Many people value dogs for their loyal natures. Loyalty in dogs can show up as a strong protective instinct, a desire to stay close to their families, or a deep bond with their favourite person.
Most dogs show some degree of loyalty. But certain breeds are particularly known for the strong emotional attachments they develop with their people.
Breeds with guarding or herding backgrounds tend to be even more devoted to specific people or families. Certain dogs may even go so far as to put their own lives on the line to protect their people.
Read on to discover 16 dog breeds known for their loyalty and explore what makes each breed unique in their attachment and protective instincts.
Akita
Akitas are famously loyal dogs who often bond very closely with one person or family and favour them with their strong protective instinct. These dogs were originally bred in Japan as guard and hunting dogs, and they’re known for their courage and unwavering loyalty.
Take the famous Akita Hachikō, for instance, who was adopted by Professor Ueno. Hachikō waited at a train station for Ueno every day—even nine years after his owner’s sudden death!
Akitas are often more reserved with strangers but have plenty of attention and affection for their families. This deep loyalty can make them ‘one-person’ dogs, but socialisation can help them get more comfortable around other people and pets.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds have a long history as herding and guard dogs, which gives them a strong sense of loyalty and protectiveness. They’re attentive and responsive, especially to those they consider family. These traits also mean they tend to do well as police, military, and service dogs.
German Shepherds may, in some cases, be one-person dogs, but they can form attachments to multiple people with careful socialisation early in life. Generally, they make excellent companions for families looking for both protection and affection.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are loyal and affectionate family dogs who have friendly and easygoing natures. They have a strong desire to please and a deep devotion to humans that makes them good therapy and service dogs.
Unlike some other loyal dog breeds, Labs are generally friendly with everyone. So while they’re deeply loyal, they’re not necessarily the most protective. They thrive on companionship and are usually happiest when spending time with their families.
Collie
Collies, especially Rough Collies, are famous for their loyalty, as illustrated by the fictional dog Lassie. This breed tends to be loyal to the entire family rather than just one person, and they form strong bonds with their people.
Their herding instincts make them naturally protective. They’re also particularly gentle with children, so they can be excellent family dogs!
Rottweiler
Rottweilers have a long history as working dogs, particularly guard dogs, and they’re deeply loyal and protective. They’re known to form close attachments to their families, which makes them great home guardians. While they often have some wariness around strangers, you can manage this trait with early training and socialisation.
Rottweilers often choose a ‘favourite person’ in the household but remain loyal and protective toward all family members.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are loyal and highly affectionate dogs known for their love of people and easygoing demeanour. This breed’s loyalty stems from their desire to please people, and they make popular service and therapy dogs.
Golden Retrievers are loyal to their families but generally friendly with everyone. Their trustworthy, sociable nature helps balance their loyalty.
Boxer
Boxers are energetic, loyal, and protective dogs that bond closely with their families. They have a reputation for their playful personalities and strong attachments to people.
Boxers tend to be both protective and affectionate, and these traits make them excellent companions and loyal family dogs. Just keep in mind that their loyalty can sometimes mean they have a strong preference for their families over strangers.
Dachshund
Dachshunds are known for their loyalty and affection, which they often attach to one person in the household. In fact, many Dachshunds follow their favourite person around from room to room and want to do everything together.
While they thrive on close companionship with their family members, they can be a bit aloof with strangers.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are small but devoted dogs who tend to bond closely with one person in the household. Their loyalty can make them highly protective, and they may even ‘guard’ their chosen person from others.
These tiny dogs have plenty of affection for their families and normally stick close to their people, though they tend to be more cautious around new people.
Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogs, also known as Shelties, are intelligent dogs with strong herding instincts. Their attentive and protective natures make them responsive and affectionate pets that do well as family dogs.
They often form close bonds with their families and have a reputation for being especially good with children. They can be hesitant with newcomers, but rarely to the point of fear or aggression. Socialisation can also make a big difference in their comfort around new people.
Pyrenean Mountain Dog
These devoted and protective dogs were originally bred to guard livestock. They are gentle with kids and form strong bonds with their families, and they may be territorial if they feel it’s necessary to protect what they consider theirs.
Though they tend to have more independent natures, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, also known as the Great Pyrenees in the US, make dependable guardian dogs who excel at watching over their loved ones.
Japanese Shiba Inu
While Japanese Shiba Inus have a very devoted nature, they often focus their devotion on one person. If you’re lucky enough to earn a Shiba’s respect, you’ll gain a dedicated friend for life.
These dogs tend to be a little less affectionate and more aloof than some other dogs, but they still show their loyalty through attentiveness and a close bond with their chosen person.
Border Collie
Border Collies are highly intelligent as well as dedicated to their families—and their jobs! They show their dedication through obedience and attentiveness and an intense drive to work.
These dogs tend to form close attachments to one person or family and bond very closely with them. Their loyalty makes them excellent working companions and family pets. A Border Collie tends to stay very alert to the needs of their family, but they may be a little aloof around strangers.
Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans are highly intelligent dogs with a protective and attentive nature—traits that help explain their long history as guard dogs.
Their loyalty makes them excellent guard dogs and family companions, and they usually form close relationships with their people. In fact, they’re often referred to as ‘velcro dogs’, since they want to stay close! Many Dobermans are more reserved and wary around strangers.
Saint Bernard
Saint Bernards tend to have gentle and devoted personalities, and they’re known to be great family dogs. They’re friendly, affectionate and protective of their people.
However, they also tend to get along with other people fairly well, even though they’re most devoted to their families!
Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois)
Belgian Shepherd Dogs, also known as the Belgian Malinois, are highly focused and devoted dogs who often form strong bonds with one person in the family. They’re known for their drive to work, and their loyalty and intelligence makes them popular dogs for military and police work.
Though dedicated and responsive, these smart dogs require ongoing training and enrichment, and they do best with experienced pet parents.
What Makes A Dog Loyal?
Some of the most loyal dogs have been selectively bred for traits like guarding, herding, or companionship. As a result, they’re naturally more attached and protective than other breeds.
“Some of the most loyal breeds of dogs were bred with a strong guarding instinct and desire to be around one or two special humans,” says Annie-Mae Levy, a professional dog trainer with Woofz.
“A good example of such a breed is the Doberman. These dogs can be fiercely protective over their family and home and are often aloof or disinterested with strangers, though they behave in a very loving way to their primary caregivers,” Levy says.
Genetics and early socialisation also play a part in a dog’s loyalty, Levy says, adding that some dogs, like livestock guardian breeds, are naturally more aloof. Others, like Chihuahuas, love being around their people and are very in tune with their emotions.
Levy also says dogs are more likely to develop strong bonds with people through regular interaction and consistent training.
Can a dog be too loyal?
While having a loyal dog is rewarding, too much attachment to one person can occasionally lead to separation anxiety or discomfort around new people.
“You want to foster a healthy level of independence so that your dog can cope with being left home alone or with different people,” Levy says.
To achieve this, you might:
- Leave your dog with people you trust so they can make new friends
- Use physical barriers like baby gates around your home so they get used to spending time by themselves
- Have family members or friends occasionally walk, feed, and hang out with your dog
If you’re searching for a loyal dog breed, just remember it’s important to consider all of their traits—not just their loyalty! For instance, do they need a lot of exercise and stimulation every day? Do they shed a lot? Will they enjoy life in your small apartment?
At the end of the day, spending lots of time with your dog and playing together regularly will go a long way toward earning their loyalty—no matter their breed!
