What are the friendliest dog breeds? - Page 2

[prairiemommy]

We have a Collie and everyone loves him. They either ask him, "What's that? Is little Timmy stuck in the well?" or they say, "It's Lassie!".

He is a wonderfully friendly dog. I haven't come across anyone he doesn't like, dog or person.

Good luck with your search for a family pet!

[graceomalley]

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. You'd need to go with a reputable breeder (of course) and see evidence of testing because they've really suffered from breed standards.

I disagree with labs and goldens - they're a dog I always steer clear of at the park. They come in just under rotties for aggressive bites (having said that I'm more of a 'deed, not breed' person - but I thought I'd throw it out there).

[Ola_]

I think even if you have a "scary" looking dog you can do things to make them seem more friendly. A brightly coloured leash and collar often helps, as does a cute bandana tied around their neck. Bonus points for using kids' cartoon characters on either.

[Kinguk]

Labradors are amazing family dogs

[Frogmorest]

Originally Posted by Peepsqueak

Basset Hounds are the best. They have a few faults but never anything dangerous. I have never seen a Basset bite anyone. They sound like big dogs when they bark too, so people think you have a huge monster if they do not see the Basset. (They like to sing with the moon though.....personally I enjoy the howling....they only do it when they are lonesome too).

My daughter got bit by a Basset Hound this weekend at the farmer's market Not bad but I was pretty shocked!!!!!

[Frogmorest]

I have a rough collie and a pembroke welsh corgi. They are the sweetest dogs and noone ever looks at them with suspicion

[remijo]

We have a St Bernard and two boxers. Everyone wants to pet our St Bernard, we cannot go for a walk without getting accosted - not a good dog if you enjoy your privacy. Our boxers are the sweetest, most loveable dogs I have ever met (and I have met a lot of dogs - ) but they get kind of a bad rap because they can look so much like pitbulls or people mistake them for mean dogs.

[ColoradoHELLP]

I see there are plenty of responses, but I wanted to add my opinion as well. The dogs I've listed below typically offer a "happy" face and a wagging behind, and they seem to be socially accepted in public. Of course, all vary in terms of size, activity level, health issues and cost...so researching breeds and heading out to meet some good examples would be your best bet in determining which breeds fit and which ones might be better left to a different family. Being that I was a professional trainer for several years, these are some that I would recommend looking into:

Golden

Beagle

Cavalier King Charles

West Highland White Terrier

Pug

German Shorthaired Pointer

Bichon Frise (they are adorable greeters - they tend to "pray" with their front feet)

English Springer Spaniel

Vizsla

Norwich/Norfolk Terriers

Also, keep in mind that there are other breeds that are far less common and not recognized by the AKC that might be just the right fit for your lifestyle. Hope this list helps to give you a place to start!

[ColoradoHELLP]

Forgot a couple of herders:

Aussie

Border Collie

Herders come with their own set of issues, but they make great ambassadors in public and they are awesome in homes that know how to handle them.

[georgia]

"What's that? Is little Timmy stuck in the well?"

Fun

[jennydecki]

Originally Posted by Frogmorest

My daughter got bit by a Basset Hound this weekend at the farmer's market Not bad but I was pretty shocked!!!!!

Oh my GOSH!! I can't imagine our Penny (aka PenPen) biting anyone!

I second Peepsqueak on the Basset Hound. We have one and she is the most squishiest smooshiest lickiest sleepiest loving dog I've ever experienced. She's only 12 weeks old so she's teething but even that is subsiding little by little as she learns to play rough with the other dogs and not with the kiddos. (and by rough i mean play tug of war with the bottom of their dresses/shorts...not biting)

She rarely howls, but I think that's because she has other dogs around. Haven't had a full moon yet so don't know if she'll howl at that. I love her howl, it's deep and not annoying.

While some people say to go with the older dog to see the personality, I have had some of the worst shelter/rescue experiences so that doesn't work for me. What worked for me is to get puppies (in total we have 2 miniature schnauzers (30lbs ea) and the basset hound which will be about 50lbs but not tall) and then take them when I go places so they just get used to the situations you want them to be in.

