Dog may be man’s best friend, but some dog breeds are friendlier than others. To find out which breeds are generally more sociable and
affable, we scoured our dog breed profiles for those that tend to be affectionate, love people, get along with kids and other pets, and are friendly to
strangers. Of course, it’s important to remember that dogs are individuals,
so you can’t assume that every Labrador Retriever or Pug you come across will be besties with everyone he meets.
Check out our photo gallery below to find out which dog breeds made our list.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers tend to love everyone. Everyone. If a burglar breaks into your
home, she’ll probably greet him like she’s known him forever and give him a
tour of your house. If you’re out on a walk, she’ll likely want to say hi to all the
humans — and dogs — you pass. Of course, a Golden can sometimes be a little too friendly. Make sure you train and
socialize her from an early age so she isn’t too rambunctious.
Pug
Pugs are a true delight and can charm the socks off anyone.
It’s hard to resist the Pug's wrinkled face, huge eyes and curly tail, especially when they are combined with
his winning personality. No wonder everyone wants to be his friend! But don’t
fall too hard for the breed’s charms: Pugs can be especially good at convincing
humans to give them lots of treats.
Greyhound
Sometimes you want a friend who will chill on the couch all
day and watch reruns of reality shows without complaint. The Greyhound can be that
kind of friend. Generally calm, quiet and affectionate, this 40-mile-per-hour couch
potato can be content to snuggle with his favorite human after just a 20-minute walk.
Poodle
It’s time to get past the Poodle’s prissy reputation: This
breed is anything but uptight. Known for her intelligence and sense of humor,
the Poodle typically loves to be the center of attention and just wants to be your
friend.
Labrador Retriever
There’s a reason the Labrador Retriever consistently lands
the top spot as the AKC’s most popular dog breed: He tends to be outgoing,
family friendly and versatile. Labs usually get along with just about everyone
(especially if there’s a tennis ball involved) and are generally not aggressive
toward people or other animals.
Bearded Collie
Expect to be greeted with a bounce and lots of kisses when
you meet a Beardie. The generally affectionate and lively breed tends to get along with people and be
friendly toward older kids and other pets. Beardies can be total clowns and should
not be shy or aggressive.
Havanese
Typically clownish, funny and smart, the Havanese makes a great best buddy. When he’s not trying to make you laugh with his
silly antics and tricks, he’s dreaming up his own games to play with you. He tends to enjoy spending time with humans and may not mind children, cats and other dogs.
One downside to his gregarious nature is that he hates to be alone and will do
anything for attention.
Bulldog
It’s a good thing Bulldogs are so laid-back and loving, because
their adorable wrinkled faces and signature bow-legged gait tend to attract a
lot of attention. They can be a great fit for families who want a relaxed and
good-natured dog who may be able to tolerate kids and other pets.
Keeshond
Keeshonden (that’s plural for Keeshond) tend to stick to their
humans like Velcro. The often affectionate and social breed typically revels in attention and,
despite his excellent watchdog abilities, tends to get along with strangers.
That being said, the Keeshond is a barker. Without proper training, his
noisiness can be a nuisance.
Boston Terrier
Typically friendly and easygoing, the Boston Terrier can be just as happy
snuggling on the couch as playing in the yard — as long as he’s spending
time with his family. He may just be the best kind of friend you can have: He’ll often do just about anything you want to do, he tends to get along with pretty much everyone, and he can have a
great sense of humor. Plus, he looks like a million bucks in his tuxedoed coat.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Whether you’re a proud owner of (or total stranger to) a Soft
Coated Wheaten Terrier, you’ll most likely be welcomed with the breed’s signature "hello" — the so-called Wheaten greeting. That means you’ll get a lot of bounces and
twirls from your canine admirer. The breed’s exuberant nature is probably not well
suited for families with small children, but with early and consistent
training, you can curb her boisterous behaviors before they become a problem.
Beagle
Generally outgoing and personable, the Beagle loves to be part of a
pack. His small size and usually happy disposition can make him great for families
with children as well as active older couples. But remember: The key to the Beagle’s heart is his nose and stomach. The breed has a keen sense of smell and loves
to eat, which can get him into trouble.
Saint Bernard
A faithful giant breed from the Swiss Alps, the
Saint Bernard is generally a sweet and gentle dog who tends to get along with cats and other dogs and can be a great choice for families with older kids. Just be
prepared when he comes in for a kiss — it’s going to be very
slobbery.
