What Makes a Friendly Dog: Ranking the Most (and Least) Sociable Canine Companions

When you’re thinking about bringing a new dog into your home, one of the biggest questions is simple: will this dog be the type to greet your friends with tail wags, or will it keep its distance? While breed certainly plays a major role in shaping personality, early socialization and positive reinforcement training are equally important in developing a truly friendly dog. To give future dog owners a clearer picture of which breeds tend to be the most naturally sociable—and which ones tend to be more reserved—Forbes Advisor surveyed 5,000 dog owners, recruiting 200 owners for each of the 25 most popular dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Understanding Canine Friendliness: What 5,000 Dog Owners Revealed

The research team at Talker Research analyzed dog friendliness across five core behavioral questions: how friendly owners perceive their dogs to be, how they greet newcomers, their social dynamics with other dogs, their willingness to accept treats and affection from strangers, and their overall cuddliness. Each breed was then ranked using 10 detailed metrics—from how often dogs play well together to how defensive they become around unfamiliar people. This data-driven approach gave researchers a comprehensive view of which canine companions truly live up to their reputations as friendly dogs, and which ones buck the stereotype.

The findings reveal some clear patterns. Certain breeds demonstrate an almost universal capacity for warmth and connection, while others were bred for protection and independence, making them naturally more cautious. Understanding these differences isn’t just about finding a cuddly companion—it can also affect long-term costs and lifestyle fit, especially when considering pet insurance.

The Most Sociable Dog Breeds: Topping the Friendliness Charts

Bernese Mountain Dog Leads the Pack

Scoring a perfect 100 out of 100, the Bernese Mountain Dog emerges as the gold standard for friendly dogs. Despite their substantial size, these gentle giants are known for their warmth and eagerness to bond with virtually everyone they meet. Survey data shows that only 6% of owners reported their Bernese Mountain Dog as defensive or slow to warm up to newcomers—the lowest of any breed studied. Even more impressive, just 7.3% of owners said their Bernese Mountain Dog didn’t enjoy cuddling, and a remarkable 80.5% reported their dog plays well with other canines, tying them for the top spot.

Golden Retrievers and Pembroke Welsh Corgis: Close Runners-Up

Golden Retrievers claimed a score of 94.94, maintaining their well-deserved reputation as some of the friendliest family companions. Pet owners reported that 94% rated their Golden Retriever as very or somewhat friendly. What’s particularly striking is that 43.5% of Golden Retriever owners said their dog warmly welcomes new arrivals—one of the highest percentages among all breeds. Only 6.8% of owners said their Golden Retriever wouldn’t happily accept treats or pets from others.

Tied with Golden Retrievers at 94.94, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi proves that size doesn’t determine sociability. These small dogs scored highest on treat-acceptance (with only 6.5% of owners reporting their Corgi refused treats or pets), and a solid 72% of owners said their Corgi gets along well with other dogs.

Labrador Retrievers: The Cuddle Champions

Labrador Retrievers scored 94.38 out of 100, and when you examine the details, it’s easy to see why. These lovable companions led the pack in multiple categories: 75.8% of owners report their Lab enjoys cuddling all the time or often (tied with Boston Terriers), while 75.3% said their Lab happily accepts treats and affection from anyone. Most impressively, 47% of Lab owners said their dog enthusiastically welcomes newcomers—the highest percentage across the study. With 94% of owners rating their Labrador as friendly, it’s no wonder the breed held the AKC’s top spot for nine consecutive years.

Boxers, Great Danes, and Beyond

Boxers scored 76.4 and showed particular strength in treat acceptance, with 73.5% of owners reporting their Boxer happily takes treats or pets from anyone. Great Danes, despite their intimidating appearance, scored 74.16 and tied Bernese Mountain Dogs for having the highest rate of dogs that play well together (80.5%).

The remaining most friendly dogs in the top 10 include Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (68.54), Boston Terriers (62.36), French Bulldogs (55.06), and Australian Shepherds (53.37). Each brings its own blend of sociability, cuddliness, and openness to meeting new people.

