19 Loyal Dog Breeds That Make True Best Friends

Choosing a breed of dog to bring home to your family can be overwhelming, but opting for a breed known for being loyal can help to ensure that your pet will fall in love with all your family members. These 19 dog breeds will make loyal companions in most households.

Labrador Retriever

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Labradors, one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, are friendly and outgoing pets. Petplan describes them as “an easy-going, loyal and affectionate companion always eager to please.” Their loyalty makes them highly trainable, and as a result, they are often chosen for roles such as service dogs, search-and-rescue, and therapy work.

German Shepherd

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German Shepherds often serve in police and military roles due to their intelligence, courage, and loyalty. They develop strong bonds with their owners and are highly protective of their family members. They are very trainable and eager to please their handlers, making them suitable for various types of work, including assistance and service roles.

Golden Retriever

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Renowned for their friendly, tolerant attitude, Golden Retrievers make excellent family pets and companions. They are extremely eager to please and intelligent, making them highly trainable, and they excel in service roles and search-and-rescue missions. They also maintain their puppy-like energy and playfulness well into adulthood.

Beagle

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According to the American Kennel Club, “Not only is the Beagle an excellent hunting dog and loyal companion, it is also happy-go-lucky, funny, and ‘thanks to its pleading expression’ cute.” These dogs are known for their curious personalities, and they make great pets for families and active individuals.

Boxer

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Playful and energetic, Boxers are fiercely loyal to their family members and often form a strong bond with children. They are known for the ‘Boxer bounce,’ a distinct playful behavior that shows their fun-loving personality. Not only are Boxers fantastic pets, but this breed also makes great guard dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs.

Yorkshire Terrier

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Although small in size, Yorkshire Terriers have big personalities and are protective of their families due to their loyal nature. They are affectionate, become very attached to their owners, and often follow them from room to room. They are also highly intelligent and trainable, and they are known for their ability to perform well in various canine sports.

Dachshund

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According to Hooman’s Friend, “Dachshunds are incredibly loyal to their person. They bond strongly with their owner, and it’s a genuine understanding of trust, protection, and belly rubs.” Originally bred for hunting, they have a strong sense of determination and independence.

Rottweiler

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Loyal and confident, Rottweilers often serve as guard dogs or in law enforcement roles due to their protective instincts. They are intelligent and highly trainable, responding well to firm, consistent training from an early age. They are also affectionate with family members and often follow their owners around the house.

Poodle

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Intelligent and loyal, Poodles come in standard, miniature, and toy sizes, making this breed suitable for lots of homes. They are intelligent, and they often form strong bonds with family members. They are also hypoallergenic, making them great companions for those with allergies.

Bulldog

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Loyal and patient, Bulldogs make great companions for children and are an ideal choice for those who live in apartments or small spaces. DogTime says, “Dating back to the 13th century, this breed has evolved from their bull-baiting past to become gentle and affectionate companions.”

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for their affectionate and eager-to-please nature,  thriving on companionship with their owners. They make excellent pets for families or single individuals and are adaptable to various living situations. They are also sociable and gentle, making them great companions for children or elderly people.

Australian Shepherd

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Australian Shepherds are fantastic in dog sports and agility due to their loyalty, intelligence, and high level of energy. These traits also mean they are versatile working dogs, capable of performing tasks ranging from herding livestock to serving as therapy dogs. 

Shetland Sheepdog

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Intelligent, loyal, and highly trainable, Shetland Sheepdogs form close bonds with their family members. They are excellent at obedience and agility training and are very eager to learn from their handler. They are also vigilant watchdogs, often barking to alert their owners to anything unusual.

Border Collie

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According to Royal Canin, “Characterized by grace, elegance and perfect balance, combined substance and endurance, Border Collies are intelligent, loyal dogs.” They are highly intelligent and energetic, so they are best off with an active family, and you’ll need to be aware that they have a strong herding instinct that they may display around children.

Saint Bernard

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Often serving as rescue dogs in alpine areas, Saint Bernards are known for their gentle, friendly nature and loyalty. They are patient and loving with children, making them excellent family pets, and these gentle giants are known for their calm and gentle demeanor.

Doberman Pinscher

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Loyal, intelligent, and highly protective, Dobermans are known for forming close bonds with their owners. They are highly trainable and intelligent, making them great at obedience, agility, and working roles such as police and military service. This breed is playful and loving and requires regular exercise.

Akita

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Excellent guard dogs, Akitas are known for their loyalty and affection toward their family while often being wary of strangers. These dogs are loving and protective toward their family members, but due to their strong will and independent nature, they require consistent training and socialization from an early age.

Cocker Spaniel

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Known for their gentle, affectionate nature, Cocker Spaniels often form a close bond with family members and are particularly good with children. They are intelligent and eager to please, making them highly trainable for various tasks and activities. This breed is also cheerful and enjoys being social with both humans and other dogs.

Siberian Husky

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Loyal to their pack, Siberian Huskies often show deep connections to their family members. They are highly energetic, making them great pets for active families as they require regular exercise. Due to their independence and intelligence, they require consistent training to become cooperative and well-mannered pets.

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