20 Most Loyal Dog Breeds That Will Always Be by Your Side

When we offer our dogs love, positive training and daily enrichment activities, they often reward us with unwavering loyalty. I learned that lesson with my first dog, Rio, a Labrador retriever mix that my husband and I adopted from an animal shelter when he was just 12 weeks old. We didn’t set out to adopt one of the most loyal dog breeds, but that’s exactly what we got.

We took Rio to obedience training and agility classes, and we hiked together twice a day. Soon, we learned to trust each other, and he developed into my faithful companion. He’d always come when I called him—even if it meant abandoning a critter he was chasing while hiking off-leash (which was critically important when the “critter” turned out to be a bear). If I was sick, Rio would stay by my side, sometimes resting his chin on my knee or nuzzling my ear. We couldn’t have asked for a more loyal dog.

To find out which breeds make the most loyal companions, I reached out to an animal behaviorist and dog trainer, both at the top of their field. Keep reading to learn key characteristics about more than a dozen of the most loyal dog breeds you’ll ever encounter.

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What to know about the most loyal dog breeds

“A dog who is loyal is devoted and faithful,” says animal behaviorist Mary Burch, PhD, director of the Family Dog Program for the American Kennel Club (AKC) and co-developer of the AKC temperament test. “For some breeds, it might mean protecting the owner. For others, loyal means the owner is the dog’s favorite person in the world—they will work for the owner and, given a choice, will come to them before they go to anyone else.”

While some people may look for loyal and popular dog breeds when choosing a new pet, it’s important to note that dogs are individuals, so there can be a wide variety of behavior within a given breed—such as a border collie that doesn’t want to herd sheep or a golden retriever that isn’t a candidate for living with young children, according to professional dog trainer Annie Phenix, CEO of the Phenix Advocacy Center.

“From my experience, I can say that there can be major disappointments if all aspects aren’t considered along with the breed, such as good breeding and early handling, proper early socialization and daily enrichment,” she says.

With that caveat in mind, here’s what you need to know about 20 of the most loyal dog breeds.

1. Akita

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The most loyal dog ever to live is possibly Hachiko, an Akita who went to the Shibuya train station in Tokyo each day to meet his owner, Hidesaburo Ueno, when he returned from work. After Ueno’s death in 1925, loyal Hachiko continued to wait every day at the train station for his owner to return—until his own death nearly 10 years later. Today, dog lovers enjoy seeing the bronze statue of Hachiko at the train station. “In Japan, Hachiko is a national symbol for loyalty,” says Burch.

This cherished Japanese dog breed can be protective, and it sometimes does not do well with other animals in the household, she notes. Since Akitas can be independent with a “mind of their own,” they thrive with early socialization and consistent, positive training. “Akitas are a beautiful breed that makes good, affectionate companions if they are in the right hands,” she says.

2. Cocker spaniel

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Cocker spaniels first showed loyalty as hunting companions, though they also excel at sports like agility, tracking, trick dog training, rally and obedience competitions, according to Burch. These floppy-eared dogs sport beautiful coats that require a fair bit of grooming, but still, “the American Kennel Club refers to cocker spaniels as ‘one of the world’s most loved breeds,'” she notes.

Phenix agrees. “They’re very loyal. They like people. They tend to like other dogs. They’re very happy and joyful,” she says. “I can’t say enough good things about a cocker spaniel, especially for a first-time dog owner. I would recommend them for families—as always, taking care to keep the children and dogs under strict supervision at all times.”

3. Rottweiler

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“My first dog of my own was a Rottweiler in college,” says Phenix. “I got him for a very specific reason: to guard and protect me. And he did. He saved my life twice.” Her Rottie, Wiley, barked like mad protecting her bedroom door from intruders while she was sleeping, and he was a deterrent to a “creepy guy” on a hiking trail who told her as she passed, “You’re lucky you have that dog with you.” Still, it’s not an ideal breed for first-time dog owners; Wiley also tried to attack the police when they arrived.

