These Dog Breeds Are So Loyal That They'll Practically Never Leave Your Side

We’ve combed through the records of many, many dog breeds to come up with this list of 40 that we reckon display the most extraordinary loyalty. Whether you’re looking for a dog small enough to fit in a purse, big enough to impress the neighbors, or something in between, you’ll find the right pooch here. Read on to discover your ideal canine pet.

40. Great Dane

The Great Dane certainly deserves its name since it is absolutely enormous. Males can grow up to 32 inches tall and weigh in at 175 pounds. Yet despite their intimidating size these dogs are “a total joy to live with” according to the American Kennel Club. But for obvious reasons, they’re probably not a good choice if you live in a compact apartment.

39. German Shepherd

You’ll regularly see German Shepherds working as police dogs and that’s because they’re bright and take well to training. They make fine family pets, too, though owners need to be prepared to exercise them often. Overall, these animals’ highly developed sense of loyalty means they’re a great dog to own.

38. Great Pyrenees

Another one of the larger breeds, the Great Pyrenees can weigh more than 100 pounds and reach a height of 32 inches. As the name suggests, this dog was bred as a working animal in the heights of the mountain range that separates France and Spain. They needed to be large since their job was to guard flocks from bears and wolves.

37. West Highland White Terrier

These diminutive dogs were originally bred in Scotland as long ago as the 1400s to hunt rats and other vermin but today they make excellent family pets. Speaking to Country Living magazine, Bill Lambert of Britain’s Kennel Club said that the animals are “a good choice for city-dwellers looking for an active, characterful, and loyal companion.”