Some dogs just love being around people and the more time they can spend with their owners, the happier they are. It's not that they are demanding as such, they just enjoy the company of a two-legged friend. Some breeds have become incredibly popular for just this reason although a few from the list below need more in the way of mental stimulation and physical exercise to be truly happy and content.

The Nice Natured Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers have for decades been among some of the most popular dogs to keep as family pets because of their very kind natures. They are incredibly good around children and they get on well with other animals, but the thing these lovely looking dogs like most is pleasing their owners.

Being highly intelligent means the Labrador Retriever is a quick learner and therefore easy to train. However, they do need to be kept busy and this means lots of physical exercise and the right amount of mental stimulation to keep them in good shape.

Known to love people, these dogs really enjoy living in a family environment and form very strong bonds with everyone especially any younger members of the family. They are also really good around people who are normally quite nervous being anywhere near dogs which means these lovely, calm canines can help them overcome their fears.

The Bouvier des Flandres

These lovely large dogs are native to Belgium, but over the years have become extremely popular family pets due to their extremely docile and friendly natures. They are even good around people they've never met before because they are so laid back about things.

Being extremely intelligent, the Bouvier des Flandres is easy to train and due to the fact they like to please so much, they are quick to learn new things whether it's a game or a command. They adore being around children and the people they love. The other thing about these very attractive dogs is that as long as they have been well socialised from a young age they get on with other animals including cats too!

The Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is a lovely character to be around and over the years they have become a very popular choice as family pets the world over. Originally bred in the USA as working dogs, they are highly intelligent and very quick to learn things which is why they are so good at the jobs they are asked to do. How these lovely looking dogs came to be in Australia is a bit of a mystery, but today they are very popular whether kept as working dogs or pets.

They boast very kind natures and although they like to be kept busy, they are slightly more laid back than the Border Collie. However, the one thing these dogs have in common is their desire to please and their love of being around their two-legged friends.

The Border Collie

Known to be one of the most intelligent dogs on the planet, the Border Collie is a very busy character, but there is one thing they love to please which makes them so endearing to their owners. They are also very independent by nature which means they are good at making decisions on their own when nobody is around.

They are also incredibly loyal dogs and they simply adore being around the people they love. They excel at many activities which includes fly ball and agility which they love doing as much as their owners. As long as they are kept nice and busy believing they have job to do, a Border Collie is more than happy to live in a family environment becoming a valued member of their “pack”,

The German Shepherd

German Shepherds have for a very long time been a very popular choice of family pet due to the fact they are extremely loyal and loving. Being highly intelligent they are also very quick learners and are known to form strong bonds with the people they love. They are particularly good around children who they consider to be part of their “pack”. As such they boast a strong instinct to protect them.

However, they do tend to be a little wary of strangers which is why they make such wonderful guard dogs, but above all, it's their loyalty to their owners that really does make these proud dogs stand out from the rest.

Conclusion

If you are hoping to share your home with a loving and loyal canine companion, the five breeds listed above make wonderful family pets. However, some breeds need more in the way of mental stimulation and physical exercise than others which is why you need to make sure you choose a dog that suits your particular lifestyle. If you are more of a couch potato sort of person, a Border Collie would not be the ideal choice for you, whereas a the lovely natured Labrador Retriever might fit the bill perfectly!