A little over a year ago, Moderndog ran a piece on “The 14 Cuddliest, Most Affectionate Dog Breeds.” Here’s their list: 1. Golden
Retriever; 2. Labrador Retriever; 3. French Bulldog; 4. Boxer; 5. Newfoundland; 6. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier; 7. Pug; 8. Bichon Frise; 9. Glen of Imaal Terrier; 10. Bernese Mountain Dog; 11. Toy Fox Terrier; 12. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; 13. English Toy Spaniel; 14. English Cocker Spaniel.
The first thing I noticed, of course, was which breed did not make the list: the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. This didn’t surprise me. At all.
As I pondered my Kemba’s aversion to cuddling (Is aversion too strong a word? I think not . . . ) I wondered: Is it just Kemba? Or is this true for the breed in general? So I googled the question, and AI — super quickly! — coughed up this fact about a Duck Toller’s temperament: “Active First, Cuddly Second: Their affectionate nature is most apparent once they have burned off energy through play, swimming or training.” (Italics are mine.)
I would be happy if this were true for Kemba. Trouble is, he has never, yet, in his
11.5
years, burned off enough energy to break through to that affectionate nature! Wait,
let me walk that back a bit: Maybe you could call Kemba affectionate. If by affectionate you mean that when you try to pet him, he ducks his head out of the way so you can’t reach. If by affectionate you mean that when we’re on the beach, he digs a sand pit behind my chair to settle down in, instead of sitting alongside me so I can stroke his fur. If by affectionate you mean that when I’m on the couch watching a game on TV, he curls up at the opposite end, as far away as possible.
Good thing I know that deep down inside he loves me to pieces. Because he sure has a funny way of showing it.
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Not only was the Toller left off the list (for good reason as you pointed out), but the Great Dane should have been on the list! My daughter has owned two and I can confirm through personal experience, they rival the Golden Retriever (I’ve owned two). Also, my son’s Labradoodle, who knows he’s a human!
Have you tried keeping treats in your pockets? Maybe at least it will get him to turn around and face you on the couch.