The 15 Best-Mannered Dog Breeds

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While every dog has its own personality, some breeds are especially well-known for their calm, polite nature and obedient personalities. These best-mannered dogs are naturally gentle, easy to train, and eager to please, making them wonderful companions for families, singles, and anyone looking for a well-behaved pup. These breeds adapt quickly to different settings, follow commands, and socialize well with others. Perfect for anyone who values a calm, orderly household, these dogs bring good manners, loyalty, and plenty of love.

Golden Retriever

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Golden Retrievers are famously well-behaved, with friendly dispositions and a love for socializing with humans and other animals. They’re naturally eager to please, making them easy to train and perfect for families with children. Goldens are gentle and patient and thrive in social settings, bringing calm energy to every room they enter. Known for their loyalty and adaptability, Golden Retrievers are a favorite among first-time dog owners. With their balanced temperament and sunny attitude, Goldens are always happy to lend a paw in keeping the peace.

Labrador Retriever

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Labrador Retrievers are known for their friendly nature, intelligence, and easy-going temperament. Labs are highly trainable and enjoy learning new tricks, which makes them responsive to commands and obedient. They’re fantastic with kids and get along well with other pets, making them a wonderful addition to any family. Labs are naturally social, love spending time with their humans, and are always eager to make friends. Their calm, loyal nature and eagerness to please make them one of the best-mannered breeds you could ask for.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is as polite as they come, with a sweet, gentle personality that makes them the ultimate lap dog. Cavaliers are incredibly affectionate, forming close bonds with their families and always ready to offer a cuddle. This breed is calm and well-behaved and does well in homes with children and other pets. Cavaliers are easy to train and quick to adapt to household routines, making them a stress-free addition to any home. With their loving nature and gentle disposition, Cavaliers bring charm and order.

Bernese Mountain Dog

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Bernese Mountain Dogs are large but gentle and known for their calm demeanor and friendly nature. This breed is naturally patient, making them great companions for families with children and other pets. Bernese Mountain Dogs are eager to please and have a balanced temperament, often displaying a calm, laid-back attitude. They’re gentle giants, bringing warmth and a well-mannered presence to any household. With their steady, loyal nature, Bernese Mountain Dogs are beloved for their reliability and willingness to go with the flow.

Border Collie

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Border Collies are incredibly intelligent and excel in obedience training, making them one of the best-behaved breeds around. Known for their problem-solving abilities and quick response to commands, Border Collies thrive in active households where they can use their minds and bodies. Though high-energy, they’re also highly disciplined, making them easy to train and manage. Border Collies are loyal and responsive, always eager to please their owners. The Border Collie’s mix of intelligence and obedience is hard to beat for anyone looking for a smart, well-mannered dog.

Poodle (Standard and Miniature)

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Poodles are incredibly intelligent and versatile, known for their eagerness to learn and respond to training. Whether you choose a Standard or Miniature Poodle, this breed is known for its obedience and adaptability. Poodles quickly catch commands, enjoy performing tricks, and are generally well-mannered in social settings. Their calm and friendly nature makes them a joy to have around the house, and they’re fantastic with families and other pets. Poodles’ combination of intelligence, loyalty, and balanced temperament makes them top-notch companions.

Shih Tzu

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The Shih Tzu is a small, polite breed known for its sweet, affectionate nature. They love to be around people and tend to bond closely with their families, making them wonderful lap dogs. Shih Tzus is gentle and relatively easy to train, responding well to positive reinforcement and affection. They are patient, well-behaved with children, and tend to get along well with other pets. With their calm demeanor and loving personality, Shih Tzus brings a sense of serenity and good manners to any household.

Basset Hound

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Basset Hounds are known for their relaxed, laid-back demeanor and are one of the most easygoing breeds. They’re gentle, affectionate, and incredibly patient, making them great with children and pets. Although they may be a bit stubborn, they’re also well-behaved and don’t require much exercise. Their calm, friendly nature makes them great companions for anyone who appreciates a dog with good manners and a peaceful attitude. With their soulful eyes and charming personalities, Basset Hounds are easy to love and manage.

Havanese

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Havanese dogs are cheerful, well-behaved, and easygoing, making them a delightful addition to any home. Known for their affectionate personalities, Havanese love to spend time with their families and are easy to train with positive reinforcement. They’re friendly with children and other pets, adapting quickly to household routines. Havanese dogs have a balanced temperament and are polite and gentle, bringing charm and good behavior to any setting. Their calm, loving nature and adaptability make Havanese ideal companions for a well-mannered household.

Boxer

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Boxers are energetic yet incredibly well-behaved and known for their loyal and protective nature. They’re excellent family dogs, showing both patience and affection toward children. While they have a playful side, Boxers are highly trainable and respond well to commands, making them easy to manage. Boxers naturally protect their families, adding a sense of security to their polite demeanor. With their mix of energy and well-behaved manners, Boxers are fantastic for families seeking a loyal, playful companion that’s easy to train and manage.

Maltese

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The Maltese is a small breed with a gentle, loving disposition, known for its friendly personality and easygoing nature. Maltese dogs form close bonds with their owners, often showing a great deal of affection and loyalty. They’re easy to train and adapt quickly to household routines, making them one of the best-mannered toy breeds. Maltese dogs enjoy socializing and are polite with other pets and people. Their calm, adaptable nature makes them perfect for anyone seeking a well-behaved, affectionate companion who thrives in a cozy home.

Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)

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Shetland Sheepdogs, or Shelties, are intelligent, obedient, and known for their strong desire to please. They excel in obedience training and love having tasks to complete, making them ideal for anyone looking for a well-behaved, active companion. Shelties are gentle, loyal, and bond closely with their families, always eager to follow commands. They are friendly with children and other pets, fitting seamlessly into a family setting. With their intelligence, responsiveness, and loving nature, Shelties are a perfect blend of good manners and devotion.

English Bulldog

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The English Bulldog may look tough, but it has a gentle, affectionate personality that makes it a delight to be around. Bulldogs are calm and easygoing and love to lounge around, making them perfect for low-energy households. They’re patient with children, tolerant of other pets, and generally well-behaved in social settings. Bulldogs are loyal and bond closely with their families, always ready to offer affection and companionship. With their steady, good-natured disposition, English Bulldogs add a touch of charm and tranquility to any home.

Papillon

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The Papillon is a small, elegant breed with a friendly, well-mannered personality. Known for their intelligence and agility, Papillons are quick to learn and eager to please, making them easy to train. Despite their small size, they have a big heart and a calm, polite demeanor. Papillons are great with families, friendly with other pets, and love to be around their humans. With their lively personalities and good manners, Papillons are the ideal choice for a small, smart, and sociable dog.

Whippet

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The Whippet is a sleek, gentle breed known for its calm, polite nature. Whippets are quiet, affectionate, and love to relax with their families, making them great companions for those seeking a laid-back pet. They’re friendly and easygoing and get along well with children and other pets, bringing a sense of peace to any home. Whippets are low-maintenance and require little grooming, making them a great fit for busy households. With their gentle disposition and well-mannered behavior, Whippets make wonderful pets for families and singles alike.

The Fur-tunately Best-Mannered Breeds

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These well-mannered dog breeds provide more than companionship—they bring peace, charm, and unwavering loyalty to any home. From the devoted Golden Retriever to the gentle Whippet, each breed combines friendliness with impressive behavior. Their calm temperaments and eagerness to please make them perfect companions for families, singles, and anyone seeking a dependable friend. Owning one of these polite breeds means having a dog that fits in effortlessly and brings joy to everyday life. For a lifetime of loyalty, affection, and good manners, these charming dogs never disappoint.