Who’s a good boy? Not the dog busy rummaging through the garbage…
When it comes to training your dog to be “good”, it isn’t a matter of intelligence. The smartest dogs can be stubborn and free-willed.
Obedience comes down to a balance of intelligence, eagerness to please, and training. And while you can train all dogs, some breeds take to it quicker than others.
Owning a dog is a huge responsibility. Looking after them, training them, and keeping them happy are all part of being a good pet owner. If you’ve been considering adopting a new fur baby, or you’re curious, here is a comprehensive list of the most obedient dog breeds.
1. Labrador Retriever
A popular dog breed, and America’s favorite for the last 30 years, the Labrador Retriever is friendly, energetic, and eager to please.
They are often considered an ideal first pet as you begin learning how to train dogs.
These clever pups love a challenge, which makes training them a pleasure. Their ease of training and their calm and gentle nature has made them a top choice for guide dogs around the world.
As a reward for their efforts, they enjoy the main two options for dogs’ treats: food and games of fetch. It’s important to balance these two as Labradors are prone to obesity.
2. German Shepherd
German shepherds were bred for their responsiveness and obedience.
We often see German shepherds trained to be police dogs, guide dogs, service dogs, and search and rescue dogs.
German shepherds are loyal and protective, making them wonderful family dogs. Make sure to train them to prevent aggression towards unfamiliar people and dogs.
3. Vizsla
Vizslas are an enthusiastic and intelligent breed. They are incredibly loyal once they’ve formed attachments to their owners, and will do anything to impress and please them.
These boisterous canines need regular exercise, and training is an easy way to use up their seemingly endless energy.
4. Golden Retriever
This sweet-faced breed has a gentle, playful, and loving nature. They are great family pets and love the mental stimulation of a good training session.
These pups were actually bred to be hunting dogs! Determined and strong, they respond well to training and can become obedient and well-behaved pets.
5. English Springer Spaniel
Another energetic breed, the English springer spaniel is always looking for a task to do. They are excellent retrievers with a good nose, making them perfect for dog sports.
These joyful dogs love playing, wagging their tails, and feeling helpful. To them, there’s nothing better than carrying your wallet into the house for you.
6. Poodle
A poodle has more than just a pretty face. Intelligent and elegant, these pups are devoted to their owners and love learning new and often complex tricks.
They are agile and athletic, making them perfect contenders for dog sports.
7. Border Collie
Border collies are one of the smartest dog breeds. They have an unmatched understanding of their humans; they stay in tune with the people and pets around them.
They are quick and eager to learn, with a strong work ethic and a love of activity.
These clever dogs could be better-named boredom collies because they need a huge amount of mental enrichment to keep them from destroying household items or digging up your yard. This behavior isn’t malicious – they just hate not having something to do!
Another thing they don’t enjoy is being left alone. Border collies are prone to separation anxiety, which can be eased with anxiety chews for dogs.
8. Keeshond
Curious and friendly, the keeshond’s calm demeanor can make their intelligence come as a surprise. They love learning new things and will excel in dog sports due to their natural athleticism.
Because they were bred to be watchdogs, Keeshonds can get quite carried away when barking at strangers. But with a little extra training, you can stop alert barking from getting out of paw.
9. Havanese
While most small dog breeds are known to be headstrong and stubborn, the little Havanese are attentive and eager to please.
They thrive on positive reinforcement and will do almost anything for a belly rub and a cuddle. They can become quite shy if they don’t interact with enough people and other dogs, which makes puppy school the perfect place to train them.
10. Manchester Terrier
Manchester terriers have all the responsiveness and intelligence of other terriers, without the feistiness. These pups love being busy, so they tend to focus during training.
Be sure to keep training sessions interesting and challenging so these clever dogs don’t get too bored or frustrated.
11. Doberman Pinscher
Doberman pinschers have a reputation for aggression, but this aggression comes purely from a lack of training. Loyal and protective by nature, a Doberman pinscher responds quickly to training.
This clever breed often plays the role of a guard dog or protection dog, becoming playful and loving under the right ownership and care.
