11 Dog Breeds that Get Along with Pit Bulls
Last Updated on December 19, 2022 by Evan
If you want to bring a pit bull into your home or another dog to accompany your pit bull, you should consider which breed to opt for to ensure friendliness and compatibility between the dogs. Take a look at a few dog breeds that get along with pit bulls .
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German Shepherd
Originating in Germany, the German Shepherd is an active, loyal, brave and adaptable dog breed. These dogs are generally large in size with a height of 22-26 inches and a weight of 50-90 pounds. They are highly strong and easily trainable dogs.
Being playful and affectionate, the German Shepherd is a good consideration to have when it comes to pit bulls. Since both these breeds tend to be intelligent, loyal and energetic, you will be able to make them get along well as long as you provide vast amounts of training to both.
German Shepherds also make great emotional support animals; if that’s why you are adopting one, check out this guide on how to get an ESA letter at USServiceAnimals.org.
Generally, it would be a good idea to get a breed of the opposite sex to minimize aggression. Make sure both breeds are neutered as well to prevent issues.
Bringing in a puppy would be easier in terms of training, but either way, you should carefully watch over both dogs during the initial introduction phase to ensure that they do not get into major displays and fights of aggression.
Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are much smaller in size than pit bulls, measuring around 15 inches and weighing around 20-30 pounds. Their place of origin is the United Kingdom, where they were initially mainly used as hunting companions.
They are friendly, affectionate, adaptable, flexible and trainable. They have high levels of energy that can match that of a pit bull well. Cocker Spaniels are also playful and friendly with other dogs, making them suitable companions for pit bulls.
While it might take time and caution for them to start getting along, they will soon be on friendly terms as they settle in with each other. It is important to make sure that both dogs are well trained and socialized so that too much aggression does not set in.
You must also always be there to intervene in case there are any fights.
Apart from this, their other needs and traits such as mental invigoration, exercise, training and barking are more or less similar.
English Foxhound
The English Foxhound was originally bred for hunting. These dogs are medium to large in their size, weighing up to 75 pounds with 25 inches in height. They are usually friendly, affectionate, gentle, energetic and playful.
With high trainability, adaptability and physical or mental exercise, you can easily provide proper socialization to these dogs at a similar level as pit bulls.
English Foxhounds are more prone to barking as compared to pit bulls, but when it comes to other dogs, they are extremely tolerant and friendly. This can be attributed to their pack mentality that comes from their hunting origins.
A combination of an English Foxhound and a pit bull can result in making your household a lot more active and energetic. Like all other breeds, however, it is important not to leave the pit bull alone with this dog for too long.
If possible, you or someone should always be around them to keep them in check.
Basenji
The Basenji was also bred as a hunting dog in Africa. Dogs belonging to this breed are small to medium in their size, measuring up to 17 inches in height and 25 pounds in weight.
These dogs are active and lively, allowing them to keep up with pit bulls. However, they are also extremely intelligent and independent by nature, which means that they can be happy doing their own thing without needing to come into excessive contact with the pit bull.
Interestingly, these dogs do not bark much at all, preventing any provocation possibilities with the pit bulls. Instead, they let out a yodel-like sound to indicate their needs.
These dogs are also loyal and gentle while also being easy to maintain and clean.
Beagle
The beagle, originating in the UK and bred for hunting, is a small-sized dog that is highly friendly and affectionate. They are up to 15 inches in height and 25 pounds in their weight. Since they are small, they are generally viewed as non-threatening by other dog breeds, including pit bulls.
Since they are gentle, curious, playful, energetic and flexible, they won’t have a very difficult time when it comes to getting along with a pit bull. In fact, being originally pack-oriented dogs, they enjoy the company and the presence of other dogs.
With similar barking, energy, stimulation and maintenance levels, the beagle can be a good option to accompany a pit bull.
You can rest assured that the beagle will also get along extremely well with you and your family, including children. It would, however, be a good idea to always keep a person around to look after both dogs. Proper training must also be given.
Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is small to medium in its size. It is short and only measures up to 15 inches in height but can weigh up to 60 pounds. Basset Hounds are moderately playful and flexible. They tend to be a bit stubborn, so training them might take more of an effort than usual.
