20 Most Affectionate Dog Breeds That Love Cuddling

Dogs are affectionate, kind, and loving pets who go to extreme lengths to elaborate on their feelings for their owners. They love spending time with us, greet us every time we enter our home after a tiring day at work, and, yes, cuddle us when we are feeling low.

Like humans, dogs also crave the attention of the people they love. They will do silly stuff to get it and never miss an opportunity to get the love they deserve. We all have a love language to show our love for others; for dogs, it’s hugs. What better than coming home after a hard day at work and getting greeted by your Fido? We can’t say for you, but it always works like a charm for us.

Some dogs are notoriously more kind and affectionate than others. And, don’t get us wrong, all dog breeds in the right hands will turn out to be smart and caring dogs. But, there are a few who have a naturally kind and sweet aura, and you can’t help but cuddle them up. Following are a few affectionate dog breeds that are sure to make you smile.

What Dog Breed Is Most Cuddly?

While many dog breeds are known for their affectionate and kind nature, Boxers are one of the most cuddly dog breeds and are often called cuddle experts.

Boxers are one of the most popular dog breeds among American families, mainly due to their charismatic and friendly personalities. They have great temperaments around children, are wonderful with strangers, and have a comparatively less prey drive. So, if you have any pets at home, you won’t have to worry about them being chased now and then.

Most Affectionate Dog Breeds

1. Great Dane

Great Danes are one of the largest dog breeds and gain an average height of 30 inches to the shoulder. Also called the “Apollo of Dogs,” mainly due to their large sizes and figure that make them appear intimidating to strangers. But don’t let their looks confuse you, as they are total couch potatoes and amazing huggers.

Danes are a bit wary of strangers and overly protective of their owners, but they are complete lap dogs despite their large size. Cuddly and a bit rampant in their early days, they turn out to be fine, strong, gentle giants.

Although they are large, Danes are lap dogs and wary of strangers.

2. Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the US, and the reason is quite simple – their inherent desire to please. Our Golden friend has a naturally sweet and affectionate aura, and it’s quite noticeable around children. They love to give and receive cuddles and will often lie down with you to keep you company.

Golden Retrievers are the hallmark of friendly and affectionate dogs who make excellent family pets. They don’t have an extensive exercise requirement but require your daily attention. They have charismatic personalities but might suffer separation anxiety if they often feel neglected. We say this from experience; nothing feels better than a cuddle from your favorite Retriever on a hard and sad day.

Around children, our Golden friend has an innately sweet and affectionate aura.

3. English Bulldog

Don’t let their sour and intimidating face get the best of you, as English Bulldogs are one of the laziest and the loveliest dog breeds you can find. They are great with children, wary of strangers, but most importantly, are great huggers. Their thick muscular coat may look tough, but it gives a soft pillow-like feel, enough to cuddle them all night long.

English Bulldogs have a soft and kind temperament and, most importantly, are social, friendly dogs. They love going out and have moderate to low exercise requirements but are prone to obesity. So, paying due diligence to their diet and exercise requirements is strongly recommended.

It is important to note that English Bulldogs are social, friendly dogs who have a soft and kind temperament.

4. Boxer

Also known as the George Clooney of dogs, a majestic handsome dog with humor that surpasses others quite easily. There is no doubt that Boxers have been one of the most popular dog breeds in the US for a very long time. You will find this charismatic character running all around the dog parks or sidewalks. They have a thick coat, a majestic, proud look, and are a sight to behold in their prime years.

Boxers are excellent athletes with great temperaments for children. Their calm and sweet aura is often reflected when nursing the children or when their owners are petting them. They are over-protective of their owners, and yes, they crave hugs and cuddles, which is why they are one of the most popular dog breeds among American families.

Children love boxers because they are excellent athletes with a great temperament.

5. German Shepherd

You must have seen many German Shepherds in protective gear in police service, chasing criminals and thieves alike. They are intelligent, fierce, and capable dogs. But, the main reason they are so popular among many military services is their easy trainability. They bond well with their owners, and in the right hands, with the right training, they will show extreme obedience.

