Some dogs are naturally gentle and obedient, making them perfect companions for families, first-time owners, and those looking for a low-maintenance pet. Naturally, submissive dogs tend to be eager to please, quick to follow commands, and less likely to challenge authority. Their calm temperament makes training a breeze, and they often get along well with children, other pets, and even strangers.
If you’re searching for a well-mannered and affectionate furry friend, understanding submissive dog traits can help you find the perfect match. These dogs thrive on positive reinforcement and bond deeply with their owners, creating a loyal and loving relationship. Whether you want a laid-back lap dog or an easygoing adventure buddy, naturally submissive breeds make fantastic companions.
Let’s explore some of the most submissive breeds, highlighting their personalities, training ease, and why they could be the ideal addition to your home.
Naturally Submissive Dog Breeds
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is known for their affectionate and gentle nature. These small dogs thrive on human companionship. They are eager to please their owners, making them easy to train and highly obedient. Their soft temperament and friendly personality make them ideal for families, seniors, and first-time dog owners.
These dogs naturally seek guidance from their owners and rarely show dominance. They are highly adaptable and quickly adjust to different living environments, whether in an apartment or a large home.
Their cooperative nature allows them to get along well with children, other pets, and even strangers. Cavaliers prefer to follow rather than lead, making them easy to manage.
Training a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a smooth experience. They respond well to positive reinforcement and quickly learn commands. Their submissive nature means they rarely challenge authority and enjoy pleasing their owners. This makes them excellent candidates for obedience training, therapy work, and social settings.
As noted by the AKC, Cavaliers are friendly lap dogs that love human attention. They thrive on close interactions and often follow their owners from room to room. They are sensitive and rarely exhibit stubbornness.
Their submissive nature also makes them less prone to territorial behaviors. Cavaliers are friendly and welcoming. They prefer socializing over guarding and enjoy meeting new people. Their calm and trusting personalities make them one of the most loving and well-mannered companions.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is perfect for those seeking an obedient, gentle, and easy-to-care-for companion. Their willingness to follow and love unconditionally makes them one of the best naturally submissive breeds.
2. Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is highly affectionate and eager to please. These traits make them easy to train and well-suited for families, first-time owners, and those looking for a dependable companion.
Originally bred as a hunting dog, Labradors have a deep-rooted instinct to follow commands and work closely with their owners. They are quick learners who respond well to structure and guidance. They prefer to be part of a team and rely on human direction. Their willingness to listen and adapt makes training effortless, even for novice owners.
Labradors are also known for their ability to get along with other dogs. Their friendly and outgoing nature ensures they rarely show dominance or aggression. They are naturally social and enjoy playing, making them great companions for multi-pet households. Their cooperative attitude allows them to integrate easily into various living environments, whether in a home with children, seniors, or other animals.
Labrador Retrievers display a strong attachment to their owners. They crave companionship and form deep bonds early on. Their gentle temperament makes them excellent therapy and service dogs. They are eager to follow instructions and seek approval from their handlers, reinforcing their reputation as a naturally submissive breed.
Their trainability and even-tempered nature set them apart from dogs with strong guarding instincts. While alert and intelligent, they are more inclined to greet strangers with a wagging tail than to act defensively. Their naturally trusting and obedient demeanor makes them a joy to own, ensuring a harmonious relationship between pet and owner.
3. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a friendly, eager-to-please, and easy-to-train dog. Their friendly and cooperative personality ensures they respond well to commands and adapt easily to different living environments.
With the right approach, proper training comes naturally to Golden Retrievers. They deeply desire to bond with their owners and follow instructions without resistance. Their submissive temperament allows them to excel in obedience training, therapy work, and service roles.
Golden Retrievers form strong attachments to their families and are always eager to be part of household activities. Their submissive nature ensures they rarely display dominance or stubborn behavior, which makes them highly reliable and trustworthy companions.
Retrievers also get along exceptionally well with children, other pets, and even strangers. Their social and affectionate nature makes them great family pets who bring warmth and companionship to any home. They are known for their patience and gentle interactions, making them among the best choices for families with young children.
Golden Retrievers are more laid-back and willing to follow their owner’s lead. While they enjoy exercise and outdoor activities, they are not as intense or demanding regarding mental stimulation. Their ability to balance playfulness with obedience makes them well-suited for active and relaxed households.
Their loving personality, strong desire to please, and easy trainability make them a joy to own. Whether as a therapy dog or a loyal companion, their submissive and affectionate nature makes them one of the best choices for any dog lover.
4. Pug
The Pug is known for its sweet and affectionate nature. These small yet charming companions thrive on human interaction and are eager to please. Their obedient and easygoing temperament makes them perfect for families, seniors, and first-time dog owners. Pugs are highly responsive to their owners’ cues and enjoy following guidance.
Hillspet states that pugs quickly learn commands and household routines. They are not known for stubborn or independent behavior, making training smooth. Their friendly demeanor ensures they always seek approval, responding best to positive reinforcement.
They love being close to their owners and tend to shadow them throughout the day, showing deep loyalty and attachment.
