Dogs are said to be human’s best friend. Their friendly, extremely loyal nature and their ability to love their owner unconditionally make them top pets. However, owning a dog can be challenging because every dog breed has a unique personality and behavior.
Yet, not every dog is the same. Some are aggressive, while some are the friendliest. Here are the 11 best-behaved dog breeds that you would love to have as your pet. Health, personality, and overall popularity are all the factors to consider if you want to be a dog owner in the near future, so you can have all the love you want from your fur baby.
1. Beagle
Tiny in their figure, with a gentle and fun-loving personality, Beagles were bred to be hunting dogs. They have an extremely strong sense of smell, making them the top choice in dog breed for hunters. And you’ll often see them as playing detective dogs in searching for contraband at U.S. borders.
These small dogs have long been a favorite of American households due to their energetic and loyal personality. They appear as small to mid-sized hound breed. Their bodies might appear small, but they are packed with power. Beagles have big brown eyes and big, floppy ears.
The Beagle dog breed has long been a family favorite. They are friendly, playful, and have an even temperament. Their intelligence makes them the best choice for law enforcement at airports to catch bags for goods that are not allowed.
However, Beagles are loud dogs. A Beagle can become easily lonely or bored, so you should not leave them alone for long, and when they become lonely, they howl non-stop.
A Beagle can be trained, but it will take a lot of time and patience, and frequent positive reinforcement training sessions. Make sure you have enough rewards on hand because what takes some breeds 20 minutes to learn will take a Beagle two weeks.
2. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever, a beautiful and energetic Scottish gundog, is one of the most popular breeds in America. Because of the dense golden fur coat on their powerful muscular bodies, they are known as Golden Retrievers. The breed has short ears, a large head, gorgeous, intelligent eyes, and a straight snout.
They make the best companion dogs. Goldens are extremely sweet and friendly around children. They’d rather sleep at your feet than run around in the streets without you. A healthy Golden Retriever weighs around 55-75 pounds with an average height of 21.5-24 inches. Goldens are a huge breed with a life expectancy of 10-12 years and ranked the third number in popularity by the American Kennel Club.
They live true to their name since they enjoy recovering everything thrown their way. As a result, they make ideal hunting companions and service dogs. In addition, they enjoy eating, running, spending time with their owners, and even competing in obedience and agility.
What makes a Golden Retriever special is that they make a perfect family dog. Because of a Golden Retriever’s loyalty, intelligence, and steady demeanor, Golden Retrievers make ideal support dogs. They were also created to retrieve ducks and other fowl for hunters, so if you enjoy fetching games, this is the dog for you.
3. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed in Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the United States. They are the most obedient and have even temperaments around children and other dogs.
Labrador Retrievers are intelligent and frequently selected as guide and service dogs for the blind and autistic. This breed’s warm and friendly behavior has ranked them America’s number one breed in American Kennel Club. Labrador Retrievers have demonstrated their usefulness and versatility throughout the breed’s history, effortlessly transitioning from fisherman’s companion to field retriever, show dog, and modern working dog. One role has remained constant throughout that of a fantastic companion and friend.
Labrador Retrievers were developed to work in physically demanding environments and have the strong energy of being a working breed. In addition, the Labrador Retriever is a great therapy dog. They must exercise for at least 30 to 60 minutes per day. They can release their pent-up energy in harmful ways, such as barking and chewing, if they don’t get the activity they require.
Male Labrador Retrievers stand 22.5 to 24.5 inches tall and weighs 65 to 80 pounds, while female Labrador Retrievers stand 21.5 to 23.5 inches tall and weigh 55 to 70 pounds.
Labrador Retrievers are typically healthy. However, they are susceptible to some health issues, as are all breeds. Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, canine cataracts, and Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia are some examples. It is not necessary that all Labradors would get these diseases, but you should always keep an eye on your dog.
4. German Shepherd
The German Shepherd dog is America’s one of the most popular dog breeds. They’re intelligent and good working dogs. Even when they don’t appear to be, these dogs are extremely smart and always aware of their environment.
