One of the many things that people take into consideration when choosing a dog is the temperament of the dog towards humans and other animals. It is well known that some dogs tend to like other dogs more than people, some dogs tend to like people more than other dogs, and some dogs tend to like neither.
New dog owners that are looking to purchase their first puppy will often take this into consideration. There is a worry that a dog that does not like people or a dog that does not get along with other dogs may cause various problems that can contribute to the need to give the dog up for adoption – something no dog owner wants to do. So it is not uncommon to find these new dog owners looking for breeds known for their friendliness towards other people, as well as dogs, so that they have less worries about their dog ownership skills.
It is Not the Breed, But the Socialization
The truth about dogs, however, is that it is not the breed that determines how friendly dogs are towards people and animals. Rather, it is the amount of socialization that the dogs undergo when they are in their early puppy stages, before they reach the adult age when socialization is a less effective training technique.
Dogs are friendly to everything they trust, and unfriendly to that which they fear. As a result, new dog owners need not worry about the breed of dog. Rather, they should spend every possible hour during the growth stages of the puppy to let their dog interact safely with dog, people, and other animals like cats or livestock (if applicable).
Not only should they have an opportunity to interact with these creatures, but they should also be subjected to all shapes and sizes as well; children, the elderly, various races/ethnicities, genders, as well as dogs of all breeds, shapes, sizes and colors. The more positive interaction the puppy has with as many different types of “animals” as possible, the friendlier the dog is.
The reason that some dogs appear friendlier to humans than others is because these dogs have had the opportunity to be well socialized with human beings, and thus see humans as friendly creatures. It is not the breed that caused this difference.
Does Breed Play Any Role?
Though breed is not WHY certain animals are friendlier to humans than dogs or vice versa, it may play a role in socialization. Some breeds, such as Shetland Sheepdogs, simply have friendlier, less aggressive personalities. In turn, people are more willing to interact with these dogs, which then allow these dogs to socialize better. In that sense, a dog breed that is known for its friendly temperament in general is going to be a dog breed that ends up socializing more easily, ultimately leading to becoming a friendlier adult dog.
Should socialization worry you, then you should look for a dog breed that is considered quiet and friendly, because an quiet and friendly dog is going to receive a better reception than a dog that is more lively and aggressive.
But in reality, it is not a matter of dog breed so much as it is a matter of socialization and how often your dog has positive, friendly interactions with as many different dogs, people and animals as possible. Good socialization leads to friendly dog behaviors, so once you get your puppy, it is very important that you allow it to interact with as many people as possible, especially during its growth stages.
Dr. Jan Bellows