Most Loving & Affectionate Dog Breeds
Affectionate dogs are excellent companions, they will be your best friend and are always keen to cuddle. These dogs love attention and will never turn down a play session or a snuggle.
Being affectionate does mean some of these breeds are more prone to following you around and many won’t think twice before licking you across the face. The breeds listed below are sweet-natured and are more likely to want to cuddle with you than other breeds.
What Makes Dogs Affectionate?
Affectionate dogs tend to bond closely with their family, they are loyal and unconditionally loving. While some breeds are independent and aloof, loving dog breeds like to be around their owners. They express their affection much more openly so you’ll always know you have a forever friend by your side.
Loving and affectionate breeds may show their affection by:
Giving kisses
Snuggling
Being with you all the time (like your shadow)
Always greeting you enthusiastically
Always wanting to be with you
Being sensitive to how you are feeling
1. Dachshund
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Dachshunds are small in size and full of love. They are happy to snuggle with you and love to burrow in the bed sheets in the evening. Dachshunds crave attention, they will lick your face to let you know they love you and they enjoy belly rubs. These little dogs often follow their owners around with wagging tails.
Height: 20-27cm
Size: Small
Character: Adaptable, outgoing, playful
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
2. Golden Retriever
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Golden Retrievers are well known as one of the most loving dog breeds. These smiley dogs are easy to train, gentle, and friendly. Golden Retrievers are patient with children and enjoy cuddles, especially after a good run around the garden. If you love puppy kisses and cuddles, the happy-go-lucky Golden is a great choice.
Height: 50-60cm
Size: Large
Character: Happy, patient, friendly
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
3. Great Dane
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Great Danes are patient, friendly, and love to cuddle with their owners. These big dogs are dependable and tend to be boisterous as puppies but mellow as they get older. Great Danes don’t like to be left alone and they don’t seem to realise how big they are as they often try to clamber into their owner’s laps for a snuggle.
Height: 71-81cm
Size: Huge
Character: Goofy, gentle, playful
Life Expectancy: 8-10 years
4. Pug
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Pugs can almost always be found at their owners' side, they stick to them like velcro and don’t seem to know what personal space is. Pugs are very friendly and outgoing, they love to be around people. They are entertaining little dogs that always want to be the centre of attention.
Height: 25-36cm
Size: Small
Character: Adaptable, loyal, playful
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
5. Boxer
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Boxers are devoted dogs that love to be part of the action. These energetic pups are always happy to see you and are excellent with children. Boxers thrive on attention and will usually be by their owners' side.
Height: 53-63cm
Size: Large
Character: Social, loving, active
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
6. Newfoundland
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Newfoundlands are gentle giants, they look like bears but under all that fluff are friendly, cuddly, and calm dogs. These big dogs are often thought of as nanny dogs because of how kind, patient, and even-tempered they are with children.
Height: 66-71cm
Size: Huge
Character: Calm, sensitive, patient
Life Expectancy: 8-10 years
7. Rottweiler
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Sweet, sensitive, and loyal, Rottweilers bond closely to their humans. Although they can be suspicious of strangers, Rottweilers are extremely loving to their family. In fact, they are big softies that love to cuddle.
Height: 56-69cm
Size: Large
Character: Protective, loyal, gentle
Life Expectancy: 8-10 years
8. Jack Russell
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Jack Russells are always happy to see you and love attention. These compact terriers dote on their owners, they are active, playful, and adaptable. Jack Russells are best suited to active families who enjoy adventures just as much as they do.
Height: 25-38cm
Size: Small
Character: Intelligent, playful, boisterous
Life Expectancy: 14-16 years
9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
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Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are ideal companions, they love to play and are very social but they also love to relax on the sofa with their loved ones. These spaniels are adorable, gentle, and sweet-natured, they also have a face you can’t help but love.
Height: 30-33cm
Size: Small
Character: Sweet-natured, friendly, playful
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
10. Bichon Frise
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Bichon Frise dogs are fluffy, cuddly, and energetic. As long as they’ve had plenty of exercise and playtime, they are more than happy to snuggle and snooze with you. Bichons thrive on attention and ideally need a family where someone is at home with them all the time.
Height: 23-28cm
Size: Small
Character: Easy-going, friendly, confident
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
11. Labradoodle
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Labradoodles are known for being gentle, friendly, and intelligent. As with most mixed breeds, Labradoodles can vary in size, appearance and temperament but they tend to be people-oriented and playful.
Height: 30-71cm
Size: Large
Character: Intelligent, active, hardworking
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
12. Shih Tzu
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Shih Tzus are loving, cuddly, and will happily snuggle into your lap. These fluffy dogs are great family pets, they are outgoing, playful, and entertaining. Like many of the more affectionate dog breeds, Shih Tzus thrive on human attention and prefer to have someone with them all day.
Height: 20-30cm
Size: Small
Character: Adaptable, social, playful
Life Expectancy: 14-16 years
13. Labrador Retriever
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Labrador Retrievers are wonderful companions, they are eager to please and will do anything for their family (especially when there are treats involved). Labradors get along with children and these sweet dogs are a great choice for first-time owners.
Height: 56-61cm
Size: Large
Character: Energetic, dependable, outgoing
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
14. Griffon Bruxellois
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Griffon Bruxellois have big personalities, they are curious, alert, and loyal. These pups will follow their owners around the house as they always like to be involved. Griffon Bruxellois are sensitive, comical, and sweet, you’ll never have a dull moment with this dog around.
Height: 18-20cm
Size: Small
Character: Outgoing, independent, confident
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
15. Chihuahua
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Chihuahuas are known for being feisty around strangers but they bond closely with their owners and enjoy snuggles. The love of a Chihuahua is forever which is why they make excellent companions.
Height: 12-20cm
Size: Very Small
Character: Intelligent, adaptable, excitable
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Surprisingly Affectionate Breeds
The following dog breeds may come as a surprise as they are not necessarily known for their affectionate side.
1. Siberian Husky
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Siberian Huskies can be independent at times but they have affectionate natures that make them great family dogs. Huskies have big characters, they are friendly and love everybody including children. These dogs are also big show-offs, they are playful, mischievous and win people over with their charm.
Height: 51-61cm
Size: Medium
Character: Vivacious, intelligent, independent
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
2. Border Terrier
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Border Terriers are highly social dogs that have lots of energy. These pups are not lap dogs but they do love human interaction making them very affectionate pets. Border Terriers are great family dogs and are excellent with children.
Height: 24-27cm
Size: Small
Character: Social, energetic, obedient
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
3. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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Staffordshire Bull Terriers are people-orientated dogs, they are confident, gentle, and adaptable. Staffies can be boisterous but they are highly intelligent and quick to learn so training helps ensure these dogs are manageable.
Height: 36-41cm
Size: Medium
Character: Protective, intelligent, energetic
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Looking For A Puppy?
If you’ve found a loving and affectionate dog breed that will fit into your life perfectly, use Puppies to ensure your new puppy comes from a reputable breeder.
