20 Most Obedient Dog Breeds: Easiest Dogs to Train
The easiest dogs to train have a good balance of intelligence, eagerness to please, and enthusiasm for learning. Any dog can be trained, but certain breeds are more receptive because of these traits. Many of these dogs are highly motivated by positive reinforcement, such as treats. Others have strong work ethics that allow them to focus on training.
Here are 20 dog breeds that are easy to train.
Breed Characteristics
When it comes to the success of dog obedience training, it's not just about how smart the dog is. Some breeds can be incredibly intelligent, but they also might be free thinkers known for being stubborn. And that can make obedience hit or miss. The dog breeds that are easiest to train are usually smart, agreeable, and receptive to people. You may see these breeds working as therapy animals, assistance dogs, and alongside police or military.
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Border Collie
Border collies are often viewed as one of the smartest dog breeds. Their intelligence, combined with the fact that they are quick to learn and very in tune with their humans, makes them extremely trainable. They also have a strong work ethic and thrive when given a job to do. While they can be easy to train, they need lots of mental enrichment to prevent boredom. Otherwise, they can develop problem behaviors, such as destroying household items.
Breed Overview
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German Shepherd
The German shepherd is another highly intelligent dog that was bred to be responsive and obedient. Thus, it's no surprise that German shepherds are often used by law enforcement and as service dogs. These dogs are very loyal and protective of their families. Without proper training and socialization, this can turn into distrust of strangers.
Breed Overview
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Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are popular family pets for good reason. They're typically very affectionate, patient, and gentle, and they have an endearing enthusiasm for life. Goldens are known for being extremely eager to please. This, combined with their intelligence, means they're very receptive to training. They also tend to be serious foodies and will do just about anything for a treat.
Breed Overview
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Labrador Retriever
Labrador retrievers share a lot of characteristics with golden retrievers. They're another breed that is often trained as a service dog because of their smarts, enthusiasm, and calm and gentle nature. Plus, they're known for having outstanding retrieval skills. Like with goldens, food rewards also work wonders with Labs during training. Just make sure to keep portions under control as Labs are prone to obesity.
Breed Overview
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Vizsla
Vizslas generally have incredible stamina, enthusiasm, loyalty, and intelligence. They tend to be eager to please, and they form very strong attachments to their owners, often being referred to as "Velcro dogs." Vizslas need lots of exercise, and training is an excellent way for them to work out some energy. Dog sports are ideal for these canines to get both a mental and physical workout.
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English Springer Spaniel
If you're looking for a dog that has boundless energy and enthusiasm and a real desire to please, the English springer spaniel might tick a lot of boxes. This busy and jovial breed has a constantly wagging tail and loves having a job to do. It also has excellent retrieval skills and an incredibly sensitive nose, which can be put to use in dog sports. These dogs are best suited for an active household where they'll get plenty of exercise.
Breed Overview
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Poodle
A lot of the poodle's popularity can be attributed to its elegant and refined look. But this breed is also quite intelligent and very eager to please. Poodles are typically devoted to their owners, and they love to learn. As long as you keep training fun for them, they can be experts at learning complex tricks. Their natural athleticism also means they can excel at dog sports, such as agility.
Breed Overview
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Keeshond
The keeshond is generally smart, loyal, gentle, friendly, and easy to train. These dogs are very alert and curious, and while they typically have a calm demeanor, they're constantly taking everything in. Plus, they have a lot of enthusiasm for trying new things and tend to excel when learning new dog sports thanks to their athleticism. But keeshonds were developed as watchdogs, so you might have to put in extra training to prevent alert barking from getting out of control.
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09 of 20
Havanese
The little Havanese is generally a friendly, adaptable, and smart dog breed. It is also known for being easier to train than many other small dog breeds, which overall can be a bit headstrong at times. The Havanese is typically very attentive and eager to please during training, especially when given lots of positive reinforcement. The breed also is a regular competitor in dog sports and obedience trials.
