17 Most Loving Dog Breeds

What Makes a Dog Breed Loving?

Dogs have a profound impact on our lives. They bring us joy and unconditional love. Some dog breeds are inherently more affectionate than others. They are loyal, loving, affectionate, and love to cuddle. They are also friendly with everyone – strangers, kids, and other pets. These breeds are also eager to please, which makes them easy to train.

Nature vs. Nurture

Dogs come with a delightful array of traits that make them unique companions. No two dogs are alike, even if they are from the same breed. Some breeds, like Golden Retrievers, are known to be inherently more loving and affectionate. However, if a dog were to be raised in an abusive or hostile environment, they may deviate from their breed’s inherent traits. Some may even be aloof, aggressive, anxious, or fearful.

On the other hand, breeds like Pit Bulls, Dobermans, and Boxers have a reputation for being dangerous and aggressive. But that is not always the case. Many of these dogs have been known to play the role of heroic nanny dogs to their humans’ babies.

This goes to show that while genetics and nature play an important role in a dog’s temperament, it is also how you raise a dog that determines how they turn out.

In this guide, we discuss seventeen loving dog breeds that are inherently known to be cuddly and affectionate. They have the traits you can further nurture by providing an environment that enhances their well-being. This will help you solidify the loving bond between you and your pet, irrespective of their breed. 

Remember: training and socialization play an important role when it comes to raising a dog that is the perfect loving addition to your family.

17 Most Loving Dog Breeds

Labrador Retriever

• Size: Medium-to-large 

• Coat type: Short, dense, double, sheds heavily

• Life span: 10-12 years

Labradors have gained a reputation as the world’s favorite dogs for a reason – they are one of the most affectionate dog breeds. They are especially suited for families with young kids and even seniors living alone or experiencing loneliness and feelings of isolation.

Labradors thrive on human companionship and love nothing more than spending time with their humans. They are also easy to train and intelligent, and respond well to positive reinforcement training.

Golden Retriever

• Size: Large 

• Coat type: Thick double coat with heavy shedding twice a year

• Life span: 10-12 years

Golden Retrievers are one of the best large family dogs. They make a beautiful addition to any family, especially those with kids. They are loving, affectionate, versatile, easy-to-train dogs and are also eager to please. Goldens are patient and caring with kids. However, on occasion, they tend to get excited and may knock you down. Worry not; they mean no harm, and their action only reflects the overwhelming happiness they feel on being a part of the family.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

• Size: Small

• Coat type: Silky, smooth, and wavy. They shed moderately.

• Life span: 9-14 years

Cavaliers are one of the cuddly dog breeds, and they thrive on all kinds of company. They are just as happy playing energetically with kids as they are sitting in the lap of an elderly person. No wonder this breed is one of the most popular toy and small dog breeds. 

Cavaliers were bred to be house pets for royal kids in Great Britain, and over the years, they have retained traits like sociability, gentleness, affection, and patience. They love to make friends with everyone, including other dogs they meet at the park. The saying “strangers are only friends I haven’t met yet” applies more to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel than any other breed.

Poodle

• Size: Poodles are available in three sizes – standard, mini, and toy.

• Coat type: Dense, wiry top coat and woolly undercoat. They are low-shedding and usually hypoallergenic.

• Life span: 12-15 years

Playful, alert, and companionable are some adjectives used to describe the Poodle. They are also attentive, responsive, affectionate, and loving. Poodles love to make friends and can be considered one of the sweetest dog breeds. Years of breeding as family companions have made them even-tempered. They are also among the most intelligent dog breeds, and that makes them easy to train. However, you must socialize your Poodle to ensure their best behavior.

Boxer

• Size: Medium-to-large

• Coat type: short and sheds moderately.

• Life span: 10-12 years

Boxers are Velcro dogs as they tend to stick to their loved ones. These loyal protectors thrive on human companionship and love being a part of family activities. Their innate desire for closeness also means that they form strong and close bonds with their humans and other dogs. With children, Boxers display protectiveness, gentleness, and patience. They can also play for hours with kids. However, their protective nature implies that they need plenty of early socialization.

Collie

• Size: Medium-to-large

• Coat type: There are two coat types – rough and smooth-coated. Both shed moderately.

• Life span: 14-16 years

According to the AKC, Collies are famously good with kids and show tolerance and patience while dealing with them. They are generally affectionate towards humans and treat everyone they meet as their best friend. Collies are also good with other dogs, making them one of the well-loved, dog-friendly dog breeds. In addition to being playful, they are intelligent and easy to train.

Newfoundland

• Size: Extra-large

• Coat type: Thick, coarse, and water-resistant double coat. They are year-round shedders with plenty of seasonal shedding.

