The 19 Most Well-Mannered Dog Breeds

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Choosing a dog, temperament and behavior are often at the top of the list for potential pet owners. While all dogs have the potential to be loving, loyal companions, some breeds are especially known for their polite and well-mannered nature. Whether they can adapt to family life, interact gently with children, or follow the household rules, these dogs tend to stand out for their good behavior. These breeds make excellent choices for anyone looking for a well-mannered dog that fits seamlessly into a household.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small dog with a big heart and an incredibly well-mannered disposition. Known for their sweet, gentle nature, Cavaliers are excellent family dogs. They get along well with children, other pets, and strangers, making them one of the friendliest breeds around. These dogs are eager to please and are easy to train, which helps solidify their reputation as well-mannered companions. Whether you live in an apartment or a house, the Cavalier will adapt to your lifestyle while offering endless love and affection.

Golden Retriever

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Golden Retrievers are known for their friendly, calm demeanor and exceptional manners. They are incredibly patient and gentle, making them great around children and other animals. Golden Retrievers are easy to train due to their intelligence and desire to please their owners. Their laid-back attitude means they rarely exhibit aggressive or rude behavior and are always happy to make new friends. Their loyalty, friendliness, and temper have made them one of the most beloved family pets worldwide.

Labrador Retriever

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Labrador Retrievers are another breed famous for their well-mannered nature. Labs are outgoing, playful, and incredibly friendly, making them popular for families. They are quick learners and respond well to training, which makes them easy to manage. Labs desire to please their owners, so they often excel as service dogs, therapy dogs, and family companions. Their temperament and gentle nature mean they rarely exhibit aggressive behavior and are always eager to meet new people and animals.

Poodle

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Poodles, whether standard, miniature, or toy, are known for their intelligence and good behavior. These dogs are quick to learn and eager to obey, making them easy to train. Poodles are naturally well-mannered and are known for their calm and friendly nature. They adapt well to different environments and are great around children, strangers, and other pets. Whether you have a large or small Poodle, this breed’s elegance and intelligence make them one of the most well-mannered dogs you can have.

Shih Tzu

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The Shih Tzu is a breed bred to be a companion, and they’ve certainly perfected the art of being polite and well-mannered. Shih Tzus is gentle, friendly, and loves being around people. They’re also great with children and other pets, making them excellent family dogs. Their small size and calm demeanor make them well-suited for apartment living. While they enjoy playtime, they’re also perfectly happy relaxing on your lap. Shih Tzus are not known for being aggressive or unruly, so they’re often regarded as one of the most well-behaved lap dogs.

Bernese Mountain Dog

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Despite their large size, Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their gentle, calm demeanor. These dogs are incredibly loyal and devoted to their families but also friendly and welcoming to strangers. Bernese Mountain Dogs are easygoing and patient, making them great with children and other pets. They’re intelligent and eager to please, making them well-behaved and easy to train. Their calm nature means they’re not prone to aggressive or hyperactive behavior, and they’re often described as gentle giants who love to cuddle.

Basset Hound

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Basset Hounds may be known for their droopy ears and soulful eyes, but they’re also famous for their calm and well-mannered behavior. These dogs are laid-back and easygoing, making them great companions for seniors or anyone looking for a relaxed, low-maintenance pet. Basset Hounds are friendly with children, other pets, and strangers and are not prone to aggressive behavior. While they can be stubborn sometimes, their sweet nature and gentle demeanor make up for it.

Shetland Sheepdog

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Shetland Sheepdogs, or Shelties, are known for their intelligence and politeness. These dogs are highly trainable and eager to please, making them one of the most well-mannered breeds. Shelties are gentle, friendly, and great with children and other pets. They’re also known for their loyalty to their families and desire to protect and care for them. While they may be shy around strangers, they warm up quickly and are always well-behaved and polite once they feel comfortable.

Irish Setter

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Irish Setters are known for their playful, friendly nature but are also incredibly well-mannered. These dogs are outgoing and social, making them great with children, other pets, and strangers. Irish Setters are intelligent and eager to please, which makes them easy to train and manage. They have a lot of energy, but they’re not aggressive or unruly and are always polite and friendly when meeting new people. Irish Setters are known for their elegant, refined appearance, which matches their calm and courteous demeanor.

