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10 Dog Breeds that Don’t Like to Cuddle

10 Dog Breeds that Don’t Like to Cuddle

Nothing beats the feeling of being cuddled by your four-legged friend after a hard day at work. It is comforting, reassuring, and calming. Whether you have a Chi or a Great Dane, cuddle time is a precious time for both of you.

Dogs, in general, love to cuddle. It is the most natural bond between a dog and a human. They do this to say “I love you and I am 100% happy with your company.” So, to imagine that there are breeds that don’t like to cuddle is quite heartbreaking. Granted, these dogs love you from the bottom of their hearts but prefer to communicate their love via other means. So, what are some of the dog breeds that don’t like to cuddle?

1. Irish Wolfhound

With a height of 32-35 inches, the Irish wolfhound is the tallest dog breed in the world. It is also quite heavy (115-180 pounds). His weight, height, and genes make him a giant ball of fur. Just one glance at one and you’d want to run your fingers all over him expecting to get plenty of kisses in return. Not so fast. This lovely dog is not big on affection. He is highly independent and prefers having lots of me-time to cuddling.

2. Afghan Hound

This is yet another dog in the hound family. Hounds were essentially bred to hunt prey. Even when hanging out with their human friends, their prey drive tends to shoot up when they get too close physically. An Afghan has a thick beautiful coat which is why he is often used as a show dog. However, don’t let the beauty fool you into thinking he likes to pet, kiss, and jump all over you. Like his Irish counterpart, this Fido enjoys independence and rest by himself most of the time.

3. Basenji

The Basenji is a compact, barkless dog with origins in Africa. Pet owners who can’t tolerate too much noise make perfect parents for this beautiful dog. Developed for hunting purposes, a Basenji doesn’t prioritize affection much. He is especially standoffish and unfriendly to strangers. Rather than pouncing on you, kissing you, and rubbing his body against yours, this breed is content hanging out on his own. Don’t get it twisted though—his loyalty to you is unmatched. 

4. Bloodhound

Bloodhounds are an old dog breed with a good reputation for tracking down humans and animals. There are reports claiming that their sense of smell is 40 times more powerful than that of human beings. This breed is also popular for its endurance. Bloodhounds can walk/run for days just to track down a person without giving up. Unfortunately, this trait has made them highly independent over the years. They don’t expect lots of attention and affection from you in the way of cuddling. At best, they will lie down by your feet but spending time alone is excellent for them.

5. Chow-chow

The Chinese puffy lion dog is also one of the least cuddly dogs known to man. This is quite sad considering this dog is a walking teddy bear. How can you not cuddle with all that thick fur? Chow-chows are docile in nature always wanting to hang out alone. Their strong desire for self-autonomy causes them to do this. They are also pretty stubborn and strong-willed. If you don’t have superb training skills, this dog can overwhelm you. So much for cuteness!

6. Shar-Pei

Like the Chow-chow, the Shar-Pei originated from China. He is best known for his wrinkled face and shy personality. This dog is especially unfriendly to strangers. He tends to be quite aggressive when a stranger tries to make friends with him. Can you blame him? The Shar-Pei was developed to be a guard dog. His main purpose in life is to protect you, not cuddle with you. Sure, you will get a few hugs and kisses from time to time but don’t expect too much of it.

7. American foxhound

The American foxhound has a gentle personality and beautiful facial features. With a lean physique and a strong sense of smell, this breed excels in trailing, fox hunting, field trials, and dragging. Thanks to the nature of his work, an American foxhound doesn’t prioritize cuddling too much. If you want to bond with him, take him for a walk in the park or around the neighborhood. You’d be lucky if you got a few pets and kisses along the way.

8. Scottish Terrier

A Scottish terrier is a powerful and fearless toy breed. He is bold, confident, and easy on the eyes. Sadly, self-reliance is a big deal for him. He may be friendly and playful as a puppy but as he grows up, he turns into a steady, independent, and jaunty adult. As a matter of fact, this breed can become handful if you don’t have a strong will or high self-esteem. If pushed over the limit or handled inappropriately, he will retaliate. With all this in mind, you already know that a Scottish terrier doesn’t enjoy cuddling very much.

9. Cairn Terrier

The Cairn terrier is assertive, adaptable, beautiful, and alert. As part of the terrier family, he can also be stubborn and bossy. If you don’t establish dominion early enough, this dog can be quite the challenge to own. He is also friendly to his owners but very aloof with strangers. Bred as a hunting dog, don’t expect too much in the way of cuddles. Sure, he is not an anti-cuddle dog altogether but compared to other lapdogs, a Cairn terrier isn’t too bothered by snuggling, kissing, petting, and all that stuff.

10. Shiba Inu

The last breed on our list is the beautiful Japanese Shiba Inu. He is known for many things, one of which is his independent personality. This breed can be affectionate if he wants to be but most of the time, he’d rather kill time alone than with you. That is why he’s often described as a “cat-type” dog. He shows affection via other means such as eye contact and getting excited when you walk through the door.

Dog Breeds That Don’t Like To Cuddle: Final Thoughts

Like human beings, not all dog breeds communicate love through cuddling. However, this doesn’t mean they hate you. It just means they have their own ways of expressing their feelings to you.

Last Updated on March 17, 2021 by

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