Top 17 Best-Behaved Dog Breeds You Can Own

Written By Jill Taylor

If you’re looking for a well–behaved best friend to have around the home but aren’t sure which breeds to choose from, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve collected the 17 best-behaved dog breeds that can be great additions to your life!

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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PetMD says that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is very loyal and smart. They’re also calm, patient, and affectionate, so they really do have all the traits that you might be looking for in a pet. You won’t find much better dog behavior than with these hounds!

Golden Retriever

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The golden retriever is a dog breed known for being exceptionally friendly and great with both children and families. Their high level of intelligence makes them easy to train, and they’re always eager to please, which means they’re a lot of fun to be around.

Poodle

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Many people love the poodle because it has a very particular personality. But what some people don’t know is that poodles are one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs, and this makes them easy to train to be on their best behavior.

Beagle

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The American Kennel Club tells us a few of the key characteristics of beagles that show that they’re well-behaved and great to own: they’re very affectionate, great company, and super loyal. Despite a little stubbornness from time to time, beagles are easy to train and very lovable!

Bernese Mountain Dog

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According to many of their owners, the Bernese Mountain Dog is one of the most affectionate breeds of dogs. Their affection makes them a great breed for families with children, and their calm nature makes them relaxing to be with. Their behavior is top-tier!

Border Collie

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Here’s another super intelligent breed of dog that’s very easy to train and eager to please. Its high energy level means that it requires plenty of physical exercise, but if you can do that, this could be the perfect breed for you.

Australian Shepherd

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The Australian Shepherd is widely considered to be very intelligent and trainable. It’s extremely obedient and agile, which is why it often participates in dog shows. They do get bored easily, so they need a lot to do, but it’s totally worth it.

Papillon

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This tiny breed of dog may not seem to be super intelligent at first glance, but once you spend enough time with one, you’ll see that it absolutely is. On top of this, the papillon has a long lifespan and is generally healthier than other breeds of dog.

Havanese

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The Havanese dog is smart and responsive to positive reinforcement. You’ll need to spend a lot of time with it, but if you do, you’ll have a calm and friendly pet that’s great for social environments. Nonetheless, you might rack up a high vet bill with this dog.

German Shepherd

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German Shepherds are very quick learners and fantastic to train. Therefore, it’s not surprising that Forbes reports that they’re very intelligent dogs that are also protective and loyal, which makes them great for the family, although they do require a lot of stimulation to prevent them from getting bored.

Miniature Schnauzer

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Positive reinforcement is the key for anyone looking to own a Miniature Schnauzer. They’ll need regular vet checkups to maintain their health. If you’re up for that, this is a super sharp and responsive dog to own.

Newfoundland

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The Newfoundland is the definition of a gentle giant. Its calm and loving temperament makes it one of the most adored dog species in the world. Its intelligence also means that it can be really easy to train one to behave well.

Boston Terrier

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Boston Terriers are intelligent, agile, obedient, and great at certain tasks like searching and catching. However, according to Britannica, they require a lot of care as they need to spend a lot of time outdoors, but if you’re an outdoorsy person or family, they are great pets!

Pug

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The pug is a dog with many health complications, and its quality of life may not be particularly high sometimes, so there’s a lot to be said about the ethical implications of owning one. But if we’re going off behavior alone, it’s a great dog to own.

French Bulldog

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The classic French bulldog is a dog breed that combines playfulness and intelligence in a very endearing way. Despite its slightly aggressive name, it’s actually a very quiet and respectful dog that will only ever become aggressive when truly necessary.

Shih Tzu

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A Shih Tzu might cost a lot of money, but if you’re willing to splash the cash, it’s a fantastic dog for its intelligence, making it easy to train. It’s an affectionate and friendly breed, great for families and elderly individuals.

Bichon Frise

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Many people believe that the Bichon Frise is the best dog for families and first-time dog owners. We’ve saved the best till last in that respect! This breed is cheerful and affectionate, so its owners fall in love with it right off the bat. Just be prepared for a lot of grooming.

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