10 Needy Dog Breeds That Follow You Around

October 13, 2022 / Dog Breeds / By: Krystine Therriault

A french bulldog looking bored as owner working on laptop.

You probably know someone who brings their dog with them everywhere. Out on coffee runs, shopping trips, or over to friends and family’s houses… And these dogs love it! They enjoy spending every possible moment with their ‘person’ or ‘people’.

Dogs have personalities just like humans. Finding a dog who will make the perfect companion for YOU has a lot to do with finding a dog whose personality meshes well with yours, or your family’s. 

If you’re in the market for this kind of serious companionship, here is a list of 10 dog breeds that follow you around (i.e., Velcro dog breeds) and what makes each one unique. 

10 Clingy Dog Breeds That Never Leave Your Side

American Staffordshire Terrier

A stocky, muscular AmStaff

Affectionately known as AmStaffs, American Staffordshire Terriers are happy and confident. This breed is known for their muscular, broad chests, dark, expressive eyes, and ears that stand erect.

This AKC registered breed fit into the Velcro dog category because if they are with the humans they love, they are happy to do just about anything. Mental stimulation, training, and proper socialization are important. Staffies also resemble Pit bulls on the account of power and strength.

AmStaffs aren’t the best for novice owners since they can be a little intense. They also have a tendency towards barking, so no apartments. 

  • Pros: Low maintenance grooming needs, can make wonderful companions for children (but train your children and socialize your Amstaff early), apartment friendly, extremely friendly, tolerant of other pets including cats, easy to train.
  • Cons: very active breed - needs lots of exercise, moderate tendency to bark.

Chihuahua

If you’re looking for a compact breed that can go with you anywhere, Chihuahuas can literally be carried in your purse or jacket. These three-to-six-pound pups are full of personality and have longer lifespans than some breeds, averaging anywhere from 10 to 18 years.

Chihuahua’s love to be around their people and make great watchdogs. They’re a low maintenance breed that doesn’t need a whole lot of grooming or exercise, just love! This breed is a great family dog, but best suited for families with older kiddos.

When searching for a Chihuahua puppy, always choose a breeder who screens for joint and heart problems, since they are common to the breed. 

  • Pros: boundless loyalty, low-maintenance grooming needs, great with kids, suitable for small apartment, don't require much exercise, easy to train, highly intelligent.
  • Cons:housebreaking can be challenging, high tendency to bark, subject to a few major health problems (eye problems, legg-calve-perthes, patellar luxation, hypothyroidism, open Fontanel being the most common).

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

A red and white King Charles toy spaniel adult dog

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (also known as Cav, Cavies) is a large toy breed but smaller than other Spaniels, weighing in at less than 20 pounds. They were bred to be companions which is why they’re considered Velcro dogs, but also display traits from their sporting ancestors, like bird chasing.

King Charles Spaniels, a favorite breed of King Charles II after whom they are named, are friendly with people, dogs, and even strangers. These great family dogs melt your heart with their big, dark, wide-set eyes and long feathered ears.

Keep in mind this breed is prone to several health problems, including mitral valve disease, syringomyelia, episodic falling, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and dry eye. Buying from a reputable breeder can reduce the likelihood of some of these health problems. 

  • Pros: affectionate, playful, apartment-friendly, not suitable for very hot climates, great family dog, well suited to living with children, suitable for elderly or disabled.
  • Cons: required regular grooming, they tend to chase things, don't do well when left alone for long periods of time.

French Bulldog

A cute french bulldog portrait

Image Credit: Chuck Abbe

French Bulldogs are one of the most poplar small dog breeds, ranking at number 4 of 196 breeds listed by the American Kennel Club.

These mini-bulldogs are known for their erect, bat-like ears. They’re a compact, smart, adaptable breed, making them a top choice for people in apartments and first-time owners. However, they get heat exhaustion easily and are prone to weight gain so daily exercise is important. Luckily, they only need a couple 15-minute walks a day to stay in shape.

French Bulldogs do not like being alone, so get ready to have the perfect little sidekick with you everywhere you go. Resembling pugs, Frenchies are playful and low maintenance, since they are easy to groom and train.

  • Pros: fun, low-maintenance grooming needs, don't bark much, great family dog, can be good with cats, trainable.
  • Cons: can be quite stubborn and have a short attention span, as a brachycephalic breed they have a very low tolerance of heat, exercise and stress and should be kept away from pools and ocean water.

Golden Retriever

A beautiful Golden Retriever adult dog

It’s no secret that Golden Retrievers make wonderful companions and family dogs, which is why they’re one of the top U.S. dog breeds. Dozens of movies star this breed, showing just how beloved they are (Air Bud, Homeward Bound, and A Dog’s Purpose are just a few examples).

Golden Retrievers are intelligent working dogs but also do great in families with children.

They are gentle, protective of their family, and will follow their people on all kinds of adventures. Golden Retrievers do not enjoy being left alone and need lots of room to run and play.

  • Pros: great as a therapy dog so a great companion to the disabled and elderly, great family dogs, good with children, tolerant of other pets and cats in the home,obedient, highly trainable.
  • Cons: needs frequent brushing, very active dog, fairly vocal, prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.

