Everyone needs a little love in their lives. There’s probably not a thing in the world happier to see you when you come home than your four-legged family members.

And there’s nothing that can lift a mood better after a long hard day than eager cuddles and kisses from your sweet pooch. A dog cannot hide their joy when their people come home after being away for a while.

They jump, yelp, lick, wag their tail, and show in every pore of their little (or sometimes big) bodies that they are overjoyed to see you again. Their world revolves around you, in a way that another human’s world never can. This is why dogs are often called “man’s best friend”.

Obviously, the type of breed you choose can play a factor in how affectionate and loving your pup will be. The cuddliest dog breeds will love to spend time with you, either sleeping at your feet or snoozing on your lap. How they are raised and how much socialization they receive as they grow from a pup into an adult can also play a role in how affectionate and loving they are.

Regardless of breed, there are few things that can beat a nice cuddle session with your favorite canine. Dogs love the attention they receive from their humans, and love to shower their humans with their attention in return.

That said, here are seven of the most affectionate dog breeds you will find. Of course, this list is not exhaustive, and does not cover all of the cuddliest dog breeds out there.

Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise are small little dogs with lots love to give to their people. They are cheerful and mischievous, with an appearance closely resembling a kid’s stuffed animal.

They have black eyes and fluffy white hair that looks a lot like cotton. These cuddly little pooches can range from 7 to 12 pounds, and have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, provided they are in good health with no serious issues.

These dogs are actually related to a few other breeds, the Maltese, the Havanese, and the Coton de Tulear. It is thought that these dogs originally came from somewhere in the Mediterranean, and when you look at them, it’s easy to get them mixed up with a white Toy Poodle. However, despite their toys size, they are not classified as a toy breed, and they definitely are not Poodles!

Their puppies can sometimes be a pale yellow or cream color, but as adults these dogs are always white, with their distinctive dark eyes and nose. Bichon Frise are classified as hypoallergenic dogs. This means they don’t shed much and can make great pets for people with allergies.

Unfortunately, these animals can suffer from a bit of separation anxiety when left on their own, so they may not be a good choice if you must leave them home alone very often.

They need plenty of love and attention, and need to spend time with their families. These dogs make great apartment pets, and possess a lovable disposition. They are built sturdy and square, and tend to be very intelligent. This also makes them highly trainable, and great as therapy dogs.

These sunny little dogs will bring a smile to the faces of all that they meet. Definitely ranking high as one of the cuddliest dog breeds you can find.

Bulldog

You wouldn’t know it by looking at them, but once upon a time, Bulldogs were cattle dogs. They were often used in a sport called bullbaiting. These dogs were bred especially for this violent sport.

Nowadays though, Bulldogs are simply lovable and gentle family pets. These dogs are classified as companion dogs, and can weigh anywhere from 40 to 50 pounds. Their life expectancy is roughly 8 to 12 years, depending on the state of their health.

Bulldogs are considered tough and tenacious, and are sometimes called a British or English Bulldog, because they originated from England.

This breed is related to fighting Mastiffs, although they don’t resemble them very much. Nevertheless, they still have a forbidding appearance, one that hides a sweet and cuddly disposition.

Bulldogs are built sturdy and square, and tend to waddle when they walk. They have dark eyes and flat faces, and can be prone to obesity, as well as respiratory and joint issues.

These dogs aren’t particularly active, though they do love kids and their humans. For the most part they are content to sit and observe the world, engage in a nice long nap, and smile at you with their flat scrunched little faces. They could even be described as lazy and perhaps a tad bit stubborn, but a more lovable and affectionate dog you will not find.

Collie

The Collie hails from Scotland, and were bred to be herding dogs. If you’ve ever seen the movie Lassie, then you’ve seen a Collie. These dogs are extremely intelligent and loyal, as well as highly sensitive to their owner and their needs.

