When you're a single dude -- no matter how popular you are with the ladies -- there will always be downtime.  When your female companions are busy with work, need to head home, do some wash, or are just sick of being referred to as “friends with benefits,” you may find yourself a little lonely. If you won’t “put a ring on it” as Beyoncé advises, you might want to consider adopting one of man’s truest of friends—a dog.

Your trusty canine companion will never walk out on you in the middle of the night, list your worst qualities in alphabetical order, or steal your car keys. With several hundred registered dog breeds in existence, there's no shortage of “best friend” options.

While there’s probably a certain human personality type that matches every kind of dog—from purebreds to mutts—we’ve selected a few breeds we think work exceptionally well for men, and single guys in particular. Translation: You'll find very few purse-sized dogs here.

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    Labrador Retriever

    If you're searching for a friendly, happy-go-lucky dog,you really can’t beat a Labrador retriever. They have water-resistant fur and webbed feat for swimming, and since they’re retrievers, these dogs are great at playing catch. They’re big enough to grab a Frisbee in flight, but not so large that they’ll become a nuisance. Everyone seems to love a Lab, and Labs seem to love everyone right back.

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    Cane Corso

    Cane Corsos are laid back, affectionate dogs that know how to please their masters. Although this Italian breed can be a little tough to train at first, once you let them know who’s boss, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more loyal dog willing to guard you and your home. These animals also have a manly, authoritative look to them, and their short hair is easy to keep clean, just like yours. No one is ever going to mistake your dog walks for a stroll with a toy poodle in the park, that's for sure.

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    Visla

    Vizslas are great dogs for single guys who like to hike, run on the beach, or just head out into nature in general. These extremely loyal Hungarian hunting dogs want to be by your side at all times. They’ve been nicknamed the “Velcro dog” for their affectionate ways. Just remember: when they're not resting their head in your lap, they want to be outside running; they have tons of energy. Vislas are superb dogs for active men, but should never be kept cooped up in small apartments, which makes them less than ideal for folks living in large, crowded cities.

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    Siberian Husky

    Siberian Huskies make friends easily, are great to play with outside, eat less than other dogs of a similar size, are quite smart, and very clean. What more could a single guy want in a canine buddy? Their good-natured personality, and laid-back demeanor (when they're not running around) makes them simple to care for. Plus, they’re quite handsome, which is a bonus when you’re taking your pet out for a walk, and want to catch the eyes of the ladies (the human variety) who might happen by.

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    Australian Shepherd

    If you want a robust and easy to care for dog who is not too large, then the Australian Shepherd is just the breed for you. Even though the word “Australia” is right there in the name, these dogs can actually trace their ancestry back to Spain.

    Australian Shepherds are bright, frisky, not overly-aggressive, and exceptionally loyal. Since they don’t take up a lot of room, and are low-maintenance dogs as far as training and grooming are concerned, they make impeccable pets for guys who like to laze about. Like Vizslas, Australian Shepherds need a bit of space to run around in when they’re not busy showing you tons affection at home.

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    Irish Setter

    The Irish Setter is a classic, well-known breed of dog. Setters are fairly larger (big guys like big dogs), and very majestic looking. They're also awfully friendly. Irish Setters like to hang out and play with whoever happens to be around. Their fur needs a bit more care than shorthaired breeds, but those luxurious locks can be a great attention grabber for men who, on occasion, use their dogs to try and meet women (not you, of course). No one can resist giving a beautiful Irish Setter a cuddle or a rub. These dogs are experts at romping about and making new friends.

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    English Mastiff

    The English Mastiff is a brawny, manly dog. No one will ever accuse you of being a wuss when you’re out on a stroll with one of these massive beasts. However, as large and intimidating as they might appear, English Mastiffs are also known as “gentle giants.” They are incredibly demonstrative, and become friends with absolutely everyone. They don’t bark much, and since they’re extremely sociable and intelligent, they’re very easy to train. The only drawback really, is their large size.

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    Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are beautiful, spirited dogs that were once used to hunt lions and other large game in South Africa. That fact alone makes them a great companion for men, because we love looking tough. Ridgebacks are excellent hunting and guard dogs, with lots of energy, but are chill when hanging around the house.

    These hunters are from the hound family, so you’ll need to train them well in order to overcome some of their more territorial types of behaviors—but at least you can be confident they’ll guard all of your stuff when you're not around.

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    Border Collie

    If you want an unbelievably loyal and calm dog, you don’t have to look any further than a Border Collie. These dogs are some of the brainiest canines around. If you see yourself as scholarly gentleman, you’ll appreciate a Collie’s clever mind. Athletic owners who like to train dogs and teach them tons of tricks will be pleased with this breed, as well. For those of you in search of a pet that will also become a good friend (and herds pretty much any type of animal it happens to comes across), the generously affectionate Border Collie should do the trick.

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    French Bulldog

    Last but not least, a dog for men who dwell in urban settings. French Bulldogs are small, so they won’t take up a lot of space, but they aren’t excessively “cute,” which means no one will laugh at you (macho guys) for owning a toy dog. French Bulldogs are also very relaxed, and not at all “yippy” like some other breeds of smaller dogs—although they do love to grunt, which is always good for a chuckle. These bulldogs can be a little stubborn when it comes to training, but they love to play, and make the perfect apartment dog. They don't need a lot of exercise (please do walk your dog, though), so you can both laze about your apartment and watch the football game together from the comfort of your couch.

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