• Life span: 8-10 years

Newfies, as Newfoundland dogs are affectionately called, are large, loving teddy bear dogs from Newfoundland, Canada. They are protective and patient, and adore children. Newfies are recognized for their sweet nature and gentle, calm temperament. They are affectionate and protective – qualities that make them excellent family pets.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

• Size: Small-to-medium

• Coat type: Short, smooth coat with moderate shedding.

• Life span: 12-14 years

Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or Staffies, as they are fondly called, are full of love and affection and are always ready to play. They love to socialize with people and aren’t reserved with strangers, either. With kids, Staffordshire Bull Terriers make the best mates to be with. It is no surprise that the Staffy is known as the “nanny dog.” They love being with their families and are a fun sight to watch as they follow you, wiggling their behinds! You must teach your Staffy how to be around kids and other pets right from their puppyhood.

Great Dane

• Size: Extra large

• Coat type: Short, smooth coat with moderate shedding.

• Life span: 8-10 years

Did you know that the world’s tallest dog, Zeus, was a Great Dane? When he stood on his hind legs, he easily reached over 7 feet! Don't let their massive sizes fool you; Great Danes are sweet and even-tempered dogs. They are fondly referred to as the gentle giants of the dog world. These quiet, loving dogs enjoy being around their humans and are the happiest when they are by their owners’ sides.

Bichon Frise

• Size: Toy or small

• Coat type: Puffy, silky, wool-like coat. They are low-shedding dogs.

• Life span: 12-15 years

Consider the Bichon Frise if you are looking to buy or adopt one of the most adorable small dog breeds. The AKC describes the Bichon Frise dog as “merry and cheerful.” Well-raised Biсhons are gentle-mannered, sensitive, playful, and affectionate. They love human company and demand attention. Bichon Frises love accompanying their humans everywhere. They are friendly and full of energy, which makes them great companions for kids. Bichons also get along well with other dogs. They easily fit into most family situations and are ready to give you hours of love and attention.

Pug

• Size: Small

• Coat type: Short, smooth, and either single- or double-coated. Double-coated Pugs shed heavily.

• Life span: 12-15 years

Pugs are “people dogs.” They have been bred for centuries to sit on the laps of royalty. They have retained this trait as companion dogs. As they have grown up around people, they fit into any kind of family. They are especially great with kids. Pugs are comical, smart, and playful. Being lovable little cuddle balls is all they are looking for out of their day, and that makes it easy for them to fit into any schedule. Pugs will work hard to make you feel happy, and it is a job they take very seriously.

Shih Tzu

• Size: Small, toy-sized

• Coat type: Soft, fluffy, double-coat. They are hypoallergenic.

• Life span: 10-16 years

If you are looking for a loving, affectionate dog, a Shih Tzu can be a great choice. They are amazing with children and other house pets. They make excellent apartment dogs due to their compact size. Shih Tzus are playful, alert, happy, and companionable. They are also attentive, responsive, loving, and affectionate. 

Maltese

• Size: Toy breed

• Coat type: Silky, pure-white coat

• Life span: 12-15 years

This is another of the most affectionate dog breeds. Maltese make an excellent apartment dog due to their small size. They are perfect for households with kids, as long as the kids are supervised and taught how to behave around this small dog. 

The Maltese is a lapdog, guard dog, and playmate rolled in one. They will be content sitting in your lap for hours. They are intelligent and curious dogs and will always find something to entertain themselves with. Maltese are sweet-tempered, eager-to-please, and do not have an aggressive or mean bone in their body.

Cocker Spaniel

• Size: Medium

• Coat type: Flat, silky coat that sheds heavily once or twice a year.

• Life span: 10-15 years

Cocker spaniels are the perennial favorites among dog breeds. Their personality and temperament can be described as merry, endearing, gentle, playful, trusting, and devoted. Although bred as hunting dogs, they are more of companion dogs today. They hate being left alone and tend to get stressed and anxious. A well-socialized Cocker is excellent with children.

Large Dogs That Love to Cuddle

Bernese Mountain Dog

• Size: Large

• Coat type: Moderately long, double coat with woolly undercoat. They show heavy shedding in season.

• Life span: 7-10 years

The unflappable Bernese Mountain Dog, fondly called BMD, is notably family and child-friendly. They are balanced in personality and temperament. Despite their friendly nature, they take their job as watchdogs and protection dogs very seriously. They love to cuddle and show their affection through physical contact.

Irish Setter

• Size: Large

• Coat type: Silky, long coat. They have moderate to heavy shedding periods.

