then short sessions in the yard, and lengthen them only while both dogs stay loose and relaxed.

The AKC advises against reprimanding a dog for growling, because a growl is how a dog says it has had enough. Stop the session, give the dogs a break, and try a shorter one tomorrow. Most pairs need several weeks before they act like housemates, and some need longer.

Sorting out who gets what

Some posturing between two dogs is normal. One may stand over the other, block a doorway, or claim the good bed.

Do not interfere with mild posturing, and step in when it escalates.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior says most unwanted pet behavior comes from behavior that was "inadvertently rewarded" and from appropriate behavior that was never taught, not from a dog trying to rank higher, and it advises against using dominance theory as a general guide. So skip the pinning and staring contests. Feed the dogs apart, pick up high-value chews before they are a problem, and reward calm behavior.

If you see real aggression, meaning stiff bodies, hard staring, snarling, or snapping, separate the dogs right away and go back to basics with short, calm sessions. Do not punish either dog for reacting. Veterinary sources describe predictable routines, avoiding triggers, and a review by a veterinary behaviorist as the path for serious cases.

• Early signs of a problem: hogging toys, guarding bowls, blocking doorways, refusing to leave furniture
• Common triggers: new visitors, unfamiliar dogs, mealtimes, and high-value chews

Rough play and herding

Shepherds do not play gently. They body slam, chase, and grab at necks, and they think it is hilarious.

That is fine with a similar-size dog who plays the same way. It becomes a problem when the other dog is smaller or more sensitive. Stay close until you are sure both dogs have set their limits, and keep a quiet place where either dog can leave the game.

The herding instinct is another thing to manage. Your Shepherd might start circling, nipping at heels, or doing that intense Border Collie-style stare at the other dog. Some companion dogs handle this just fine. Others find it stressful and annoying. If your GSD is herding the other dog constantly, redirect that energy into structured activities. Puzzle toys, fetch, or even formal herding training can channel that instinct into something productive.

• Safe play: keep sessions short and supervised at first, with a separate rest area for each dog
• Herding: redirect with structured activity before the habit sets in

Maintaining a healthy environment for companions

Once both dogs are settled, your job becomes a daily routine that keeps everyone tired, fed, and calm.

Daily routines and responsibilities

Most of the breeds above are high-energy, so the exercise cannot be optional. A simple schedule works for most pairs:

• Morning: a 30 to 45 minute walk or jog together
• Afternoon: supervised off-leash play in the yard, or a training session
• Evening: a shorter walk, then a puzzle toy or chew to wind down

Beyond exercise, keep the rest of the daily schedule consistent. Dogs thrive on predictable routines, and having a set schedule reduces anxiety and conflict between the two dogs. Feed them at the same times each day (separate bowls, ideally in separate spots to prevent guarding), maintain regular potty breaks, and keep grooming on a weekly rotation.

One-on-one time

Each dog needs time alone with you. It is easy to treat them as a pair, but individual attention builds the bond and heads off jealousy. Take each dog on a solo walk once a week, train each one separately, and spend ten minutes a day with one dog while the other rests in another room. The AKC's own advice for introductions says the older dog should still get "plenty of one-on-one attention from the family."

• Training: 10 to 15 minutes a day with each dog on their own, plus an occasional group session
• Downtime: each dog gets a bed, crate, or cozy spot with a stuffed Kong where they can rest alone

A second dog also changes how your Shepherd feels about being left alone. If either dog struggles when you leave, read our guide to dog separation anxiety before you assume the other dog will fix it.

Your Shepherd will keep watching the door, and that is fine. Just make sure the newcomer does not feel overshadowed. Reward calm behavior and let the new dog find a role: greeter, playmate, or cuddler.

Frequently asked questions

Do German Shepherds get along with small dogs?

They can, with management. A small dog can be hurt by ordinary Shepherd play, mostly in off-leash play and around food or toys.

If you try it, supervise every session, teach your Shepherd a "gentle" cue, and give the small dog a place to retreat. Some Shepherds raised with a small dog do well. If yours has ever chased a small dog, pick a bigger companion instead.

Are German Shepherds good with other dogs?

Often yes, but not automatically. The AKC rates the breed 3 out of 5 for other dogs, and the breed standard describes a "certain aloofness" toward new faces.

Shepherds usually do best when they meet a new dog on neutral ground and the new dog has similar energy. Early socialization is the biggest single factor, and our guide on how to socialize a puppy covers it. Related reading: Names for German Shepherds.

What is the best companion dog for a German Shepherd?

A Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever is the safest choice. The AKC rates both 5 out of 5 for getting along with other dogs, and both are close to a Shepherd's size. Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Boxers, Dobermans, Standard Poodles, and Belgian Malinois can also work when you match the sex, size, and energy and plan for each breed's quirk.

What is the best age to add a second dog?

There is no set age. The test is your Shepherd, not the calendar.

Add a second dog when your Shepherd has reliable recall, settles on cue, and already behaves well around other dogs. A young Shepherd who is still learning those skills should finish that work first, because two untrained dogs are much harder to manage than one. An adult companion whose personality is already clear makes the match easier to judge than a puppy does.

Sources

• American Kennel Club. Breed pages for the German Shepherd Dog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Boxer, Doberman Pinscher, and Standard Poodle. Weights, ratings, and quotes. Accessed September 30, 2026.
• American Kennel Club. "How to Introduce a New Dog to Your Current Dog." Updated March 24, 2026.
• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. "Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals."
• VCA Animal Hospitals. "Dog Behavior Problems: Aggression to Family Members." Edited July 19, 2019.

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