However, once you get past this stage, they are easy to have around. They do not require too much exercise as they are not very energetic by nature. You might need to spend a bit of time when it comes to maintaining and grooming these dogs.
Basset Hounds have very short legs but their long stature makes up for this. Being gentle and generally quiet, they can be a calm presence in your house alongside your pit bull.
Since they have a pack mentality, they tend to get along very well with other dogs as well as people.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers, originating from Scotland where they were bred for hunting, searching and retrieving, are medium to large in their size with lush golden and white or cream coats.
They tend to shed quite a bit, which is why you might need to keep cleaning and grooming these dogs frequently. However, they have very low levels of barking, making them generally non-threatening.
They are also friendly, affectionate, playful, highly flexible and pretty easy to train. They can get along with other dog breeds as well, making them a great choice for pit bulls.
As long as you provide sufficient amounts of training to both dogs, they will be okay in terms of how they get along. Since they have similar levels of energy and exercise needs, you will be able to manage both well together.
Being smart and loyal, these dogs are also gentle to have around in your house and around your pit bull.
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever, from the UK , is an extremely friendly, playful and lively dog, making it a popular pet to have around. Being medium to large in their size, these dogs can be up to 23 inches in height and nearly 80 pounds in weight.
They are good-natured and affectionate not only with other people but also with children and other dogs. Since they tend to be so active, energetic and enthusiastic, they can provide good companionship to pit bulls in terms of playing around and exercising.
Intelligence, patience and flexibility are some other relevant traits of Labradors. Being open to training, you can train and socialize them well to get along with pit bulls (and vice versa!).
These dogs shed a lot of coating, so you must be prepared to handle that alongside their needs for stimulation.
It is essential to ensure that you do not leave the two dogs alone with each other for more than a few minutes so that someone can intervene in case any aggression comes up.
Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds were originally bred for herding. They are intensely active, agile and energetic in terms of both physical and mental invigoration and stimulation, making them an appropriate presence alongside pit bulls.
With good amounts of friendliness, curiosity, intelligence, flexibility and loyalty, Australian Shepherds can get along well with other dogs including pit bulls as long as you do not leave them alone for too long.
Medium in size, these dogs can weigh up to 70 pounds and measure up to 23 inches in their height. They are generally easy to take care of as they shed only moderately.
They are easy to train as well. This can make it convenient for you to socialize both your dogs well enough to get along. These dogs can get along pretty well with the opposite as well as the same sex (although it would be ideal to get a dog of the opposite sex).
With Australian Shepherds, you need to make sure you give them enough exercise otherwise they could act out aggressively.
Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers were bred in the United States. They are generally small in their size, with a height of up to 15 inches and a weight of approximately 25 pounds. They are black and white in color and tend to have short and stubby tails.
Known to be smart, affectionate, curious, strong and loyal, these dogs are popular as pets. They are also extremely easy to train. With high energy and level of playfulness, they require similar levels of mental and physical stimulation as pit bulls do.
In fact, these dogs and pit bulls were both initially bred for hunting, retrieving and fighting. While these results in some aggression and stubbornness, it is also equally easy to train and socialize both dogs to get along. Breeding has also lowered the instinctual aggression in these dogs.
Boston Terriers further require moderate levels of cleaning and grooming. They are quite friendly with people, children as well as other dogs.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky was bred for pulling sleds and working in cold climates. They are medium in their size and can weigh up to 60 pounds while measuring around 23 inches. Due to their thick coat, it is better for them to live in colder places, but people tend to keep them as pets in some warmer climates as well.
They shed their fur quite a bit, which is why cleaning and grooming need to be a bit more frequent for these dogs.
They are highly friendly, affectionate, active, loyal and playful, making them capable of getting along with practically anyone, whether that includes adults, children or other dogs.
Since they are pack-oriented, they enjoy being around other dogs and are friendly with them. This also includes pit bulls.
Dog Breeds that Get Along with Pit Bulls – Conclusion
That brings us to the end of this guide to determine the compatibility of dog breeds with pit bulls. Make sure you make a wise choice and ensure proper socialization to prevent any major issues between your dogs.
