Thinking of getting a dog? These are the best behaved breeds

A survey has revealed the dog breeds that owners find to be the easiest to look after.

The poll of 5,000 pet lovers was made up of 200 owners of each of the 25 most popular dog breeds, as determined by the American Kennel Club.

The dogs’ behavior was ranked in two categories: following commands and temperament.

The study, conducted by Forbes Advisor, asked participants to share facts about their dogs, including characteristics like barking, jumping, begging, and following commands when off leashes in public.

Other factors that were taken into account included how often dogs attempt to escape, their health, and overall behavior.

1. Labrador Retriever

Labrador retriever was the only dog breed to receive an overall score of 100 percent in good behavior despite its excellent/pretty good rating. 

However, experts concluded that these dogs are easy to train, aim to please their owners, and have excellent temperaments.

They also comprise the second-highest percentage of canines whose health has not been threatened by their behavior and are the second least likely to ingest objects.

The study showed that Labrador retrievers do have a 21 percent whine rate, falling in third place.

Dog lovers interested in adopting a Labrador should be prepared to spend between $400 and $5,000, depending on whom they purchase one from.

Adoptees who own a Labrador should also expect to see their dog live anywhere between 10 and 12 years old.

2. Rottweiler

The Rottweiler breed’s ranking was a close second behind Labradors at 92.49 percent.

Like Labradors, Rottweilers have a low chance of ingesting foreign objects, and they were also concluded to have a small chance of destroying things.

Despite its overall score, this breed was ranked the least likely to whine - at 18 percent.

Forbes Advisor concluded that Labradors are the second-least likely breed to rarely or never follow commands when off leashes in public places and ranked third in breeds that always or often follow owner commands when doing so.

One of the main reasons Rottweilers are not in the top three is their commonality in begging for food, which is tied with another breed at 18 percent.

Canine enthusiasts can usually adopt a Rottweiler at a shelter for anywhere between $100 and $500, but those who are looking to buy one from a reputable breeder should be expected to pay between $1,500 and $2,500.

Rottweilers’ usual life span is between eight and 10 years old, but some of these canines can live up to 12 years old.

3. Shih Tzu

Shi Tzus are a breed of dogs that usually weigh between nine and 16 pounds. They are the third most behaved dog breed, with a ranking of 81.08 percent.

Although it is only in third place overall, this breed ranked number one in the following categories: Least likely to jump on humans, least likely to destroy things, and least likely to ingest foreign objects.

And 87 percent of its participating owners also claimed their Shi Tzus’ health has never been threatened by their behavior.

Shi Tzus were ranked the ninth worst in those two categories at 41 and 55 percent, respectively.

On average, this dog breed usually costs anywhere between $100 and $300 when adopted at a shelter, and anywhere between $500 and $5,000 when bought from a professional breeder.

Like other small dogs, Shi Tzus average lifespan is usually between 10 and 16 years old.

4. Cane Corso

The Cane Corso breed ranked fourth for its behavior with an overall score of 89.07 percent.

Its positive results partially came from being the most likely type of dog to always or often follow commands when off a leash in public at 73 percent and tying Labradors for being the most likely breed to have excellent and pretty good behavior at 79 percent.

Cane Corsos received the second-lowest percentage in canines with not good and terrible behavior at 2.5 percent.

The breed was also ranked third for the lowest percentage of dogs who beg for food at 31 percent, and like Rottweilers, they were the eighth lowest rank of canines who barked at other animals.

A Cane Corso can cost anywhere between $100 and $2,000 from an animal shelter or a professional breeder.

On average, dogs in this breed can live anywhere between nine and 12 years old.

5. Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are popular dogs with a score of 88.77 out of 100 for best overall behavior.

It was also ranked number three in the list of most popular dog breeds in the US earlier this year, according to research conducted by the American Pet Products Association.

The Golden Retriever breed also had the second lowest percentage of dogs with bad and terrible behavior, at 2.5 percent, tying with the Doberman and Cane Corso breeds.

This breed did not make the top three in its lowest percentage of dogs who whine ranking, but experts did conclude they are the third-lowest percentage of dogs who bark at others.

Depending on how much money a dog expert wants to spend on a Golden Retriever, they should expect to spend anywhere between $200 and $3,500.

Like several dogs, the average lifespan for Golden Retrievers are between 10 and 12 years old.

6. German Shepherd

The German Shepherd breed is full of dogs that are ready and willing to please their owners through good behavior or commands, which contributes to its overall behavior score of 74.65.

Not only were German Shepherds concluded to be the breed less likely to beg for food, but it was also found to be the second-most likely to follow commands when off their leashes in public.

It reached the top three breeds with excellent and pretty good behavior but dropped to sixth place in those whose health has not been threatened by their own behavior.

Anyone who wishes to adopt one of these friendly animals can do so if they are willing to spend $250 to a whopping $1,900.

German Shepherds do have a slightly longer lifespan and can live up to 13 years old if their owners properly care for them.

7. Boston Terrier

The second of three small breeds in this list, Boston Terriers fell amongst the top 10 best-behaved dogs with an overall score of 62.90.

The Boston Terrier breed is tied with Labrador Retrievers, Yorkshire Terriers, and Pomeranians for being the second-least likely to ingest foreign objects.

It was also the fifth-lowest percentage of dogs that often try to escape.

However, the small dog breed wasn't able to crack the top five ranking for the percentage of dogs that destroy things and bark at other animals.

In most cases, dog lovers would only need to spend anywhere between $100 and $300 for a Boston Terrier at an animal shelter.

They also have a longer lifespan than various other dog breeds on the list as of 2024, which is between 13 and 15 years old. 

8. Poodle

The Poodle bread being the least likely to destroy things was a crucial factor in its overall behavior score of 60.97.

This highly popular breed can be spotted at various dog shows worldwide, and its lowest destruction rate tied with Shih Tzus and Yorkshire Terriers.

Forbes Advisor also concluded that this breed was the second-least likely to try to escape, the fifth-lowest of those who wine, and the sixth-lowest of canines whose health was threatened by their behavior.

Poodles can be pricey depending on where one decides to adopt one, and can cost anywhere from $70 to over $2,500.

However, depending on what kind of poodle one looks to adopt, they can expect them to live anywhere between 10 and 20 years. 

9. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terriers, which some have described as 'lap dogs,' scored 56.58 in their overall behavior.

They are currently the third-lowest percentage of dogs who jump on others, tying with Labrador Retrievers at 35 percent.

Yorkshire Terriers also managed to get into the top 10 of dog breeds who rarely and never try to escape, and whining.

Potential Yorkshire Terrier owners who are interested in adopting one from a shelter can do so for around $50 to $500.

However, anyone who doesn't mind spending a large chunk of change for one from a professional breeder should expect to pay anything around $600 to $2,500.

Dogs in this breed can usually live anywhere between 11 and 15 years old, which is an average lifespan for most small dogs. 

10. American Bulldogs

The American Bulldog may have only scored a 55.32 in the overall best behavior, but this breed did crack the top 10.

The adorable breed is currently the second-lowest percentage of dogs who beg for food and the sixth-lowest to whine, tying with Great Danes.

American Bulldogs were the only dogs on this list not to fall in the top 10 of a category after it was ranked number 11 in the percentage of dogs who often try to escape.

Some consider these animals guard dogs. Adopting them from a professional breeder can cost between $800 and $3,000.

Potential dog owners who are looking to spend less money on an American Bulldog can do so at a shelter, usually for around $100 to $800.

With good care and proper genes, American Bulldogs can live anywhere between 12 and 15 years, but some pet owners claim they can live up to 15.