What Makes a Dog Breed the Friendliest—or Unfriendliest

Dog friendliness isn’t determined by breed alone. While genetics plays a significant role, early socialization, positive reinforcement training, and consistent social interaction shape how welcoming any dog becomes. However, certain breeds do demonstrate distinctly different temperamental patterns. A comprehensive survey of 5,000 dog owners—200 per breed across the 25 most popular American Kennel Club breeds—reveals striking patterns in canine friendliness, including which breeds rank among the unfriendliest and what factors drive these differences.

The Friendliest Canine Companions

The research identified several breeds consistently ranked as exceptionally sociable and welcoming. Bernese Mountain Dogs top the list with a perfect 100/100 friendliness score, marked by their gentle nature and tendency to embrace nearly everyone they encounter. They showed the lowest rates of defensiveness toward newcomers (just 6%) and topped rankings for playing well with other dogs (80.5%).

Golden Retrievers score 94.94/100, living up to their reputation as sociable family companions. Only 0.5% of owners describe them as unfriendly, and 94% rate their dogs as friendly or very friendly. Pembroke Welsh Corgis tie with Goldens at 94.94/100, proving that size doesn’t determine sociability—these small dogs eagerly accept treats and attention from strangers.

Labrador Retrievers rank fourth with 94.38/100, earning recognition as America’s favorite breed for nine consecutive years. They lead in enjoying cuddling (75.8%) and accepting treats from others (75.3%), while 47% of owners report their labs warmly greet newcomers.

Additional notably friendly breeds include Boxers (76.4/100), Great Danes (74.16/100), Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (68.54/100), Boston Terriers (62.36/100), French Bulldogs (55.06/100), and Australian Shepherds (53.37/100). Each demonstrates strong social inclination through different behavioral strengths—whether cuddling enthusiasm, openness to treats, or playfulness with other dogs.

Identifying the Unfriendliest Dog Breeds

The research also identifies which breeds owners perceive as considerably less sociable. American Bulldogs score 0.00/100, earning the distinction as the unfriendliest breed in the analysis. Despite ranking among well-behaved breeds overall, they show the lowest inclination to cuddle (16.3% don’t enjoy it), reluctance to accept treats from others (56% won’t), and notable defensiveness toward strangers (18% defensive).

Doberman Pinschers rank second with just 2.25/100, reflecting their reputation as fiercely protective guardians. Nearly one-quarter of owners (23.5%) report their Dobermans remain defensive and don’t warm up easily to newcomers.

Rottweilers and Cane Corsos tie at 8.43/100, representing the guardian dog category. While the unfriendliest Rottweilers show playfulness with family members, they consistently resist treats from unfamiliar people (20.5% won’t accept them) and rarely welcome newcomers warmly.

Shih Tzus represent the only small breed among the unfriendliest group at 8.99/100, primarily due to poor socialization with other dogs (49.5% don’t play well together) and lower openness to stranger interaction.

Understanding the Behavioral Metrics

The friendliness scale evaluated ten specific behaviors: how dogs play with others, cuddling preferences, treat acceptance, and warmth toward newcomers. Friendly breeds consistently excel across multiple dimensions, while the unfriendliest typically struggle with stranger acceptance and cuddling initiation. Interestingly, low overall friendliness doesn’t always correlate with poor behavior—it reflects different social orientations, often linked to guardian instincts or breed-specific characteristics.

Practical Considerations for Prospective Owners

Beyond personality, breed selection carries financial implications. Several unfriendliest breeds—including Cane Corsos, Rottweilers, and some friendly breeds like French Bulldogs—rank among the most expensive dog breeds to insure due to predisposition to specific health conditions.

The average pet insurance cost stands at $55 monthly for unlimited annual coverage (90% reimbursement, $500 deductible), or approximately $612 annually with $5,000 annual coverage. Since larger breeds tend to face higher premiums due to increased susceptibility to heart and hip issues, owners should factor this into breed selection.

A single veterinary visit averages $61, though serious conditions requiring ongoing treatment can escalate costs significantly. Pet insurance typically covers accidents, injuries, chronic illnesses, hereditary conditions, prescription medications, and diagnostic testing—making it valuable protection against budget-breaking medical emergencies.

Whether selecting the most friendly or the unfriendliest breed, prospective owners should evaluate their lifestyle, living situation, and financial capacity for potential medical expenses alongside the dog’s inherent temperament and socialization needs.