12 Friendliest Dog Breeds — our top picks
Golden Retriever
Beautiful, gentle retriever with flowing coat. Outstanding family companion with high intelligence and eagerness to please.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Gentle toy spaniel with silky coat and sweet expression. Perfect family companion with sporting dog heritage.
Siberian Husky
Medium-sized Arctic sled dog with striking appearance. Energetic, friendly, and excellent endurance athlete.
Irish Setter
Beautiful red coat and exuberant personality. Athletic and energetic with a playful, sometimes mischievous nature.
English Setter
Gentle, elegant setter with feathered coat and calm demeanor. Known for their beauty and gentle nature with excellent bird finding ability.
Labrador Retriever
Most popular family dog worldwide. Excellent retriever with gentle mouth, high intelligence, and outstanding temperament.
Beagle
Small to medium scenthound with gentle temperament. Excellent family dog with moderate exercise needs.
Great Dane
German gentle giant known for size and calm temperament. Friendly, patient, and excellent family companion.
Havanese
Cuban toy breed with silky coat and cheerful disposition. Adaptable and social companion dog.
Vizsla
Elegant Hungarian pointer known as the "Velcro dog" for their close bond with owners. Athletic and affectionate.
English Cocker Spaniel
Merry, active spaniel with beautiful coat. Smaller than American Cocker but with more hunting drive.
Basset Hound
Low-slung French scenthound with excellent nose and gentle nature. Calm, patient family companion.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 343 breeds is scored on the traits that matter most for this lifestyle — energy, size, temperament, grooming and trainability — using our vet-reviewed breed database. Read more about our methodology, or take the free quiz for a ranking personalised to you.
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- What is the friendliest dog breed?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the Golden Retriever ranks as the top choice for owners who want a sociable, people-loving dog, followed by the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Siberian Husky.
- How was this list of dogs for owners who want a sociable, people-loving dog chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for owners who want a sociable, people-loving dog — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. For a recommendation tailored to your exact situation, take the free quiz.