As one of the biggest dog breeds, it’s important to use positive training methods to establish trust so the Rottie looks to you for guidance before attacking a potential foe, she notes. “They are smart, they are calm, but they are guard dogs,” she says. “There is a horrific myth that has been disproven by science over and over again that a ‘strong dog needs a strong hand.’ A dog is a dog is a dog, and the dog still has feelings, and it’s still sentient. So if you are cruel to a Rottweiler, that dog has the power and the strength to do something about it.”

4. Golden retriever

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The golden retriever is beloved as one of the most affectionate dog breeds. Bred as gun dogs for hunters, they’re also family dogs that are devoted to their humans, according to Burch.

“Golden retrievers are intelligent, friendly, happy and devoted to their families. They are social and like people,” she says. “Golden retrievers are easily trained for many activities. With the proper training, they make excellent therapy dogs. The breed standard describes the temperament of goldens as: ‘Friendly, reliable, trustworthy. Should not be timid, nervous or quarrelsome toward people or other dogs.'”

Or as Phenix says of the athletic pups: “Their faces are soft, and their temperaments are soft.”

5. Pointer

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“Pointers were bred to be hunting dogs that point game birds,” says Burch. “However, because they are sweet, affectionate, wonderful companions who live well in the house, they are recognized as excellent pets. Pointers get along with other dogs in the household, and they are good around well-behaved children.”

Prospective owners should keep in mind that these are typically high-energy dogs that need a lot of exercise, Phoenix notes. “They can be incredibly energetic and need to have their bodies and minds exercised every single day, or they could have unwanted behaviors, such as excessive digging, escaping and pacing,” she says. “Some people call them ‘Velcro dogs’—they are always right near you. That can lead to separation anxiety because they are just so connected to their person or their family.”

6. Beagle

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The beagle is another one of the most loyal dog breeds that was bred to hunt in packs. These sweet-faced pups can be loyal to their people—and to their instinct to hunt. They use their powerful noses for sniffing prey, which can cause some training difficulties, according to Phenix. “They can be wonderful first dogs, but owners have to be aware that they come from hunting lines, and they have a loud beagle bark,” she notes.

Like Snoopy, the cartoon version of this breed, beagles are sweet and adorable. And because they’re typically less likely to bite than some other breeds, they also make terrific family dogs. “It’s no surprise that this breed is on the AKC’s Top 10 list of most popular breeds,” says Burch. “They are great with children, and even though they can be somewhat stubborn, in the hands of a skilled instructor, children have had good success training a beagle.”

On the other end of the spectrum, they can also be one of the best dogs for seniors who have yards.

7. Norfolk terrier

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“As one of the smallest of the terriers, Norfolk terriers are hardy, feisty earth dogs that will go after vermin,” says Burch. “But the other side of this delightful breed is that when it is home with you, it will be a loving lap dog. As a family member, Norfolk terriers also get along with children.”

Of course, they’re ridiculously cute and often cuddly. They also have a reputation for being spunky and barky. “We call them ‘biddable’ to being trained. They’re very trainable, and they’re very, very smart—maybe too smart for many of us,” Phenix quips.

8. Dachshund

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With their long bodies and short legs, dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers, rabbits and foxes even in tunnels underground. So they aren’t ideal jogging or swimming companions, but they can be loyal pets, Burch notes.

“In 1958, actor John Wayne’s wife and baby were saved from a fire by his dachshund, Blackie,” she says. Blackie barked frantically and jumped on the bed to wake Wayne’s wife up as flames engulfed their home.

Dachshunds come in two sizes and can have three different types of coats. Regardless of which dachshund you adopt, reward your loyal dog by helping satisfy its drive to hunt, Phenix suggests. “That doesn’t mean we let them chase and eat squirrels,” she says. “It means that we might play a really good game of ‘get the tennis ball’ every single day. Or we might hide treats for them in the yard so they can use that nose—seeking is huge for hunting dogs.”

9. Labrador retriever

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“The Labrador retriever is described by some as an everything dog,” says Burch. Maybe that’s one reason why Labs are consistently one of the most popular dog breeds, even topping the list of the most registered AKC breeds for 31 years until the French bulldog claimed that title in 2022.

Labs are athletic, energetic hunting dogs that not only excel at canine sports but are also one of the most common types of service dogs because they’re so smart, loyal to their handlers and affectionate. They’re also prolific shedders and require plenty of exercise.

