The newest breeds in the American Kennel Club Registry make their major event debut on the two-hour NBC TV special Thanksgiving Day, immediately following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. A total audience of some 20 million viewers is expected to watch the broadcast, from noon-2 p.m. in all time zones.

The following is a description of each new breed:

#1 – Bergamasco

Sheepdog whose most unique characteristic is its coat, which contains “dog hair,” “goat hair” and “wool” combining to form felt-like mats. The mats grow over the course of the dog’s life, reaching the ground at approximately 6 years of age.

#2 – Spanish Water Dog

A rustic, multi-purpose breed, it was developed in Spain many centuries ago for a variety of purposes including herding, hunting, water work and companionship.

#3 – Miniature American Shepherd

Small herding dog developed in the U.S. It is a highly versatile, energetic dog with superior intelligence and a willingness to please.

#4 – Lagotto Romagnolo

An ancient breed of retrieving water dogs from Italy. It is excellent at for searching for truffles, a job it performs with passion and efficiency.  Powerfully built, it has a dense, curly coat of woolly texture.

#5 – Berger Picard 

A medium-sized, active and athletic herding dog, it is bred to be a working companion. It has a shaggy, wiry topcoat with a short, dense undercoat.

#6 – Cirneco dell’Etna

Present in Sicily for over 2,500 years, it shares a common origin with the Pharaoh Hound. As a hunter of small mammals and fowl, it is a hardy, compact dog that was successful in hunting under adverse conditions.

#7 – Boerboel

A large dog that is strong, confident and muscular with a distinctive, blocky head. It is the most agile of the mastiff-type breeds. It serves as a capable working dog as well as a loyal companion.

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Did you know that there were dogs that were bred to hunt for rodents in mines? Or that the Spanish Mastiff was brought to Spain by the Ancient Greeks as a war dog? What about the dog that were bred to hunt bears? Yikes! What if the dog loses to the bear? In any case, have you heard of ANY of these breed of dogs featured here?

Like for most of you, it’s a first for me too. In fact, I’ve never heard nor seen them in my whole life at all! I liked most of them but I can’t quite get over the others! Loved the Pumi’s ears – it’s used to express love, how bout that!

Evolution sure has come a looooong way. Animals change in looks to adapt to the environment they live in but to breed them to do stuff, well that’s a totally different thing altogether and not really my cuppa tea. Share this to other dog lovers, I’m sure they’ll find this video interesting too!

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10. The Bullmastiff

Search far and wide for all manner of dog breeds, but you will never find one with the size and power of the bullmastiff. That’s because these dogs have been specifically bred for nearly two centuries to ensure one thing: whatever they watch over remains undisturbed. Hailing from Britain, these dogs have a fierce loyalty to their masters without being so over-protective that they are a threat to children.

They’re never a case of a bark being worse than a bite, furthermore, since their jaws can easily crush bone and they rarely bark unless directly approached by intruders. A male bullmastiff can weigh as much as 150 pounds, making them capable of tackling a human their size or larger without a second thought. They’re not as intelligent as other dog breeds that have been trained for work, so they need frequent guidance to learn commands and need to be trained in different ways, since these giants dislike doing the same tasks over and over.

It’s not necessary to train these dogs to protect their family, however, since their prey drive kicks in whenever a stranger approaches. Their prey drive isn’t triggered by other environmental objects, meaning that they won’t bark at other dogs or at squirrels, but are always certain to intimidate anyone who happens to come by. Due to the difficulty in training, it’s common for owners to keep them as outdoors dogs rather than housetraining these massive canines.

As these dogs grow large, however, they often do not live very long, with a median age of only seven or eight years. During that time, however, they’re sure to be a protective force that can intimidate anyone thinking of breaking into a property where they are stationed, no matter what they happen to guard within its four walls.

9. The Rottweiler

A much maligned species of dog, similar to Dobermans, Rottweilers are unfortunately more stereotyped for attacking strangers than for keeping their family safe and free of harm. Although some members of the public believe these breeds to be harmful, the reality is that any dog (Rottweiler or otherwise) who acts aggressively towards humans and other dogs simply reflects an owner’s lack of training and respect for their pet.

In reality, Rottweilers are counted upon as working dogs and are believed to be genetically descended from dogs used by the Roman Empire to expand borders and protect goods. In fact, they take their name from the German word for “butcher”, since these dogs would guard the money made by butchers after selling their meat, since no would-be thief was willing to take it from the dog.

