Members of the canine kingdom rely on associative memory; they remember their owners, places, and experiences based on associations. Dogs tend to cling to their owners with unwavering loyalty, recognize familiar voices, and identify scents like no time has passed.
A dog’s nose has up to 300 million olfactory receptors. They can smell things better than humans. So, they greatly depend on their keen noses to remember and recall their humans.
Whether you’re gone for a day or a year, your furry friend will not forget you. They will always greet you with wagging tails, longing for your attention.
Do you know? You can train your dog to recognize your clothes. If you give them a t-shirt, they will sniff it and search for the same scent elsewhere.
Let’s see how these 7 dog breeds never forget their favorite hooman.
Dog Breeds That Never Forget Who They Love
1. Labrador Retriever
One of the most loyal dog breeds, Labrador Retrievers were developed in Newfoundland, where they assisted fishermen and helped in retrieving ducks. These pawsome mutts become best friends with their humans, and the bond remains unbreakable, even after being separated.
A Labrador named Daisy has been known to remember their old owner after being lost for seven years, as reported by the BBC. Even after the owner dies, Labrador Retrievers will remember them and wait for them by their grave. This unconditional love makes Labs prized among dog lovers.
If you are bringing a Labrador home, expect them to follow you everywhere, including the bathroom. There is only one thing Labs need, and that is companionship. And you know what’s the best part? They do not want anything in return.
2. Golden Retriever
Praised for their friendliness and striking gold-colored coat, Golden Retrievers are fiercely loyal fellas. The furtastic pups have an innate desire to please their owners and bond firmly with them. Goldens are devoted, caring, and gentle doggos.
Golden Retrievers are incredibly family-oriented and friendly with kids. Newsweek reports that two families helped their Goldens, named Jet and Finnley, accidentally meet up in a dog park. Both dogs were littermates around 7 months ago, and there could be nothing sweeter than the reunion witnessed.
The dogs were able to recognize each other because of their incredible sense of smell. Goldens are quite outgoing and confident by nature.
Research shows that puppies who spend 4 months with their canine family can recognize their mother’s scent for at least two years without even seeing them.
3. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are fiercely loyal dogs; these mutts make great family pets. The best description for a GSD is these three adjectives: smart, energetic, and loving. GSDs are the staunch companions who will stay right by your side forever.
GSDs were bred to herd livestock, follow their owner’s commands, and work with dedication. The same dedication is rooted deep in their genes and enables them to connect deeply with their owners. Their observant nature, protective instincts, and lack of trust for strangers make them outclass guard dogs.
At Parenting Isn’t Easy, one GSD owner explains how their pawsome mutt, Baron, has taken the responsibility of a bedtime guardian for their four-year-old toddler. Before bedtime, they both say their prayers together.
Then Baron snuggles Alexander to make sure he is warm, kisses him goodnight, and takes up the duty to turn off the lights. Can you imagine such a loving fellow forgetting his humans?
4. Beagle
The next most loyal dog breed on our list is a Beagle. These howlarious pooches are quite friendly and sociable. Beagles adore their packs and are devoted to their hoomans. The famously sweet-natured pups get along nicely with kids.
Their eager-to-please nature and easy trainability make them valuable for many pet parents. Being hound dogs, they are capable of sniffing out everything and anything. Their incredible noses allow them to recognize their owners.
With over a hundred million sensory receptor sites in the nasal cavity, Beagles possess the brainpower to recognize and remember scents. So, don’t be surprised if you meet your Beagle after several years and they recognize you as if you met them yesterday.
5. Newfoundland
Imagine a dog looking like a big teddy bear, that’s a Newfie! These furtastic fellows were originally bred to assist fishermen, which means unwavering loyalty and eagerness to please their owners are deeply ingrained in their DNA.
Despite their gigantic and sometimes clumsy build, Newfies are serene, loving, and calm. These big, fluffy dogs are not aggressive, but can scare away predators and potential intruders with their presence.
The unique connection between a Newfie and its handler is based on trust and mutual understanding. A bond strengthened by traits like devotion and love is unbreakable. So how can you expect your Newfie to forget you?
Newfies have been serving as water rescue dogs for several decades. PDSA reports that a Newfoundland dog saved nine people from drowning during a ten-year rescue career.
6. Collie
Known by different names such as Scottish Collie and Scottish Sheepdog, Collies are the great family pets. These affectionate mutts have a strong affinity for kids and are gentle with other pets. Orvis explains that Collies are very protective of their owners and are highly attuned to them.
Collies are so firmly bonded with their handlers that they cannot tolerate being alone. They are likely to exhibit behaviors like excessive barking or develop destructive habits if neglected for too long. Scottish Collies recognize and remember their loved ones through a combination of scent and sight.
They are sensitive to human emotions and have a strong desire to please their people. If its owner is sad, a Collie will be there to make them feel better. Due to these traits, Collies make great service and therapy dogs.
7. Dachshund
Dachshunds are the special pooches with big eyes, short legs, elongated bodies, and waddling tails. These bold and feisty canines will love you deeply. They are very loyal and tend to bond strongly with one individual.
In a Quora thread, a person named Austin answered the question “How long does it take for a dog to completely forget about its owner?” with the story of his Dachshund. He narrated that he owned a Dachshund puppy named “Fudd” in his childhood.
Fudd had developed a deep connection with him, but was sold to a couple by his father. Seven or eight years later, the husband died, and the pup came back to live at Austin’s home. He says, Fudd greeted him as if he had been looking for him the entire time they were separated.
Conclusion
All dogs are known for loyalty and affection, but some take love for their handlers to an entirely different level. They memorize their owners’ scent and recognize them years after being separated. Even after adjusting well in their new family, they do not forget their previous pet parents.
From the friendly Labradors to intelligent Collies and the big, fluffy Newfoundland dogs, several breeds make devoted and loyal family pets. Are you planning to adopt a loving furry friend? Make sure you give back as much love as you get from them.
