Australian Shepherds' love for hugs varies by individual personality, but many are affectionate "Velcro dogs" who love physical contact, leaning in, and cuddling, while others are more independent and prefer personal space, expressing love through proximity and activity rather than constant embraces. Their high energy and working-dog heritage mean they often prefer active engagement, but they can become great snuggle buddies, especially as they mature.
Every dog has its own personality and comfort level with touch. Some Aussies may never enjoy a lot of cuddling, and that's okay. They weren't bred to be lap dogs, so forcing them into excessive physical affection goes against their nature. Instead, focus on respecting your dog's boundaries.
If a person consistently provides positive experiences—like treats, praise, or playtime—the dog will naturally associate them with happiness and security. These positive associations are powerful and help strengthen the bond between a dog and their favourite person.
1. Golden Retrievers. Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds around, and part of the reason for this is the affectionate personality common to the breed. They're known for being loving and loyal, but they're also very smart dogs, making them quite easy to train.
Signs of a dog that is relaxed and potentially enjoying being hugged can include a loose body, soft/squinty/closed eyes, a relaxed mouth and facial expression, lying down, head resting on you, ears in a neutral position and steady breathing (see image 5 again).
The "4-8-12 hug rule," popularized by family therapist Virginia Satir, suggests humans need 4 hugs a day for survival, 8 for maintenance, and 12 for growth, emphasizing physical touch's importance for emotional and physiological well-being, though the numbers aren't strict science but a guideline for connection, with longer, meaningful hugs (around 20 seconds) being particularly beneficial for stress reduction.
Some dog breeds, like Golden Retrievers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Pomeranians, are known for being exceptionally cuddly and affectionate. While breed tendencies towards affection can guide potential owners, individual dogs may still have unique personalities and preferences.
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An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
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Dogs say "sorry" through submissive body language like tucking their tail, lowering their head, making "puppy eyes," licking, and rolling onto their backs to show they're not a threat, which are appeasement signals to diffuse tension after a conflict or misbehavior, often combined with whining or approaching and retreating. They recognize when their human (or another dog) is upset and use these signs to seek forgiveness, though it's more about reducing stress than human-like guilt.
Koda is definitely a jealous boy, which is a pretty common behavior in Australian Shepherds: as playful and kind as they are, they also want to make sure they're the center of our attention at all times. They're attention seekers!
The cons of Australian Shepherds include their high energy levels, which require significant exercise and mental stimulation, as well as their tendency to herd, which can lead to nipping behaviors. Additionally, they may be prone to certain health issues and can be challenging for first-time dog owners.
Despite their working shepherd dog DNA, Aussie dogs love to cuddle up on the sofa and be part of home and family life. In fact, they are incredibly sociable, family-orientated dogs, and so they should live, eat, and sleep indoors with you.
German Shepherds are popular in the U.S. for their calm and courageous demeanor and need lots of exercises.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
While your dog might not look at the clock, most dogs do know when it's dinner time or time to go for a walk. How do they do this? It's biological. All animals have circadian rhythms - physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle, responding to light and darkness in the environment.
One minute for a human is 7 minutes for a dog, 1 hour is 7 hours, 1 day is 7 days, 1 week is 7 weeks, and so on.
A red flag dog behavior signals deep fear, stress, or potential aggression, going beyond normal misbehavior, and includes intense growling/snapping without cause, sudden aggression in a calm dog, persistent hiding, resource guarding (food aggression), freezing, destructive behavior linked to separation anxiety, or signs of extreme anxiety like trembling, lip-licking, and tail-tucking, indicating underlying problems needing professional intervention.
The "heartbreak breed" refers primarily to the Great Dane, nicknamed this due to their affectionate nature combined with a relatively short lifespan (around 7-10 years) and susceptibility to serious heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), making losing them particularly difficult for their devoted owners. Other giant breeds like Irish Wolfhounds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Saint Bernards also face significant health challenges, including cancer and heart disease, often earning them similar sentiments from owners.
Generally, dogs dislike hugs, not being allowed to sniff, a lack of routine, and more. Even the most laid-back dog will hate some of the things we humans do—if they tolerate it, it's just because they love you or don't want to be dominant.
When looking for your new 'man's best friend' why not consider one of the following dog breeds:
To say "I love you" in dog language, use soft eye contact, raise your eyebrows, give gentle massages (especially ears), lean into them, and engage in play or shared activities like walks, which build trust and affection through shared experiences and physical connection, releasing oxytocin for both of you.