What a brave dog to volunteer 🐕‍🦺🐕🦮🐶

Ever since early history, humans have developed a special bond with dogs. As pack animals, dogs have an inherent sense of loyalty to their pack and have a need for companionship, love, security, and friendship. As humans, we share many of these same needs. Over the years, this has led to dogs cementing their place right by our sides, as man’s best friend. While we as humans view our dogs as our friends, they view us as members of their pack.

All dogs are loyal and have the capacity to show great loyalty, but some may have stronger instincts for loyalty than others. Throughout history, there have been numerous stories of dogs displaying great valor in order to protect, save or remain alongside their owners. We’ve made a list of what we believe are the top 12 loyal dog breeds. Based on breeding and history, temperament and owner experiences, these particular breeds have proven time and again to be loyal and brave.

1. Rough Collie
Description
It should come as no surprise that Lassie tops our list! The Rough Collie is a herding breed that originated in Scotland. Just like the famed pooch was on the big and small screen, these friendly dogs are intelligent, active, and good with children and other animals. Rough collies have a history of being incredibly loyal and protective of their owners, making them excellent family dogs.

Story of Loyalty
Sassy, a Rough Collie, is a therapy dog with some pretty amazing skills. In addition to being trained to perform typical tasks for a therapy dog, Sassy is able to tell if someone is going to have a seizure using her sense of smell. A family is hoping to adopt Sassy for their son who suffers from an unusual form of epilepsy, which can cause him to have several seizures a day.

2. German Shepherd
Description
Commonly used by the police and military, German Shepherds originated from Germany dating back to the late 1800s. These highly active dogs have a willingness to learn and serve a purpose. As a working dog breed, German Shepherds are naturally loyal and bond well with familiar faces. They have a tendency to become overprotective of their family and territory, strong guidance and training is a necessity.

Story of Loyalty
One family avoided being robbed, and possibly even worse, because of their German Shepherd, Moti’s bravery! Moti jumped into action, barking and trying to protect his family when a man with a gun broke into the family’s home. The intruder shot Moti and, rather than continue with whatever misdeeds he had planned, fled the home, leaving the family safe. Moti fully recovered from his gunshot wound, but his family will not likely soon forget his heroism that night.

3. Beagle
Description
A hunting breed, Beagles are often used by homeland security personnel because of their incredible sense of smell. The modern breed has its origins in Great Britain but has even been mentioned in references dating back to Ancient Greece. They are known to be merry, kind, and gentle. They are pack animals and for this reason, they are very attached to their owners.

Story of Loyalty
When her diabetic owner had a seizure and collapsed, a Beagle named Belle jumped into action. She dialed 911 for her owner by biting his cell phone so he was able to get the medical attention he needed.

4. Kuvasz
Description
Originating from Hungarian roots, this breed was known to guard livestock. In recent years, Kuvasz’s have served well as house pets. Kuvasz’s are an intelligent breed that has a clownish sense of humor. They are loyal pets that appreciate attention with a streak of aloofness and independence. The combination of their large size and loyalty to their family makes this breed a suitable guard dog.

Story of Loyalty
Due to his size and strength, a Kuvasz named Pilot is the perfect companion and assistant to his owner. His owner is unable to lift or carry anything that weighs more than five pounds due to injuries she sustained to her neck and shoulders. He helps his owner perform tasks she otherwise would be incapable of performing. Pilot brings laundry up from the basement and pulls the grocery cart, among other tasks. When his owner, who also suffers from dizziness and chronic pain, has a dizzy spell, Pilot is right there for her to lean on so she never has to worry about falling and injuring herself.

5. Labrador Retriever
Description
With roots dating back to Newfoundland off the east coast of North America, The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular breeds of dog in the world. It is known for its happy temperament, boundless energy, intelligence, gentleness, loyal and ease with children. The lab, as they are affectionately known, was bred for the superior game retrieval instincts, as well as to provide superior companionship, which has made them great family pets and hunting buddies.

A Labrador Retriever named Patty saved her owner from drowning, and possibly hypothermia after their boat capsized in freezing waters. Patty swam an unknown distance through a strong current, with her owner holding on to her tail, to get them to the safety of dry land where they waited to be rescued.

6. Brittany
Description
Developed in the Brittany province of France in the 1800s, the Brittany is a hunting/gun breed that was originally bred for bird hunting. Brittanies are noted for being easy to train, sensitive and sweet natured. Their size and loveable nature have made the Brittany an increasingly popular family and companion pet to have.

Story of Loyalty
In the middle of the night, a couple was awoken by their Brittany, Cooper’s barks. Upon looking out of a window, Cooper’s owners saw that both of their vehicles had caught fire and were burning in their driveway. The flames got dangerously close to spreading to the house through a tree in between the drive and the house itself. The family believes that Cooper saved their lives!

7. Boxer
Description
The Boxer is a breed developed in Germany and originally used as a hunting dog on the large wild game. Its powerful jaws and bite allowed it hold down boars and deer until the hunters arrived. Boxers are energetic, fun loving, extremely loyal, and low maintenance. They are harmless around family members but can be wary of strangers. This makes them good watchdogs, as they often will alert their owners when there is a stranger near their home. These faithful and affectionate dogs love to be outdoors.

Story of Loyalty
After somehow falling off of a 200-foot cliff, Roxy, a Boxer, waited for eight days with her owner, who was killed by the fall. Upon being located, it took the man’s daughter several attempts to get the dog to leave her owner’s side.