15 Breeds of Dogs That Make Great Companions

If you're looking for a furry friend to join your family, you're in luck! There are many breeds of dogs that make great companions, and I'm excited to share my top picks with you.

The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular breeds for families, known for being gentle and patient with children. They're also highly intelligent and easy to train.

Bulldogs, on the other hand, are perfect for city dwellers due to their calm nature and minimal exercise needs. They're also incredibly affectionate and loving companions.

Other breeds that make great companions include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Poodle, Boxer, Dachshund, Golden Retriever, Pug, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Beagle, Corgi, French Bulldog, and German Shepherd. Each of these breeds has unique characteristics that make them well-suited to different lifestyles and living situations.

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Small breeds are a delight to have as pets. They're often extremely intelligent and have cheerful attitudes, helping them get along with their human family members.

Some popular small breeds include Chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers, Jack Russell terriers, Pugs, and Chinese crested dogs, all of which are known for their friendly nature.

If you're looking for a small dog that's very friendly, consider these breeds. They're perfect for city living or for families who want a low-maintenance pet.

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The Maltese is a highly intelligent breed that responds well to positive reinforcement. They pick up potty training quickly and often catch on before finding their forever home.

Malteses can sometimes be stubborn, but they have a heart of gold and a willingness to learn. This makes them a fantastic choice for first-time dog owners who put in the work.

As a small breed, Malteses typically weigh between 6 to 15 pounds and stand between 5 to 17 inches tall, depending on the specific breed.

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Papillons are among the easiest toy breeds to potty train.

Their sensitive nature means they require lots of love during potty training.

They form strong bonds with their human companions and are eager to please, making them excellent therapy dogs.

Small breeds can make wonderful pets, and some are even known for their friendly nature. Chihuahuas are a popular small breed that are very friendly. They weigh between 6 to 15 pounds and have a life expectancy of 9 to 15 years.

Yorkshire terriers are another friendly small breed that are often considered lap dogs. They weigh between 6 to 15 pounds and have a life expectancy of 9 to 15 years. Their small size makes them a great choice for apartment living.

Pugs are also known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are relatively small, weighing between 10 to 17 inches in height, and have a life expectancy of 9 to 15 years.

Chinese crested dogs are another friendly small breed that are known for their affectionate nature. They are relatively small, weighing between 10 to 12 inches in height, and have a life expectancy of 9 to 15 years.

Here are some of the friendliest small dog breeds:

Bichon Frises are tiny dogs with lots of energy and charm.

They do well with crate training because they won't pee close to where they sleep, making it easy for them to understand potty training.

Bichon Frises are an alert dog breed, so if they have one accessible, they won't bother you whenever they have to potty.

Their alert nature also means they can learn to communicate their needs effectively, making potty training a smoother process.

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Miniature Schnauzers are protective, intelligent, and love socializing.

They're eager to please their human companions, so they're happy to pick up new tricks.

These dogs have sensitive hearts, so you must be as positive as possible during potty training.

With love and patience, Miniature Schnauzer puppies can be house-trained in less than one week.

Schnauzers, like Poodles, are known for how little they shed, making them a great choice for families with allergies.

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Whippet dogs are quite energetic, but they're also gentle, making them great companions for families with young children.

Their weight range is impressive, spanning from 15 to 42 pounds.

Whippets are relatively tall, standing between 18 to 22 inches high.

These dogs are very respectful of their humans and won't cause a ruckus with their barking.

Boxers have a long history as working dogs and first made their appearance in WWI. They were often used to deliver messages between troops in the middle of crossfire. Boxers served versatile roles for our military officers in both wars.

Dachshunds are playful, energetic dogs.

Their weight ranges from 16 to 32 pounds, making them a relatively small breed.

Dachshunds are fiercely devoted to their human companions and will always return to their masters.

Their life expectancy is impressive, ranging from 12 to 16 years, which is a testament to their robust health.

Their short stature, paired with their stubbornness, gives them endearing personalities that are hard to resist.

Their original purpose was to drag prey out of burrows, which has made them independent and brave.

Northern Companion Spitzes make perfect companions for cold winter nights. They're bred to keep people company through Scandinavian winters, and they'll happily snuggle up with you by the fire.

These dogs are relatively small, with a height of 12 to 20 inches, depending on the specific breed. Their thick fur lets them play outside all year long, but they still love to cuddle up close.

Their thick coats come in handy when playing outside in the snow, but they also require regular grooming to prevent matting. You'll need to brush their fur at least a few times a week to keep it looking its best.

Northern Companion Spitzes are known for their loyalty and affection towards their owners. They'll often follow you around the house and enjoy spending time with you.

Their life expectancy is around 12 to 15 years, depending on the specific breed. With proper care and attention, they can live a happy and healthy life.

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American Cocker Spaniels are great family dogs due to their even tempers and gentle behavior.

They come in a range of weights, from 15 to 31 pounds, making them a versatile breed for various living situations.

These dogs have a medium energy level and need regular walks and playtime to keep them happy and healthy.

They're originally bred as sporting dogs, so they'll keep you active and entertained.

Their life expectancy is between 10 to 14 years, which is a decent lifespan for a small breed dog.

Poodles are a popular choice for families due to their hypoallergenic coats.

They're also extremely intelligent and faithful to their human companions.