They are distinctive in appearance, with long flowing hair if they are of the rough variety, and short hair if they are of the smooth variety. These dogs have strong instincts and seem to have an innate ability to sense when something is wrong.

Despite a friendly and affectionate nature with their family, they are very protective as well, and can be rather suspicious when it comes to strangers. This, combined with their intelligence, makes them excellent guard dog material.

These dogs have a strong herding instinct, so you may see them attempt to herd your kids as well as any other pets during playtime. These dogs love to run and make great companions for children and active families.

Collies can weigh anywhere from 50 to 70 pounds, and often live relatively long lives, up to 10 to 14 years.

Golden Retriever

These dogs are extremely popular as a family pet. They are very intelligent, friendly, and tolerant, which means they get along great with adults and children alike.

They are used to retrieve game while hunting, and sometimes used as therapy dogs or drug sniffers. They are active and obedient and are considered sporting dogs. They form very strong bonds with their humans, and love to spend time with their families, considering them their “pack”.

Golden Retrievers are beautiful dogs, large and athletic looking with sweet faces and thick, golden hair. They can be a little slow when it comes to maturing though, and often still behave like puppies even at three or four years old.

These dogs need plenty of exercise and activity, and can become bored if not given enough to do. Unfortunately, these dogs will not make very good watchdogs, they are just way too sweet and friendly. They can weigh anywhere from 55 to 75 pounds and live 10 to 12 years or more.

Vizsla

These are pointer and retriever dogs, originating from Hungary. They have a very elegant, aristocratic appearance, tall and fine-boned, with a rusty red coat and floppy ears. They also have sweet and loving dispositions and are full of energy.

These dogs can become very attached to their humans, shadowing them everywhere they go. They are hard workers that love to be given jobs to do. Vizslas need plenty of exercise and make great pets for active families.

These dogs are very protective and can make a great watchdog. However, they can be very vocal, especially if their barking is allowed to go on unchecked. Also, Vizslas can experience separation anxiety if you leave them for too long, so they are most ideal for families where someone is home most of the day.

These friendly dogs love affection, and return the love tenfold, making them rank high as one of the most affectionate dog breeds in our book! They weigh in at 45 to 65 pounds, and have a lifespan of 10 to 14 years.

English Toy Spaniel

These are cute little dogs with a bit of a mischievous streak. Bred as a companion dog, these animals are gentle and sweet, as well as somewhat reserved. English Toy Spaniels do tend to become attached to one person as opposed to a whole family, which makes them wonderful pets for adult couples, or seniors.

These dogs can sometimes be shy, especially around strangers, and can be easily overwhelmed. However, they are smart and eager to please, and fairly independent. They have a very laid-back personality, and love to cuddle and spend time near their humans. They weigh anywhere from 8 to 14 pounds and live 10 to 12 years.

Great Dane

You could call these dogs the epitome of the term “gentle giant.” These dogs are large and noble looking, and can appear intimidating though they are nothing but sweet-natured. Great Danes are considered working dogs, once bred for boar hunting. Nowadays, all that ferociousness has been bred right out of them. These dogs are good-natured and get along well with people and animals alike. They tend to think of themselves as lapdogs, though with their size they are far from it.

These dogs love to play and are very gentle with children. They have an athletic and imposing appearance, but despite their size they aren’t terribly rambunctious. They are protective of their people, and make wonderful and loving family pets.

Just keep in mind Great Danes are very large dogs. They can weigh anywhere from 100 to 200 pounds, and because of their size, their lifespan is only about 7 to 10 years.

However, that is 7 to 10 years of extreme love and affection from these beautiful, peaceful canines. Who can say no to that?

This list of most affectionate dog breeds is just a peek at what’s out there. There are many other dog breeds that are sweet and loving and affectionate with their humans. Some more so than others, but how you raise them can play a huge factor in how affectionate and friendly they become.

Remember that a dog is a big responsibility no matter the breed or temperament. Be ready to make that commitment before you bring one into your home.