Because I had two infants when I had the schnauzers, they never went out and still aren't good around other people/dogs. They don't bite, but they aren't friendly and bark like crazy. I wish I could go back and do things differently but they are happy with each other and our family and don't bite so I really can't complain too much.

Our Basset Hound has been to my grandmother's house, out walking, has been held by the neighbors, and has experienced so much more just in the two weeks she has been home that she is already much more friendly in group environments. I'm not ready to take her to the farmer's market yet, but the dog park will definitely be on our list before summer is over

[fresh_veggie]

Boston terriers or French bulldogs!! We've had Bostons my whole life. They will snort a lot though because of their flat faces, which some children might be afraid of. They also don't have much of a tail to wag - but they'll wag their whole butt to make up for it!!

[greenmagick]

I;ve known some aggressive bassets...also aggressive labs and goldens..its the individual dog that matters

OP hasnt poted again, but I do think the question is fairly vague...besides friendly looking (which is very subjective) what other traits are you looking fore...energy level, size, coat. temperament etc

[Crunchy*VT*Mom]

I think we are going to go with a French Bulldog.

Thanks for your advice!!

[Norasmomma]

Originally Posted by Peepsqueak

Basset Hounds are the best. They have a few faults but never anything dangerous. I have never seen a Basset bite anyone. They sound like big dogs when they bark too, so people think you have a huge monster if they do not see the Basset. (They like to sing with the moon though.....personally I enjoy the howling....they only do it when they are lonesome too).

When I was a kid my cousin's Basset violated me, it jumped on my back and tried to hump me and would. not. let. go. I was 7 and I could not get that stupid dog off me, it finally took my uncle kicking him off. I couldn't stand that dog after that.

I have to say I really like Westies they are small and approachable, you can take them all over and they also have some "big dog" attitude. My dad has one and he is awesome, he chases raccoons and is sweet with my DD.

I have to say that it's sad that German Shepard's get a bad rap, I have a shepard mix and she LOVES kids, I mean my DD pulls her ears sometimes and all she does is cry. I had one as a kid and she was the best dog ever. Our girl now is a gentle giant. I also agree with looking at the dog vs. just a breed.

[Fara Dyke]

Bassett hounds are the sweetest dogs in the world.In fact mine is laying on me right now haha.

[ChitownTracy]

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Edited by ChitownTracy - 7/19/12 at 8:00pm

[Imakcerka]

If you want a pure breed, labs and goldens.  I'd stay away from poodles.  Ok I've been bitten by 2 smalls and 1 large... my mom said it was because I was a tail puller.  psh!  However they don't always like kids no matter what you do. 

We have a beagle... and he's a jerk.  Seriously.  Then we have a beagle/lab/terrier mix... sweetness.  Weird looking though.  Our latest friend is a lab/sheppard.  The neighbor kids flock to the yard when she's out.  Easy to train.  Loves to hug but can gauge who is too small for it.  And all the kids know the command for her to calm down if she gets too rowdy.  Which is "wait". 

Being around dogs all my life, anything mixed with lab is pretty much easy.  They're gentle and fun.  They also have those expressive come play with me faces.  Good luck in your search.

[34me]

Originally Posted by ChitownTracy 

Best family dog: the Keeshondhttp://www.dogguide.net/blog/2008/05/the-best-family-dogs-10-breeds-for-homes-with-children/http://www.akc.org/breeds/keeshond/In the states they are not too well known, in Europe they are more popularAwesome with kids, very approachable & bc they are so beautiful people want to know more about our dogs whenever we go outCons- twice weekly brushing, hair is easier to clean up than a short/long hair breed- hair conveniently "tumbleweeds" togetherNot a fan of hot weather, loves snowWhatever breed try to look into a breed specific rescue...there is a huge golden rescue in the Midwesthttp://www.asgoodasgold.org/

I grew up with a Keeshond in the 80's in NY.  One of the best dogs ever.  but he could be laaaaaazy :-0.  He never met a chin rest he didn't like.

[Imakcerka]

I've always wanted a Newfoundland.  ALWAYS!   Gotta make room, who wants the cat and mean beagle?  No takers?  I kid.