When we talk about friendly dogs, we consider how friendly they are to adults, to other dogs and to children. Some breeds are very standoffish to strangers but affectionate towards their families. Here are some of the nicest dog breeds that will bring nothing but smiles and laughter to your home with their playful antics and loving personalities. We have included small and large dog breeds so you can find one that suits you and the size of your home. If you live in a small apartment, large dogs might be hard to manage as they have excess energy and need to run around. However, if you live in a rural area, small dogs can be prey to birds and coyotes. Be sure to do your research before taking home your newest family member.
Labrador Retriever
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This medium-sized dog is often used as a therapy dog because of their happy disposition and loyalty. They are easy to train but need quite a bit of exercise because their puppyhood lasts a few years. They are medium to large sized dogs didn’t get the AKC rating of 1st most popular dog breed by chance. These dogs are great for families and love to be a part of everything. They will always put their paw on your lap or their head in your lap and would love to sleep in the bed with you. They may think they are a lap dog and their mission is to stay as close to you as possible.
Golden Retriever
This is a longhaired version of the labrador and slightly bigger. It was used as a hunting dog and is therefore very loyal to it’s owners and easily trained. This is not an aggressive breed by any means. They usually weigh 55 to 75 pounds and live 10 to 12 years. This dog will need regular exercise and is easy to train. They are one of the friendliest dog breeds and just make sure you keep a dog brush handy because they do shed quite a bit.
English Bulldog
This snorting dog breed has the look that only a mother could love but they tend to melt the hearts of everyone around. Surprisingly they are disinterested in most other dogs and really just like to get attention and give affection to humans. They are stocky and will tire out after a few minutes of exercise. They usually weigh about 50 pounds and are good with children. They can get protective of bones, treats and toys and bite but for the most part they are very friendly.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This breed from the UK is the ultimate loving breed. Their soft coat makes them easy to cuddle with and their smaller size also doesn’t take up too much room on the bed. He is actually considered a toy breed and loves to run and be active. This makes a great apartment dog and is one of the more easier dog breeds to train. This is one that is recommended for first time dog owners. This is an intelligent breed and while they are not considered hypoallergenic, they are in the non-shedding category.
Pug
This muscular little breed is known for it’s squished face and snorting sounds. It is a lover of all and not intimidating in the least. This is a laid back breed usually about 10 inches tall and only about 14-18 pounds. In order to keep this breed healthy, they need regular exercise. Keep in mind they sometimes can be stubborn but with training, they make an incredible pet.
Bernese Mountain Dog
This breed is one with a short lifespan but still one of the most loved dog breeds. If you look past how much they shed, this loyal breed will shower you with affection and brighten your day. This dog comes from the Swiss Alps and is a work dog. They are friendly with other dogs as well as children and do need a considerable amount of exercise.
Beagle
All hounds have a streak of stubbornness but the beagle is known to be a happy breed and with proper training, a great pet. Because they are a scenthound, they want to sniff everything and that leads them. Traditionally, they used their wiffer to find small animals to help hunters. They are good with kids and don’t tend to bark a lot. They usually live 10-15 years and weigh in at around 18-30 pounds. They are known for the interesting sounds they make which are like a baying howl.
Bijon Frise
This is a small dog breed that is known to be friendly to strangers and well suited for apartment living. They do require a good bit of grooming. They are very playful and affectionate and live to be 10-15 years old on average. This puffball only weighs in at 7 to 12 pounds and their specific color is white with black eyes and black noses. The only thing that can put this dog in a bad mood is being left alone for long periods of time.
Boxer
This dog is known to be good with kids and earned it’s name from using it’s paws for everything. They can get along well with cats but it’s recommended not to leave them alone with small family pets. This energetic breed is muscular and short haired so shedding isn’t an issue. They are usually 50-70 pounds and need regular exercise.
Saint Bernard
This hairy drooling dog is docile and friendly. They are loving to their family but not always with strangers and other dogs. They usually live about 8-12 years old and weigh a whopping 120 to 180 pounds. They are remarkably loyal as they were bred to rescue lost hikers in the snowy Alps.
Many pet owners start out based on how cute a puppy is without considering the temperament of the breed. Truthfully many people aren’t even aware that certain breeds naturally have a more positive disposition. If you want to make your life easier and always have a loving companion to come home to, choose one of these sweet hearted breeds. Many of these dogs are used for therapy as well as for service because they are known to be so loyal and have such positive effects on the well being of humans. They are called man’s best friend for a reason.