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Manchester Terrier
While known for being smart, terriers, in general, are also often associated with being strong-willed and feisty. However, Manchester terriers are typically more responsive and trainable than your average terrier while not being any less intelligent. These dogs love being busy and having a job to do, which helps them focus during training. As long as you keep training sessions fun and challenging, their interest in mental challenges should overtake that trademark terrier stubbornness.
Breed Overview
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Border Terrier
The small border terrier is lively, brave, and outgoing. Though they can have a stubborn streak, they love to keep busy and will learn well once you figure out what motivates them most. Bred to protect sheep from foxes, these little guys are fast, fierce, and tenacious. Border terriers need plenty of exercise and respond best to training once they've gotten all that energy out of their systems. Plus, they are incredibly easy to care for.
Breed Overview
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Papillon
Named for their butterfly-like ears, the papillon is a small dog from the toy group. Smart, friendly, and agreeable, they're very receptive to training and don't need an extreme amount of exercise. The papillon is content to relax in your lap one moment, then ready to go out on an adventure with you the next. Their eager attitude makes them much easier to train than many other small dogs.
Breed Overview
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Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland sheepdog, or "sheltie" for short, is a medium-small collie-type dog created to herd livestock. They're alert, intelligent, and playful dogs who form close bonds with their humans. Their working background make the breed easy to train and regular exercise will help them expel excess energy so they'll pay better attention to you.
Breed Overview
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Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman pinscher is a large, lean dog with a deep chest and smooth, shiny coat. These dogs may seem intimidating to some, but most are friendly, smart, and a little bit goofy. These active, hard-working, and extremely loyal dogs are very receptive to training. They enjoy engaging with humans but will fiercely protect their families from perceived threats. Despite their size, Dobies are very easy to take care of thanks to their short coats.
Breed Overview
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Australian Shepherd
The Australian shepherd is a medium-sized herding dog with an agile, athletic build. Among the smartest of all dog breeds, you can train an Aussie to do just about anything. However, the breed has a lot of energy and requires plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Bring training and exercise together by teaching them how to play active games and participate in dog sports.
Breed Overview
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Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian cattle dog, also called the blue heeler, is a sturdy, medium-sized herding dog. As the name states, they were bred to herd cattle and other livestock, and they have the smarts and strength to prove it. When given enough exercise and mental engagement, Australian cattle dogs will learn quickly and are always ready for additional training.
Breed Overview
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Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Wesh corgis are short herding dogs perhaps best known as a favorite breed of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Though smart, they can be strong-willed and may need extra motivation to learn. As energetic dogs, they need regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy.
Breed Overview
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Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Since they're closely related to Pembrokes, Cardigan Welsh corgis share many of their traits. Short-statured, determined, and energetic, the Cardigan will learn best when they've had enough exercise to calm them enough to pay attention. They're deeply loyal to trusted people but may be wary of strange humans or other dogs approaching their territory.
Breed Overview
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Miniature Schnauzer
Bold and vigilant, the miniature schnauzer is inclined to bark at just about anything, whether is neighbors walking by the house or an animal running through the yard. Stubbornness is a common trait for these small terriers, but their loyalty towards their humans makes them very trainable with the right motivation.
Breed Overview
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Rottweiler
A fierce-looking, large dog, the Rottweiler is intensely loyal, hard-working, and intelligent. Their muscular, rugged bodies may seem imposing, but they are often affectionate and gentle towards trusted people. Rotties may be stubborn at times, but ultimately want to please you (and get rewarded for it, of course). Their short coats are east to care for, so spend the extra time providing exercise and mental stimulation.
Breed Overview
Breeds to Avoid
If you want a dog that can learn and reliably perform complex tricks or tasks, then there are some dog breeds you might want to avoid. It's not that these breeds are dumb—they just often have an independent, stubborn streak that can make training difficult. Some of the hardest dogs to train include the Afghan hound, Pekingese, Basenji, Borzoi, and Shiba Inu.
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