Their iconic coats require regular grooming, so be prepared to commit to regular grooming sessions.

Poodles come in a range of sizes, from 6 to 70 pounds, depending on their classification.

If you're thinking of getting a large breed dog, you'll want to consider their exercise needs. They require a well-maintained fence for containment, especially since they can weigh between 60-75 pounds.

Some large breeds, like the Belgian Sheepdog, are surprisingly agile and obedient, making them a joy to train. They excel in search and rescue teams due to their excellent tracking skills.

But be aware that their keen sense of smell and strong prey drive can make them chase just about anything that moves, so obedience training is a must.

Siberian Huskies are friendly and affectionate, making them great companions for families.

They weigh between 35-60 pounds, which is relatively manageable for many households.

Siberian Huskies are outdoor dogs bred to pull sleds in cold climates, so they need plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy.

They love to run, and can easily reach speeds of 30 miles per hour without a sled, so be prepared to keep up with them!

If you don't keep your Husky well-exercised, they might just take off to burn some extra energy, so make sure to provide them with plenty of physical activity.

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Standard Poodles are known for their fancy, groomed looks, but they're highly intelligent and quickly pick up on new commands.

Their intelligence makes them highly trainable, but they do need more time and practice with potty training.

The Giant Schnauzer is a breed that's been around for decades, known for its big personality and large stature. They're quiet dogs, but also highly alert in high-stress situations.

With proper training, handlers can quell their aggression and turn it into something productive. This breed is often used in search and rescue missions.

Their dedication and loyalty make them one of the best breeds in the police force. They're also skilled trackers for bombs, narcotics, and suspects.

Samoyeds are a great match for families with children due to their gentle and devoted nature. They're bred to pull sleds and guard reindeer in Siberia.

These friendly dogs have thick fur to protect them from subzero temperatures. They're known for their playfulness and might even knock you over or drag you along on a walk.

Samoyeds can be safely allowed off-leash in new and unfamiliar places if they have dependable recall. This is thanks to regular practice of "come back" with the help of a GPS device like Tractive.

Belgian breeds are a great option for outdoor enthusiasts. They do well in warm and cold weather.

One of the best things about Belgian breeds is their intelligence - they're easy to train. This makes them invaluable members of search and rescue teams.

Belgian breeds are large, weighing 60-75 pounds. They require a well-maintained fence for containment.

Their keen sense of smell is a double-edged sword - it makes them excellent trackers, but also means they'll chase nearly anything that moves. Don't skip out on their obedience training, especially their recall.

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Terriers are known for their friendly and sociable nature, with breeds like the Parson Russell terrier earning high marks for human interaction. They're energetic and love running around with their human companions.

These dogs make great family pets due to their affection towards family members and eagerness to please.

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The Toy Fox Terrier is a great choice for families with older kids, as they are easily house-trained and catch onto potty commands very quickly. This makes them a perfect breed for kids who are old enough to help with the potty training process.

Toy Fox Terriers are playful dogs, which makes them a great fit for families with kids who love to play. They're also very loyal, forming strong bonds with their family members.

These terriers are great with older children, but that doesn't mean they're not suitable for smaller kids either. With proper supervision and training, Toy Fox Terriers can thrive in families with kids of all ages.

Their playful nature also means they need regular exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.

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Bull Terriers are iconic for their egg-shaped heads and mostly white coats, although they can come in other colors.

Their physical appearance can be intimidating, with powerful muscles under their short fur.

Bull Terriers are very loyal and protective of their owners.

They are also known for their endearing personalities, which make them fun and loveable companions.

Bull Terriers typically weigh between 50 to 70 pounds.

Their height ranges from 21 to 22 inches.

Bull Terriers have a relatively long life expectancy, living up to 12 to 13 years.

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Parson Type Terriers are energetic dogs that love running around with their human companions. They make great family dogs thanks to the affection they show toward family members and their eagerness to please.

These terriers are related to the friendly Jack Russell terrier, which also earned high marks for human sociability.

Parson Type Terriers weigh between 13 to 22 pounds and stand between 13 to 16 inches tall.

They are friendly and affectionate towards their family members, making them great companions for many families.

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Boston Terriers are perfectly compact and sweet dogs. They have lots of energy, but short attention spans.

These dogs can be challenging to potty train, but with a training method of assertive and positive techniques, they can learn at their own pace.

Boston Terriers tend to be less excitable than other terrier breeds.

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Shiba Inus are a popular family dog because of their fierce loyalty and loving personality.

They're also surprisingly easy to potty train, picking up the habit quickly, often as early as four weeks old.

These dogs have a natural instinct to go potty as far away from their sleeping area as possible, which makes their potty training process even faster.

Shiba Inus can hold their bladder by five weeks old, even throughout the night.

They're a great choice for apartment living because they're not highly vocal dogs.

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Dutch Shepherds are actually a working dog breed, not a Terrier breed, but I'll include them in this section since they're often confused with Terriers.

They're known for being intuitive and reliable, which makes them great police dogs.

Their intelligence is one of their best qualities, allowing them to be trained for detection and patrol work.

Dutch Shepherds are also less aggressive breeds, which is a plus when it comes to working with them.

These traits make them perfect for sniffing out narcotics and bombs, a task they take very seriously.

Despite being less popular than some other breeds, Dutch Shepherds are definitely worth considering if you're looking for a smart and capable companion.

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