Their utter devotion to their masters makes them the perfect watch dog, since they have some of the highest obedience rates of all dogs in the entire world. Rottweilers feel the need to protect their masters against all manner of harm, although they do have an aggressive tendency that makes them more risky around children if they have not been properly socialized to younger children.

It’s recommended that families choose a Rottweiler if their kids are old and experienced enough to treat the dog with respect and ensure that it obeys their commands in order to follow the “chain of command” of the pack. If they do, the Rottweiler will protect the family until its last breath.

They do prefer a rustic environment with lots of space to move about, and have an intelligence that demands daily tasks like herding in order to make them feel productive and positive. Unlike some other dogs on the list, however, they don’t need as much attention from their owners, so they won’t feel stressed if left alone for a short period of time.

8. The Doberman Pinscher

All that you need to know about a Doberman’s instincts to protect its master is that they were originally bred to be dogs that accompanied a tax collector around as he made his rounds. Today, Dobermans are considered some of the very best guard dogs in all the world, with an aggressive nature that often makes them stereotyped as dogs that are harmful to strangers and children.

In reality, Dobermans only ever attack on the command of their owner, having been bred to have great restraint and personal discipline, even in the face of a new threat. Over the years their ability to obey a command in a high-stress situation made them invaluable as military or police dogs, although they’ve become less used in recent years since they do not have the size or raw strength of some other large dog breeds.

What’s more, many breeders in recent years have attempted to tone down the Doberman’s aggressive behavior, which previously had been an asset for guard dog duties or even dog fighting, but today is less valuable in a family pet. As such, it’s unusual to find a Doberman that doesn’t have equal parts protective and passive behavior, or any Doberman that cannot be trained to avoid barking around friends but maintain watchfulness over the family as a whole.

In terms of loyalty, it’s almost impossible to beat a Doberman, who almost never are reported to bite their owners, instead willing to obey commands even if it leads to great personal harm (hence their historical use in dog fighting). These are some of the smartest dogs out there, however, and an owner needs to carefully exercise their Doberman’s mind as well as its body to keep it fit, happy, and obedient to their commands, or else the dog will grow restless and end up chewing whatever’s in the vicinity.

7. Kuvasz

The Kuvasz is a fearless guardian dog and one of the most protective dog breeds in the world.  This is yet another ancient dog breed on our list and according to the American Kennel Club, the Kuvasz also has an interesting history:

‘’The Kuvasz’s name comes from the Turkish word “kawasz,” meaning “armed guard of the nobility.” He originated in Tibet, but developed into the breed he is today in Hungary. The breed served as a companion to the rulers of Hungarian and other European empires and was owned only by royalty. Hundreds of years later, the breed fell into the hands of “commoners,” and shepherds found they worked well with sheep and cattle.’’

Since they are not easily obedience trained, the Kuvasz is not recommended for inexperienced dog owners.  This dog was bred to act independently and if you want to have a well-mannered dog, you need to exhibit dominance and strong leadership.

The owner has to be firm, confident and calm.  All family members need to learn how to handle the dog from puppyhood.  It is also important to stress that the Kuvasz does not respond well to harsh discipline – it must not be humiliated or confused with contradictory commands and rules.

This overly protective dog breed will not let any harm happen to you or your property.  They are extremely loyal and devoted and would give their life for you.

They will get along well with your children, but should not be left unsupervised with kids.  Additionally, no harm will happen to your kids, but the dog might interpret kids’ play as an attack and could harm other children.

If you want your Kuvasz to work as a flock guard, remember that special training is needed and you might want to hire an expert to help you with the training.

6. Giant Schnauzer

A giant schnauzer can weigh as much as 100 pounds and the breed has been put to practical use for centuries as work dogs capable of helping farmers take their livestock to the market, helping to guard homes or buildings, and working with police to smell out narcotics or explosives. Their thick, shaggy coat has been grown out over the years in order to make them more difficult to grab onto, whether by an intruder or by another dog or by a bigger animal.

These are particularly quiet dogs that rarely bark unless they feel threatened, making them an excellent choice for families that want a source of protection without needing to tell their dog to stay silent. These dogs maintain a suspicion of strangers, however, so they must be acclimated to new faces and have the behavior reinforced or else they may act aggressively to whoever comes in your door.

With an intelligent disposition, furthermore, they grow bored easily and may be less interested in learning new tricks if the tricks do not change up. Any person interested in attaining a giant schnauzer for watching over their home needs to ensure that they are not left alone often, since their energy can lead to destructive behavior like chewing objects within the home. If properly trained and well-mannered, however, they have a calm demeanor even in the presence of new people, and that makes them very friendly and dependable.