Pugs are incredibly loving and patient. They rarely show aggression and get along well with children and other pets. Their small size and calm temperament make them excellent indoor companions, happy to snuggle rather than assert dominance. They prefer companionship over conflict.
Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), Pugs are highly adaptable. Their friendly disposition and natural inclination to follow leadership make them suitable for various living environments, from apartments to larger homes. They are known for their gentle and playful demeanor, always seeking to please their owners with their cheerful attitude.
Despite their high energy levels as puppies, Pugs quickly settle into a relaxed and obedient routine. They enjoy playtime but are not overly demanding, making them an easy breed to manage. Their submissive and friendly personality allows them to integrate well into any household, making them a wonderful choice for those looking for a loving, trainable pet.
Their sweet nature, responsiveness to gentle guidance, and unwavering affection make them one of the most loyal and easy-to-care-for breeds. Their obedient and loving personality makes them a delightful lifelong companion, whether as a playful pup or a relaxed adult.
5. Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel is a naturally submissive breed known for its affectionate, eager-to-please nature. These dogs form strong bonds with their owners and thrive in a structured, loving environment. Their gentle temperament and social personality make them excellent companions for families, seniors, and first-time dog owners.
Cocker Spaniels prefer to follow rather than lead. They seek guidance from their owners and respond well to commands, making them easy to manage. Their submissive disposition ensures they rarely display dominant or stubborn behaviors, allowing them to integrate well into multi-pet households and social settings.
Spaniels are highly trainable. They quickly pick up commands and enjoy learning new skills. They respond well to positive reinforcement and consistency, making them ideal for obedience training. Their natural desire to please makes them one of the easiest breeds to train, even for novice owners.
Although they have a playful side, Cocker Spaniels are not overly demanding regarding leadership. They rely on their owners for direction and are happiest when given clear guidance. Their affectionate and loyal nature makes them well-suited for therapy work and companionship roles.
Despite their independent nature in some aspects, Cocker Spaniels do not typically challenge authority. They prefer cooperation over confrontation and are known for their friendly demeanor. This makes them excellent pets; they get along well with children and other animals.
Their highly trainable nature, strong loyalty, and gentle temperament make them a joy to own. Their submissive and loving personality ensures they fit seamlessly into any home.
6. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a naturally submissive breed known for its loving temperament and friendly demeanor. These small, cheerful dogs thrive on human companionship and are always eager to please. Their gentle and obedient temperament makes them easy to train and perfect for families, seniors, and first-time dog owners.
Bichons are loyal and form strong bonds with their owners. They prefer to follow rather than lead, making them one of the most cooperative and well-mannered breeds.
Their submissive nature ensures they respond well to commands and enjoy being close to their family at all times. However, this strong attachment can lead to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.
Early socialization is key to ensuring a well-rounded Bichon Frise. While they are naturally friendly, exposing them to different people, pets, and environments helps reinforce their gentle temperament. Their small size makes them ideal for indoor living.
Petplan states that Bichon Frise enjoys cuddling, playing, and being involved in family activities. Their affectionate personality makes them ideal companions. They are naturally submissive and prefer harmony over confrontation, making them easy to integrate into multi-pet households.
Bichons thrive when given attention. Their loving nature, incredibly loyal disposition, ease of training, and easygoing behavior make them a delightful and well-behaved companion.
7. Maltese
The Maltese is a naturally submissive breed known for its affectionate personality and strong desire to please. These small yet confident dogs thrive on human companionship and form deep bonds with their owners. Their gentle and obedient nature makes them well-suited for families, seniors, and even first-time dog owners looking for a pup with a sweet temperament.
Maltese are highly intelligent and quick learners, and one of the most obedient toy breeds. Their natural willingness to listen and cooperate makes training a smooth process. With proper guidance and training, they excel in learning new tricks and adapting to household routines.
Their playful nature makes Maltese dogs particularly good with small children. They enjoy being around people and thrive in a loving environment. However, due to their delicate size, interactions with young kids should always be gentle and supervised to ensure their safety.
Despite their small stature, Maltese dogs are energetic and playful, yet they do not have a strong independent streak. They prefer being close to their owners and are happiest when given attention. Their friendly and non-aggressive temperament ensures they get along well in social environments and multi-pet households.
Early exposure to different environments and people helps them grow into confident, well-behaved companions. Their natural intelligence and submissive nature make them highly adaptable to various lifestyles, from city apartments to larger homes.
The Maltese is an excellent choice for a naturally submissive and playful breed. Their loving personality, eagerness to please, and gentle demeanor make them one of the best companion dogs for individuals and families.
Conclusion
Naturally submissive dogs offer loyalty and obedience and make loving pets. From gentle giants like the Bernese Mountain Dog and Great Danes to intelligent breeds like Poodles and Border Collies, these dogs thrive with proper training and early socialization.
A responsible breeder ensures they develop a well-mannered temperament. Whether you prefer larger dogs or smaller companions, choosing a popular dog breed with a submissive nature guarantees a devoted and affectionate lifelong friend.
