20 Least Aggressive Dog Breeds That Are Sweethearts in Fur Coats

Looking for a four-legged friend who’s more likely to shower you with kisses than growls? You’re not alone. Whether you’re raising young kids, living in a busy neighborhood, or simply want a stress-free companion, temperament matters just as much as looks or size.

While every dog has its own personality, some breeds are widely known for their calm, affectionate, and easygoing nature. These dogs are the kind who’d rather curl up next to you on the couch than chase squirrels around the yard—or bark at every passing car.

In this list, we’re celebrating the peacekeepers of the canine world: the breeds that embody gentleness, loyalty, and love. From pint-sized pups who were bred to warm royal laps to massive fluffballs often dubbed “gentle giants,” these dogs bring a soft touch to any home. Their serene temperaments make them ideal for first-time dog owners, seniors, families with children, or anyone looking for a loyal, low-drama pet.

Because let’s face it—life’s already hectic enough. When your dog is calm, kind, and affectionate, coming home becomes the best part of your day.

1. Golden Retriever: The Sunshine Ambassador

Radiating warmth like a summer day, Golden Retrievers approach life with a wagging tail and an open heart. Their legendary patience makes them exceptional companions for children and elderly folks alike.

These intelligent dogs excel at reading human emotions, often nudging their way beside you when you’re feeling blue. Their natural desire to please means they’re rarely confrontational with people or other pets.

Originally bred to retrieve waterfowl without damaging them, Goldens developed soft mouths and gentle temperaments. This heritage shines through in their everyday interactions – they’re more likely to bring you their favorite toy than cause any trouble.

2. Labrador Retriever: The Friendly Optimist

Labs greet each day with boundless enthusiasm and a conviction that everyone is their friend. Their expressive eyes and constantly moving tails communicate their joyful approach to life.

Despite their energetic nature, Labs rarely direct that energy toward aggression. Instead, they channel it into play, work, and building bonds with their human companions. These versatile dogs adapt easily to family life, happily joining in whatever activities their people enjoy.

Fun fact: Labradors have a genetic predisposition to be food-motivated, which makes them incredibly trainable but also explains why your sandwich might disappear if left unattended!

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: The Royal Cuddle Expert

With silky ears and melting brown eyes, Cavaliers have perfected the art of loving companionship. These elegant little dogs carry themselves with the dignity of their royal heritage, yet remain utterly unpretentious in their affections.

Cavaliers thrive on human connection, happily curling into any available lap without a hint of aggression or territoriality. Their adaptable nature makes them wonderful therapy dogs, bringing comfort to hospital patients and nursing home residents.

Historical tidbit: These spaniels were favorites of King Charles II of England, who was rarely seen without at least three of these gentle companions at his heels.

4. Basset Hound: The Laid-Back Charmer

Those droopy eyes and velvety ears aren’t just for show – they’re outward signs of the Basset Hound’s mellow soul. These low-riding pups take life at their own unhurried pace, rarely bothered by the chaos around them.

Originally bred for hunting in packs, Bassets developed excellent social skills and a natural aversion to conflict. Their deep, melodious howls might be loud, but their temperaments remain quiet and contemplative.

Bassets form strong bonds with their families yet maintain an independent streak. They’re perfectly content to spend afternoons napping nearby while you go about your day – no drama, just peaceful companionship.

5. Bernese Mountain Dog: The Gentle Giant

Mountains of affection wrapped in tricolor fur, Bernese Mountain Dogs combine impressive size with extraordinary tenderness. Their calm demeanor makes them surprisingly delicate with small children and fragile objects.

Berners developed their patient nature working alongside Swiss farmers, where steady reliability was prized over aggression. They approach new situations with thoughtful consideration rather than fear or hostility.

These devoted dogs form profound connections with their families, often shadowing their favorite people around the house. Despite their imposing appearance, Berners are more likely to lean against your leg for pets than to intimidate anyone with their size.

6. Newfoundland: The Heroic Nanny Dog

With hearts as vast as their native Canadian wilderness, Newfoundlands combine impressive strength with extraordinary gentleness. These natural-born lifeguards are famously patient with children, earning them the nickname “nanny dogs” in Victorian England.

Their innate rescue instincts rarely translate to aggression – instead, Newfies are more likely to pull someone from danger than to cause it. Their thick, water-resistant coats and webbed feet make them powerful swimmers, but on land, they move with surprising grace for their size.

A sweet Newfie quirk: many drool considerably, which owners affectionately call “Newfie kisses” – a small price to pay for such loyal, loving companionship.