Alsatian is another name for the breed. Despite their purebred status, German Shepherds can be found at shelters and breed-specific rescues. So, keep in mind to adopt. German Shepherd males are 24 to 26 inches tall, while females are 22 to 24 inches tall. Weight varies between 75 and 95 pounds.
The dog has even been regarded as a national hero. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the German Shepherd was the search and rescue dog sniffing through what was left of the World Trade Center, looking for survivors and soothing families and rescue personnel.
This clever and trainable dog breed thrives on being given a task to complete. From alerting a deaf individual to a doorbell ring to sniffing out an avalanche victim, the German Shepherd can be trained to perform practically anything. However, they’re not good when left alone.
It is not recommended that German Shepherd be left alone for more than 8 hours every day. They are quickly bored, and if left alone for lengthy periods, they may engage in disruptive or troublesome activities such as digging, chewing, or barking.
When the dog initially comes to your house, it’s a good idea to crate train him. During the transition stage, this establishes limits for the dog and aids in learning “house rules.” It is easier to house train pups by utilizing a crate. When you crate train your dog, they learn that the cage is their haven. The crate creates a den-like environment for the dog, which is soothing. Another advantage of crate training is that the dog will be less stressed when you take him to a boarding facility or the vet because he is used to staying in a cage or crate. It is advised not to use the crate as a form of punishment.
5. Belgian Malinois
A medium to large-sized dog, the Belgian Malinois is a herding breed with a short fur coat, and is a Belgian native with a well-balanced build. They have a lifespan of 14-16 years. A healthy Belgian Malinois weighs around 40 to 60 pounds (females) and 60 to 80 pounds (males). Their ideal height appears to be 22 to 24 inches (female) and 24 to 26 inches (male).
A Belgian Malinois needs daily exercise and mental engagement to thrive. It may grow worried or have behavior problems if this does not happen. Therefore, aim for one to two hours of activity per day, including brisk walks, running, trekking, or fetching. This breed is also a great choice for dog sports or any activity that requires focus and endurance to challenge it intellectually and physically.
It is important to note that the Belgian Malinois’ herding propensity may cause them to chase automobiles, bikes, and other moving items. As a result, it must be kept on a leash or in a fenced-in area. This breed is often easy to train, intelligent, and eager to please. Positive reinforcement and regular training work well with it. Although Belgian Malinois might not always get along with other dogs, favorable early introduction to other dogs can assist.
This breed is also not usually suitable for households with children. Its strong herding instinct may cause it to try to nip at the heels of children. So even if you don’t have children, it’s crucial to teach your dog how to behave around them.
6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel bears his ties to British history. According to the American Kennel Club, cavaliers are the best of all worlds, combining the delicate devotion of a toy breed with the vigor and agility of a sporting Spaniel. The breed’s hallmark of appearance is his large, round eyes and the silky, dense coat, same as the English Toy Spaniel.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not grow more than 13-inches in height, so it is relatively a small dog. However, the size makes him the perfect cute puppy to live in your apartment.
They make good therapy dogs because of their lovely demeanor. The Cavalier is a sweet, friendly, and affectionate breed that loves to please its owner. They get along well with strangers and other pets, and they are excellent with youngsters. Cavaliers are intelligent and easy to teach, and they thrive in various canine activities such as manners, chase, and agility.
7. Bull Terrier
The Bull Terrier is a powerful dog bred for its tragic historical role. Contrary to common opinion, the Bull Terrier isn’t at the top of the list of canines that are most likely to bite. Toy breeds, Collies, and Spaniels are the top dogs in this category.
These sweet pups end up with people that reinforce the stigma. In this case, this dog is muscular, independent, and hyperactive, and it works against him. When they are puppies, these dogs can be rather rowdy, but as they grow older, they tend to calm down, so you rarely have any severe behavioral difficulties with an adult Bull Terrier.