“They love to eat anything and everything, so owners need to be aware of that and pick up things like socks,” Phenix notes. “But they’re generally excellent family dogs.”

10. Russell terrier

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Russell terriers can show their loyalty with loving snuggles, but this is no couch potato—the energetic little dogs were bred for hunting foxes, so they thrive with an active lifestyle augmented with puzzle toys for mental enrichment. “I love mind puzzles for terriers where you hide little pieces of food and they have to move something with their nose or paw to get the food,” Phenix says. “They really need a lot of mental enrichment.”

While they’re sometimes described as only moderately trainable, Burch notes that a Russell terrier named Cricket was one of the finalists in the 2023 AKC Trick Dog National Competition. “Cricket showed that when Russell terriers are trained using positive procedures, they enjoy learning,” she says.

11. Collie

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What would a list of the most loyal dog breeds be without mention of the collie? After all, the famously faithful Lassie belonged to this breed. The TV and movie character was so loyal that she regularly rescued her closest companion, a young orphan named Timmy. So perhaps it’s no surprise that collies are one of the best dog breeds for kids.

“The faithfulness of the Lassie that America came to know and love is a hallmark of the collie breed,” says Burch.

Like Lassie, the rough-coated collie has long fur that needs regular grooming (unlike the smooth collie). Phenix advises getting these dogs acclimated to grooming as early as possible.

12. Pug

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The distinctive pug is a well-loved, loyal toy breed. “What I like about pugs is they can be for all ages,” says Burch. “I have one friend who just got her 9-year-old daughter’s first dog—a pug. And my 94-year-old mother-in-law would say her best friend was her pug, Missy. She swore that the dog looked forward to watching specific television shows with her.”

Phenix grew up with pugs and says she adores them because they’re friendly, gregarious, silly, comical and smart. “Dogs can be optimistic or pessimistic—not necessarily by breed but individually. And most pugs I’ve met are very optimistic,” she says. “They enjoy life, and they will help you enjoy your life.”

13. German shepherd dog

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German shepherds—incidentally, one of the smartest dog breeds—are known for being steadfast and loyal, which is one reason why they’ve played such an important role as police dogs, guide dogs, military dogs and family pets, according to Burch. “Rin Tin Tin was a German shepherd who was rescued from a World War I battlefield, and he became a movie star,” she says. “Both the real, original dog and the actor dogs who followed him as ‘Rin Tin Tin’ exemplified loyalty.”

Phenix has lived with many German shepherds and loves the breed but cautions that it is a herding breed and a guard dog, which makes for an extremely alert dog that can be wary of strangers and reactive to other dogs.

“They can have a very high reactivity rate,” she says. “German shepherds are on the cover of both of my books [about training reactive dogs] for a reason. So they need proper socialization and gentle handling, but they need to know that they’re safe and you’re safe. You don’t want them to think that the kid knocking on your door is the bad guy, and that’s where the training comes in.”

14. Skye terrier

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This gorgeous long-haired dog may not be well known, but when talking about the most loyal dog breeds, it must be included, according to Burch.

“Greyfriars Bobby, thought to be a Skye terrier or a Dandie Dinmont terrier, belonged to a gardener named John Gray. Gray lived in Scotland in the 1800s, and his dog, Bobby, followed him everywhere,” she shares. “When Gray died in 1858, he was buried in the Greyfriars Kirkyard. As the story goes, for 14 years, Greyfriars Bobby stayed at Gray’s graveside. Today, there is a statue of Greyfriars Bobby at the corner of Candlemaker Row and George IV Bridge in Edinburgh.”

15. Alaskan malamute

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The Alaskan malamute may be one of the more difficult dog breeds to train, but it’s certainly not impossible. They’re sled dogs, after all. “I see them as even keeled,” Phenix says. “They can get along with other dogs or not care very much about other dogs, which is a nice thing to have. They like people, they’re friendly, [and] they’re interested in what’s happening around them. But they can have a reputation for being escape dogs. They want to wander, so you need to have a really good fence, and they need a really good recall [ability to come when called].”

