What do you look for in a new friend? Personality? That’s a good place to start. Also, having similar interests ensures that you can fill the day with activities that suit you both.
These are all great things to have on your checklist when you’re on the lookout for a puppy to spend your time with. But before you put yourself on the prowl for the world’s most personality-filled pooch, let us save you some time and outline which puppies could be the friendliest.
What makes a dog friendly?
Your dog sees what you’re doing for them. They intuit your goodwill and reciprocate that love a hundredfold. From cuddles to tail wagging, from prancing to covering you in kisses, your precious pup wants to demonstrate how much they care about you. But the question is: why? Is it nature or nurture? Short answer? It’s both.
There are two great ways to nurture your dog to be part of an incredibly happy home. Training is probably the most important thing you can do for your dog. While you're training them as puppies, you’re also giving them the tools to be successful adult canines. (If you're a new or first time dog owner, see which pups are best for you here.)
Between learning to spend time in their crate and waiting for the proper meal times to satisfy their hunger, these things will allow them to create an inner clock as well as a sense of self and responsibility for themselves. If you dedicate the time while they’re younger and have patience, you’ve set them up for success.
Additionally, it’s important to incorporate socialization with other people and dogs into your puppy’s early life. No matter how well you try to teach your puppy good manners, without proper socialization, puppies can struggle to control their impulses when faced with unfamiliar experiences.
Ease them into the world without fear or aggression by simply having them attend a multi-week puppy training class (great for socialization and confidence-building), frolick with their newfound friends, or encounter people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities out in the “wild.”
The one item that will assist you in the above endeavors, depending on the breed, is their nature. A good set of genes will serve you well.
A study on Science.org titled - get ready for this - Structural variants in genes associated with human Williams-Beuren syndrome underlie stereotypical hypersociability in domestic dogs states, “We provide evidence that structural variants in GTF2I and GTF2IRD1, genes previously implicated in the behavioral phenotype of patients with WBS and contained within the WBS locus, contribute to extreme sociability in dogs.”
Put simply, there are genetic variables in dogs versus wolves that allow them to be domesticated. They're not the same as their forest-bound, wild kin.
What makes a friendly dog? Is it nature or nurture? Like we said above - it’s both.
How to help your dog’s attitude?
Do you remember when your parents were trying to tell you something but whatever was going on outside or on the TV was far more interesting to you? What did they say to you? Pay attention! Your furry friend can’t speak but they can and do communicate.
Don’t forget your dog is smarter than you’re giving it credit for. Since many are freethinkers, they might have done something that’s “bad.” Once they get away with it, they’ll try it again and again. Don’t reinforce bad behavior. Call them out and show them a better way of doing things. Train them to do the right thing, the “good” thing.
Friendship is a two-way street. You know your dog. Not as well as they know themselves though. Listen and pay attention to make sure that you’re keeping your happy-go-lucky hound as perfectly peachy as possible. Doing so will make them easy to take care of.
What dogs AREN’T the most friendly?
Maybe the breed is aggressive or maybe they’ve just gotten a bad reputation. Whatever the case, not all dogs are created equal and may need a good bit more time and attention before becoming a well-behaved dog.
Rottweilers
While rottweilers are beautiful dogs, they also have an intimidating demeanor. Give or take a hundred pounds, these working-class dogs come from a long lineage of herding breeds and are regularly trained as guard dogs. They trust their owner and not many others. Their energy must be harnessed and focused on tasks, otherwise, they’ll definitely run amuck.
Dachshunds
Don’t let their diminutive size fool you - these pups often have a Napoleon complex. Originally trained as a hunter of burrowing animals (including badgers), these dogs haven’t bred out all of these same aggressive traits. If not trained and socialized at a young age, they’ll get into all kinds of destructive behavior. Not unlike the Rottweiler, they make great guard dogs as they’re protective of their home turf.
Bulldogs
Bulldogs aren’t necessarily aggressive like their counterparts above. Their most substantial trait? They’re lazy.
You may want to go out for a run or play with them and their toys, but they have their own ideas that don’t include any of your shenanigans. They’d much rather chill with you and watch Hulu. Just be careful if you think you might want to invite one of these precious pups home. You’ll need to keep them as active as you can because they can become unhealthily obese.
What puppy is the friendliest?
Just like humans, each dog is different and has its days-- even within a respective breed, there can be rarities-- but generally speaking, our furry’s friendliness can shine through even the darkest cloud in the sky, brightening our dullest moments.
Let’s consider which dog is the friendliest depending on your particular situation. Some equate obedience to respect and in turn, friendliness, but this isn’t necessarily so. It’s really just in the nature of the breed.
Beagles
Well-mannered with a deep, boisterous bawl, these pups are naturally curious. You may even find that Beagles are the Energizer Bunny of breeds. While Beagles have an apt sense of smell, they’re not as easily trained and aren’t as easily calmed as Labrador Retrievers and Poodles (spoiler, also on our list).
Labrador Retrievers
Labs are good with children and ready to play. Adventurous and affable, all-around eager to please, these Retrievers take to training quite well. While voicing their excitement, Retrievers may be quicker to quiet than other breeds.
Poodles
Affectionate and agreeable amigos, Poodles are great companions for the entire family. Funny and fun balls of fluff, these dogs give an everyday comedian a run for their money. While Labs are larger dogs and Beagles are smaller, Poodles could be considered the Goldilocks of dog breeds.
Doodles
We think Doodles are the best! All of them. But we’re biased in the best way. They’re naturally athletic with a calm demeanor, and, when properly socialized, they get along well with other dogs as well as their human counterparts. Did we mention that they come in a rainbow of colors? Doodles are the epitome of a (hue)man’s best friend.
Which doodles are the friendliest?
Consider the expression of your dog’s happiness by way of their actions, reactions, temperament, and size.
All in all, Doodles do come in all shapes and sizes and temperaments which means JLDD can find the one that’s just right for you. We specialize in Bernedoodles, Sheepadoodles, and Golden Mountain Doodles with the most precious faces and captivating personalities.
Any dog that you decide to share your life with can be trained and be the best friend you ever had. We hope that you’ll consider giving one of our wonderful pups a home with you and your family. If you have more questions about us, check out our FAQ page.
Or if you’re ready to start your journey to paw-renthood, let’s get you started with our application today!
Wherever you are on the road to dog ownership, make sure that you’re ready to love and support your new forever friend. You’ll be rewarded in a way that you’ve never even imagined.
Jenna and the JLDD Team