When it comes to choosing a furry friend to join your family, finding one of the best behaved dog breeds is top of the list. A well-behaved dog – one who responds quickly to positive reinforcement with the best dog treats – not only makes for a harmonious household but also makes for a positive partnership as you navigate life with your four-legged companion.
Whether you're a first-time owner or an experienced dog lover, the breeds included in this roundup are known for their obedience, sociability, and natural inclination to please, making them a joy to live with.
Even better news, they’ll make teaching important skills and habits like how to potty train a puppy or how to stop a dog from pulling on a leash a whole lot easier.
Good behavior: Nature vs. nurture?
It’s worthwhile noting that all dogs differ in personality no matter what breed they are.
“When researching what the best behaved dog breeds, you firstly want to decide what you want from a new dog in your life,” explains animal behaviorist Caroline Wilkinson. “Do you want a high energy dog breed, ready for long hikes or running? Do you want them to be more laid back, a complete sofa snoozer? Or perhaps you want to compete at a dog sport with them."
While every dog owner wants to get something different out of the pet, a mentally and physically robust pooch is the foundation stone.
“For the average pet home, we want a dog who is comfortable around people as a starting point,” comments Caroline.
Then, it’s a question of how people-oriented your pup is.
“Working or herding dog breeds who are inclined to work with their human as a team or lap dog breeds – bred purely as a companion animal – can be easier to train than more independent breeds.”
Read on for 10 of the best behaved dog breeds to guide you in finding a canine companion that embodies obedience and will make an excellent addition to your home.
Best behaved dog breeds
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are calm, patient, and cuddly dogs. They can adapt easily to almost any environment, which makes them a great option for families, elderly folks, and an ideal breed for first-time dog owners.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very sociable and affectionate, so don't be surprised if they fall in love with everyone they meet.
2. Golden retriever
There's a reason why golden retrievers are so popular: they're by and large incredibly well-behaved. They're one of the best family dog breeds, wonderfully affectionate, and are usually easy to train.
Whether you're looking for a cuddle buddy or a run partner, the golden retriever is sure to fit the bill. Just picture them exactly like the dog in Disney Pixar movie Up: great with children, gentle, loving and kind. It's a no-brainer.
3. Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are an easy dog to take care of, and are also usually quite well-behaved. They are both friendly and energetic, but like cuddling just as much as the next dog. Boston Terriers are usually fairly quiet, and don't bark all that much.
They're incredibly affectionate but, as is typical of terrier breeds, they will need some exercise to ensure they don't get too hyper! Boston Terriers both love children and make great companions for the elderly and apartment dwellers alike.
4. Beagle
Beagles are gentle, sweet and amicable with almost everyone they meet. They crave human company and are great dogs for families with young children thanks to their sweet dispositions.
As long as you make sure they get consistent training, beagles can be incredibly well-behaved dogs but they do have an occasional tendency to be a bit stubborn, so you'll want to train out that behavior quick. That aside, the beagle's intelligence and eagerness to please mean they are easily won around.
5. Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs are definitely one of the best behaved dog breeds. They're incredibly affectionate dogs that are often big old sweethearts. They're calm and patient, which makes them great companions for families with children.
They're also considered one of the least aggressive and friendliest dog breeds, which means they'll be kind and calm to almost anyone they meet. Bernese Mountain Dogs may be big, but they're mostly just giant cuddlers that can double as a pillow.
6. Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is incredibly kind, caring, and sweet by nature. These dogs are very trusting and gentle, which makes them a fantastic fit for elderly people, families with young kids, or new dog owners.
They're also incredibly smart and tend to be easy to train, which means you hopefully won't have to spend too much time teaching them good behaviors. Labs are energetic, however, so make sure they're getting plenty of exercise or they may channel that energy into some unwanted behavior.
7. Border Collies
Border Collies are eager to please and incredibly affectionate, with an impressive intelligence that makes them fairly easy to train. You'll usually find them in the field as working dogs, but they are also gentle-natured and enjoy a good cuddle.
Just make sure they're getting exercise everyday to burn off that energy, and have plenty of mental stimulation. You could try getting into activities for hyperactive dogs or offering one of the best dog puzzle toys.
In summary, Border Collies are smart, kind and can easily fit into your home with the right training and mindset.
8. Australian Shepherd Dog
Australian Shepherds are widely recognized for their exceptional behavior and are often praised for their good manners.
This breed stands for its intelligence, eagerness to please and natural inclination to follow instructions and perform tasks, which translates into obedient behavior in various settings.
They thrive on mental stimulation and enjoy having a job or purpose, so, as with any dog, you get out as much as you put in with an Aussie.
9. Newfoundland
We round off the list with two notably well behaved dog breeds as suggested by companion animal vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan. First on her list is the Newfoundland.
“Newfies are among the most well-behaved breeds that visit me at work,” she tells us.
So long as you have sufficient space and don’t mind a bit of drool, Newfies are a laid back, easygoing family dog who loves nothing more than your company. They are often touted as one of the most obedient large dog breeds.
You’ll want to make sure your Newfie is well socialized and has solid recall training before you venture out on offlead walks, but with this in place, you couldn’t hope for a more dependable dog.
10. Poodle
Poodles might be fluffy, but boy do they have substance. In fact, they rank in the top three smartest dog breeds and thrive on physical and mental exercise, making them prime candidates for agility and obedience trials.
Another breed recommended by Dr MacMillan, poodles can pick on commands and rules quickly to become not only a well-mannered housemate, but also a wonderful family pet.
How do I choose the best puppy?
So, you’ve settled on one of the best behaved dog breeds. According to Dr Rebecca MacMillan, viewing your potential puppy’s parents in their home environment is the place to start.
“Temperament does have an inherited component, so if the parent dogs are easy-going and even-tempered, then it increases the chance of the puppies being this way too.”
When choosing your puppy from the litter, look between the extremes.
“The middle-ground puppy is always recommended,” continues Dr MacMillan. “You want a puppy that is confident and inquisitive, but not overly boisterous or enthusiastic.
“Equally, you don’t want to pick the nervous puppy cowering at the back if you want the easiest ride with your dog.”
Ensure the breeder has laid the foundations for a resilient dog, too.
“Your puppy should also come from a breeder who has spent the time to properly socialise their puppies, exposing them to a wide range of stimuli in a positive fashion. All these things will give you a firm foundation on which to continue their socialisation and training going forward.”
How do I teach my puppy good manners?
Raising a well-mannered dog takes significant input.
“Owners must carry on introducing their puppy to new experiences, animals and people in a positive and controlled fashion,” explains Dr MacMillan. “This will be vital to how they interact with these things in the future.”
She adds that you should also start as you mean to go on with puppy training.
“All training sessions should be reward-based,” she says. “You must praise and offer treats for any desirable behaviours, which will encourage your dog to repeat them. Negative training with punishments and shouting will only lead to anxiety and are not helpful if you are trying to raise a well-behaved dog.”
Consistency is also key for a well-behaved dog.
“This means having house rules and everyone in the family sticking to them, including things like whether the dog is allowed upstairs, on the sofa or the bed.”
Plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation will also make it easier for your dog to show desired behaviour.
“A tired dog is a happy and content dog. If your dog is having all their needs met, they will be much more likely to be settled and well-behaved.”
Read next: 6 things you should know before getting a puppy
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
