Is it fair to get a second dog just for company?

If you are prepared to give a second dog the same level of training, exercise, veterinary care, and attention as your first, and you have realistically assessed the added cost and time commitment, wanting company for your current dog is a reasonable part of the decision, not a problem on its own.

Consider whether your current dog actually enjoys other dogs' company consistently, whether your living space and schedule can support two dogs comfortably, and whether you are prepared for the possibility that the new dog does not solve the original alone time issue at all.

Fostering a dog, or arranging extended supervised time with a friend's compatible dog, can give real insight into how your dog responds to consistent canine company before committing to a permanent second addition.

Beyond the emotional decision, a second dog roughly doubles ongoing costs for food, veterinary care, and any pet care services, alongside more time needed for exercise, training, and general attention, so a genuine budget and schedule review is worth doing before deciding, separate from the question of whether it feels like the right emotional choice. A decision that works well financially and practically tends to hold up better over the years than one made primarily to solve a short term problem. Talking through the full picture with everyone in the household, rather than one person deciding alone, also helps ensure the commitment is genuinely shared going forward.