An intact pair is doable, but if you have a male who is really wanting to be with the female when she is on heat, better prepare your neighbours for some sleepless nights. Some can howl for hours… Besides that, it's just watching them all the time when they are together so no 'accidents' will happen.
Getting a dog only to keep your other dog company is what I allways advice against. I've had 2-3-4 dogs together the last years, and from time to time I set up a webcam when I leave home so I can see what they do. I close the door behind me, they jump on the couch or in a basket and they sleep till I get home again. Never seen them play together while I was away. If it is only to keep him some company, why not a cat instead of another dog? Much easier and see cat-dog plays far more over here then dog-dog plays.
A better reason to get a another dog, is that you want another dog.
With 2 dogs, you also need to train them separate, walk them separate... to keep the bonding between you and the dogs stronger, then the bond between the 2 of them.