When Friendliness Takes a Backseat: The Least Sociable Dog Breeds

American Bulldogs: Reserved by Design

Scoring 0.00 out of 100, American Bulldogs top the list of least friendly dog breeds—a surprising finding given their reputation for good behavior in other contexts. The data shows that only 56% of American Bulldog owners report their dog happily accepts treats or pets all the time or often (compared to Labradors’ 75.3%), and 16.3% said their Bulldog rarely or never enjoys cuddling. Only 82% of owners rated their American Bulldog as friendly, significantly below the study average of 87.1%.

Doberman Pinschers and Protective Breeds

Doberman Pinschers scored just 2.25 out of 100. This makes sense given the breed’s history as a fiercely loyal protection dog—23.5% of owners reported their Doberman is defensive and slow to warm up to newcomers (the highest rate of any breed), and only 60% said their dog happily accepts treats from strangers. The breed ranks as the third least likely to play well with other dogs.

Similar patterns emerge with Rottweilers (8.43), which are bred to guard but bond deeply with their families. Just 20.5% of owners said their Rottweiler refuses treats or affection, yet the breed still scores low overall due to other friendliness metrics. Cane Corsos (8.43), with their commanding presence and Latin name literally meaning “bodyguard dog,” predictably show lower friendliness scores, with only 77% of owners rating them as friendly—significantly below average.

Shih Tzus: The Exception Among Small Breeds

Rounding out the bottom five with a score of 8.99, the Shih Tzu stands as the only small breed on the least friendly list. These dogs are notably selective about which dogs they play with (only 49.5% play well with other canines) and are less enthusiastic about greeting strangers (just 27% warmly welcome newcomers).

What Friendliness Really Means for Dog Owners

The data reveals that friendliness encompasses multiple dimensions: how readily a dog bonds with family, their comfort around strangers, their social compatibility with other pets, and their willingness to accept physical affection. The most friendly dog breeds excel in multiple areas, while more reserved breeds may shine in specific categories but fall short in overall approachability.

Interestingly, several of the top-ranked friendly dogs also happen to be among the most expensive to insure. French Bulldogs (No. 9 most friendly) and Rottweilers (No. 3 least friendly) both appear on lists of costly breeds to cover due to breed-specific health predispositions. Cane Corsos and Rottweilers face higher premiums partly because larger, more muscular breeds are prone to heart and hip conditions.

The Friendliness-Insurance Connection

When selecting a dog, considering pet insurance is crucial—not just for the dog’s personality fit but for financial protection. According to Forbes Advisor’s analysis, the average pet insurance costs approximately $55 per month for a dog with unlimited annual coverage, based on 90% reimbursement and a $500 deductible. On an annual basis, pet insurance averages $612 per year for dogs with $5,000 annual coverage, a $250 deductible, and 80% reimbursement.

Larger breeds—including many of the reserved dogs on the least friendly list—tend to carry higher premiums. Even a routine vet visit averages $61, but costs escalate rapidly when injuries, illnesses, or chronic conditions require ongoing treatment. Most pet insurance plans cover accidents and injuries, behavioral therapy, chronic and common illnesses, hereditary conditions, microchip implantation, prescription medication, wellness procedures, and diagnostics.

Making the Right Choice: Beyond Just Friendliness

The reality is that a dog’s friendliness depends on multiple factors working together. While breed provides a strong foundation, early socialization starting from puppyhood is critical. A naturally friendly dog breed without proper socialization may still develop behavioral issues, just as a more reserved breed with excellent training and positive experiences can become a wonderful family companion.

The survey of 5,000 dog owners and their detailed behavioral reports provide valuable guidance, but individual personality variation exists within every breed. Before bringing home your ideal canine companion, consider not just friendliness scores but also your lifestyle, living space, exercise requirements, and long-term commitment. And when you find the right match—whether that’s a warm and welcoming friendly dog or a loyal but more selective companion—securing appropriate pet insurance ensures you’re prepared for whatever health challenges may arise. Shopping around among multiple pet insurance providers can help you find the best coverage at a price that fits your budget, giving you peace of mind alongside your four-legged friend.