Great Dane

Great Dane curled up sleeping on dog comfy dog bed

Great Danes are a large breed measures as tall as 34 inches at the shoulder. On their hind legs, they’re taller than most people! Their sheer size and appearance can make people nervous, which is why they make great guard dogs, but deep down these pups are gentle giants.

Great Danes are not recommended for first-time dog owners. While friendly with kids, other dogs, and strangers, they are a sensitive breed that needs a lot of space and exercise. Compared to other breeds, they have a short life expectancy of 7 to 10 years, but a well-trained Great Dane makes an excellent companion. 

  • Pros: low-maintenance grooming needs, can do well living in a small space, quite- don't bark a lot, tolerant of children ( given their size always supervise children when interacting with these Gentle Giants), great family dog, gets along well with cats and other pets, trainable.
  • Cons: needs daily walks and exercise, moderate to heavy  shedders, they are known to slobber, short lifespan (average 8 years), prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, and heart disorders.

Pug

A cute Pug resting on the grass in the park

Pugs are small dogs with big personalities. These toy breed pups are silly and fun to be around! They were bred to be lap dogs, so they love human companionship and want to be by your side 24/7.

Pugs are known for their big, round, dark eyes, small but thick frame, and wrinkled faces. Weighing up to 18 pounds, these little guys can play the day away but also enjoy lounging around.

This easy-going breed is compact enough to do well in apartments and can be a good dog for novice owners.

Pros: gets along well with everyone - humans and other pets alike, low-maintenance grooming needs, not vocal, ideal for apartment living, non-aggressive, great family dog.

Cons:Cons: headstrong so not the easiest to train, prone to obesity, susceptible to eye problems, and infections in the nasal folds of the skin, prone to stenotic nares and entropion.

Samoyed

A white Samoyed dog in the park during autumn.

The Samoyed is a majestic, fluffy, white dog bred for hard work hunting and hauling sledges in Siberia. They are social, friendly pack dogs that crave attention and become destructive if left alone.

Samoyeds are big shedders that need regular grooming, and their white fur stands out around the house and on your clothes. Since they are an intelligent working breed with a high prey drive, Samoyeds need exercise, diligent training, and do best when they have a job to do.

In comparison to most of the other Velcro pups on this list, Samoyeds are high maintenance. However, a well-trained and cared for Sami makes for a faithful friend.

  • Pros: gentle, intelligent and loyal, very tolerant of children, affectionate, great family dog.
  • Cons: high maintenance grooming dog, will chase other animals given their strong hunting instinct, very talkative, need plenty of mental stimulation and physical exercise, very active dog, not the easiest to train.

Vizsla

Health Issues in Vizslas

Vizslas are noble gundogs originally bred in Hungary as pointers and retrievers. Over the years, these energetic dogs have gained popularity in the United States. They are known for their rust-colored coats and long, soft ears that frame their face. This breed loves keeping close and cuddling with its owner.

Relatively tall, Vizslas measure up to 24 inches at the shoulder and are built to be lean and muscular. Since their ancestors worked closely with one person, Vizslas tend to bond closely with their owner and don’t like being alone.

The Vizsla (called the "Velcro" dog) is a breed best suited for active families who enjoy various activities and have plenty of space for their dog to roam.

  • Pros: great running partner, hypoallergenic, affectionate and intelligent, great dog for active families.
  • Cons: prone to behavioral issues if not mentally and physically challenged (e.g. chewing, barking etc), stubborn, vocal, very hyper.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

A Welsh Corgi Pembroke running playfully outdoors

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi was bred for herding. Even though they are small, weighing up to 30 pounds, they have lots of energy and love to play. If you want a dog that enjoys people but tolerates being alone more than most Velcro dogs, a Corgi might be the right fit.

Corgis are known for their short legs, strong but small bodies, and big ears that stand erect. They come in many different colors and markings. Because of their size they can adapt to apartment living but it’s important that their energy and companionship are met.

This breed is great for committed first-time owners because they are easy to train and friendly towards family, kids, and strangers.

  • Pros: high-spirited, intelligent, gets along well with felines, loves to be around people, protective.
  • Cons: high shedders, need mental stimulation and exercise to keep them happy and well-behaved, vocal, while friendly with kids they're less tolerant of younger children, not the easiest to train.

Do you have one of the above dogs or a different breed? Let us know in the comment section below. 

WRITTEN BY

Krystine Therriault

Krystine Therriault is an accomplished writer. With a passion for all creatures cute and furry, Krystine's life has been touched by many beloved dogs over the years. She is also a loving mother of two boys and an avid yogi.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

MORE GREAT READS

Can American Bullies be Emotional Support Dogs?

Can an American Bully be a Service Dog?

Service dog vs emotional support dog

What is Difference Between a Service Dog and Emotional Support Dog? Which One Is Right For You or Your Loved One?

A big, fluffy black Newfoundland dog in the park outdoors

10 Large Dog Breeds That Bark the Least: Biggest and Quietest Canines Around

Global Site Tag