It has a short coat, a tapering tail, erect ears, small triangular, profound eyes, and an anchovy or convex skull. It stands between 21 and 22 inches (53 and 56 cm) tall and weighs between 50 and 60 pounds (23 to 27 kg). Another breed of bull terrier, a small dog, is a distinct breed with a height of 10 to 14 inches (25 to 35 cm) and 24 to 33 pounds (11 to 15 kg).
Additionally, the Bull Terrier is affectionate with family and good with other pets too.
8. Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are energetic canines who enjoy playing. Because their tails are always wagging, they’re known as ‘happy’ dogs. Cocker Spaniels have become beloved house pets despite their origins as gun dogs.
They are medium-bodied dogs that stand 38-41cm tall and weigh 13-14.5kg on average. They have an estimated life span of more than ten years.
Cocker Spaniels get along well with youngsters because of their patient temperament, which is why many families pick the breed. Always supervise your Cocker Spaniel around youngsters and vulnerable adults to avoid any incidents. Because they are little dogs, they can be exuberant, so make playtime with kids as calm as possible and know when to intervene if they become overly eager.
Cocker Spaniels are naturally sociable, so if they’ve been well-socialized from an early age, they’ll get along perfectly with other dogs and even like spending time with them.
While Cocker Spaniels are quite intelligent, they adore people. You can’t expect a Cocker Spaniel to be a guard dog! Additionally, the Cocker Spaniel comes in different coat colors and patterns to please just about any dog lover. They are energetic dogs who will love extra playtime. It’s a people-pleasing breed, hence they can be trained easily as compared to other dog breeds. They can easily be encouraged by food rewards.
9. Border Collie
The Border Collie is known for being intelligent, lively, acrobatic, and an athletic dog breed. Some consider the Border Collie to be the smartest dog breed. They are the best sheepherding dog in the world because of their ability to force his will on sheep, but beware: he’ll want to impose his will on you as well.
A good Border Collie may be a lifelong friend, but only if he’s matched with a smart owner who can keep him occupied with dog sports such as agility, flyball, flying disc games, herding trials, obedience, and tracking, or who might train him to help around the house or farm. If you want the skilled Border Collie you’ve seen on the big screen, be aware that keeping him occupied to his satisfaction takes a lot of time and work.
Border Collies are alert watchdogs who can bark, so help yours develop appropriate growling behavior when they’re young, so it doesn’t become an annoyance later. Border Collies are known for being herding dogs, yet one holds the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Car Window Opened by a Dog. Striker, a Border Collie from Hungary, took 11.34 seconds to open the non-electric window. Impressive!
Additionally, this dog breed makes excellent rescue and search dogs. They were originally bred to herd sheep but are now loved by many people all around the world.
10. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog (also known as the Frenchie) is a robust, small dog breed with a big head, short nose, and bat-like ears that emerged from France. This breed is energetic, affectionate, and playful. The French Bulldog is a petite, distant relative of the English Bulldog; while the two breeds share some traits, each has its own personality.
French Bulldog has an average height of 11 to 13 inches and weighs about 19 to 28 pounds. They have a short and smooth fur coat, and a life span of 10 to 12 years.
French bulldogs are friendly, family-oriented canines who thrive when they spend as much time as possible with their owners. Be mindful that your Frenchie will desire your attention and struggle if left alone for long periods each day. This is a fun-loving dog breed that enjoys being in the company of its owners and youngsters.
11. Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is a historic sighthound canine breed from Ireland that has inspired literature, poetry, and mythology due to its presence and size. Let’s have a look at a breed snapshot: they have a life expectancy of 6 to 8 years. Their body is of extra-large proportions. They come in many coat colors such as gray, brindle, red, black, white, and fawn.
Irish Wolfhounds require spacious houses with plenty of space because they are prone to bumping into and breaking anything delicate. They’re excellent for families with older children and pet parents who appreciate the difficulties of owning a huge dog.
Irish Wolfhounds have the same size heart as the rest of the pack. They have a polite, aristocratic, sympathetic, and laid-back demeanor. Despite their ability to run at high speeds, most of their behaviors about the house are in slow motion, and they are not likely to respond quickly to commands. They’ll notice you eventually, but in their own mood.