5. Tibetan Mastiff

There’s so many big breeds to choose from that it’s hard to narrow it down to just one on this list and give it the highest ranking. Yet no matter what angle you take, in terms of raw sheer protective power, no breed eclipses the Tibetan mastiff, capable of running up and down the side of a mountain and launching itself on a snow leopard whenever one of the big cats threatens its family.

Despite the name, they aren’t actually mastiffs, having been mistaken for the massive dogs by the first westerners to lay eyes on them and assume they belonged to the same species, with the name having been adopted over time. Even so, they share many of the traits of European mastiffs, such as the aforementioned bull mastiff, especially their size.

Tibetan mastiffs are among the very largest dogs ever bred, weighing up to two hundred and twenty pounds in males. Their prowess as guard dogs and protectors of the family is well established, with records dating back hundreds of years of their ferocity and loyalty protecting families living from Nepal to central Asia.

Traditionally, these dogs protected the Buddhist monasteries that dot the Tibetan mountains, staying close to the monks by day and patrolling the nearby territory at night in search of external threats like prowlers, leopards, and wolves. Today there’s less need to guard holy men, but they earn their keep as police dogs and sentries, their ferocious presence often enough to drive away outside interest.

In fact, a famous case reported by CNN noted that a Chinese zoo attempted to pass off a Tibetan mastiff as a lion due to the shaggy coat and huge size, but was foiled when zoo attendees realized that the “lion” tended to bark whenever someone got too close to its enclosure.

4. Komondor

All that you need to know about a Doberman’s instincts to protect its master is that they were originally bred to be dogs that accompanied a tax collector around as he made his rounds. Today, Dobermans are considered some of the very best guard dogs in all the world, with an aggressive nature that often makes them stereotyped as dogs that are harmful to strangers and children.

In reality, Dobermans only ever attack on the command of their owner, having been bred to have great restraint and personal discipline, even in the face of a new threat. Over the years their ability to obey a command in a high-stress situation made them invaluable as military or police dogs, although they’ve become less used in recent years since they do not have the size or raw strength of some other large dog breeds.

What’s more, many breeders in recent years have attempted to tone down the Doberman’s aggressive behavior, which previously had been an asset for guard dog duties or even dog fighting, but today is less valuable in a family pet. As such, it’s unusual to find a Doberman that doesn’t have equal parts protective and passive behavior, or any Doberman that cannot be trained to avoid barking around friends but maintain watchfulness over the family as a whole.

In terms of loyalty, it’s almost impossible to beat a Doberman, who almost never are reported to bite their owners, instead willing to obey commands even if it leads to great personal harm (hence their historical use in dog fighting). These are some of the smartest dogs out there, however, and an owner needs to carefully exercise their Doberman’s mind as well as its body to keep it fit, happy, and obedient to their commands, or else the dog will grow restless and end up chewing whatever’s in the vicinity

3. Boerboel

Some people need their homes guarded against intruders and burglars. Other people need their homes guarded against lions and rhinos. Those who found themselves in the latter company turned to the Boerboel in order to safeguard their homestead against some of the biggest, meanest, and most deadly animals on the entire planet.

This South African dog is descended from mastiff and bulldog strains to be bigger, better, and badder than any of its ancestors. Thought to have been introduced to the savannahs of the African continent almost four hundred years ago, the Boerboel (which is Dutch for “farmer’s dog” — a somewhat lukewarm description for a ferocious breed) is one of the few breeds of dogs specifically meant to defend an area from harm.

As a result, they have unmatched watchdog instincts, capable of taking on enemies much larger than themselves without a second’s hesitation. A Boerboel is one of the most fearless dogs in the world today, with records of thinking independently in order to guard the flocks or the family from a large animal like a hyena whenever one happens to cross the African plain.

You can take the dog out of Africa, but you can’t take the instinct to defend against African animals out of this dog: anyone who chooses to bring a Boerboel into their home needs to understand the huge time commitment that these canines require in order to make them sociable with new people and other dogs, both of which may be attacked on instinct.

Professional breeders suggest that children should never be left alone with Boerboels, no matter what the situation, since these dogs will not cease an attack if they feel threatened, despite the fact that they will protect the family against any outside threat until their death, even if that threat is a lion tribe.

2. Caucasian Shepherd

In a country where miles and miles of open plains separate neighbors, there’s only one response to a stranger who comes around uninvited. City living’s not the thing for a Caucasian shepherd, who has been bred for hundreds of years to be the first and last line of defense for a Russian farmer living on a remote plot of land in the Eurasian steppes.