German Shepherds are caring and affectionate dogs. They make excellent family pets but are sometimes overly protective of their owners. Their hairy body feels like a soft cushion, so if you are a hugger or a cuddler, get ready for some soft and warm cushiony feels.

There is nothing more caring and affectionate than a German Shepherd.

6. Newfoundland

Newfies are another giant dog breed but are calm and gentle giants with a great temperament around children and strangers. Their socialization and training needs are not as extensive as other large dog breeds, and they are also quite friendly for first-time dog owners.

Newfies’ large and thick black coats can be tough to manage and get quite messy with all that drooling and shedding. But, their kind, sweet nature, and great temperament are worth spending every penny and minute on.

Whether you are sad or need a day off to binge-watch Netflix, your Newfie will always be present to give you a strong hug.

Among the giant dog breeds, Newfies are known for their calm temperament and tolerance of children and strangers.

7. Jack Russel Terrier

Jackies are among the most social and friendly dog breeds, as they love going out and greeting new dogs and people. They will never miss an opportunity to hop onto your lap and spend the day doting on their beloved owner. They are active, smart, easily trainable, and intelligent dogs who can know how to entertain and gain attention.

The biggest advantage of owning Jackies is their easy adaptability to small apartments. They don’t have big moods and can easily adapt to new surroundings. Their soft and tender personalities make them excellent family pets, and yes, they are very doting on their owners and don’t miss the opportunity of showering love.

Jackies can be easily adapted to small apartments, which is their biggest advantage.

8. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise has a soft, white, and fluffy coat that is more than enough to receive all the love they crave. They are as huggable as they look, but these french dogs thrive the most in active and caring families. They enjoy the comfort of their owners and look to cuddle them. But can easily suffer from separation anxiety if they don’t get the attention they deserve.

Bichons are loving around children and strangers alike. Their temperaments around children and easy trainability make them excellent pets. Plus, they average only 18 pounds, and you can drag them around the park or to a supermarket to keep you company.

Regardless of whether they are around children or strangers, Bichons are loving.

9. Rottweiler

Rottweilers are quite sensitive and caring dogs, contrary to an unpopular opinion of aggressiveness linked to them. They have great temperaments and are excellent with children, but are quite large and can appear intimidating to strangers. But don’t let their sizes and appearances confuse you, as they are one of the kindest dogs around.

Rottweilers need early socialization and training for them to turn out as well-rounded dogs. They are brilliant dogs with charismatic appearance and are pretty easy to train. They bond well with their owners and can manifest doting feelings from the very beginning.

In order to become a well-rounded dog, Rottweilers should be socialized and trained from an early age.

10. Chihuahuas

Chihuahuas have a small size but huge temperaments and are one of the smallest dog breeds. They are easily misunderstood as aggressive dogs who are extremely wary of strangers. But, in fact, they are possessive of their owners and don’t like nearby lurkers to come close. They bond early and strong and easily suffer separation anxiety if they aren’t given the attention they deserve.

Chihuahuas are pure lapdogs and can fit inside a handbag. So, if you are looking for a wary companion to company you on long walks, no other dog breed comes close.

A Chihuahua can fit in a handbag because they are lapdogs.

11. Collie

Collies date back to Scotland, where they were bred as watchdogs, catering to the livestock and protecting them from predators. But, now, they enjoy the comfort of an average family home, gathering and showering love all around.

Like Lassie, a TV star with a huge fan following, Collies have proven to be wonderful, active, smart, and intelligent pets. However, they have an early socialization requirement, and with the right training, they can turn out to be well-rounded dogs.

Pet collies are wonderful, intelligent, and active pets.

12. Alaskan Klee Kai

Just like Chihuahuas, Alaskan Klee Kais tend to get attached to their owners easily. They are quite possessive of them and can be intimidating to strangers who try to invade their personal boundaries. They can be easily confused with an Alaskan Husky as a pup, but they are comparatively smaller in size than them.

Alaskan Klee Kais are a great choice if you are looking for a dog whose life revolves around you and who is energetic, fun, and active. They have a high prey drive but are a better companion than their physical counterparts, Alaskan Huskies.

An Alaskan Klee Kai is a great choice if you are looking for an energetic, fun, and active dog.

