Top Dog Breeds Known for Their Excellent Behavior

A recent survey has identified the dog breeds owners find easiest to care for, ranking them based on behavior and temperament.

The survey, conducted by Forbes Advisor, gathered insights from 5,000 pet owners, including 200 owners for each of the 25 most popular dog breeds determined by the American Kennel Club.

Participants assessed their dogs based on factors like obedience, temperament, and behavioral traits such as barking, jumping, and begging.

Here are the top 10 best-behaved dog breeds according to the survey:

1. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers topped the list with a perfect score for overall behavior, thanks to their easy-going temperament and trainability.

They are among the least likely to ingest foreign objects and have a low rate of destructive behavior. Labradors can cost between $400 and $5,000; they typically live 10 to 12 years.

2. Rottweiler
Rottweilers ranked second, with a score of 92.49%. They are unlikely to ingest foreign objects and have a low tendency to destroy items.

However, they are more prone to begging for food. Rottweilers can cost between $100 and $2,500 and usually live 8 to 12 years.

3. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus scored 81.08%, excelling in categories like being least likely to jump on people, destroy things, or ingest foreign objects.

They are generally healthy, with an average lifespan of 10 to 16 years, and can cost between $100 and $5,000.

4. Cane Corso
With a score of 89.07%, Cane Corsos are obedient and rarely show destructive behavior. They are also less likely to beg for food. Prices range from $100 to $2,000; they typically live 9 to 12 years.

5. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers scored 88.77%. They are popular in the U.S. and are known for their friendly nature and good behavior.

They are less likely to engage in bad behavior and have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. Prices range from $200 to $3,500.

6. German Shepherd
German Shepherds earned a score of 74.65%, excelling in obedience and rarely begging for food. They are eager to please their owners, and potential adopters can expect to pay between $250 and $1,900. German Shepherds often live up to 13 years.

7. Boston Terrier
Scoring 62.90%, Boston Terriers are less likely to ingest foreign objects or escape. They are generally affordable, with adoption costs ranging from $100 to $300, and can live 13 to 15 years.

8. Poodle
Poodles, known for their low destruction rate, scored 60.97%. They are less likely to try to escape and have relatively low whining tendencies. Poodles can cost from $70 to over $2,500; their lifespan ranges from 10 to 20 years.

9. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers, with a score of 56.58%, are low jumpers and less likely to escape. Adoption costs vary from $50 to $2,500, depending on the source, and they typically live 11 to 15 years.

10. American Bulldog
American Bulldogs rounded out the top 10 with a score of 55.32%. They are known for begging less and whining less frequently. Costs range from $100 to $3,000; they usually live between 12 and 15 years.