They take this killer instinct wherever they go, making them some of the most fiercely loyal dogs you will ever find in this lifetime. Whenever you need a home or building protected against intruders, there’s few better displays of sheer power and tenacity than the Caucasian shepherd. These huge dogs are used to guard Russian prisons and prevent potential jailbirds from even a second thought about escaping.

On Iranian farms, these dogs get frequent workouts by protecting any livestock from threats. They can grow to truly huge proportions, with males weighing over two hundred pounds and resembling small bears. With a bite force that’s stronger than any other dog, furthermore, they have the firepower to back up their barking — and as any owner will tell you, these dogs bark at absolutely anything and everything to enforce their territorial prowess.

These dogs will be life partners for any owner, but will also be hugely hostile to any strangers who happen to come by, making it necessary for an owner to socialize or restrain (or both) their dog to keep it from aggressive behavior. Despite the huge size and hostile climate of their native lands, these dogs can outlive many of their compact cousins, with a median life span of ten to twelve years. Pure breed shepherds usually have health complications that their mongrel brothers and sisters may not, so an owner may prefer a hybrid shepherd over one with a pure blood line.

1. German Shepherd

A lot of different dogs could have qualified for the number one spot on this list, but no matter how you break it down, on a pound-for-pound level there’s no better guard dog or watch dog than a German shepherd. While they give up a few inches and a hundred pounds to some of their bigger cousins like a St. Bernard, they’re considered one of the most intelligent of all dog breeds with the courage to follow orders even if it means their death.

Their smart temperament and supreme sense of self-sacrifice make them prime candidates for the hero role in films and TV shows, like Rin Tin Tin, who was rescued from a World War One battlefield and became a star by saving the day in nearly every film he starred in.

These dogs represent one of the first choices for the military and police forces for canine units, since their ability to sniff out threats is nearly unchallenged, boasting a sense of smell that can detect one particle in a quarter of a billion. They have the physical tools to challenge all comers, the stamina to work hard for long periods, and the willingness to put themselves in the line of fire, which has made them a popular dog for search-and-rescue as well as guard work.

While German shepherds can be a tad aggressive towards children, famously herding them if kids do not display dominance, they always serve as faithful pets and protectors no matter the cause. You can train a German shepherd to guard your home easily, since they enjoy learning and being put to different tasks, but also train them different obedience or agility commands as well.

Since they take to new tasks quickly, they’re capable of recognizing new lessons and thinking on their feet (or, rather, paws) when confronted with a novel situation. Best of all, they can easily differentiate friend from foe, so that they do not bite or act aggressively towards friends and family when they come over to visit.

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1 – Bullmastiff

This breed had an unusual beginning. They were bred to keep large estates free of poachers by tracking and pinning without causing harm. A silent guardian, they known being fearless and confident

2 – Chinese Shar-Pei

The Shar-Pei was bred as a perimeter guard dog and are still known today as being the ultimate protection dog. In fact, they are so protective, owners must be diligent about socializing their puppy, otherwise you will end up with a dog that only the family can be around.

3 – Tibetan Mastiff

Bred for family and property protection they are known for not liking anyone but their family in their home. Originally kept inside during the day and then turned out at night, they are quite well-mannered inside, though extremely independent and not to be trusted off leash outside unless confined

4 – Standard Schnauzer

Another breed bred for family protection, as well as protecting the livestock and managing the vermin population. They are a very protective breed and if not properly socialized will not tolerate anyone entering their home.

5 – Great Pyrenees

Although bred as a livestock (mostly sheep) protection animal, the Pyrenees make a great protection and alert dog for any home. This also means he barks…a lot. Keep this in mind when deciding if one is right for you.

6 – Doberman Pinscher

The dobie makes a great protection dog. After all, he was bred to be a personal guardian. Like the Pyrenees, he also makes a great alert dog.

7 – Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Developed in Switzerland as an all-around farm dog, including draft work, herding, and guarding, the swissy makes a great watchdog. They will protect anything on their property from harm.

8 – Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Like the Great Pyrenees, the Anatolian was bred for herd protection. He should be watched around children, as rough play can cause him to go into “guard mode.”

9 – Cane Corso

Often confused with the Pit Bull due to a similar appearance, the Cane Corso was bred in Italy as a watchdog and hunter. Although affectionate to their family, they take their watchdog job seriously and therefore need proper socialization to be good canine citizens.

