Lightning network is important, helpful feature, but it is not essential stuffs.
Falling into LN race is not smart option for altcoins, instead of atomic swap, which can make traders/ investors' movement more comfortable, easier, saving a lot of time.
Lightning network is essential feature in the crypto ecosystem.
Of course, Dogecoin network should be adjusted to cope with upcoming massive transactions (might come some day) and avoid network congestions.
Dogecoin despite its faster confirmation time than BTC cant compete with Lightning network full power,because DOGE network has not even close capacity to support worldwide adoption and huge number of transactions which comes with it.Not just Dogecoin,any coin today.
LN network is essential for making usable currency from cryptos.Today ,DOGE network is not suitable for such task as worldwide massive adoption.Yes, it can change block size(like Bitcoin Cash) or short mining time between blocks,but problem of bloating blockchain size and network centraliztion as result of it, cant be solved on that manner.
Have example of ETH and it supersized blockchain.That leads in network centralization,specialized node data centres which will put cost of maintaining network on users.
LN network solves few essential problems - network congestion,bloating of blockchain,reduce cost and time for transactions,keeps network decentralized.