7. Pug: The Comical Companion

Behind those wrinkled faces and bulging eyes lies a heart bursting with affection and a spirit full of mischief. Pugs approach life with good humor and an eagerness to be wherever their humans are, preferably right in your lap.

These compact dogs were bred specifically for companionship, not guarding or hunting, which explains their lack of aggression. Ancient Chinese emperors treasured them for their charming personalities and kept them as palace dogs.

Pugs communicate with an impressive range of snorts, sighs, and expressive head tilts. Their sociable nature extends to strangers and other pets, making them excellent apartment dwellers who rarely meet someone they don’t consider a potential friend.

8. Irish Setter: The Flame-Haired Socialite

Flowing auburn coats and boundless enthusiasm define these stunning sporting dogs. Irish Setters approach life as one grand social event, greeting each person and pet with exuberant joy rather than suspicion.

Behind their party-animal exterior lies a sensitive soul that forms deep bonds with family members. Their hunting heritage gave them focus and trainability without aggressive tendencies – they were bred to point at birds, not attack them.

Irish Setters maintain their puppy-like playfulness well into adulthood. Their homes often become neighborhood gathering spots, as these dogs have never met a child they didn’t want to play with or an adult they couldn’t charm with their goofy antics.

9. Shih Tzu: The Little Lion Heart

“Little lion dog” might be their name’s meaning, but Shih Tzus prefer cuddles to conquests. These ancient companions to Chinese royalty carry themselves with dignity while maintaining a playful spirit that endears them to everyone they meet.

Small but confident, Shih Tzus approach new situations with curiosity rather than fear or aggression. Their flowing coats and expressive faces make them look like animated stuffed animals, and their temperaments are equally delightful.

Unlike some small breeds, Shih Tzus rarely develop “small dog syndrome.” They’re naturally balanced in temperament, making them excellent therapy dogs and companions for elderly people seeking affectionate but low-maintenance friendship.

10. Collie: The Devoted Protector

Long before Lassie captured hearts on screen, Collies were winning them in real life with their incredible empathy and intelligence. These elegant herders possess an intuitive understanding of human emotions that borders on mind-reading.

Collies protect through vigilance rather than aggression, preferring to alert their families to potential problems rather than confronting threats directly. Their herding background taught them to guide rather than harm – a principle they apply to children and other pets.

With their expressive eyes and tilting heads, Collies seem perpetually engaged in conversation with their humans. They’re particularly attuned to children, often appointing themselves as gentle guardians of the family’s youngest members.

11. Greyhound: The Gentle Speedster

Beneath the sleek, athletic exterior of a racing machine beats the heart of a surprisingly lazy, affectionate companion. Greyhounds may be capable of 45 mph sprints, but they spend most of their time as professional couch potatoes.

These ancient dogs have been bred for speed, not aggression, resulting in a sensitive temperament that responds best to gentle handling. Many are rescued from racing careers and adapt beautifully to home life, grateful for soft beds and kind words.

Contrary to what their athletic build might suggest, adult Greyhounds typically require less exercise than many smaller breeds. They’re content with short bursts of activity followed by long periods of lounging – preferably right next to their favorite humans.

12. Havanese: The Velcro Charmer

Hailing from sunny Cuba, these silky-coated companions bring Caribbean warmth to every interaction. Havanese dogs attach themselves to their humans with such devotion they’ve earned the nickname “velcro dogs” for their tendency to stick close by.

Their playful antics and clever tricks are never tinged with aggression – Havanese prefer to entertain rather than intimidate. These social butterflies thrive on human connection and readily make friends with strangers, children, and other pets.

A distinctive trait of the Havanese is their springy gait, almost bouncing along as they walk. This physical lightness mirrors their emotional approach to life – joyful, buoyant, and always ready to share their happiness with anyone willing to receive it.

13. Bulldog: The Gentle Tough Guy

Don’t let that wrinkled mug fool you – behind the Bulldog’s gruff exterior lies one of the sweetest canine personalities around. These stocky companions have left their fighting past far behind, evolving into peaceful family friends who prefer naps to confrontation.

Bulldogs approach life with a philosopher’s calm, rarely bothered by the chaos of busy households. Their steady temperament makes them excellent companions for children, as they patiently tolerate the excitement of young playmates.

Despite their somewhat stubborn reputation, Bulldogs form deep bonds with their families. They express their affection not through boundless energy but through quiet presence – a Bulldog snoring contentedly at your feet is the ultimate vote of canine confidence.