She notes that Alaskan malamutes need a lot of exercise and, ideally, cool weather. With their heavy coats, these aren’t the best pets for people living in the South.

16. Doberman pinscher

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The Doberman pinscher has a reputation for being one of the best guard dog breeds because it’s big, strong, loyal and brave. Indeed, the Doberman Pinscher Club of America explains that their ears should be cropped to stand up straight and their tail docked so attackers have less to grab hold of and potentially injure. They also work as police and military dogs.

Burch grew up with Doberman pinschers and says they can be affectionate and sweet, as long as they are raised with kindness and socialized with other people. “That said, some dogs will be protective of their owners,” she shares. “We had Dobermans that would bond with one family member; one chose to be my dad’s dog, and we had another Dobe that followed me everywhere.”

17. Cardigan Welsh corgi

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“The Cardigan Welsh corgi may be short and sweet, but it is tough enough to move cattle,” says Burch. “This sturdy breed is highly trainable, and it is a fun family dog. In AKC dog shows, young junior handlers are able to show their Cardigan Welsh corgis with good success.”

It’s easy to tell the difference between these beloved short-legged dogs and Pembroke Welsh corgis because “Cardis” have tails, and “Pembrokes” don’t. Both corgi breeds are intelligent and energetic, and they can be on the “barky side,” according to Phenix. “Be prepared to work with a positive-reinforcement trainer if the barking is a problem,” she says.

18. Bulldog

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“While some people may think the bulldog looks gruff and tough, this breed is calm [and] friendly and makes a good loyal companion,” Burch says. “Bulldogs are trainable and playful, and they are eager to please. They are good companions in the home, but some bulldogs snore.”

Can’t imagine a bulldog being nimble or doing tricks? Burch notes that a bulldog named Mindy was a finalist in the 2023 AKC National Trick Dog competition; one of the tricks was walking on a tightrope. Further back, a bulldog named Gabe amused viewers of the Late Show with David Letterman by climbing onto a rocking horse and riding it.

Because they are brachycephalic (flat-faced dogs), it’s important to note that bulldog breeds can have difficulty breathing and other health issues, including a shorter life span.

19. French bulldog

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In 2022, the French bulldog surpassed the Labrador retriever as the most popular dog breed in America, based on AKC registrations. “The popularity of the Frenchie is no surprise considering they are cute and easy to maintain,” Burch says. “They are friendly to people, but they are loyal to and usually focused on their owners.”

Plus, the comical little pups are one of the quieter dog breeds and relatively easy to train. Phenix notes that in Utah, TV meteorologist Chase Thomason hikes with his French bulldog, Francis, who has developed a loyal fan following.

20. Portuguese water dog

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These curly-haired canines shot to fame when the Obamas invited a Portuguese water dog named Bo to live with them in the White House. Phenix feels they’re almost “the new golden retriever” because they’re so affable and brilliant.

“They’re very, very smart, and they need exercise,” she says. “This is not a dog that’s going to sit around on your couch or your bed and sleep, so don’t get them if you are not interested in being active.”

For instance, Burch says Portuguese water dogs can be “extremely impressive” when performing water tests. “They perform tasks such as swimming from a boat to shore, timed swims, doing a retrieval between two boats and more,” she says. “The temperament per the breed’s written standard is ‘spirited disposition, self-willed [can be stubborn], brave, exceptionally intelligent, loyal companion, obedient.'”

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, Jen Reeder tapped her experience as a longtime pet journalist and former president of the Dog Writers Association of America, and then Caroline Coile, PhD, an award-winning journalist specializing in canine breeds, health and science, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Mary R. Burch, PhD, certified applied animal behaviorist, dog trainer, award-winning author and director of the American Kennel Club Family Dog program; email interview, March 2, 2024
• Annie Phenix, Fear Free–certified dog trainer, CEO of the Phenix Advocacy Center and author of Positive Training for Aggressive and Reactive Dogs and The Midnight Dog Walkers; phone interview, March 6, 2024
• PLOS ONE: “The Welfare Consequences and Efficacy of Training Pet Dogs with Remote Electronic Training Collars in Comparison to Reward Based Training”
• Doberman Pinscher Club of America: “Ears”

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