Every dog breed can be obedient, affectionate, and well-trained with the right care and training. However, it’s also true that some breeds are naturally more obedient and easier to train than others. To help with your search for your canine companion, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the 18 best-behaved dog breeds you can own.
Labrador Retriever
According to the American Kennel Club, Labrador Retrievers were America’s favorite breed for a staggering 31 years in a row, and for good reason. Labradors are famed for being one of the most good-natured, friendly, and highly trainable breeds you can get.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are close relatives of Labrador Retrievers, so it’s no surprise that their nature is very similar. Golden Retrievers are patient, gentle, easy to train, and highly intelligent. Their friendliness and patience make them a great choice for families with kids.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are adorable little dogs with equally charming personalities. They are friendly and eager to please, making them easy to train, and their small size means they can do well in smaller living environments.
Poodle
According to Reader’s Digest, Stanley Coren’s book on canine intelligence ranks Poodles as the second most intelligent dog breed. This means they crave mental stimulation, which makes them very easy to train. Their hypoallergenic coat also makes them the perfect breed for those suffering from allergies.
Border Collie
Speaking of intelligent dogs, Stanley Coren’s same book ranked Border Collies as the most intelligent dog breed you can get. This fact, combined with their loyalty and eagerness to learn, makes them very highly trainable. However, they do have a strong need for regular exercise, so they are a good fit for active families with plenty of space.
Beagle
Beagles are a classic breed known for their friendliness and patience. Despite their independent personalities, they are usually very well-behaved and easy to train with positive reinforcement. The only caveat is that they are fairly high-energy and require plenty of mental stimulation and exercise to keep them happy and calm.
Boxer
Boxers are energetic, playful, and have a strong protective drive. However, they also have a calmer, gentler side, which makes them very well-behaved and good with children. They are fairly easy to train and are receptive to positive reinforcement.
Australian Shepherd
Like other Shepherd dogs, Australian Shepherds are very intelligent, easy to train, and eager to learn. In fact, because they were bred to herd sheep, they actually need to feel like they have a job or role to feel at their happiest.
Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogs are another intelligent and highly trainable breed that gets along great with kids and adults alike. They are also a little smaller than other herding breeds, making them easier to transport and adapt to various living situations. However, they do require frequent exercise to keep them content.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs truly are gentle giants. They are well known for their gentle, patient temperaments and attachment to their owners. In fact, they can be prone to separation anxiety when separated from their family, so they’re best suited for those who have plenty of time to spend with their canine companions.
Newfoundland
Newfoundlands have a sweet and gentle disposition that makes them well-behaved and great for families with kids. However, their large size can make them a little more difficult to care for, and they require plenty of space to keep them happy.
Bichon Frisé
Bichon Frisés are charming, cheerful, and playful little pups that love receiving their owners’ attention and affection. They are also intelligent, easy to train, and can adapt to a wide range of living situations.
Vizsla
Vizslas are rather high-energy and require a good amount of regular exercise to ensure they’re at their happiest. However, if you’re willing to meet that need, they make very well-behaved, affectionate, and loving companions that are remarkably easy to train.
Havanese
The Havanese is a slightly lesser-known breed that we think deserves more love. These adorable little pooches are friendly, sociable, and eager to please, making them highly trainable and well-behaved. However, their luxurious long coats do require regular grooming.
Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
The Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier is soft by name and by nature. They are playful, friendly, enthusiastic, and get along very well with kids. While they shed less than other dogs, they require regular grooming to keep them looking their best.
Whippet
We love Whippets for their gentle, affectionate nature. This breed is known for being on the quieter side, making them well-behaved and good for those who aren’t fans of doggy yapping. They are also highly intelligent and trainable.
Papillon
Papillons may be small, but they have mighty personalities. They are highly intelligent, outgoing, and brave, making them the perfect fit for those with kids or other pets. This charming breed also requires minimal grooming, though it’s best to keep a close look on their ears for any sign of ear infections.
Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are playful, affectionate little dogs that love spending time with their families. Their friendly, social nature makes them a great choice for those with kids and other pets. They are also fairly well-behaved and easy to train.
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