Top 10 Friendliest Animals In The World: Dogs Are Not At The Top (2024)

There are about two million animal species on planet earth, but not all of them are ferocious and dangerous beasts. Some of them are super smart, some are just dumb, some are lazy, and some animals are incredibly friendly. Here we take a look at the top 10 friendliest animals in the world. These are amicable, kind, cheerful, and useful.

10- Swan

The curved neck swans are the epitome of love and loyalty because they are always loyal to their partner. These birds belong to the Anatidae family within the Cygnus genus. Ducks and geese are their close relatives. Swans feed both on water and land. They are friendly as long as you don’t hurt their partners and younglings.

9- Guinea Pig

The domestic guinea pigs are rodents belonging to the Caviidae family. They are cute and friendly creatures, though they want a lot of attention. They are rodents, not pigs. But they’ve earned the name guinea pig because of their appearance. They are herbivorous creatures with a lifespan of up to four years. Their teeth grow throughout their life.

8- Sheep

Sheep are among the friendliest animals in the world. They are friendly and non-aggressive. They are wonderful companions to humans. These mammals are typically kept as livestock. Sheep are among the first animals domesticated for agricultural purposes. They have a lifespan of up to 12 years.

7- Horse

These glorious animals have proven useful to humans for centuries. They are friendly, social, and loyal, and have similar emotions as humans. But if you are not careful, they could cause you some serious injuries by kicking.

There are about 300 types of horses in the world, and almost all of them are friendly. What’s interesting about these animals is that when they are in a group, the entire group never sleeps at the same time. At least one of them stays awake at any given point.

6- Giant Panda

The giant pandas are incredibly cute and fun-loving. They eat almost exclusively bamboos even though they are carnivorous. Giant pandas are found in the mountains of central China. They are also among the most unromantic animals in the world.

If they don’t do something about it, they will go extinct in the near future. Giant pandas could weigh up to 300 pounds. They are also excellent swimmers.

5- Rabbit

Rabbits belong to the Leporidae family. They are a little mischievous but cute and friendly. They are one of the friendliest pets in the world. Bunnies are herbivorous, feeding mostly on grass. They have strong hind limbs, long front teeth, and large ears. They need a lot of your attention and plenty of space to play around.

4- Cat

Cats are playful, care-free, mischievous, and sometimes bossy. They also happen to be among the friendliest animals. Cats are known to be highly intelligent. You might get occasional scratches if you are not careful with them.

Cats like keeping themselves clean and around their loved ones. Humans domesticated cats about 3,000 years ago for their hunting capabilities.

3- Dolphin

Dolphins are among the smartest animals on the planet. These aquatic mammals are extremely playful around other creatures including humans. Dolphins not only have a friendly behavior but also advanced social skills. They are also harmless in nature. Many a time, they are spotted following ships and boats in the sea. They usually move in large groups.

2- Dog

Dogs are undoubtedly among the friendliest and most faithful animals in the world. Their innocent puppy face could melt your heart. They are often referred to as a human’s best friend, and for good reason. They are good at understanding your emotions and sentiments.

Dogs are also more likely to trust strangers than other animals. Dogs belong to the same genus as wolves. Humans began domesticating them thousands of years ago.

1- Capybara

The capybara is by far the friendliest animal in the world despite its intimidating size. These semi-aquatic animals are highly social, gentle, and friendly. Native to South and Central America, it’s the largest rodent in the world, weighing up to 65kg. They live in large groups, and have a lifespan of up to 12 years.

Top 10 Friendliest Animals In The World: Dogs Are Not At The Top (2024)

FAQs

Top 10 Friendliest Animals In The World: Dogs Are Not At The Top? ›

As others had shown, the dogs were much friendlier than the wolves, even though the wolves had been raised by people. Both hand-raised wolves and dogs greet human visitors, but dogs continue to interact with people much longer than wolves do, even when visited by a stranger.

Are dogs the friendliest animals? ›

As others had shown, the dogs were much friendlier than the wolves, even though the wolves had been raised by people. Both hand-raised wolves and dogs greet human visitors, but dogs continue to interact with people much longer than wolves do, even when visited by a stranger.