• Life span: 12-15 years

Irish Setters are fun-loving, beautiful dogs with deep mahogany or chestnut-colored coats. They love companionship, love being with people, and make an excellent addition to households with children. They are snuggle-buddies and have loving, easy-to-train, and stable temperaments.

Saint Bernard

• Size: Large to extra large

• Coat type: They have two coat varieties: smooth and rough. Both types are dense and double-layered. They shed moderately throughout the year, with heavier shedding in season.

• Life span: 8-10 years

St. Bernard dogs are loyal, protective, and easygoing. They love to snuggle with their humans and thrive on social interaction. They have earned the title of nanny dog due to their gentle nature around children. If you want a sweet, loving, large dog that follows you around, this may be the breed for you.

How to Choose the Right Loving Dog Breed for Your Lifestyle

Energy Levels and Space Requirements

The size of your living space is an important factor to consider when selecting a dog. If you live in a small apartment, go for one of the adorable small dog breeds from our list above. High-energy dogs need a lot of room to run and play around in, so apartment dwellers may want to choose accordingly.

Similarly, you need to consider your potential pet’s energy and exercise needs. Dogs with high-energy levels need more exercise. Be sure to choose your dog based on how active you are.

Grooming and Maintenance

Different dog breeds have different grooming needs. For example, some affectionate breeds like Poodles need regular professional grooming. If you don’t have the time to get your pet groomed, opt for a breed like a Boxer, which needs minimal grooming. 

Compatibility with Kids and Other Pets

If you already have pets, you may want to choose one of the cat- and dog-friendly dog breeds like the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever, or the Maltese. Of course, no matter how sweet these dogs inherently are, you will still need to train and socialize them to be with other dogs from a young age. 

Some dog breeds that are best for families include Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Poodles, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Boxers, Pugs, and Irish Setters.

How to Raise a Loving and Affectionate Dog

Socialization and Training Tips

Start socializing and training your dog from the first day they come home from the breeder or rescue shelter. Every dog is unique and has unique needs when it comes to training and socializing. For example, you will have to deal differently with an anxious rescued dog and an aggressive rescued dog. In many cases, it may be helpful to enlist the services of a dog behavior specialist or dog trainer.

On the other hand, puppies are like sponges. They are willing to soak up everything you teach them, especially everything that is taught with love and kindness. So always keep the training positive and teach your little dog the house rules without using harsh methods.

Dogs are social animals, and they want nothing more than to spend time with humans. Deepen your loving bond with your puppy by spending time with them. This could be through scheduled playtime/walks, cuddling, and training. Once your puppy is vaccinated, take them everywhere with you: the mall, the beach, dog parks, etc. Ensure that they also spend time with other dogs. 

The Importance of Positive Reinforcement

You can encourage affectionate behavior in your puppy by using positive reinforcement and rewarding them for good behavior. Praise, treats, and affection are powerful tools for building trust and ensuring that your dog repeats the desired behavior. Avoid punishment and negative training methods, as these can make your dog fearful or even aggressive. Instead, focus on creating a training environment that is supportive and encouraging.

Bond Through Love and Games

Love and attention greatly shape a dog’s personality. So, focus on meeting your dog’s emotional needs - understand their body language and respect their signals. This will make your pet feel secure in your presence. In addition to scheduled walks and playtime, encourage your kids to play fetch or hide-and-seek with your puppy. Invest in a few interactive dog toys or puzzle toys to stimulate your dog’s mind. This will prevent boredom and curb destructive behaviors like barking, digging, chewing, etc. It will also go a long way toward strengthening your bond and helping your puppy love and trust you.

Final Thoughts: Which Loving Dog Breed Is Right for You?

The bond of love and trust between you and your dog is one of the most rewarding aspects of dog ownership. Dogs are not just companions; they can become loyal, loving family members.

There are several dog breeds that are inherently more loving and affectionate. Some noteworthy examples are Labrador retrievers, Golden retrievers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Poodles, Pugs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Boxers.

These breeds make excellent family pets and are usually good with other house pets and kids. However, you must always socialize and train your dog from early on. With consistent positive training, plenty of socialization, and loads of hugs and cuddles, you can build a deeply loving relationship with your pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What dog breed is the most loving but dangerous?

Pit Bulls are incredibly loving and affectionate. However, due to irresponsible ownership, some Pit Bulls have been known to display aggression. Note that aggression is not an inherent characteristic of this beautiful breed.

What is the most loved dog breed?

As per the AKC, in 2024, the French Bulldog was voted as the most popular or most loved dog breed.

Reference List

1. https://www.countrysidevets.net/blog/the-5-most-intelligent-dog-breeds-chosen-by-vets/

2. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/collie/

3. https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/great-dane

4. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/most-popular-dog-breeds-2024/