The greatest love is a mother's; then a dog's; then a sweetheart's.

This proverb ranks kinds of affection by perceived reliability and selflessness. A mother’s love is placed first as the archetype of unconditional care and sacrifice. A dog’s love comes next, reflecting the long-standing folk idea of canine loyalty—devotion that persists regardless of a person’s status or fortune. Romantic love is placed third, implying it can be more contingent on circumstance, desire, or change over time. The saying is less a literal hierarchy than a caution about where to expect steadfastness: it elevates familial devotion and faithful companionship over the volatility of courtship and passion.