14. Great Dane: The Apartment-Sized Horse

Towering height combined with a tender soul makes the Great Dane a study in gentle contradictions. Despite being able to rest their chin on most dining tables, these giants move with remarkable grace and awareness of their size.

Great Danes exemplify the concept that confidence breeds kindness – they’re so secure in themselves that they rarely feel the need to display aggression. Their imposing appearance provides natural deterrence, allowing their true sweet nature to shine through in everyday interactions.

Historical tidbit: While often called “gentle giants” today, Great Danes were originally bred as boar hunters. Their evolution from hunters to beloved family companions shows how breeding for temperament can transform a breed’s purpose entirely.

15. Beagle: The Merry Little Hound

Those floppy ears aren’t just adorable – they’re attached to one of the friendliest canine brains around! Beagles approach life with tail-wagging enthusiasm and a nose perpetually searching for adventure (or snacks).

Bred to hunt in packs, Beagles developed excellent social skills and rarely show aggression toward people or other dogs. Their expressive eyes communicate volumes, from hopeful food requests to sheer joy when you return home after a brief absence.

Beagles possess a special talent for making friends everywhere they go. Their melodious howls might announce visitors, but only as a happy herald – these pups typically greet strangers as potential new best friends rather than intruders.

16. Japanese Chin: The Feline-Like Aristocrat

Graceful and somewhat cat-like in their mannerisms, Japanese Chins combine royal dignity with playful charm. These ancient companions to Japanese nobility maintain their aristocratic bearing while forming deep bonds with their chosen people.

Japanese Chins possess a unique ability to adapt to their owner’s mood and energy level. They’re equally content joining an active family outing or quietly keeping company during a peaceful afternoon at home.

A special Japanese Chin trait is their almost magical ability to climb like cats, often found perching on the backs of furniture. This surprising agility comes with a gentle temperament that makes them wonderful companions for apartment dwellers and seniors seeking affectionate but undemanding companionship.

17. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier: The Bouncy Sweetheart

Wheat-colored waves of silky fur hide the exuberant spirit of a dog who greets life with uncontained joy. Unlike many terriers bred for scrappy independence, Wheatens were developed as all-purpose farm dogs with a decidedly people-oriented outlook.

Famous for their “Wheaten greetin'” – an enthusiastic welcome involving happy jumps and kisses – these Irish charmers express their love physically but without aggression. Their playful nature extends well into adulthood, making them perpetual puppies at heart.

Wheatens form strong family bonds and typically get along well with children and other pets. Their non-shedding coats make them popular with allergy sufferers, while their sunny dispositions win over even dedicated “cat people.”

18. Bichon Frise: The Living Teddy Bear

Powder-puff appearance and circus-performer hearts make Bichons irresistible companions. These little white clouds of fur were historically entertainers in royal courts and traveling circuses, developing people-pleasing personalities that shine through in every interaction.

Bichons approach strangers with optimistic curiosity rather than suspicion. Their natural confidence stems from centuries of being cherished companions, creating a breed that expects to be loved – and readily returns that affection tenfold.

A Bichon specialty is their “bounce” – the springy, light-footed way they move that seems to defy gravity. This physical buoyancy perfectly represents their emotional approach to life: joyful, resilient, and always ready to rise above any momentary setback.

19. Standard Poodle: The Elegant Intellectual

Beneath those fancy haircuts and prancing gaits lies one of dogdom’s greatest minds wrapped in a remarkably sweet temperament. Standard Poodles combine athletic ability with problem-solving intelligence and a deep desire to work cooperatively with their humans.

Originally bred as water retrievers, Poodles developed soft mouths and gentle dispositions. Their famous sensitivity extends to human emotions – many owners report their Poodles offering comfort during difficult times without any training to do so.

Standard Poodles excel at reading social situations and rarely display aggression. Their regal appearance might suggest aloofness, but those who know them well discover their silly side – many Poodles are natural clowns who enjoy making their families laugh.

20. Papillon: The Butterfly-Eared Genius

Named for their distinctive ear fringes resembling butterfly wings, Papillons pack impressive intelligence into tiny packages. These sprite-like companions combine toy breed portability with sporting dog alertness and enthusiasm.

Despite their delicate appearance, Papillons possess confident personalities free from the nervousness or aggression sometimes found in small breeds. Their expressive eyes communicate a keen awareness of their surroundings and deep bonds with their favorite humans.

Papillons earned royal favor in European courts for centuries, appearing in paintings alongside queens and noblewomen. This history of close companionship created a breed that thrives on human connection, happily participating in everything from competitive dog sports to simple cuddle sessions.