10 – German Shepherd Dog

Bred for tending (a type of herding where the dog travels the border to keep the flock in the right place), the GSD has also become a natural guardian of whatever he sees as his “border” (i.e. your property). You can feel safe at night knowing your shepherd is on the watch.

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1 – Border Collie

Of course. Not much needs to be said – we all know he is intelligent. But he doesn’t just “like to work,” this high-energy breed must work, or he can become destructive

2 – Standard Poodle

The Poodle has been vying for the “most intelligent dog breed” spot with the Border Collie for decades. Studies have proven them to be almost as smart, if not smarter than the B.C., depending on the tests given. They also like to work with their owner, making them easy to train.

3 – German Shepherd Dog

It’s no surprise to see this breed here as well. Another one that is high on the intelligence level, the GSD is known for his loyalty; he will do literally anything to serve his owner, including risking his own life on the battle field. It is his fierce loyalty that makes him so pleasant to work with and own.

4 – Golden Retriever

Many think this breed is more beauty than brain, which is simply not true. While they may not be as intelligent as the BC, their good-natured and “willing to please” attitude makes them a fun dog to train and a good first pet.

5 – Doberman Pinscher

An intense breed, the Doberman is known for his “ability to absorb and retain training,” which is one of the reasons he is popular for war and police work . But this also means he needs to be socialized and trained right from the beginning in order for him to be an appropriate citizen.

6 – Shetland Sheepdog

Like most of the herding breeds on this list, the sheltie is known for being smart, willing, and looking for a job. They are easy to train, but if you don’t give him a job he will find one on his own – like herding the kids or chasing the cat.

7 – Labrador Retriever

While few hunting breeds make the list due to the fact most were bred to work independent of an owner with few cues needed, the lab (along with the poodle and golden) are not only intelligent, but willing to work with their human in whatever task is at hand. It is for this reason they make good service animals.

8 – Australian Shepherd

Yet another herding dog, the Aussie is on here for the same reason all the others are – they are intelligent but also willing to work and eager to please. They too, are high-energy and need a job.

9 – Border Terrier

While most terriers are known for being more difficult to train, the intelligent Border Terrier “learns quickly and responds well to obedience training” (www.akc.org). He is a high-energy breed that needs to be kept engaged, but as long as you can handle that, he can learn pretty much anything you can think of and will do it with that loveable tenacious terrier attitude.

10 – Novia Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Intelligent and high energy, the Toller is the smallest of the retrievers. They are known for being affectionate, loving, patient, and willing to work (www.akc.org). All of these traits make for a nice family dog that is easy to train.

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1 – Golden Retriever

The Golden is just a nice, all-around dog that gets along with everything. He should be fine with any cats you have in the house.

2 – Bichon Frisé

He is known throughout the dog world for his happy-go-lucky personality. Truly, this breeds seem to love everyone and everything, so a cat shouldn’t be a problem.

3 – Labrador Retriever

Like the Golden, the Lab makes a great all-around pet and is usually fine with cats. As long as he doesn’t think he needs to retrieve the cat for you (most cats wouldn’t appreciate a ride in a dog’s mouth, no matter how “soft” his bite is), they should get along great.

4 – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavi is described by the American Kennel Club as a “trustworthy companion of children and thrives as part of a family” . They are the ultimate house pet and get along fine with cats for the most part.

5 – Papillion

The “butterfly” dog was bred as a noblewomen’s lap pet. As such, it is a happy breed and adapts quickly to any living environment, including one with cats.

6 – Maltese

This breed is known for a gentle, mild nature, making them a great family dog for a multi-species household. Just make sure you cat doesn’t pick on them!

7 – Pug

The pug is an adaptable little dog that is really up for anything. As long as he is getting attention, he doesn’t mind sharing his home.

8 – Basset Hound

The Basset Hound has a reputation for being lazy. Not sure if he just doesn’t have the energy to go after a cat, or that he likes the company, but most of them get along just fine with a feline roommate.

9 – Boxer

The lively and playful boxer does well with cats, as long as the cat does not mind a dog that wants to play. If you have a cat that wants a dog to ignore him, the boxer is probably not a good choice. But if your kitty enjoys getting in on the action, the two will become fast friends.

10 – Newfoundland

This gentle giant does great with all types of animals. Bred to protect livestock, they don’t seem to extend that to other living beings and have no issues with cats.

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1 – Afghan hound

The Afghan is known for being aloof and independent, traits that can make training a challenge. It makes sense, however, since he was originally used to chase prey independently over very long distances. He would lose the prey if he wanted to stop and check in with his owner all the time.

