Which Dog Breeds Are Actually the Friendliest? A Major Survey Reveals Surprising Rankings

A comprehensive study analyzing 5,000 dog owners’ experiences has finally settled the debate: some dog breeds are significantly more sociable and approachable than others. The survey, which covered 200 owners for each of the 25 most popular dog breeds according to the American Kennel Club, evaluated canine personalities across 10 key behavioral metrics.

The Top Dogs: Who Really Loves Everyone?

Bernese Mountain Dogs Take the Crown

If you’re looking for a dog that genuinely enjoys interacting with everyone, the Bernese Mountain Dog emerges as the gold standard. With a perfect 100-point score, these gentle giants topped every friendliness category. Only 6% of owners reported their Bernese Mountain Dog being defensive toward newcomers, and just 0.5% described their pet’s behavior as unfriendly—a remarkable statistic that speaks volumes about the breed’s naturally warm disposition.

What makes the friendliest dogs stand out? According to the data, they share common traits: they’re enthusiastic about cuddling (93.7% of Bernese owners report this), they welcome strangers warmly, and they play well with other dogs (80.5% play well consistently).

Golden Retrievers and Corgis: The Close Runners-Up

Golden Retrievers scored 94.94 points, living up to their reputation as one of the friendliest dogs around. An impressive 94% of owners rated their Golden Retrievers as very or somewhat friendly, while only 0.5% deemed them unfriendly—matching the Bernese Mountain Dog’s exceptional rating. These dogs also excel at accepting treats and affection from strangers, with only 6.8% of owners reporting resistance.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis matched the Golden Retriever’s score with their own charming blend of sociability. Despite their small stature, 93% of corgi owners describe their pets as friendly, and these dogs consistently welcomed treats and petting from anyone willing to offer them.

Labrador Retrievers: The Cuddle Champions

Labrador Retrievers scored 94.38 out of 100, claiming top positions in multiple categories. A striking 75.8% of Lab owners report their dogs cuddle constantly or frequently—the highest percentage across all tested breeds. These friendliest dogs also lead in warmly greeting newcomers, with 47% of owners reporting enthusiastic welcomes.

The Labrador’s consistent friendliness isn’t accidental. These dogs were the AKC’s most popular breed in America for nine consecutive years, primarily because of their genuine affection for virtually everyone they encounter.

The Middle Ground: Boxers, Great Danes, and Beyond

Boxers (76.4 points) excel at accepting treats and physical affection from strangers, ranking third among all breeds in this category. Their athletic, affectionate nature makes them reliable family companions despite their imposing appearance.

Great Danes scored 74.16 points, proving that size doesn’t determine sociability. While they’re not the most prolific cuddlers, 80.5% of owners report their Great Danes play well with other dogs—tied for the highest percentage in this metric.

Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs round out the friendliest dogs list with scores of 62.36 and 55.06 respectively. These smaller breeds consistently ranked in the top 10 for cuddling enthusiasm, with 75.8% of Boston Terrier owners reporting high cuddle frequency.

The Least Friendly Breeds: What the Data Shows

American Bulldogs Score Zero

In stark contrast, American Bulldogs ranked dead last with a 0.00 score, despite paradoxically appearing on best-behaved breed lists. The distinction matters: being well-behaved doesn’t equal being friendly. Only 56% of American Bulldog owners report their dogs happily accept treats or physical affection from others—a significant drop from friendlier breeds. Additionally, 16.3% of owners say their bulldogs rarely or never enjoy cuddling, the highest resistance rate in this category.

Protective Breeds: Dobermans and Rottweilers

Doberman Pinschers scored just 2.25 out of 100, with 23.5% of owners reporting their dogs are defensive and don’t warm up to newcomers—the highest rate for any breed tested. Similarly, Rottweilers (8.43 points) and Cane Corsos (8.43 points) showed lower friendliness scores, though their guardianship instincts explain rather than excuse their reserved temperament.

Notably, only 77% of Cane Corso owners describe their dogs as friendly, compared to the study average of 87.1%—a meaningful gap that reflects their breeding for protection rather than sociability.

Shih Tzus: The Outlier Small Breed

Rounding out the least friendly list, Shih Tzus (8.99 points) became the only small breed to appear among the lowest scorers. Interestingly, just 49.5% of owners report their Shih Tzus play well with other dogs, the poorest performance in this metric across all 25 breeds.

What Determines Dog Friendliness?

The survey revealed that while breed plays a substantial role in friendliness, early socialization and positive reinforcement training are equally critical. All dogs benefit from exposure to different people and environments during puppyhood, which helps them develop into more sociable, eager-to-please companions.

Practical Considerations: Pet Insurance and Breed Selection

When choosing a dog breed, potential owners should consider more than just friendliness. Several breeds appearing on the friendliest dogs rankings, including French Bulldogs and Cane Corsos, also rank among the most expensive to insure. Larger breeds particularly tend to incur higher pet insurance costs due to increased susceptibility to heart and hip issues.

The average pet insurance cost is approximately $55 monthly for unlimited annual coverage at 90% reimbursement with a $500 deductible. However, annual costs average $612 based on $5,000 annual coverage, $250 deductible, and 80% reimbursement levels.

Comprehensive pet insurance typically covers accidents, injuries, chronic illnesses, hereditary conditions, prescription medications, dental procedures, and wellness visits—essential protection given that average vet visits cost around $61, with complex cases accumulating significantly higher expenses.

Methodology: How the Rankings Were Determined

The friendliest dogs rankings evaluated 10 behavioral metrics equally, each accounting for 10% of the total score:

• Play behavior with other dogs (both positive and negative frequencies)
• Cuddling preferences (frequency and avoidance)
• Treat and petting acceptance
• Warmth toward newcomers
• Overall friendliness perception
• Defensive behavior toward strangers

By surveying 5,000 owners and analyzing responses across these standardized criteria, the research provides statistically robust insight into genuine breed temperament differences based on real-world owner experiences rather than breed stereotypes.