Dog #1 is my shadow. She must, under penalty of death, be rightnexttome at all times. If she is forced to be in the other room (ie, gated downstairs during DD's bath/bedtime), she cries and whines like she's been dropped at the shelter. We have had her since she was a puppy, and I did all the training (so it makes sense to me).
Dog #2 was rescued as a 2-3 year old. DD was born after she had been with us for about a year. #2 was supposed to be "DH's dog" but is clearly turning into "DD's dog." She is very protective and will let DD do ANYTHING to her.

Dogs are generally first closest to whoever trained and continues to train them. Then, whoever they view as the pack leader (alpha dog). Dumber dogs can be bought with food and treats. Having been abused by someone will override all of the above.

Who ever feeds them.

I'm definitely my doggie's favorite. My DH and I are fairly equal about discipline, although I tend to sneak her treats more often. The dog sits on my lap any chance she gets.

I had a border terrier in college that hated children. He would bark and growl at them. It could tell the difference between short adults and children. We raised him from when he was 2 months--no abuse issues. He had a clear preference for my long term boyfriend at the time (6 years.) Sadly when we broke up he did not want her (yes, he was a bastard) The dog was never the same with me--she would barely eat. After a year of moping I gave her to the elderly lady that lived next door to my parents with her retired construction company worker/manager DH (No kids living there, but grandkids visited. They had a big yard and they virtually begged me to take her. They were Portuguese immigrants and believed in cooking dog food. That dog had cooked pork and beef scraps mixed with potato and rice etc., for the rest of its life. I saw him whenever I would visit my parents in my 20-30s. She had a great life and lived to be @13.

I have a rescue dog that I brought to our marriage. Dog now very obviously prefers DH. I think the dog can tell that DH is the "pack leader" or boss in our house.

My stupid dog loves my MIL most because MIL lets her do anything but eat her shoes.

Between DH and I, DH thinks he's the favorite but I think that dope likes us equally.

I think if my husband and I were both drowning, our pit mix would probably rescue me because I walk her every morning, take her to the vet, and feed her in the morning. But she is such a good natured loving dog I can't really tell on a day-to-day basis whether she loves dh or me more. She just loves everyone!

Pugs do not. Their favorite person is anyone who conceivably has food at that particular moment.

Pugs are frequently stolen out of yards, cars, etc. I believe these two things are related. They have no natural wariness.

I once had a dog. She was a rescue. I took care of her -- all the feeding, all the walks, etc. But she always sought out my wife. Turns out she had been abused by a man, so never fully trusted me.

I think terriers are such bastards that they tend to be one person dogs because only one person will put up with them.

Our dog seems to like my husband and me equally (he's less interested in our toddler), but is much better behaved for me. I think that's just because I'm more consistent with discipline (treating for good behavior, using real commands to stop bad behavior instead of just "no" all the time, etc.).

My JRT is more obedient with me than anyone else. But then she spends her whole day with me. She mostly just treats DH and the kids like underlings--she jumps at them, likcks them etc. But she literally will not do ANYTHING that they say. She is generally a hyper pia, so it is hard being her favorite at the moment.

I think they each have a stronger connection with one person.

My husband gives our dog treats for obedience. I do not. I probably spend more time with her overall, however. She likes to sleep on me, sit on me, and will cry when I leave the house. DH often comments that I am her favorite. She likes the kids too but does not usually sleep on them or care that much if they are home.

Do all dogs have a "favorite" out of the family? Or is this a breed trait?