Top 25 Most Affectionate Large Breed Dogs
Big dogs sometimes get a bad rap. Though often intimidating, they can make for great family pets.
Some large dogs are incredibly friendly, the American Kennel Club points out.
This AKC rundown has been compiled by ranking how affectionate the dogs are to family, whether they get along with other pups, and if they like children.
1. Labrador Retriever
It's no surprise that Labrador Retrievers are the most popular dog breed in the U.K. and the U.S. Intelligent, good natured, and exceptionally amenable to the company of other canines, Labrador Retrievers are simply the friendliest dogs out there. Get one, pet one.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 5
Friendly to kids: 5
2. Bernese Mountain Dog
How many things in this world are both cuddly and statuesque? Very few, but the Bernese mountain dog is one of them.
Originally bred as worker dogs in the Swiss alps, today they sit at the side of proud pet owners the world over. A word to the weak-armed: this is a strong dog; buy a good lead.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 5
Friendly to kids: 5
3. Redbone Coonhound
If you want a pooch who loves to be petted but is also useful on the hunting trail, then I have two words for you: Redbone Coonhound. These beautiful, determined dogs will get along with almost anyone, though they can take a little while to train.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 5
Friendly to kids: 5
4. Golden Retriever
Like many big dogs, the Golden Retriever can be described as so: high maintenance, high reward. You're gonna need to walk this pet a lot, but you'll have plenty of fun while doing it. The perfect family dog.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 5
Friendly to kids: 5
5. Irish Red and White Setter
The gentleman's hunting dog, an Irish Red and White Setter will track down game for its owner, not itself. A loyal, fun-loving companion for anyone with plenty of space in the garden. Be warned: they don't tire easily.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 5
Friendly to kids: 5
6. Irish Setter
If you've ever been to Ireland you might recognize these friendly boys from the sides of buses. Irish bus company Bus Éireann uses the Irish setter as its logo. No better symbol, if you want to portray reliability and good-temperament.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 5
Friendly to kids: 5
7. Newfoundland
Guess where this dog gets its title from? As well as being named after a Canadian city, these gentle giants are great swimmers, and even better friends to humans.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 5
Friendly to kids: 5
8. German Longhaired Pointer
Another great hunting dog sits gracefully on our list. The AKC describes the German Longhaired Pointer as like the 'continental version of the Irish setter'. Or, if you like: Guten dog.
Rating:
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 4
Friendly to kids: 5
9. Pointer
Here's something you mightn't know about Pointers: they were originally a crossbreed between a Hanoverian hound and a heavy Spanish pointer.
People in the 17th century wanted to create a dog that could both hunt birds and trail mammals. A byproduct of this experiment is also a whole lot of good boys with 21st century owners.
Rating:
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 5
Friendly to kids: 3
10. Doberman Pinscher
They look kind of scary, right? Unlike the old saying, this dog's bite is even worse than its bark. Mercifully it almost never feels compelled to use it.
To the contrary: Doberman Pinschers are a wonderful pet for a family home, and surprisingly great with children.
Rating:
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 3
Friendly to kids: 5
11. German Shepherd
Stunning, loyal creatures. It's tough to find something new to say about German Shepherds—everyone knows what a great dog they are. This highly intelligent pet will suit any dog-lover. May take a little time to train, so be patient. It's worth it.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 3
Friendly to kids: 5
12. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
These freakishly powerful pooches were originally bred to pull carts, and often weigh well over 100 pounds. A wonderful friend to have if you can handle it sitting on your lap.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 3
Friendly to kids: 5
13. Giant Schnauzer
Exactly what it sounds like. A Schnauzer, but bigger. Much bigger. Naturally, this means they need to do a lot of running around. Smart, exceedingly petable additions to any family, though not for those of us without a large garden.
Rating:
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 3
Friendly to kids: 5
14. Weimaraner
If you're going to have a large, loyal dog looking out for you, why not one with beautiful eyes? The gifted Weimaraner is also famous for its sense of smell. Perhaps most of all, though, they're known for their love of humans.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 3
Friendly to kids: 5
15. St. Bernard
Everyone loves heroic dogs. The result of an additional 17th century experiment, St. Bernards were originally bred for rescuing people in the Swiss alps. So, of course, they adore humans.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 3
Friendly to kids: 5
16. Leonberger
We very nearly lost the Leonberger forever. This dog was almost completely wiped out during the first World War, until a pair of breeders managed to track down 25 and save them from extinction. Hopefully someone sent them a medal of some kind.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 3
Friendly to kids: 5
17. Mastiff
Most grown men don't weigh as much as a Mastiff. At up to 230 pounds, there's just more of him to woof. Great with kids too.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 3
Friendly to kids: 5
18. Estrela Mountain Dog
For the second time on our list, the name pretty much says it all.
Originally bred in the Estrella mountains, the tallest range in all of Portugal, this pup has a lot of love to give. If you're offered one, take it.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 3
Friendly to kids: 5
19. Boerboel
A dog to protect your family. The Boerboel originates from South Africa, where it was originally used to protect farms from dangerous predators, including lions. I know whose side I'm on in that fight.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 2
Friendly to kids: 4
20. Dogo Argentino
Perhaps you're in the market for a dog that looks like it can bench press more than Ronnie Coleman.
Even if not, the Dogo Argentino is a wonderful family pet, renowned for its affable demeanor.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 3
Friendly to kids: 3
21. Dogue de Bordeaux
A big, friendly French dog. You may recognize it from the 1989 Tom Hanks movie, Turner and Hooch. One of them is a Dogue de Bordeaux.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 3
Friendly to kids: 3
22. Gordon Setter
AKC describes the Gordon Setter as the "black avenger of the highlands." That's a hell of a title.
The largest of all setter breeds, this dog is highly sensitive and will take effort to train.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 3
Friendly to kids: 3
23. Great Dane
Perfect for any family who likes to drive around in a van solving mysteries. Great Danes need about two hours of exercise per day, so only adopt one if you're prepared to commit to long, regular walks. If not, Scooby Dooby don't do it.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 3
Friendly to kids: 3
24. Irish Water Spaniel
It's fluffy, it's friendly, it loves to play fetch. There's isn't much more you need to know.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 3
Friendly to kids: 3
25. Tornjak
A joy to its owner, a terror to other dogs. You could do worse than a Tornjak, also known as a Bosnian Herzegovinian-Croatian Shepherd dog. Very obedient; a superb guard dog.
Rating
Affectionate with family: 5
Friendly to other dogs: 1
Friendly to kids: 3
