Choosing the right dog for your family is about more than just looks; it’s about personality. A well-mannered, friendly dog who gets along with everyone, especially children, can make all the difference in a happy home. If you have little ones, it’s especially important to look for breeds known for their gentle, patient, and affectionate nature.
To make your search easier, we’ve put together a list of nine of the best dog breeds around. These pups aren’t just sweet: they’re adaptable, eager to please, and generally easy to live with. With the right match, your new furry friend won’t just fit into your life; they’ll brighten it.
Keep reading to discover each breed’s personality and temperament, and learn how consistent training, love, and attention play a big role in shaping a well-behaved adult dog.
Top Dog Breeds With The Best Temperament
1. Golden Retriever
The first breed on our list is the Golden Retriever, which, without a doubt, is the most wonderful dog that you can adopt. They are characterized by their constant wagging tail, a funky smile on their face, a gentle and playful nature, and a luxurious golden coat.
According to the American Kennel Club, Goldies are serious workers on field while hunting or being guides to the blind and during a search and rescue operation, but when at home with their loved ones, these friendly dogs are total goofballs. They have an outgoing nature, making them eager to please, happy pups who enjoy nothing more than being close to their family and also making new friends.
They are very energetic, which is why you must plan play time for them to stay happy and healthy. They take their puppy energy well into their adulthood and bring a ray of sunshine and paw-sitivity throughout their life.
2. Labrador Retriever
Ranked as one of the most popular dog breeds from the canine world, Labrador retrievers are the traditional waterdogs from Newfoundland and a hunter’s favorite companion. These friendly dogs thrive in active families who love outdoor adventures.
They get along with everyone, even strangers. Labs are especially a great companion for kids of all ages, and they love to have fun play time with them. They are easy to train and since they are food motivated, offering some treats after a successful training session won’t hurt anyone.
Labs are patient, calm, and truly loyal dogs. They like nothing more than spending time with their family. If we talk about their personality, Labs are social butterfly given that they not only get along with their human family but also behave well around other dogs and pets in the vicinity.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A British toy dog breed, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has the ability to attract you towards them with their sweet face and gentle expressions. They give the most heart-melting expressions, and their big, round eyes give the impression as if they’re peeking into your soul deep and understand exactly what you want at that time.
These little dogs are a beautiful breed. They are sweet-natured, affectionate, and eager to please, which gets them a seat in this list of the most friendly dog breeds from the canine world. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have the ability to form strong bonds with their loved ones, and they thrive on human companionship.
Though they are small dogs, they have a lot of energy and are playful, which makes them children’s best friend. These regal and sophisticated dogs are true royalty and are fond of sitting on your warm lap when it’s time to relax. Cavs are well-mannered and the right dog breed for your family.
4. Beagle
A loving, lovable, scent-hound breed, Beagles were originally bred for hunting rabbits and hares. They are happy companion dogs who make the best family pets. Beagles are known for their cheerful, curious, and friendly temperament.
Beagles have an outgoing personality, and they like to be included in family activities happening in the house alongside their human companions. Beagles are great with kids and other dogs in the house because they have a pack mentality.
They too can be labelled as a social butterfly because of their ability to friend every human they come across. These friendly dog breeds tend to show unwanted behaviors when left alone for a long time. This is why they must always be kept with family to prevent them from going bonkers.
5. Poodles
They also go by the name Pudel in German and Caniche in French. Poodles are a water dog breed that are eager, active, athletic, and super intelligent. These canines come in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard.
No matter their size, these dogs have excellent traits that make them the perfect choice for families looking for a puppy with an affectionate temperament. Poodles thrive on human attention, and if they aren’t given enough of it, they may tend to cause a nuisance.
According to Purina, early socialization is recommended for these even-tempered dogs, or they might not get along well with other dogs or pets in the vicinity. They require consistent training and enough exercise every day to stay happy, healthy, and satisfied.
6. Boxer
Deep-chested and well-muscled, Boxers aren’t just upbeat and playful; they are alert and protective, which makes them an ideal choice for a house with younger and older kids. Boxers are well-mannered and stay on their best behavior indoors, but are moderately friendly with their fellow pups.
Boxers include strains of Great Dane and Bulldogs, which makes them an amazing working dog breed. They are excellent watchdogs and, other than being great family pets, Boxers are also well-suited for police roles.
Because they are high-energy dogs, they require proper training and moderate exercise every day to stay happy, satisfied, and well-behaved. They can not be left alone outdoors and must be kept in an enclosed fence so they don’t go after prey or try to escape.
7. Irish Setter
A gundog breed and a family-oriented canine, Irish Setters are known for their grace, swiftness, and flashy red coat. They are well-bred, well-socialized, and well-trained, which makes them sweet, affectionate, and loyal towards their family.
Irish Setter is somewhat a friendly dog breed, but given their history, these guard dogs still alert humans if something isn’t right in their surroundings or if someone is approaching the house. According to PetMD, one of the most endearing traits of these dogs is that they remain playful throughout their life.
Their calm temperament, followed by their happy and energetic personality make them a great dog to be around. These dogs are silly but also sensitive, which is why they require an owner who can understand them well so they can stay happy and satisfied.
8. Australian Shepherd
Active medium-sized dogs originally bred to herd sheep, Australian Shepherds are intelligent, energetic, and have a loyal temperament. Being a high-energy and athletic dog breed, Aussies need a lot of exercise every day.
These canines are not for families who live in a small home; they are much better suited for bigger homes with a fenced yard where they can run, play, and focus on spending time with their owners. They may be a working dog breed at heart, but are very sociable and love meeting new humans.
They make a loving family pet dog, but require an experienced owner to handle and take care of them. Aussies are really high-energy dogs and require a good amount of exercise daily to wear them out. Not enough time outdoors can make them show unwanted behaviors.
9. Bernese Mountain Dog
Strikingly beautiful and blessed with a sweet and affectionate heart, Bernese mountain dogs are true gentle giants. These loyal dogs were originally bred to pull carts and protect sheep from predators and ensure they reached their destination safely.
They are a friendly dog breed and may be large in size, but they still have the perfect personality to be around kids. They are companion breeds and do not like to be left alone for long hours. They are naturally friendly but only with their own family. They may act wary among strangers or other pets in the vicinity.
They may be large, but they are fairly low-energy dogs. It is recommended to take them out for play and recreation at cooler times, as they may have a chance of stroke in hot weather. Keep them cool and provide them with a supply of fresh water at all times to ensure optimal health.
Conclusion
Most people find it hard choosing the right dog breed to bring home that gets along well with everyone in the house or even tolerates other pets in the vicinity. But these dogs really do make a difference. The canines mentioned above are friendly dog breeds with a calm temperament and have the ability to form strong bonds with their owners.
These friendly dogs are the best thing for sure, but they do require proper training and socialization to shape their behavior and ensure they remain well-behaved dogs. So, what are you waiting for? Choose your friendly dog breed today that seamlessly blend sin with your lifestyle.
