Dogs have always proven their merit when it comes to being trustworthy companions to humans but some of them take the cake when it comes to friendliness.
The friendliest dog breeds you can have as pets include Beagles, Boston Terriers, Corgis, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and a few others.
Labrador
Corgi
Golden Retriever
Boston Terrier
Beagle
Border Collie
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Boxer
What do a Labrador Retriever and Cosmo Kramer from Seinfeld have in common? What might seem like a rather odd pairing to you in fact happens to be one of the friendliest dogs and fictional characters you can meet anywhere!
We talk of them today, well, because, we’re just preparing you for what’s about to come.
We’ll keep Kramer and his antics for another day, and talk about the friendliest dog breeds known to us.
Before we begin, let us tell you that this list is in no order of preference but simply a chance ranking. All the dogs listed below are affectionate, friendly, and make for amazing pets.
The undisputed good boy of the canine world, Labrador Retrievers are America’s favorite pet for a reason. They’re everything you’d want in a canine companion – affectionate, playful, intelligent, and protective. But what makes Labs stand out from the crowd is their unique personality.
Equal parts goofy and naughty, the Labrador Retriever as a breed is very happy-go-lucky. While that makes them extremely endearing, sometimes their exuberance can wear you out! Take your Labs out for daily walks and jogs to keep their spirits high. But don’t forget to invest in a good quality leash before taking them out – you will need it to them under control.
Apart from that, they are not particularly high on maintenance. In fact, these large dogs can quickly adapt to their surroundings and gel with children, grown-ups, and other pets of the household.
If you decide to get a Labrador home, rest assured you and your guests would always remain entertained.
Any list of the friendliest dog breeds would never be complete without mentioning the Corgi. Cute and charismatic, Corgis are personable dogs with colorful personalities.
Don’t go by their small size, these dogs are very rough and tough by nature. Bred to herd cattle, they’re always up for physically challenging tasks and show great endurance to hectic training schedules.
Affectionate and playful, Corgis are sensitive dogs that are very fond of their families. However, you’ll never find a Corgi encroaching on your personal space. At the end of the day, they’re still quite independent and headstrong. That, along with their size, makes them ideal for apartment living.
It’s because of these similarities in size and personality that Corgis get along very well with cats. So, if you want to have both a canine and feline companion, close your eyes and get a Corgi puppy.
All the qualities that you could ask for in a pet. Golden Retrievers are caring, loyal, intelligent, energetic, and playful. But none of these character traits match up to how friendly they are!
They’re so amicable that nothing can stop a Golden from striking up a jovial relationship with everyone, even a cat.
These happy dogs are a textbook definition of an extrovert and inherently good-natured. No matter what, these lovely dogs are always patient with people and very dedicated in everything they do. They have an immense urge to please their owners and will go to great lengths just to satisfy their parents.
I pet Duke. He is a 15 week old Golden Retriever puppy. He is a friendly and adventurous dog. Duke loves to run around by the river and dig in the sand. When he is not running around, Duke likes to chew on everything he can find. pic.twitter.com/5AcXwFBfv5
— I’ve Pet That Dog (@IvePetThatDog) November 4, 2018
They are kid-friendly too, making them perfect family dogs.
So, if you’re looking for a cheerful dog to add to your family, a Golden Retriever is an excellent choice.
These dogs have an unparalleled zest for life and infectious energy that can light up your home in ways you didn’t think possible. The most lovey-dovey dog on this list, Boston Terriers are so playful that they can befriend strangers in the blink of an eye. So, if you like your dogs to be friendly, this is the ideal breed for you.
Although bred to take part in dog fights, Boston Terriers are extremely well-mannered dogs. You’ll always find them engaging in goofy antics with just about anybody! A great canine companion to take outdoors, you can enjoy a brunch or dinner at cafes or restaurants with your Boston Terrier in tow.
Because they have such an affinity towards people, these dogs do very well in households with children and cats! Yes, you read that right. Boston Terriers are one of those breeds that can happily coexist with feline companions.
Fun fact: Their characteristic tuxedo-like fur coat, along with their chivalrous nature make Boston Terrier the ultimate “gentleman” in the canine kingdom.
Beady black eyes, pointy tail, and a mischievous face — the Beagle ticks all the correct boxes when it comes to dogs that are active and adorable. These moody balls of energy are extremely affectionate, intelligent, mild-mannered, and fun-loving by nature.
No wonder they also happen to be one of the friendliest dogs known to us today. Plus, they love attention!
Initially bred to hunt, Beagles are curious scent hounds that are always willing to engage in playful activities with you. If you’re looking for a dog who’d always be at your heels, then Beagle is the dog for you.
These dogs are also child-friendly and do very well with other pets. And why shouldn’t they, given that they love company.
Pro Tip: Beagles are talented escape artists. If anything, even a falling leaf or an inaudible rustle piques their curiosity, they will make a run for it.
You’d think that a dog as active, and energetic as a Border Collie would like their own space to chill at the end of the day. But you couldn’t be more mistaken! Border Collies are extremely affectionate dogs by nature, always eager to please their parents.
A born herder, Border Collies are workaholic dogs that need lots of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy. Sometimes they might just nip at your elbows or ankles if you don’t give them the attention they so truly deserve! That said, they make great pets because they love having people around.
But because of their natural instincts as herders, they’re prone to biting. That also makes them excellent guard dogs that would put their lives on the line to protect their family.
Gentle and graceful, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has no comparison when it comes to commitment and companionship. They’re the ultimate lapdogs, always finding their way to curl up on your lap. Given that they were bred to be companion dogs, their affectionate and calm nature comes as no surprise.
Needless to say, because of their personality, they are not just amazing with children but can rustle up quite a rapport with other pets too. They love to frolic in the sun and can often turn into a Pokeball chasing birds or squirrels.
Simply put, there’s nothing not to like about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. That they look gorgeous in their stunning silky coat of fur is only a bonus!
Fun fact: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can swing between being tireless athletes to grade A homebodies depending on their upbringing and lifestyle.
Handsome and wholesome, Boxers are one in a million. Highly loyal, audaciously alert, and perennially playful, these dogs are social butterflies that love being around people. In fact, they’re so amiable that they can even make you doubt your own people skills.
Boxers love children of all ages and can turn out to be their favorite companions in the entire household. They’re active dogs that need a hefty dose of exercise every day and a lot of mental stimulation to stay cheerful. Although very playful and not averse to strangers, Boxers do make decent guard dogs because they’re very protective of their families.
Bred to hunt and herd other animals, Boxers are adaptable and versatile dogs who’re easy to train. Over the years, these athletic dogs have donned many roles: from that of war dogs and guide dogs to lovable household pets.
Fun fact: Did you know that Boxers have a propensity to stand up on their hind legs and swipe punches with their front paws, just like real-life boxing champs do?
Now that you know the friendliest dog breeds, which one do you want to bring home? All we can say is that no matter what your choice, your life will never be the same with a dog in it. Get yourself a four-legged buddy for a friendship of a lifetime today.
A digital marketing expert by profession, Andrews is a gifted writer and animal lover at heart. A self-confessed "pawrent", Andrews is well-versed in all things dogs. He uses his years of experience of raising puppies into show-quality dogs to help guide first-time pet parents. He believes in spreading the joy that comes with being a dog dad and advocates more families to adopt pets.
