Training any dog requires expertise, patience, and consistency, but the rewards are well worth the effort! Sharing your home with a dog is far less stressful and rewarding if your canine companion is well-behaved and relaxed. Yet some dogs are far easier to teach than others—here are 17 bright, eager-to-please breeds that make obedience training a breeze!
Border Collie
The American Kennel Club classifies this herding breed as the number one most trainable type of dog. This is mainly due to their exceptional intelligence, which is facilitated by their alertness and devotion to their human companions. Collies thrive on exercise and stimulation, so they make excellent candidates for obedience training, agility courses, and even dog dancing!
Poodle
A surprising entry at number two, Poodles of all sizes (standard, miniature, and toy) are far brighter than their fluffy, manicured appearances would suggest. Highly intelligent and athletic, they excel in obedience and agility training. Originally bred as water retrievers in Germany, Poodles crossed the border and became popular in France, where they’re now the national dog!
German Shepherd
No list of trainable dogs would be complete without the eponymous working dog, the GSD. Thanks to their intelligence, loyalty, and alertness, German Shepherds are used in military, police, and security roles and are incredibly quick and eager learners. Initially bred as herding dogs in Germany, they are popular among trainers and dog handlers the world over.
Golden Retriever
Retrievers are known for their sunny personalities and devotion to their human families, but they are also highly trainable working dogs. The Hindustan Times claims they are the most popular assistance dogs and are frequently trained to help people with impaired sight, hearing, or mobility. Their obedience, intelligence, and gentle nature make them perfect for such tasks.
Doberman Pinscher
Loyal, alert, and fearlessly protective, Doberman Pinschers make excellent guard dogs, but their above-average mental capabilities also make them attentive learners. They were initially bred in the late 19th century by German Louis Dobermann and still compete in a breed-specific test known as ‘Schutzhund,’ which assesses their tracking, protection, and obedience skills.
Shetland Sheepdog
Shelties are medium-sized, gentle, affectionate dogs that are uncommonly smart. Originally bred to herd sheep in the cold, rugged climate of the Shetland Isles (off Northern Scotland), they’re eager to please and excellent at obedience training. Their placid natures and playful friendliness make them a great choice for first-time dog owners and families.
Labrador Retriever
As America’s favorite dog breed for over three decades, Labs are beloved for their happy, friendly, gentle nature and human-focused personalities. Originally bred as hunting companions, Labs are known to be eager to please and intelligent, like many working dogs. Like the Golden variety, Labradors also make great assistance and therapy dogs.
Papillon
Named after the French word for ‘butterfly’ due to their large, feathery ears, Papillons are small in stature but large in brain size! Being lively, social, and responsive, they’re excellent at learning obedience, agility courses, and dog tricks. Their focus on their human handlers and eagerness to learn make them the perfect fit for anyone who wants a small, well-behaved, and loyal canine friend.
Rottweiler
The first ‘bull’ breed on our list, the muscular and imposing Rottweiler is no ‘dumb jock’ but an intelligent and devoted dog that is easy to train with the correct techniques. Despite their large size, these herding and guarding dogs can be exceptionally agile, athletic, and obedient, and they are often used in competitions such as tracking, obedience, and even weight-pulling!
Australian Cattle Dog
Also known as Blue Heelers, these colorful and energetic herding dogs are determinedly loyal and committed to their owners or working roles. Bred in the harsh Australian outback of the 1800s, they’re necessarily hardy, too—DogTime reports they often live to 12 or 15 years of age. The breed often excels at tasks that test their obedience, agility, and herding skills.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Made famous by the late Queen Elizabeth II, Corgis are short-legged herding dogs that originate from Welsh farming communities. They’re extremely intelligent, alert, and eager to please, making them a joy to train. Amusingly, their herding instincts are so strong that they sometimes ‘nip’ at children or other dogs to bring them into line and keep them together!
Miniature Schnauzer
Their small size and comical mustache hide a clever, tenacious character that responds well to the type of leadership a firm human handler can provide. Originally bred to control rodent vermin on farms and in homes, Miniature Schnauzers are alert, courageous, curious, and endlessly eager to perform tasks. They also have a great sense of smell and make capable tracking dogs.
English Springer Spaniel
If you have the expertise to channel their borderline hyperactive energy levels, Springers make highly trainable companions. Best described as ‘bouncy,’ this breed is playful, happy, and full of personality, yet it can be an eager and capable learner. They were initially bred to flush out game for hunting parties and thrive on the mental and physical stimulation involved in dog training tasks.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Originally bred as a farmer’s companion in Switzerland’s Bernese Alps, these large and powerful dogs were even used for pulling carts and plows, as well as herding livestock and guarding property. They’re now commonly trained to perform rescue work, particularly at high altitudes. They’re excellent at finding and assisting people trapped under avalanches or lost in the snow.
Bull Terrier
With their distinctive egg-shaped heads and muscular build, Bull Terriers don’t look particularly smart. But they are a breed full of surprises! Originally bred in 19th century England as bull-baiting dogs, their human-oriented nature and intelligence make them highly trainable. Training is particularly effective if it involves treats or playtime, as Bull Terriers often love both!
Vizsla
The Vizsla is a sleek, athletic breed with a beautiful, copper-colored coat and athletic build. Bred as a Hungarian hunting companion, they are known for their boundless stamina, intense loyalty, and unwavering devotion to their humans. These traits, coupled with an impressive intellect, make them responsive and capable during training sessions.
Australian Shepherd
The confusingly named Australian Shepherd was bred as a cattle herding dog on the ranches of the American Old West, yet it is a surprisingly versatile and adaptable dog. Its intelligence and energy are easily focused on other tasks, and individuals often excel in various other activities, including obedience training, agility courses, and even competitive dog dancing!
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