All dogs that are raised properly can become very affectionate, loyal to their owners or caregivers. However, there are dog breeds that tend to be sweet, friendly and affectionate dogs. Especially these breeds can become great therapy dogs such as: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Greyhound, etc. Here are top 10 most affectionate large dog breeds.
#1 – Labrador Retriever
Height: 24.5 inches
Weight: 80 pounds
The Labrador Retriever is a medium-large breed of retriever-gun dog originating from United Kingdom and Canada. They have an adorable appearance and an outgoing, friendly, vivacious personality. The Labrador Retriever is a intelligent, affectionate, playful, energetic, easy to train, easygoing, human-friendly dog that is suitable for making friends with all ages. They show deep affection for their caregivers and owners and they have high separation anxiety so they also require a lot of attention from their owner. Labrador Retrievers are often used as therapy dogs and they are also people who work hard in support, rescue and police work.
#2 – Golden Retriever
Height: 24 inches
Weight: 75 pounds
The Golden Retriever is a Scottish gundog with great beauty. Golden Retrievers are friendly, smart, affectionate, devoted friends, docile, easy to train and have love in life. They are eager to please and suitable for making friends with all ages, from children to the elderly. However, Golden Retrievers also shed a lot, requires exercise and is also prone to separation anxiety so they need a lot of attention from their owners. Nowadays, Golden Retrievers are used for a variety of jobs, including assistance dogs, therapy dogs, detection dogs, and search and rescue participants.
#3 – Greyhound
Height: 28-30 inches (male), 27-28 inches (female)
Weight: 65-70 pounds (male), 60-65 pounds (female)
The Greyhound is a hunting dog, but they are extremely gentle, sweet, obedient, independent in spirit and they exude an aristocratic look. Greyhound is famous for the fastest running ability in the dog world (45 Miles Per Hour) and they are also dogs that often have long sleeps. They have sweet, sensitive souls that is well suited for introverts and can make excellent therapy dogs.
#4 – Standard Poodle
Height: 15 inches
Weight: 60-70 pounds
Today we often see Standard Poodle appearing in agile and obedient competitions. The Standard Poodle is a intelligent dog, easy to train, suitable for playing with children, and they also have hypoallergenic fur. And not just Standard Poodle, all versions of Poodle are great, smart, docile companions.
#5 – Great Dane
Height: 30-32 inches (male), 28-30 inches (female)
Weight: 140-175 pounds (male), 110-140 pounds (female)
The Great Dane is a large breed of working dog originating from Germany. Great Dane has its regal appearance, strength and elegance with great size and a powerful, well-formed, smoothly muscled body. They are very gentle, friendly, and rarely bark, coupled with an elegant appearance. The Great Dane is a sweet, friendly, affection, gentle and reliable companion, they are also a good guardian, alert for the family.
#6 – Irish Wolfhound
Height: 32 inches minimum (male), 30 inches minimum (female)
Weight: 120 pounds (male), 105 pounds (female)
The Irish Wolfhound is a talented hunting dog originating from Ireland. Previously, they were used as a wolf hunter, and their names also originated from here. Nowadays, Irish Wolfhounds are often favored for their loyalty, affection, patience, calm and devotion. in addition, they are generally introverted, intelligent, and reserved in character, not barking nor too aggressive.
#7 – Newfoundland
Height: 28 inches (male), 26 inches (female)
Weight: 130-150 pounds (male), 100-120 pounds (female)
The Newfoundland is also known by another name is Newfie, is a large working dog originating from Newfoundland and Labrador (is the easternmost province of Canada). In addition to its large, strong appearance, this breed is better known for its sweet, cute, sociable, gentle, patient, rarely barking personality and Newfie is also considered a good dog for children. Newfie also particularly likes water and they can work underwater, for rescue cases.
#8 – Great Pyrenees
Height: 27-32 inches (male), 25-29 inches (female)
Weight: 100 pounds & up (male), 85 pounds & up (female)
The Great Pyrenees, also known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, is a large breed of dog used as a livestock guardian dog. They are adapted to snow-covered mountains, and are used as dogs to protect cattle from wolves and other predators. The Great Pyrenees is an affectionate, confident, gentle, patient, calm dog and is considered good with children. However, The Great Pyrenees can be slow to learn new commands, slow to obey and somewhat stubborn to train.
#9 – Bernese Mountain Dog
Height: 25-27.5 inches (male), 23-26 inches (female)
Weight: 80-115 pounds (male), 70-95 pounds (female)
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large-sized breed of working dog originating from Switzerland. They have a large appearance with a thick, silky, and moderately long coat is tricolored: jet black, clear white, and rust. The Bernese Mountain dog is an intelligent, loving, gentle, playful dog, easy to train, friendly with other pets and very gentle with children. however, they drool and shed pretty heavily and they are also prone to separation anxiety, so they will not be suitable for families that aren’t home for long periods of time.
#10 – Bull Terrier
Height: 22 inches
Weight: 70 pounds
The Bull Terrier is a robust, big-boned terrier breed originating in England. The Bull Terrier can be both independent and stubborn so early socialization is necessary to ensure that the dog gets along well with other pets. The Bull Terrier is a courageous, affectionate, cheerful dog, a children-loving dog and a great companion. In addition, a 2008 study in Germany also did not find that the Bull Terrier had any significant difference in temperament compared to the Golden Retrievers in studies of overall temperament.
