Dogs are loyalty personified, and some of them are so good at expressing their love that they occupy a special place in your heart and you and your dog become best friends.Not all dogs are equally vocal about expressing love and affection, though they may actually love you. Some breeds are very expressive, and if you are a warm and affectionate person, having them as a pet could be one of the best things for you and a great addition to your family.Though dogs cannot utter a word, they have their own way of displaying their love. Their body language and gestures like jumping around you, licking you, sitting in your lap or on your feet, greeting you with a wagging tail when you enter the room, staring at you, and exercising with you, are some of the ways they show their attachment to you. Sometimes, there could be moments when you may feel they are so pure-hearted in giving love, which may even be greater than the affection shown by humans. Other ways of expressing their affection are rolling on the floor, and putting their paws in your hand.If you enjoy reading about the most affectionate dog breeds, you could explore our other fun fact articles like the fastest dog and dog biting nails on our Kidadl website.What makes a dog affectionate?Having affection vs. showing it are two different things. Some dogs display affection more than others. Having a breed as a pet that shows affection can make a huge difference if you are looking forward to a friendly pet as a companion more than a protective one. Hence, it is essential to know which breeds are more receptive to love and express love in an outgoing manner. Not in any particular order, some of them are the Brussels Griffon, the Bichon Frise, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, the cocker spaniel, the golden retriever, the Great Dane, the Shih Tzu, the Labrador retriever, the papillon, the Siberian husky, the Pembroke Welsh corgi, the Boston terrier, the Newfoundland, pugs, and the boxer to name a few. Let’s explore these.Have you ever wondered why dogs are so affectionate, unlike many other pets or animals? Wolves and dogs look alike but have totally different behavior and demeanors. Even cats, which are family pets, cannot match dogs in displaying love and affection. This traces back to the genetic composition of dogs in having love hormones like oxytocin and the genetic structure that correlates to friendliness. Research has found that friendly dogs have variations in chromosomes 6 and 7. A protein called GIF21, which regulates the activity of other genes, is associated with the most social, friendliest, and affectionate dogs. The same gene composition is also seen in humans who are hyper-social.Most Affectionate Small Dog BreedsNow we’ve established that dogs are more affectionate than other pets like cats. Even saliva samples tested and compared have found that dogs’ love hormone oxytocin is much higher. Among many breeds, a few small dogs are very popular for owners to keep even in limited space. But, note that they need the same treatment, exercise, training, and attention as other dogs.Labradoodles, with their tiny size, are extremely affectionate, intelligent, and sweet pups, and children love to have them on their lap. The French bulldog is another small breed to consider for city and apartment living. These are highly people-focused personalities seeking out human company. They can be subject to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods without human interaction. The Bichon Frise is another small breed that can be a perfect companion and friend to families and other pets in the house. The Brussels Griffon is a demanding, small dog that is tiny and intelligent to the extent that it can get manipulative early on if not trained properly. The Boston terrier is one more intelligent, small dog that can be easily trained and a good family companion even in small living spaces. The Bichon Frise and the Brussels Griffon are both very sweet-looking pups, good to cuddle, and good for families with children. Pugs are another kind of dog that sports a tough look, but kids love to have them in the family. A pug can tuck into your bed, so have a pair of earplugs to escape the snoring and wheezing. The distinctive features of a pug, like a wrinkly face and curled tail, give it a unique look.Another small breed is the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, famous for its personality of giving immense love and being extremely adaptable. Owners of this dog rave about it being gentle and sweet. But this dog has a lesser than average life expectancy of just 10 years. The Lhasa Apso is another breed of pups that we cannot miss mentioning for their calm and cuddly temperament. They are not very comfortable with strangers. They need a lot of socializing and human interaction. The papillon and the Shih Tzu are two other toy dogs to cuddle with which are very active and gentle. Being the most popular toy family dogs, they are gentle pups with less than 5 lb (2.27 kg) in weight. The boxer is a very loyal and friendly dog breed with cropped ears and a docked tail, though it appears fearsome.Most Affectionate Medium Dog BreedsMedium dogs are slightly larger than small breeds but they are still not considered large. They constitute most of the dog population and weigh anywhere between 20-60 lb (9 - 27.2 kg). Because they are easier feed, train, and care for, they are most preferred by families. Having better health conditions, they are not as delicate and fragile as small dogs and have a better life expectancy.Bulldogs, known to be stout, are energetic but slow down with age. They are friendly and have a calm demeanor. The bull terrier is another medium breed known for its high energy and playful nature. The cocker spaniel is a happy and playful breed that is fine with moderate exercise and a relatively smaller space. The English springer spaniel is another medium dog that belongs to the sporting group and happily hunts and runs athletically with you and stays very close to you at home. It can share your bed and is very happy in the active family environment. Beagles are amiable and are sweet, smaller dogs in the medium category who happily stay in smaller spaces with moderate activity levels. Australian shepherds are highly intelligent and physically high-energy dogs. They are famous for dog sports such as catching a flying disc. Having a friendly personality, they are a loyal breed and need an outlet for their high physical and mental energy, keeping your children busy. The Pembroke Welsh corgi is known to be a great herding dog breed which is friendly and athletic. It is also a bright and alert watchdog and loved by families.Most Affectionate Large Dog BreedsJust as most dogs are loving and affectionate, some groups of dogs are less affectionate and are not the right fit for someone looking forward to kisses and cuddles. Their personalities are more towards keeping to themselves, though they are very loyal and devoted. Such non-cuddly dog breeds are the Afghan hound, the Shiba Inu, the chow chow, and the shar-pei.Large dogs are more than 60 lb (27.2 kg) and need large spaces to become adaptable. Labrador retrievers are undoubtedly cherished dogs for their intelligence, friendliness, and good nature. Though their size may be intimidating, they are very family-oriented dogs and need a good amount of space. The golden retriever takes a special place in the group of large dogs; they are affectionate and spread joy. Their boundless affection and outgoingness make them the best companion and great family pets. The average life span of retrievers is about 12 years, so 12 years of guaranteed love! Golden retrievers are famous for being loyal and are highly cherished companions for kids.The Newfoundland is a large breed that got its name from a Canadian city. It’s a gentle giant and a great swimmer. These dogs are excellent friends to humans though they appear large and ferocious. The German shepherd needs no introduction for its stunning looks and loyal nature. It is highly intelligent, but you need to be patient with this giant to train it. The Great Dane is the most preferred dog if you are an exercise buff. These dogs need about two hours of walking or jogging every day. Great Danes love drives and mystery solving. The Bernese mountain dog gives cuddles and kisses and is a strong dog. Owners are proud to have this one as a pet.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for most affectionate dog breeds, then why not take a look at easiest dog breeds to train or bulldog facts.
Dogs are loyalty personified, and some of them are so good at expressing their love that they occupy a special place in your heart and you and your dog become best friends.
