All dogs make great companions, but some dog breeds happen to be more snuggly than the rest. If you love cuddling, cozying up, and enjoying the warm, fluffy, companionship of a by-your-side cuddle buddy, then this article is for you!
Petting a dog can lower stress and increase overall serenity. Read on to discover the best dog breeds for cuddling!
GOLDEN RETRIEVER
Golden Retrievers are happy, loyal family animals. They have a lot of energy but when it’s time to relax, they become calm, low-key, and affectionate. This breed has held the #1 spot for American family dogs for decades, and it’s no surprise. The Golden Retriever makes a great companion for hard-working dads, busy moms, and children and teenagers of all ages. Whether a member of the household is studying for a test, practicing soccer outside, or sweeping the garage, the family Golden Retriever is more than happy to accompany and be of service. Golden Retrievers are the leading choice of dog breed for service and therapy dogs. This speaks to their high intelligence and emotional intuition. If you want a dog that will not only cuddle with you, but try to take your blues away when you feel down, then the Golden Retriever is for you!
CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL
Quiet, poised, and soft, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel looks like it was made to cuddle. In fact, it was! This sweet dog breed was originally bred to be a companion to humans during their leisure time inside the home or outside enjoying the sunshine and fine weather. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have long, soft hair, and giant brown eyes that will gaze at you adoringly. But don’t be fooled by this cute dog’s natural ability to snuggle for hours. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is no couch potato! When taken out for daily exercise, this “sporting” dog will sprint, jump, and burn off all kinds of energy you might never have guessed could fit inside of his small body! If you’re looking for a dog breed that’s gentle with children and other domestic pets and will show you a world of love and affection, then consider taking home a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
POMERANIAN
If you’re looking for a little dog with a big personality, then look no further than the Pomeranian. This ball of fluff with two eyes is surprisingly loyal and fearless. Pomeranians love their owners and are known to gaze lovingly up at their human parents as they snuggle, cuddle, and get a good belly rub going. But watch out, if a stranger appears, your Pomeranian will bravely bark his head off to ward off any potential danger this intruder may pose to your wellbeing and serenity! Owners of Pomeranians should focus on socializing their puppy Poms so that meeting new and unexpected people doesn’t set off alarm bells. Other than their protective streak, the Pomeranian is a very relaxed, comfortable, and confident dog breed who will be more than happy to sleep next to you, sit on your lap for hours, and show you more love than you ever imagined was possible.
NEWFOUNDLAND
They don’t call the Newfoundland “nature’s babysitter” for nothing! Newfoundlands are among the largest dog breeds, and yet they are unusually gentle, affectionate, and patient. Often mistaken for a bear, the Newfoundland dog breed has calm, sturdy energy that’s contagious. They’re giant lumps of love, but not every Newfoundland understands how truly large he is and many try to sit on their owners laps or make room for themselves in their human parents’ beds. This lovable dog can cause more than a few smiles on their families faces. One of the greatest things about Newfoundlands is that they take pride in their role as the household companion to their favorite humans. The only caveat when it comes to having a Newfoundland is that due to this dog breeds sheer size, your home should have room, and ideally you should have a yard where your Newfoundland can run and play.
CHIHUAHUA
Unlike the very large Newfoundland, the Chihuahua is among the smallest dog breeds, but don’t forget that big hearts can come in small packages! Chihuahuas are affectionate love bugs who are happiest curled up on their owners’ laps. This cute dog breed comes with short hair, long hair, and even hairless! Chihuahuas have been stereotyped as nervous, yappy dogs, but this is largely a misconception. When your Chihuahua is relaxed with you, he won’t be nervous or yappy. But if you leave him alone for long stretches, his separation anxiety could kick in, causing him to bark at all kinds of dangers like rattling leaves and a suspicious squirrel. Chihuahuas do best with individuals and families that have at least one resident member home with them during the day. For this reason, Chihuahuas make great companions for people who work from home, are caring for small children at home, or otherwise spend their time at home due to retirement or various reasons.
PUG
If you want a super snuggly dog that isn’t high energy, then consider getting a Pug! Pugs are among the most affectionate of all the cuddly dog breeds. These smart, affectionate, and sometimes silly canines enjoy short play sessions and love to cuddle with their owners and families after. They are social with strangers and other dogs, and get along great with children, as long as the kids aren’t too rough. As true companion animals, Pugs need to spend the majority of their day with their human owner or family. This breed doesn’t necessarily do well emotionally if they’re left home alone. If you are home and you’re too busy to give your Pug attention, you could hurt his feelings, in fact. This can be avoided, however, if you let your Pug sit next to you while you work and otherwise include him in your household activities. All told, Pugs are great cuddle buddies!
BICHON FRISE
Have you ever looked at a cotton ball and asked it, “Why can’t you be a 10 lb puppy?” Well, we have good news for you! That’s what a Bichon Frise is! Bichon Frise are ultra soft, hypoallergenic, bundles of endless love. They are as white as a cotton ball, and twice as useful, thanks to their high-energy and curiosity. Bichon Frises do best in busy families with children they can play with. If you get a Bichon Frise, you can expect your puppy to trot briskly around the home, checking on everyone and making sure everyone is cheerful and in good spirits! But don’t get us wrong, the Bichon Frise is just as good at curling up on your lap as he is at chasing after a frisbee in the yard. Bichon Frises are highly affectionate and love to snuggle and share the love!
PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI
One of nature’s most adorable accidents, the Corgi dog breed is actually a dog dwarf! Those unusually short legs are a symptom of a genetic condition called achondroplastic dwarfism. This is a rare form of canine dwarfism that affects the length of a dog’s legs. About 300 years ago, dog breeders in Pembroke, Wales, discovered there were “deformed” puppies in their litters. These puppies had legs that were too short, and yet as they grew, they were not disabled from doing everything that the other, normal puppies could. The breeders then decided to breed two short-legged dogs together, and this kicked off the Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog breed. Only retroactivity did dog breeders and scientists identify and label the cause of the short legs as achondroplastic dwarfism. Today, Corgis are among the most affectionate, heart-melting dogs around. Corgis are loyal, cuddly, and trusting, and will make a great “snuggle buddy” addition to your family!
So, are you ready to cuddle with one of the snuggly dog breeds on our list of the 8 best puppies for cuddling? You can meet all of the breeds we covered today in our Petland Kansas City location. Stop by this summer to meet our new arrivals, popular dog breeds, and cuddly puppies who are ready to love you forever!