13. Labradoodle

Labradoodles were originally bred as hypoallergenic, sweet, and caring dogs and are a cross between Labrador Retrievers and Poodles. Undoubtedly, these doodles are a current American sensation, and the reason is quite simple – they are one of the most affectionate dog breeds.

Labradoodles have been found to have consistent personalities in terms of moods, and they have rarely been reported to show aggression in the right hands and training. If you are looking for a sweet and caring fido for yourself or your family and kids, this dog is the one you can all rely on to keep you happy.

In the right hands and with the right training, Labradoodles show consistent moods and rarely display aggression.

14. Labrador Retriever

Like our Golden friends, Labradors are one of the most popular dog breeds in the USA. They symbolize a happy, healthy, and active American family. And there is a strong reason for that as they are kind and affectionate dogs, with a natural tendency to be great with children making them excellent family pets.

Labs are easy to please and comparatively easier to manage for first-time dog owners. They love their owners deeply and will never hesitate to offer a hug. Their soft and caring personality is enough to sweep away all feelings of sadness. A big soft hug from your fido early in the morning, and you are set for the rest of the day.

For first-time dog owners, labs are easy to please and relatively easier to manage.

15. Dachshund

Dachshunds were bred as hunting dogs, used to tail wild boars, and hunt badgers, rabbits, and other small hairy animals. But, their great versatility has found its way into the lives of average American households.

Dachshunds are low-maintenance and lively dogs. They are great with children, and their biggest plus is their size, making them ideal for small apartments. They are great huggers; if you are hiding under a blanket, don’t be surprised to find them next to you sooner or later.

The Dachshund is a low-maintenance, energetic dog.

16. Brussels Griffon

Brussels found their origin in Belgium, where they were bred to hunt small animals like rats and other rodents. This humanlike toy breed is one of the liveliest and friendliest dog breeds you will come around. Their cute puppy eyes are more than enough to win the hearts of many. Whether you are having a bad day or a sad hour, a hug from this cute Griffon will relinquish all kinds of fears.

It doesn’t matter if you’re having a bad day or a sad hour, a hug from this adorable Griffon will bring you comfort.

17. Akita

Akitas symbolized good health, happiness, and wellness and were quite popular in ancient Japan because of their dignity and loyalty. They are strong and capable dog breeds and were used as protectors of Royalty in Ancient Feudal Japan. They also have excellent hunting prowess and have been used in big games like wild boars and deer.

Akitas form a strong bond with their owners and are quite protective of them. As a dog with a high prey drive, you need to ensure they get early socialization and training for them to become well-rounded dogs.

Akitas are very protective of their owners and form strong bonds with them.

18. Bernese Mountain Dog

This Bernese Mountain Dog is a companion and a guard dog bred to guard the farmlands and livestock of rural Switzerland. They are a strong, calm breed with a versatile personality. They are quite popular among farmers due to their easy trainability and tracking abilities.

Bernese makes excellent companions and family pets. They are great with children and strangers alike. Their intelligence and sturdy nature can be a hassle for first-time dog owners, but a firm and kind training hand can be the way to go.

The Bernese make excellent family pets and companions.

19. Pomeranian

Don’t let the Pomeranian size confuse you, as they are one of the most active and energetic dog breeds you will encounter. However, their energy bursts are short, and they tire easily. But, the biggest plus is for the owners living in a small apartment or those who move often.

Pomeranians adore companionship and are very doting on their owners. Plus, they are big entertainers and crave attention. So, if you have friends over at home or you greet a stranger, let them do the meet and greet and simply follow their lead.

The Pomeranians love companionship and are very devoted to their owners.

20. Italian Greyhound

Italian Greyhounds were the favorite companions of the noblewomen of ancient Italy, where they equally provided comfort and safety. They were more than lapdogs and companions, as their alertness and readiness have also been used for hunting games. Moreover, they are excellent family pets with a slight possessiveness towards their owners. You won’t be able to have a personal space though, as they will be attached to you 24/7. They are great huggers and comforters, so that’s a big plus.

Greyhounds were the favorite companions of ancient Italian noblewomen, providing comfort and safety.