There's no single "most harmless" dog, as temperament varies, but breeds consistently cited for being gentle, friendly, and non-aggressive include the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Basset Hound, all known for their loving nature, patience, and suitability with families and other pets, provided they receive proper training and socialization.
Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Basset Hounds, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for their gentle, friendly nature and are among the least aggressive breeds. Pugs, Newfoundland, and Greyhounds also have calm, easygoing temperaments. Here we have described various least aggressive dog breeds.
5 Safest Dog Breeds
The Top Fifteen Least Aggressive Dog Breeds
While there's no single "number one," the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever consistently rank as top friendly dogs due to their gentle, outgoing, and loyal temperaments, making them excellent family pets good with kids and other animals, though they need plenty of exercise. Other top contenders for friendliness include Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Pugs, known for their playful, affectionate, and people-loving natures.
The calmest dog breeds often include large, gentle giants like the Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, and Great Dane, along with smaller, easygoing companions such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Basset Hound, Pug, and English Bulldog, all known for their relaxed, affectionate, and laid-back temperaments, though individual dogs vary. Sighthounds like the Greyhound are also surprisingly calm indoors, needing short bursts of energy but otherwise content to lounge.
The Safest Dog Breeds Include Labrador Retrievers and Beagles
Dog breeds that (almost) never bite and are very friendly: Meet the canine sweethearts
Top 10 Most Aggressive Dog Breeds: 2026 Guide
The "heartbreak breed" typically refers to the Great Dane, nicknamed this due to their loving nature combined with a significantly shorter lifespan (around 7-10 years) and predisposition to serious heart issues like Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). Other breeds, like the Bernese Mountain Dog, are also called "heartbreak" dogs because of high cancer risks, while some owners find giant breeds or those with specific conditions, like Cavaliers and Pugs (heart issues), or Irish Wolfhounds (DCM), heartbreaking due to their health and mortality, despite their sweet disposition.
The #1 smartest dog breed, consistently ranked by experts like Dr. Stanley Coren, is the Border Collie, known for its exceptional ability to learn commands quickly (sometimes in under five repetitions) and obey them consistently, excelling in problem-solving and demanding mental stimulation. Other top contenders for intelligence often include the Poodle, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, and Shetland Sheepdog, recognized for their trainability and eagerness to please.
7 Cleanest Low-Shedding Dog Breeds:
Top 10 Dogs for Families with Kids
🌟 Top Cleanest Dog Breeds
German Shepherd: The Courageous Protector with a Gentle Side
Known for their intelligence and courage, they are highly trainable and excel in security and police work. But beyond their impressive guarding instincts, German Shepherds are deeply loyal and affectionate with their families.
Five dog breeds a vet claims you should not have as a pet are dachshund, French bulldog, Belgian malinois, border collie and labrador retriever. Had 2 Doxies. They were the best little things in my life.
Dog Breeds Most Likely to Bite
1. Pit Bulls. The most dog bites by breed come from pit bulls, accounting for 22.5% of dog bites in the United States every year, on average. Pit bull bites also tend to cause more severe injuries than other dogs.
Great Dane
The giant Great Dane is one of the calmest dog breeds. Their gentle, quiet nature makes them good family dogs, but they do need plenty of space to live and play.
It's never too late to start training. Training a mature or geriatric dog has advantages: Strengthens Your Bond: As you work with your dog you establish a deeper bond, and your dog learns to trust you. Improved Behavior: Training extinguishes inappropriate behavior patterns and establishes good behavior.
German Shepherds
They are intelligent and affectionate around adults and children, alike, but will stand up to threats from strangers. German Shepherds are commonly used by the police force as executive protection dogs and perform tasks such as bomb and drug detection.
Labrador Retriever: The Ultimate Friendly Companion
Labrador Retrievers consistently rank as one of the friendliest dog breeds due to their affectionate and outgoing nature. Originally bred as retrieving dogs, Labs are known for their intelligence, playfulness, and deep loyalty to their owners.
Popular Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds for Busy Owners