What is the safest animal in the world? ›

Here are the top 10 most harmless animals in the world.
  • Manatee. ...
  • Red Panda. ...
  • Manta Ray. ...
  • Giant African Millipede. ...
  • Opossum. ...
  • 3. Aye-Aye. ...
  • Rabbit. ...
  • Sheep. The gentle sheep (Ovis aries) is sometimes mocked for its docility, but its sweet nature doesn't mean this animal is stupid.
Jan 5, 2022

What is the #1 nicest dog breed? ›

10 Friendly Dog Breeds
  • Labrador Retriever – The Labrador Retriever holds the top spot for friendliness due to its gentle nature, playful disposition, and love for human interaction. ...
  • Golden Retriever – Known for their warm personalities and eagerness to please, Golden Retrievers are truly a joy to have around.
Sep 11, 2023

Why do dogs lick you? ›

Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!

What is the nicest pet on earth? ›

Top 11 Friendliest Animals In The World [With Image]
  • Dogs – The Loyal Companions.
  • Cats – The Purring Friends.
  • Dolphins – The Aquatic Geniuses.
  • Rabbits – The Gentle Hoppers.
  • Guinea Pigs – The Cuddly Buddies.
  • Horses – The Majestic Companions.
  • Parrots – The Colorful Talkers.
  • Sheep – The Fuzzy Friends.

What is the world's meanest animal? ›

What is the most aggressive animal in the world? The Nile crocodile is the most aggressive animal in the world mostly because it considers humans a “regular part of its diet” according to a-z-animals.com. The animal can weigh up to 1,650 pounds and can be found in 26 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Which animal loves humans most? ›

Dogs. Dogs are perhaps the most iconic example of loyal animals. They have been "man's best friend" for thousands of years and are known for their unwavering loyalty and companionship.

What is the calmest wild animal? ›

When it comes to animals with a calm nature, the sloth is a prime example. Sloths are known for their extremely slow movements and relaxed lifestyle. Their low metabolic rate means they move very little and slowly, conserving energy and avoiding stress. Another animal renowned for its calm demeanor is the capybara.

What is the happiest animal? ›

Who is the happiest animal in the world? The quokka is often called the happiest animal in the world. They live in Western Australia and always look like they are smiling.

What is the deadliest animal to live? ›

Top 10: Most dangerous animals in the world
  • Scorpions - kills 3,300 humans per year. ...
  • Assassin Bugs (Chagas disease) - kills 10,000 humans per year. ...
  • Dogs (rabies) - kills 59,000 per year. ...
  • Snakes - kills 138,000 humans per year. ...
  • Humans (homicides only) - kills 400,000 humans per year. ...
  • Mosquitoes - kills 725,000 per year.
Nov 20, 2023

What animal is scary but harmless? ›

Vulture. Vultures are often demonized because of their frightening appearance, intimidating wing span, and inappropriate habit of only showing up when there's a dead carcass lying around. But they're completely harmless—as long as you're alive and kicking.

What is the kindest animal on the planet? ›

In the animal kingdom, one of the most friendly creatures is the dolphin, known for its intelligence, social behavior, and ability to form close bonds with humans. Dolphins have been observed showing empathy towards each other and even other species, going as far as helping other animals, including humans, in distress.

What is the friendliest pet ever? ›

The Friendliest Dog Breeds
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. ...
  • Golden Retriever. ...
  • Havanese. ...
  • Labrador Retriever. ...
  • Newfoundland. ...
  • Poodle. ...
  • Pug. ...
  • Shih Tzu. Like the Pug, the Shih Tzu was bred to be a royal companion dog.

Are dogs the most affectionate animal? ›

Definitely not a surprise, dogs perhaps are the top-ranked animals that are capable of showcasing affection. They have their own personalities and experiences that shape their relationship with people.

Are humans happier with dogs? ›

Seven in ten (71%) dog parents say their pup has made them happier people, with nearly four in five saying it's easier to wake up in the morning because their dog greets them. About half of pup parents say their dog has made them more patient (54%), responsible (52%) or affectionate (47%).

Why are most dogs so friendly? ›

They concluded that the genes associated with Williams-Beuren syndrome in humans underlie the friendliness of dogs compared to wolves. Humans, they suggested, may have selected friendly dogs over thousands of years of domestication and the Williams-Beuren genes may be one of the results.

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