Beagle

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Beagles are known for their friendly and curious nature, but they’re also among the most well-mannered dog breeds. These dogs are great with children and other pets, and their calm demeanor makes them a popular choice for families. Beagles are not aggressive or hyperactive and are always eager to meet new people and animals. They’re also highly trainable and respond well to positive reinforcement, which makes them easy to manage. Beagles are known for their gentle nature and are always happy to be a part of the family.

Whippet

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Whippets are known for their calm, gentle nature and their well-mannered behavior. These dogs are incredibly loyal to their owners and love being part of the family. Whippets are not prone to aggressive behavior and are known to be friendly with children, pets, and strangers. Their calm demeanor makes them easy to manage, and they’re often described as the perfect mix of playful and relaxed. While they enjoy a good run, they’re also perfectly happy lounging around the house, making them great companions for anyone looking for a well-mannered, low-maintenance dog.

Great Dane

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Great Danes are known for their calm, gentle nature despite their massive size. These dogs are incredibly friendly and loyal to their families, but they’re also polite and well-behaved around strangers. Great Danes are often called gentle giants because of their calm, laid-back demeanor. They’re great with children and other pets and are not prone to aggressive or hyperactive behavior. While they may look intimidating, Great Danes are some of the most well-mannered and affectionate dogs you’ll ever meet.

Boston Terrier

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Boston Terriers are small dogs with big personalities, but they’re also incredibly well-mannered. Known for their friendly and outgoing nature, Boston Terriers are great with children, other pets, and strangers. They’re intelligent and eager to please, which makes them easy to train and manage. Boston Terriers are known for their playful demeanor but also calm and polite, making them great companions for families or individuals. Their charming personalities and well-mannered behavior make them a favorite among dog lovers.

Pug

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Pugs are known for their friendly, affectionate nature and well-mannered behavior. These small dogs are great with children and other pets and are always eager to please their owners. Pugs are not aggressive or hyperactive and are known for their calm, laid-back demeanor. They’re also incredibly loyal and love spending time with their families. Pugs are great companions for seniors or anyone looking for a low-maintenance, well-behaved dog full of personality.

Cocker Spaniel

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Cocker Spaniels are known for their sweet, gentle nature and well-mannered behavior. These dogs are great with children and other pets and are always eager to please their owners. Cocker Spaniels are intelligent and easy to train, which makes them a popular choice for families. They’re also known for their friendly, outgoing nature and ability to get along with everyone they meet. Whether you’re playing in the yard or relaxing on the couch, Cocker Spaniels are always polite and well-behaved.

Newfoundland

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Newfoundlands are known for their gentle, calm demeanor and well-mannered behavior. These large dogs are incredibly friendly and loyal to their families but are also polite and well-behaved around strangers. They’re great with children and other pets and are known for their patient, loving nature. Despite their size, Newfoundlands are not aggressive or hyperactive and are always well-mannered and polite. Their calm, laid-back demeanor makes them great companions for families or individuals looking for a gentle, well-behaved dog.

Dachshund

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Dachshunds may be small but full of personality and well-mannered behavior. These dogs are great with children and other pets, and they’re known for their friendly, outgoing nature. Dachshunds are intelligent and eager to please, which makes them easy to train and manage. While they are sometimes stubborn, their sweet nature and well-mannered behavior make up for it. Dachshunds are great companions for families or individuals looking for a small, well-behaved dog with a big personality.

English Bulldog

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English Bulldogs are known for their calm, laid-back demeanor and well-mannered behavior. These dogs are great with children and other pets and are always eager to please their owners. They are not aggressive or hyperactive and are known for their calm, patient nature. They’re also incredibly loyal and love spending time with their families. English Bulldogs are great companions for seniors or anyone looking for a low-maintenance, well-behaved dog full of charm and personality.

Havanese

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The Havanese is a small, friendly dog known for its well-mannered and cheerful disposition. These dogs love to be around people and are especially good with children and other pets. Havanese are intelligent and eager to please, which makes them easy to train. Their friendly, social nature means they’re always ready to make new friends, and their calm demeanor ensures they behave politely in most situations. Havanese are always well-mannered, whether playing or relaxing, making them great companions for any household.

Well-Mannered, But Can They Use A Fork?

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These well-mannered breeds may not be able to set the dinner table or use a fork (yet), but they certainly know how to bring politeness and charm to any household. Whether calmly sitting by your side, making friends with everyone they meet, or just being their lovable, well-behaved selves, these dogs prove that good manners never go out of style. So, if you’re looking for a dog as polite as they are affectionate, any of these breeds will make the perfect addition to your family!