12 of the Most Loving Dog Breeds of All

We love our dogs. About 62 million households in the U.S. have pet dogs. That’s 45% of households — and roughly double the number of households with cats, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Man’s best friend loves us back, of course, but the extent to which dogs show us their love can vary considerably by breed. Certain types of dogs are more lovey-dovey than others.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) rates breeds for their affectionateness with their human family members, using a scale from 1 (independent) to 5 (lovey-dovey). Following is a look at some of the breeds the AKC says are the most affectionate. The organization also considers them good family dogs in general and good specifically with younger children, strangers and other dogs.

American Staffordshire terrier

Rating for how affectionate the breed is with family members: 5 out of 5

Rating for how well this breed gets along with:

• Young children: 3 out of 5
• Other dogs: 3 out of 5
• Strangers: 4 out of 5

American Staffordshire terriers, often called AmStaffs or Staffies, are athletic and strong. A terrier named Stubby even became a highly decorated war dog in World War I. Their toughness, however, doesn’t mean they aren’t softies too. They’ve been called “nanny dogs” because they’re patient with children, protective and affectionate.

Bernese Mountain dog

Rating for how affectionate the breed is with family members: 5 out of 5

Rating for how well this breed gets along with:

• Young children: 5 out of 5
• Other dogs: 5 out of 5
• Strangers: 4 out of 5

The Bernese Mountain dog is a gentle breed originating from Switzerland. They’re affectionately referred to as “gentle giants.” They were trained to work, helping farmers herd their animals and transport food. Bernese Mountain dogs are also described as “mouthy,” and it’s recommended that owners provide them with chew toys.

Drever

Rating for how affectionate the breed is with family members: 5 out of 5

Rating for how well this breed gets along with:

• Young children: 5 out of 5
• Other dogs: 5 out of 5
• Strangers: 4 out of 5

Drevers are friendly hunting dogs. They may bark more than average and tend to be stubborn, but early training can help mitigate this. Despite their strong will, they demonstrate a lot of love for their family.

Golden retriever

Rating for how affectionate the breed is with family members: 5 out of 5

Rating for how well this breed gets along with:

• Young children: 5 out of 5
• Other dogs: 5 out of 5
• Strangers: 5 out of 5

Golden retrievers have a keen sense of smell and are good trackers. That has made them a favorite of search-and-rescue teams.

Two presidents — Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan — even kept golden retrievers while in office.

Gordon setter

Rating for how affectionate the breed is with family members: 5 out of 5

Rating for how well this breed gets along with:

• Young children: 3 out of 5
• Other dogs: 3 out of 5
• Strangers: 3 out of 5

Gordon setters originated from Scotland and are recorded as early as the 17th century. They’re great hunting dogs and obedient. They’re high-energy and need lots of exercise, though, so they may not be great for owners in city apartments.

Gordon setters are also very gentle and trainable.

Irish setter

Rating for how affectionate the breed is with family members: 5 out of 5

Rating for how well this breed gets along with:

• Young children: 5 out of 5
• Other dogs: 5 out of 5
• Strangers: 5 out of 5

Irish setters have a recognizable, elegant mahogany-colored coat. They originated from 18th-century Ireland and were initially trained for bird hunting. This is a friendly, playful and energetic breed, well-suited for active families in larger homes. Ideally, they’d live in a home with a spacious yard as they need about two hours of exercise a day.

Kishu Ken

Rating for how affectionate the breed is with family members: 5 out of 5

Rating for how well this breed gets along with:

• Young children: 3 out of 5
• Other dogs: 3 out of 5
• Strangers: 5 out of 5

Kishu Ken are a Japanese breed and were bred as hunting dogs. Some are still used as such, however, they’re considered the modern family dog of Japan. And although they’re great for families, they tend to pick a favorite.

Kishu Kens are reserved and calm. They aren’t recommended for novice pet parents though since they are headstrong and need constant gentle-but-firm training.

Löwchen

Rating for how affectionate the breed is with family members: 5 out of 5

Rating for how well this breed gets along with:

• Young children: 5 out of 5
• Other dogs: 3 out of 5
• Strangers: 3 out of 5

The Lowchen is known as the “little lion dog,” a nickname the breed earned from its courageous personality and a coat that is traditionally kept in a “lion clip” with a full mane.

This breed picks up new skills and tricks quickly.

Newfoundland

Rating for how affectionate the breed is with family members: 5 out of 5

Rating for how well this breed gets along with:

• Young children: 5 out of 5
• Other dogs: 5 out of 5
• Strangers: 5 out of 5

Newfoundlands, sometimes called “Newfies,” are large dogs that grow to between 100 to 150 pounds. They’re natural-born swimmers and were initially trained to work with fishermen; they helped bring in fishing nets and even assisted shipwrecked sailors.

They’re gentle, calm and often protective. Just have a towel on standby — they’re prone to drooling.

Pug

Rating for how affectionate the breed is with family members: 5 out of 5

Rating for how well this breed gets along with:

• Young children: 5 out of 5
• Other dogs: 4 out of 5
• Strangers: 5 out of 5

Pugs are one of the oldest breeds, their origins tracing back to 400 B.C. China. They were a lapdog for emperors and considered to be good luck. They were also quite popular in Tibetan monasteries.

Pugs are people pleasers and very affectionate.

They’re also reputable watchdogs. In 1572, heir to the Dutch throne Prince William of Orange was nearly assassinated. As the would-be assassins snuck into the prince’s tent, his pug Pompey barked and alerted to their presence, saving Prince William’s life.

Pumi

Rating for how affectionate the breed is with family members: 5 out of 5

Rating for how well this breed gets along with:

• Young children: 3 out of 5
• Other dogs: 3 out of 5
• Strangers: 3 out of 5

Pumis are alert, taking their time to familiarize themselves with new settings. They aren’t particularly welcoming to strangers and have a tendency to bark, which may not be ideal for owners in apartments.

This breed is high-energy and bred to work, so don’t be surprised if they try to herd children or other animals. Because of their high energy, Pumis will be happier in active homes.

Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka

Rating for how affectionate the breed is with family members: 5 out of 5

Rating for how well this breed gets along with:

• Young children: 5 out of 5
• Other dogs: 5 out of 5
• Strangers: 3 out of 5

Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonkas, often called “Bolonki” for short, are from Russia. Their name translates to “colored lapdog” because of their variety of potential coat colors. Despite hailing from Russia, this breed is not a fan of the cold. They’re relaxed dogs and are a good fit for apartment dwellers.