2 – Chow Chow

The American Kennel Club describes this breed as having “cat-like personalities [that] make them independent, stubborn and less eager to please than other breeds” (www.akc.org). Like cats, they are smart, you just have to convince them that what you want them to do is also what they want to do.

3 – Basenji

Like the Afghan hound, the Basenji was used to hunt at a great distance from his human, so he also is independent and aloof. They are full of energy and love to play, so that can be one way to get them more interested in you and training.

4 – Bulldog

The Bulldog does everything on his time. Not unintelligent, he just sees no reason to hurry when asked to do something by his owner. This can be frustrating to some, especially if they are used to training quick breeds like a Shetland Sheepdog, for example. Nonetheless, they are very smart and many have become famous for performing tricks, like Tillman, the skateboarding bulldog.

5 – Bloodhound

No surprise, another hunting dog that is known for being harder to trainer than other breeds. They are considered quite affectionate, however, they are bossy as well and tend to want to have things their way, making training a challenge if your way does not align with theirs.

6 – Pekingese

Bred as a lap dog for the royals of China, the Fu Lin (or Lion Dog), was never meant to carry out an obedience drill or an agility course. So it makes sense that people often find these intelligent courageous dogs are more interested in attention than in training.

7 – Dachshund

Notorious for being almost impossible to house train, the doxie is, in a word, stubborn. Yet another hunting breed, they also are independent and want to make their own house rules, much to the chagrin of their owners.(but man are they cute!)

8 – Welsh Terrier

Although some may feel all terriers should be on this list (most terrier breeds are known for being intelligent but also somewhat stubborn), the Welsh Terrier may be King of the Terriers when it comes to being independent. They are difficult to housebreak, cannot be trusted off leash (due to chasing), and definitely have a “why should I do what you are asking” attitude. But they also have fun-loving personality with a spring in their step that is guaranteed to make you smile.

9 – Borzoi

Like the Chow Chow, The AKC describes the Borzoi as “cat-like and [having] independent and undemanding natures”. They prefer to do what they want when they want and need a lot of training before they can be trusted off leash.

10 – Beagle

A smart hunting breed, the Beagle’s main problem with training is his nose. Off-leash work is almost impossible without a very firm obedience foundation, because if they pick up a scent, they’re gone. However, there are trainers who compete (successfully) with Beagles in off-leash sports such as agility; it’s just more of a challenge getting them to that stage than say a Border Collie.

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1 – Basset Hound

Despite their size, the English Mastiff is a gentle giant who wants nothing more than to relax with his people. While he makes a good watch dog by presence and looks alone, don’t expect him to go chasing after the bad guy!

3 – Shih Tzu

These adorable little Chinese dogs are one of the most ancient dog breeds around, and are known for their friendly demeanor even towards strangers. Shih Tzus really don’t care who’s snuggling up on the couch with a blanket, so long as they’re allowed to join the fun!

4 – Newfoundland

Newfoundlands are considered to be gentle giants, and rightfully so. Despite being bred for retrieving in icy waters, these huge dogs are perfectly happy relaxing at home with their families.

5 – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Originally hunting dogs, these toy spaniels are bred now for their affectionate, soft personalities. They want nothing more than to be with their people and make excellent lap dogs for those looking for a stay-at-home companion.

6 – English Bulldog

Although English Bulldogs are popularly used for tricks and stunts, they’re actually a very lazy breed that needs a little coaxing to get out and work! They make excellent family companions, and you’ll be as surprised by their snoring as you are by their intelligence!

7 – Chow Chow

These Chinese dogs are known for their iconic fluffy coats. Bred as an all-purpose dog, it’s not uncommon for Chow Chows to show their origin as working dogs on occasion, and they are excellent guard dogs. However, they typically don’t exhibit the desire for activity that they once used to show.

8 – Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso comes from Tibet, and was used to alert monks to intruders. While they maintain their watchdog capabilities today, Lhasa Apso generally prefer to do their work from your lap. They are deeply loyal to their families and make affectionate companions.

9 – Pekingese

Perhaps the ultimate couch potato, the Pekingese was actually bred with the original purpose of being a lap dog! Although they were used to keep Chinese royals company, they are now bred to keep everyone company and make excellent family pets.

10 – French Bulldog

The French Bulldog does have spurts of energy here and there, but is generally very lazy like his English cousin. French Bulldogs make great watchdogs but prefer to do their work from the comfort of their beds, and it’s not uncommon to see them sleeping on the job!

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