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Dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and temperaments, and there are a lot of factors that should go into choosing a dog breed. But the most important thing to keep in mind is that you should choose a dog that fits your lifestyle. If you’re highly active, look for a high-energy dog that you can take along on your daily run or bike ride. If you prefer the couch to the out-of-doors, choose a low-energy dog with minimal exercise requirements. Bodily fluids make you ill? Don’t get a drooler! Live in an apartment building? Stay away from yappers! Suffer from allergies? Avoid a shedder! You get the idea.
If you’re looking for a canine cuddle buddy, this article is just for you! While these five dog breeds are notorious snugglebunnies, each breed has other particular needs that you’ll need to be sure you can meet before making your choice. Remember: most dogs live for over ten years, and getting one is a serious commitment!
Treasure a Tibetan Spaniel
The Tibetan spaniel is a charming dog with features that are similar to a Pekingese. Her silky double coat is highly pettable, and while you’re snuggling, you won’t be able to resist caressing her sweet little toes, which will have feathers of fur peeking out from between them. Tibetans spaniels are notoriously cheerful and charming, and they’re only moderately active, requiring just one long daily walk to burn off excessive energy and maintain good health. Not so small that you’ll risk crushing or suffocating her with all your hugs and kisses, the Tibetan spaniel is still small enough that you can put her on your lap while you read.
The smallest dog on this list, Tibetan spaniels can grow up to 10 inches in height and weigh up to 15 pounds. Be prepared to snuggle into the far distant future, because your spaniel will probably live between 12 and 15 years.
Although they love to cuddle, Tibetan spaniels are independent and don’t require loads of attention. They also make good watchdogs. On the down side, your spaniel may be a little tough to train, and you’ll have to be a strong pack leader to prevent overprotective or aggressive behaviors. She’ll also shed in big old clumps once a year, so have the brush and vacuum cleaner ready when the time comes. Tibetan spaniels are prone to heat stroke, so take appropriate precautions when it’s hot outside.
Pamper a Pug
Small, square, and stocky, the thickset pug is a wildly popular dog, perhaps because of its sad little puppy dog eyes that make you want to smother it with love. One thing is certain: You’ll be grabbing handfuls of the large, deep wrinkles on your pug’s face and pulling him close for kisses. Pugs are spirited and animated as well as affectionate, and while they’re relatively inactive, they still need a short daily walk for their health and sanity. But don’t overdo it, because pugs are prone to wheezing and other respiratory conditions and can’t handle particularly hot or cold weather.
Pugs grow as tall as 14 inches and weigh up to 20 pounds. Your pug will be your loyal pal for 12 to 15 years before heading off to his heavenly stomping grounds.
Pugs make good watchdogs, and they behave like little angels around children and other pets. They’re heavy seasonal shedders, though, and they can catch colds pretty easily.
Embrace a Basset Hound
Basset hounds have a long body, a large, round head, and super short legs that won’t get in your way when you’re cuddling. You won’t be able to stop yourself from pulling your basset hound’s ears over your eyes for a game of peek-a-boo, and her sweet, sad eyes will make her utterly irresistible at all times. While she’ll be like a lump on a log while she’s indoors, she’ll romp and play when you put her outside, which is fun to watch on account of those funny little short legs.
Your basset hound will grow up to 15 inches in height and will reach a weight of up to 65 pounds, although if you’re not careful about her eating habits, she’ll become obese very quickly, which is why you should give her a long daily walk. Properly cared for, your basset hound should live for 10 to 12 years.
Sweet, gentle, and highly affectionate, basset hounds are friendly with kids and other pets, and although they shed, they’re easy to groom. Unfortunately, basset hounds are notoriously stubborn and require a strong, firm (but gentle) pack leader. They’re a little difficult to housetrain, so you’ll need some patience during that process. Also note that if your basset hound picks up an intriguing scent, she’ll suddenly become completely oblivious to everything else around her, including you, your commands, and moving vehicles, so keep her on a leash when she’s not fenced in!
Befriend a Bulldog
Super wide bulldogs are highly cuddleable, with plenty of girth to wrap your arms around and a massive head that you can rub your cheeks all over. The rolls and rolls of extra skin on their skull and forehead are fun to squeeze and pull, and their short, smooth coat makes them easy to groom. Most definitely an indoor dog, you might have to do some coaxing to get your bulldog motivated for the all-important daily walk.
Bulldogs grow up to 16 inches in height and can reach a weight of 55 pounds. They don’t live as long as we’d like, although the eight or so years you spend with yours will be filled with joy.
Among the gentlest of all dog breeds, bulldogs are sweet with kids and other pets, and they love affection. In fact, your bulldog will require a great deal of it in order to thrive and have the highest possible quality of life. But be warned: Your bulldog will be stubborn, and you’ll need to be a very strong but gentle pack leader. He’ll also snore so loudly you’ll think your grandpa’s in the room, he’ll drool like a baby, and he’ll remind you of a toddler when he eats in his notoriously sloppy manner.
Nuzzle a Newfoundland
If you’re looking for full-body cuddling, Newfoundland is your breed. These dogs are ginormous, but they have a fairly low overall energy level, especially when they’re indoors. Despite its enormity, your Newfoundland will make a good apartment dweller. She’ll need a daily walk, but she won’t be able to handle heat very well, partly because of her thick fur. Her double coat is kind of long and very soft, perfect for keeping you warm on long winter nights.
Newfoundlands can reach 29 inches in height and weigh up to 150 pounds. They live pretty long for such a big dog, often reaching 15 years but averaging 10.
If you’re a natural-born shouter, you might want to tone it down or you’ll risk upsetting your Newfoundland, who is very sensitive to tone of voice. She herself will rarely bark, although she makes a pretty good watchdog when the need arises. She’ll be great with kids due to her sweet temperament and her natural mild-mannered nature. But she might be a little hard to train, so you’ll need some patience in that department, and she’s definitely going to drool more than you’d prefer.
