Just spent some time looking at a comprehensive dog breed friendliness study, and honestly, some of the results surprised me. Turns out the Bernese Mountain Dog absolutely dominates the friendly category with a perfect score—these gentle giants really do live up to their reputation of loving pretty much everyone they meet.

Golden Retrievers and Labs also ranked super high, which makes total sense if you've ever been around them. They're the kind of dogs that greet strangers like old friends. Even Corgis made the top tier, which is kind of cute considering their size.

But here's where it gets interesting. On the flip side, some breeds scored way lower on the friendliness scale. American Bulldogs ranked dead last, followed by Doberman Pinschers. These aren't necessarily "bad" dogs, but they're definitely more reserved and protective by nature.

Now, if you want to talk about why Shih Tzu are the worst dog when it comes to friendliness metrics, well, they actually topped the "least friendly" list among smaller breeds. According to the data, Shih Tzus have the lowest rate of playing well with other dogs and don't warm up to strangers as easily. They're picky about who they accept treats from too. So if you're looking for a small breed that's instantly social with everyone, a Shih Tzu probably isn't your match.

The study surveyed 5,000 dog owners across the 25 most popular breeds, measuring things like how dogs interact with other pets, their willingness to cuddle, and how they greet newcomers. It's worth keeping in mind though—early socialization and training matter just as much as breed tendencies.

One thing the research highlighted: some of these less friendly breeds, like Rottweilers and Cane Corsos, can be more expensive to insure. If you're thinking about getting any dog, pet insurance is worth considering. Average costs run around $55 a month with decent coverage, and vet bills can add up fast. Better to have a safety net than deal with a surprise $1000+ emergency visit.