Thinking About Getting A Dog? Here Are The 13 Best-Behaved Breeds

Adding a furry friend to your family is exciting, but finding one with good manners matters a lot. Well-behaved dogs make life easier, especially if you’re a first-time pet parent or have kids at home. These breeds naturally listen better, learn faster, and cause fewer headaches than their more stubborn cousins.

1. Labrador Retriever

Labradors win hearts with their eager-to-please attitude and incredible patience. These smart pups pick up commands quickly and genuinely want to make you happy. Their friendly nature means they rarely show aggression toward people or other pets.

Labs thrive on having a job to do, whether it’s fetching toys or helping around the house. With moderate exercise and basic training, they grow into well-mannered family members who know when to play and when to relax.

2. Poodle

Behind those fancy haircuts lies one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. Poodles understand new commands in under five repetitions, making training sessions productive and enjoyable. Their intelligence means they quickly figure out household routines and expectations.

Available in three sizes (standard, miniature, and toy), poodles adapt beautifully to different living situations. They rarely bark without reason and naturally avoid destructive behaviors that plague other breeds.

Mental stimulation matters as much as physical exercise for these thinkers. Simple puzzle toys or learning new tricks keeps their minds engaged and prevents boredom-related behavior issues.

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavaliers combine the best traits of spaniels and toy breeds – they’re small enough for apartment living but sturdy enough for active play. These sweet-natured dogs seem to naturally understand good manners, rarely jumping on furniture or guests without permission.

Their gentle temperament makes them excellent companions for elderly owners and families with young children alike. Cavaliers adapt quickly to new environments and rarely show anxiety in unfamiliar situations.

While they love cuddles and quiet time, these little royals also enjoy short walks and playtime. Their balanced energy level means they’re neither too hyper nor too lazy – just right for most households.

4. Bichon Frise

Bichons float through life with a cheerful attitude and surprising intelligence that makes training a breeze. These fluffy white dogs rarely show stubborn streaks, instead approaching each day with an eagerness to please their humans. Their adaptable nature means they behave well in various settings – from quiet apartments to busy family homes.

Despite their small size, Bichons possess confident personalities without the yappiness that plagues some small breeds. They respond beautifully to positive reinforcement training methods.

Their hypoallergenic coat requires regular grooming but rewards owners with minimal shedding and that perpetual puppy-like appearance that melts hearts everywhere.

5. Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers bring sunshine wherever they go with their warm temperament and natural obedience. These dogs seem born understanding human emotions, making them incredibly responsive to training and household rules. Their patience level is legendary, especially with children who might not always respect boundaries.

Training a Golden feels less like work and more like bonding time. They absorb commands with remarkable speed and remember them for life. Even first-time dog owners find success with these forgiving canines.

Regular exercise keeps their energy balanced, preventing the rare mischief that might occur when they’re bored.

6. Collie

Long before Lassie made them famous, Collies earned reputations as exceptionally trainable and naturally well-mannered dogs. These elegant herders possess an innate sense of appropriate behavior, rarely needing correction for common dog misbehaviors. Their watchful nature makes them attentive without being aggressive.

Collies form deep bonds with family members and seem to understand household rules almost intuitively. They excel at reading human emotions and adjusting their behavior accordingly. Children find safe playmates in these patient dogs.

While they enjoy outdoor activities, Collies settle down nicely indoors, typically choosing a favorite spot where they can keep an eye on family activities.

7. Newfoundland

With hearts as big as their massive bodies, Newfoundlands bring a special calm to any household. These giants move carefully through spaces, seeming to understand their size and strength. Their patient temperament makes them exceptional with children – they’ll tolerate all sorts of climbing and cuddling without complaint.

Newfies respond wonderfully to gentle training methods and rarely show stubborn streaks. Their deep desire to please their humans translates to excellent household manners. They’re not prone to destructive chewing or excessive barking that plagues many large breeds.

While they do drool considerably, their sweet nature more than makes up for this minor inconvenience.

8. Papillon

Don’t let those delicate ears fool you – Papillons pack serious intelligence into their tiny frames. Ranking among the smartest of all toy breeds, these little dogs master commands quickly and remember them forever. Their alert nature makes them responsive to training cues and household boundaries.

Unlike many small breeds, Papillons rarely develop excessive barking habits or separation anxiety. They adapt well to different living situations and travel companions. Their confidence prevents the fearful behaviors that often lead to reactivity in smaller dogs.

While playful and energetic, they understand when it’s time to settle down, making them pleasant housemates for people of all ages.

9. Shih Tzu

Bred specifically to be palace companions in ancient China, Shih Tzus have thousands of years of good behavior in their genes. These little lions excel at the art of companionship without demanding constant attention or activity. Their adaptable nature means they behave well in various living situations.

Shih Tzus rarely show aggression toward strangers or other pets, making them excellent dogs for social households. Their moderate energy level means they’re content with short walks and indoor play sessions. When properly trained, they quickly learn household boundaries.

Their affectionate personality balances perfectly with an independent streak – they enjoy cuddles but don’t become clingy.

10. Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Dogs bring a wonderful blend of work ethic and gentle temperament to family life. These beautiful tri-colored giants approach training with the same dedication their ancestors showed pulling carts in the Swiss Alps. Their natural tendency to stay close to their people means they rarely wander or ignore recall commands.

Berners develop impressive self-control from puppyhood, showing patience beyond their years. They form strong bonds with children and seem to inherently understand the need for gentleness around smaller family members.

While they enjoy outdoor activities, especially in cooler weather, they settle beautifully indoors with minimal fuss or destructive tendencies.

11. Havanese

Cuba’s only native breed brings tropical sunshine to any home with their cheerful disposition and natural good manners. Havanese dogs thrive on human connection, developing an almost sixth sense about their owner’s needs and expectations. This intuitive understanding translates to excellent household behavior.

Training comes naturally to these bright little dogs who eagerly soak up new commands and tricks. They rarely show stubborn streaks or independent thinking that might challenge training efforts. Their adaptability makes them suitable for various living situations.

While playful and energetic in short bursts, Havanese quickly learn to match their activity level to their human’s pace, making them wonderful companions for people of all ages.

12. Greyhound

Speed demons on the track transform into gentle souls at home. Despite their racing background, retired Greyhounds rank among the calmest and most well-behaved indoor dogs. These elegant athletes understand the art of relaxation, spending most of their day quietly lounging on soft surfaces.

Greyhounds rarely bark, jump on furniture without permission, or display destructive behaviors common in other breeds. Their naturally clean nature means minimal doggy odor and fastidious bathroom habits. Most adopt house rules quickly with minimal training.

While they enjoy short bursts of exercise, Greyhounds typically require less physical activity than many smaller breeds, making them surprisingly suitable for apartment living.

13. Vizsla

Hungarian Vizslas combine the trainability of sporting dogs with an unusually strong desire to stay connected to their humans. This natural velcro tendency means they’re highly responsive to commands and eager to understand household expectations. Their sensitive nature makes them quick studies in proper behavior.

Vizslas thrive on clear communication and positive reinforcement. They remember commands after just a few repetitions and genuinely want to get things right. Their expressive eyes seem to constantly ask, “How am I doing?”

While energetic outdoors, these rust-colored beauties quickly learn to dial back their enthusiasm indoors. They adapt remarkably well to family routines and show natural gentleness with children.