What are the easiest dog breeds to train? If you are new to “having a dog as a pet”, the first thing you need to know is – not all dog breeds are the same. They differ not only in size and looks, but also in their temperament and needs. For example, can you imagine a Chihuahua eating the same amount of food as a Saint Bernard? So, different dog breeds have different needs, and for some you’ll need more money for their care, for others less. If you want to avoid breeds that are not very good to your pocket, read our article – most expensive dog breeds to maintain in the world; Obama has #1. Some dogs can be kept in an apartment, whereas others need much more space and everyday running. Don’t forget that even though dogs that belong to the same breed have similar temperaments, every dog is unique and has its own character.
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Many people believe that raising a dog is no special task, but they are wrong. There are dog breeds that are very hard to maintain and train and that should never be taken by inexperienced owners. Most dogs on our list are an excellent choice for first time dog owners because they are very easy to train, but still not all of them. Please keep in mind that everything that dogs do is just a reflection of their owner, and if you want to learn something more about training and taking care of your dog in an appropriate way, I’d suggest that you follow the advice of one of the most famous dog trainers in the world – Cezar Milan. At least, if inexperienced, don’t buy a dog just because you think it is cute and without learning basic things about them and their needs.
I used a very special book from my personal library in order to create this article. It is a book called Caring for your dog, written by Dr. Bruce Fogle, where you can find a plethora of useful advice about dog training, choosing the right breed, nutrition, dog’s health and everything else you can think of about taking care of your dog. There, I found a chart that was created using a worldwide survey of more than 1,000 vets who shared their experiences with various dog breeds. In the chart are the most popular dog breeds, and each of them is ranked in 5 different categories: Good first dog (yes or no or maybe), Size (on a scale 1 to 5), Trainability (on a scale 1 to 5), Noise (on a scale 1 to 5) and Good with children (on a scale 1 to 5). There are 9 dog breeds that have the highest score when it comes to trainability, and the 10th one has a mark between 4 and 5. Since these 9 all have the same mark, we wanted to sort them here by also counting how often some of these dogs are used as guide dogs (usually for blind people, but sometimes for people with different disabilities and needs) and/or police dogs- since these two categories are great examples of dogs being trained for a pragmatic use. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to find precise data about this, but according to what we could find and giving preference to those that are known to be guide dogs, we made our list of easiest dog breeds to train in the world:
10. Miniature and Toy Poodle
Miniature and Toy Poodles are the only breeds on this list that are not marked for trainability with a clear 5, but between 4 and 5. It seems they have more temper than their larger relatives, Standard Poodles. People not that familiar with dog breeds are often surprised to see either of the Poodles on the lists of smartest dogs or easily-trained dogs. Is it because of their funny looks? Who knows why there is so much prejudice against this breed. Nevertheless, all training experts and their owners can confirm that this is a very intelligent and obedient breed.
9. Shetland Sheepdog
At a first glance, this breed looks similar to the more famous breed, Collie, or Lassie (how people often call them), and many dog lovers believe they share a common ancestor. But, when you put them together, side by side, you’ll see that not only they differ a lot in size (Shetland is much smaller) but that there are other differences as well. This breed originated in Scotland and was used as a work dog, mainly to guard and herd the livestock (as the name “sheepdog” denotes it). This is a good dog for families (he will get attached so much that he will guard the entire family), very obedient, intelligent and easy to train. The Shetland Sheepdog needs to be often exercised, as they are very active.
8. English Springer Spaniel
English Springer Spaniel is a loveable breed, very obedient and devoted to their owner and the entire family, but they request the same from you, as they don’t like to be left alone too much. Just devote him enough time and you’ll easily teach him anything you want. We didn’t find information about the English Springer Spaniel being used as a guide dog, but we have, however, found information about them being used as police dogs. Dogs can be used in the Police for different purposes – they can be used in law enforcement, as cadaver-sniffing dogs, as tracking dogs, and for illicit-substance detection. Some breeds are used in every category while some are used in one or maybe two. The English Springer Spaniel is used only for illicit-substance detection, as he has a very good sense of smell. Since he is not that strong, he can’t be used in law enforcement for example, but he is definitely very useful when it comes to sniffing and detecting anything illegal. We placed him in 8th place because we gave a slight advantage to dogs that can be trained as guide dogs, as we find this type of training more complicated. Also, there are breeds in top places that are used both as a guide dogs and police dogs. They are definitely the easiest dog breeds to train.
7. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
This breed reminds us of much popular Labradors, as they have similar looks and both breeds are retrievers, which means they are bred for retrieving birds and other animals shot by a hunter. So if you are planning to train him how to fetch, I guess that shouldn’t be a problem. Even though they have many similarities with the most loveable dog breed in the world, Labrador, they also have differences and not just in their appearance. Some say they are harder to train and need a more dominant owner with some experience. However, Chesapeake Bay Retriever got a clear mark 5 when it comes to trainability, and we also found the information about them being trained as a guide dogs. That earned them place number 7.
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6. Standard Poodle
Once again we have a Poodle on our list, but this time we have the Standard Poodle, which is the largest one and the oldest one. Poodles had a very special role throughout history – they were retriever dogs too, and they brought ducks and other birds to their owner. They are very intelligent, obedient and friendly. They are a good choice for a first pet. They are used as guide dogs, and that’s why they are in the 6th place among the easiest dog breeds to train.
5. Doberman
Many people think of Dobermans as an aggressive breed and as one of the deadliest dog breeds in the world. How did they earn such a bad reputation when they are one of the best guard dogs, and one of the breeds most often used as police dogs? Well, for one, Hitler really didn’t help. Kidding aside, Dobermans are a very special breed that seeks true attention and an owner who knows what he’s doing. They are not for inexperienced owners, even though they can be trained easily. They really do have their own character, but if treated right they will give their love in return, and they’ll be very obedient. They are super smart and can be taught a lot of things, which is why they are used both in the police and as guide dogs. Also, you should know they look much “warmer” and friendlier with their ears left to grow naturally (see the image below), and we are responsible for their dangerous look by cupping their ears.
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4. Border Collie
This loveable and cute breed could also be trained as both a guide dog and a police dog. They are herding dogs, and they demand a lot of physical activity. They are full of energy, and they are in the true sense of the word – sports dogs. They often compete and win in many dog sports, and not just in sheepdog trials. They are not just smart and athletic; they are also very obedient. It is important to know that smart dogs aren’t necessarily easy to train and obedient. There are many dog breeds that are super intelligent, understanding everything you want from them, but they just don’t want to do it. This is not the case for the Border Collie; this is a breed great for first time owners who will also succeed in training them easily, simply by being caring and devoted.
3. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is definitely one of the favorite and most popular dog breeds in the world. Why wouldn’t they be, when they are very beautiful, loveable, friendly, easy to train, intelligent, obedient, and devoted. With so many qualities, it does not come as a surprise that it is often used both as a police dog and a guide dog. In fact, these top 3 dogs on our list are very hard to compare, and could easily swap places. It is impossible to truly say which one of these 3 is the easiest dog breed to train.
2. German Shepherd
When it comes to appearance, I can honestly say that German Shepherds have one of the most graceful looks of all dog breeds. They are strong, have a special attitude, yet they are elegant and remind us of wolves. Besides being a beautiful breed, they are known worldwide for their intelligence and ability to train. In police, they are used in law enforcement for illicit-substance detection, as cadaver-sniffing dogs, and also for tracking. They are used for everything that is needed, plus they are one of the best guide dogs and guard dogs. With all these qualities, is it possible that they are not good first time dogs? Yes, it is, because they need a strong dominant owner, and not an inexperienced one. They are very intelligent and have their own character, so they need an owner with a strong and stable personality. Keep in mind that when it comes to police and guide dogs, all dogs are trained by professional trainers.
1. Labrador Retriever
You have probably guessed our first place. It is not surprising to see Labrador Retrievers top this list of easiest dog breeds to train. They are most common guide dogs, police dogs, and family dogs. They are beautiful in a classic way, if you can say so for a dog. They are smart, obedient, loyal, lovable, strong, yet elegant in their appearance. They love to swim, run and please their owners. They are also a great choice for a first dog for all inexperienced owners. According to a legend, Labradors were born from a love between a dog and an otter. Although this is just a legend, Labradors are known for having an “otter” tail, and special webbed paws that make swimming easier for them than for any other breed. Many people think of the Labrador as simply the ideal dog.
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