Best Dogs to Keep You Company

Staff Writer: Hailey Heneghan 

Looking for a new furry friend but not sure what kind to get? Well, here are some of the best breeds to keep you warm and happy this winter. 

Dogs were domesticated by humans sharing lean meat during cold winters, so the wolves soon became fond of people. According to newscientist.com, “There was an excess of lean meat, suggesting human hunters would have ended up with more of this than they could consume. Wolves could have eaten this surplus, implying the two species weren’t in competition during the harsh winters. Instead, humans could have shared lean meat with wolves without losing out themselves.”  

Bernese Mountain Dog 

Bernese Mountain Dogs are good with families, small children, and other dogs. Their lifespan falls to the shorter end of 6 to 8 years, while most other dogs live over 10 years. These faithful dogs weigh 79 to 110 pounds. They are quite playful and even strangers soon become their best friends. 

These dogs once pulled milk carts to local dairies. Photo credit: American kennel club 

Black Russian Terrier  

These hardy dogs weigh 80 to 130 pounds and are expected to live around 10 to 11 years. While they need constant grooming, they are very protective of their family. You may find that they are easier to train than some other dogs.  

They were one military dogs for the Soviet Union. Photo Credit: Dogster.com  

Bullmastiff 

These alert dogs are extremely high energy and need lots of attention. They are loyal, loving, and powerful. They weigh around 99 to 130 pounds. They are quite easy to train and tend to be happy in family settings. 

They were bred to be guard dogs but nowadays they don’t do much barking or biting. Photo credit: American kennel club 

Cane Corso 

The Cane Corso is extremely protective. While it doesn’t need to be groomed a whole lot, it is one of the louder breeds. It weighs around 88 to 110 pounds, and lives around 10 to 12 years. They are intelligent, fearless, and easily trainable. 

The name “Cane Corso” comes from the Latin words meaning “bodyguard dog.” Photo credit: canecorso.org 

Giant Schnauzer 

Giant Schnauzers are powerful and intelligent, they love to be around families with older children. They need frequent grooming and are quite playful. Weigh around 55 to 110 pounds and they live for around 12 to 15 years. They are one of the easiest dogs to train and they are hyper as can be. As a bonus they are also hypoallergenic. 

This breed of dog was bred to hunt vermin in Germany. Photo credit: American kennel club 

Doberman 

This is one of the most loyal dogs considering that it was bread to protect a hated tax collector, Karl Friedrich Louis Doberman. The Doberman can run up to 32 miles per hour and weighs from 71 to 99 pounds. It was bred around 1890 and has a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years. 

This breed is in the top 5 smartest dogs. Photo credit: American kennel club 

Irish Wolfhound 

Irish Wolfhounds are often extremely sweet, loyal, and patient. They are one of the bigger breeds weighing around 105 to 155 pounds. They have a life expectancy of 6 to 8 years. They are great family dogs and friendly with other dogs. Although they need a monthly grooming, they are not that high maintenance overall. 

This dog dates back to ancient Rome and was used to hunt large game. Photo credit: American kennel club 

Rhodesian Ridgeback 

This strong-willed dog weighs from 64 to 90 pounds. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are dignified, loyal, and great with families that have young children. They are expected to live for 10 to 12 years. They tend to be very protective of their families and they are highly adaptable. 

These dogs were bred to keep lions away in south Africa. Photo credit: American kennel club 

Border Collie 

This is one dog that loves a family, and wants to play non stop. They don’t need much of a routine, they are extremely easy to train, on top of that it’ll always want something to do. They have a life span of 12 to 15 years, and weigh around 30 to 50 pounds. 

This is widely accepted as the smartest dog in the world. Photo Credit: KATE Adobe Stock 

Saint Bernard 

These lively dogs are very friendly towards families and young children. While they do drool a ton, they are easily trained. They Live about 8 to 10 years and weigh 120 to 180 pounds. They are watchful, gentle, and calm.  

This dog was once famous for recuing people lost in the snowy alps between Italy and Switzerland Photo credit: Rita_Kochmarjova Shutterstock.com 

Anatolian Shepherd Dog 

These bold dogs were bred to protect flocks of sheep from predators. They live around 10 to 13 years and can weigh around 88 to 140 pounds. They are often confident and proud and will try to protect their “flock” or family. 

They protect endangered species in America nowadays. Photo credit: American kennel club 

Australian Shepherd 

The Australian Shepard is a wonderful choice for a family pet. Despite its name the Australian Shepard is an American breed. It was bread for herding, they tend to have tons of energy, are highly intelligent, and are very affectionate. The life span is around 13-15 years while they can weigh from 35 up to 70 pounds. 

At some point these dogs were worshiped by Native Americans. Photo credit: American kennel club 

Although this is a lengthy list, this doesn’t include all breeds. People often have their own favorites, like Isabelle Somerville, a freshman, “I like borzoi they’re calm with spirts of energy just like me.” Hailey Moss, another freshman, says, “I really like Boxer dogs. They’re adorable, playful, and sweet dogs, I own one and I love mine.” Madeline Holmes, a freshman, likes Labradors because, “They are playful, sweet, and are loyal.”  

Everyone will have their own favorite, and not everyone will agree on who the best dog really is. These aren’t the best dogs out there, but they are friendly enough to keep you and your family warm and happy this winter.