Have you ever seen a cute puppy walk by and felt an urge to give it a little pat on its head? Not all dogs are okay with their privacy being invaded by strangers. While a lot of it depends on socialization training, certain dog breeds are more amiable and love the attention of humans.
All dogs should be socialized properly, no matter what breed they are, and starting them young steals the deal in making them amiable. That being said, even the sweet-natured and friendly breeds can have their moments if their needs aren’t being met or if they’re bored.
For now, let us introduce you to 9 loving puppy breeds that love to be social.
9 Puppy Dog Breeds that are Social Butterflies
1. Labrador Retriever
Let’s start with the Legend! Labrador Retrievers are known as one of the friendliest dogs and make great pets for both families and individual owners. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), they’re one of America’s most popular dog breeds and have an outgoing nature.
The presence of these big, sturdy dogs (21.5-24.5 inches and 55-80 pounds) becomes joyful due to their ability to get along with everyone. Labs were bred as retrieving dogs for hunters and have adapted to different roles like therapy and police dogs.
What makes them special?
Your Labrador Retriever was built to stay active and will never say no to a gaming session outdoors. Especially, when it comes to going out with your friends for some water-based fun, Labs, historically the helpers of fishermen, are great for such activity.
2. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a friendly dog breed with a beautiful coat and a smile that can melt hearts. Goldens are very easy to train retriever dogs that can get along well with humans after early socialization training.
Medium in size (21.5-24 inches and 55-75 pounds), Golden Retrievers have a beautiful, balanced look with their deep chests, short ears, and big heads. If you go out and interact with a lot of people, Goldens are amazing outdoor buddies as they’re sociable in nature.
What makes them special?
They’re not just energetic dogs; they’re also happy to sit indoors with you and chill. They’re also great pups for families with kids; they happily share their affection with the little humans as playful dogs.
3. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are, as the name suggests, canines from the Terrier group, which is known for high energy levels and feisty nature. Bostons are an affectionate breed and generally make great family pets for active dog owners.
In 1891, the Boston Terrier Club of America was founded, and the American Kennel Club recognized these pups in 1893.
Their happy faces reflect their bright nature, and they happily follow their owners around the house. No more than 25 pounds in weight, they make great apartment dogs. If you often have friends around, this joyful pup won’t give you a tough time, as long as it’s also getting some attention.
What makes them special?
Boston Terriers might be small, but they’re quite sporty. They make exceptional urban dogs and are happy to take a trot outdoors with you by the cafe or in a park.
4. Poodle
Poodles are loving and fun pets in all their sizes, whether it’s Standard, Miniature, or Toy. They are people-oriented dogs with a personality, and can be taught obedience, agility, and tricks easily.
Poodles are very affectionate dogs that can happily socialize with your friends and even other dogs. They’re intelligent dogs with an extremely loving temperament that makes them great to take along on family events or picnics.
What makes them special?
Poodles make amazing pets for people with allergies due to their hypoallergenic coats. They come in thick, curly, and soft coats in colors like white, silver, brown, and red. They do need consistent care due to their coat’s tendency to form mats.
5. Beagle
Beagles have those bright “knowing” eyes and droopy ears that make us fall in love. Their love for socialization is without any bounds, as they make one of the most cheerful pets.
WebMD mentions two types of Beagle sizes: Show-eligible small Beagles (under 13 inches) and show-eligible large Beagles (above 13 but up to 15 inches).
Beagles have been used as scent hounds and have worked with humans as hunting dogs for ages. They can be trained to enjoy human company and even get along with other animals in the house. They do have a prey drive, so training when they’re puppies is important.
What makes them special?
As scent hounds, Beagles have a very talented nose, which they love to follow. They’re amazing for dog sports involving the sense of smell.
6. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgis make delightful little house pets with their gentle demeanor. They’re one of the most popular herding dog breeds and will happily socialize with your group of friends or family members.
These little dogs have low-slung bodies and perky ears that make them look too cute. They can be 10-12 inches tall at the shoulder, and weigh between 27-30 pounds. Due to their talents for herding cattle, they’re not intimidated easily, but tend to be watchful dogs.
What makes them special?
Corgis are vocal dogs and use their barks to not only communicate their emotions, but also to alert their pet parents. They might also bark when they’re feeling lonely, so make them feel included in your life.
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are attractive dogs with their different colored coats and tan markings. They’re known for their gentle personality and get along well with adults, children, and other pets.
Spaniels are adaptable dogs and will consider you as their friend in no time. They’re up to 13 inches in height and weigh between 13-18 pounds. They make amazing apartment buddies, but also enjoy outdoor walks; they’re all about adopting your lifestyle.
These athletic dogs have a low tolerance for heat and humidity.
What makes them special?
This breed was named after royalty; the King of England, King Charles II (during the 17th century). They’re also the smallest Spaniels.
8. Pug
Pugs are smiley and affectionate little doggos with giant personalities. They come with a clownish nature and love spending time with their humans; Pugs get along with strangers pretty well.
Pugs live for their owners’ attention; ignoring them will make them sad and cranky. They’re one of the oldest dog breeds and have provided humans with their loving company throughout their history. Pugs can grow up to 10-13 inches in height and 14-18 pounds in weight.
They have hung out with Tibetan Buddhist monks in their monasteries and have been the lapdogs of Chinese royals. In all their roles, getting along with humans has been their job description.
What makes them special?
Pugs’ wrinkly faces are a result of having been bred on purpose to have them by Chinese breeders. The idea was to form the Chinese character for the word “prince” (王).
9. Irish Setter
Irish Setters are strikingly pretty canines with outgoing personalities. They were bred to work closely with hunters and “set” game for them by crouching low near the targets (birds).
Irish Setters are known for their comical temperaments and are famous loyal dogs. They’d love to hang out with adults and enjoy play sessions with kids; playing fetch is their favorite. They can be up to 27 inches in height and may weigh up to 70 pounds.
What makes them special?
It’s hard to overlook their silky, glossy red or mahogany coats that save them from environmental elements. Regular grooming, like brushing and bathing, helps them maintain their luxurious look.
Conclusion
While these dog breeds possess an amiable nature and love to socialize with people and other pets, it’s important to provide each of them with obedience training when they’re puppies. Also, make sure to respect your dog’s temperament and give them proper personal space.
The above list of dogs presents a large variety of friendly dog breeds. If you’re looking for a friendly dog who can be your companion 24/7, feel free to choose one from the above-mentioned affectionate dogs who can love their owner.
