Why Do Dogs Need Mates?

Because apparently we hoomans aren't enough. 😂

Some dogs are firmly in the EVERYONE IS MY BEST FRIEND!!! camp.

Others? I have three friends. Applications are closed.

And that is actually pretty normal. Dogs are social animals, but just like us, they don't all want the same social life. Some love a big crowd. Others are much happier with a small circle of dogs they know, trust and genuinely enjoy.

Dogs choose their mates

Breed and size don't necessarily decide who clicks. Sometimes two dogs just find each other and that is that.

Then their mate arrives at daycare and suddenly it's: OH MY GOD!!! YOU'RE HERE!!!

Mate. You saw each other yesterday. 🙄😂

They don't need loads of friends

What matters is having the right social experiences with compatible dogs. Good dog friendships can give them chances to play, communicate, explore and simply hang out with another dog they feel comfortable around.

And not every dog needs a huge friendship group. A dog who prefers one or two good mates isn't missing out. Sometimes a small, carefully selected social circle suits them perfectly.

That is one of the lovely things we get to see at Canine Collective: the friendships that develop naturally. Some are obvious. Some make absolutely no sense whatsoever. Those are often the best ones. ❤️🐾

Who's your dog's best mate? And does the friendship make any sense whatsoever? 😂