The 15 Easiest Dog Breeds to Train: An In-Depth Guide
As a lifelong dog lover and professional trainer, I‘m often asked what breeds are the easiest to train. While every individual dog is unique, certain breeds do tend to have a higher trainability quotient than others. But what exactly makes a dog more inclined to learn and obey?
The Science Behind Trainability
A dog‘s trainability is influenced by a range of cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, problem-solving skills and social cognition. But it‘s not just about smarts – a variety of inherited behavioral traits also play a key role. In a fascinating study on breed differences in canine cognition, researchers found that working breed group (which includes herders, guard dogs and gun dogs) generally score highest on measures of trainability.
According to the study authors, this could be because "working breeds have been selected to cooperate with human partners, accepting delayed rewards while engaging in prolonged training. By contrast, ancestral breeds, such as Siberian Huskies, are more autonomous, bred to make independent decisions."
But it‘s not just about genetics. A dog‘s environment plays a huge role in their trainability as well. Even the most intelligent pup won‘t reach their potential without proper socialization, exercise and training. Renowned canine researcher Dr. Stanley Coren estimates that while 51% of a dog‘s intelligence comes from its genes, 49% comes from environmental influences.
So what makes a dog easy to train? The ideal candidate is intelligent, eager to please, focused and adaptable. They have an agreeable, people-oriented nature and are motivated by praise and rewards (rather than just food). Genetic predisposition toward these traits gives certain breeds a head start, but with the right upbringing and training approach, any dog can be a star student.
The Many Facets of Canine Intelligence
When we talk about canine intelligence, we often focus on obedience and working intelligence – in other words, a dog‘s ability to learn from humans. This type of intelligence is highly valued and relatively easy to measure. However, researchers have proposed that dogs actually display multiple types of intelligence:
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Adaptive intelligence: A dog‘s ability to learn and problem-solve in their environment. For example, learning how to open a gate or alerting an owner to a ringing phone.
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Instinctive intelligence: Innate abilities acquired through generations of selective breeding for tasks like herding, pointing or guarding.
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Working/obedience intelligence: A dog‘s ability to learn from humans, often measured by how many repetitions it takes them to learn a new command and how long they retain it.
The breeds that top lists of "easiest to train" usually excel in that last category – working/obedience intelligence. However, many of these breeds also have high adaptive and instinctive intelligence. For example, Border Collies are considered the most trainable breed, but their superior instinctive intelligence for herding is equally impressive (and can sometimes make them challenging pets for the average owner).
The Top 15 Most Trainable Breeds
Without further ado, here are the 15 breeds that consistently rank as the easiest to train:
- Border Collie
- Poodle
- German Shepherd
- Golden Retriever
- Doberman Pinscher
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Labrador Retriever
- Papillon
- Rottweiler
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Miniature Schnauzer
- English Springer Spaniel
- Belgian Tervuren
- Keeshond
You‘ll notice that most of these breeds fall into the herding, sporting or working groups. But what sets them apart from other breeds within those groups? Let‘s take a closer look at some of their unique qualities.
Border Collie: The Einstein of Canines
There‘s a reason Border Collies dominate agility and obedience competitions. Bred to work closely with shepherds to herd and drive livestock, this intensely focused workaholic thrives on mental and physical challenges. Studies have shown that not only do Border Collies top the charts in obedience training, but they have the largest vocabulary and some of the best problem-solving skills.
I‘ve had the pleasure of owning and training several Border Collies over the years, and their intelligence never fails to amaze me. One of my Borders learned over 200 commands, including fetching specific toys by name and putting her own toys away in a basket at the end of a play session. Their ability to zero in on a task with laser focus is unparalleled.
However, that intense drive and stamina means Border Collies are not ideal for the average pet home. They need a job to do and can become neurotic and destructive without enough exercise and mental stimulation. I always caution potential Border owners that this breed is a big commitment – you need to be prepared to keep that big brain busy!
Doberman Pinscher: A Noble and Trainable Guardian
Originally bred as personal protection dogs, Doberman Pinschers are revered for their fearlessness and keen intelligence. They are highly trainable and excel in obedience, agility, tracking and of course, protection sports. A well-bred Doberman has an extremely stable and biddable temperament.
I have experience training working line Dobermans in protection sports. One of my most memorable cases was a female named Vera who came to me as a reactive adolescent. With positive training and plenty of mental enrichment, Vera blossomed into an confident, obedient companion who earned top scores in obedience and protection trials.
Dobermans can be aloof with strangers and have strong guarding instincts, so it‘s crucial to find a responsible breeder and socialize and train them from an early age. They are very sensitive and bond closely to their owners, so building a positive relationship is essential. Heavy-handed training will only damage their trust.
Papillon: Tiny Dog, Huge Brainpower
The Papillon, also known as the Continental Toy Spaniel, consistently ranks as the most trainable of the toy breeds. Although they weigh under 10 pounds, Papillons are tiny dogs with big brains and even bigger personalities.
Papillons are incredibly agile and are the only toy breed to regularly compete in agility trials. They are also extremely trainable in obedience, rally and canine disc competitions. I‘ve found that many Papillon owners also enjoy teaching their clever companions a wide variety of entertaining tricks.
Many Papillon owners are surprised to find their cuddly lap dog is such a clever training partner. Their intelligence and athleticism makes them a good fit for active singles or families looking for a portable canine sports buddy.
Challenges of Owning a Highly Trainable Dog
As much as I adore working with these brainy breeds, I always caution potential owners that a quick mind can sometimes be a double-edged sword. Many of the most trainable breeds are also the most energetic and easily bored.
Border Collies, German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are prime examples – these dogs need an outlet for all that physical and mental energy. Without a job to do, they may make up their own entertainment in the form of nuisance barking, digging, chewing or even OCD behaviors like incessant tail chasing.
I strongly recommend getting involved in dog sports, tracking, scent work or other outlets for these breeds‘ keen minds and bodies. Even if you don‘t compete, training these fun skills is an excellent way to provide enrichment and tire out that big brain.
It‘s also important to understand that high intelligence often correlates with high sensitivity. Breeds like Shelties, Papillons and Poodles tend to be very emotionally attuned and can shut down with harsh corrections. They thrive with positive reinforcement techniques that reward them for good choices. Building a strong bond through play and cooperation is key.
Easiest Dogs to Train by Breed Group
The breeds that consistently top trainability lists tend to cluster within certain breed groups. Here‘s a breakdown:
Herding Group:
- Border Collie
- Australian Shepherd
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Belgian Tervuren
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Collie
- German Shepherd Dog
- Belgian Malinois
- Cardigan Welsh Corgi
- Puli
Working Group:
- Doberman Pinscher
- Rottweiler
- Boxer
- Great Dane
- Bernese Mountain Dog
Sporting Group:
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- Poodle (all sizes)
- English Springer Spaniel
- Brittany
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- Cocker Spaniel
- Flat Coated Retriever
Non-Sporting/Toy Group:
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Papillon
- Keeshond
- American Eskimo
- Schipperke
Of course, this isn‘t to say that breeds not represented in these groups are untrainable. But if you‘re looking for that extra boost of receptivity and genetic obedience, your best bet is in one of these categories.
Secrets to Success with an Easily Trained Dog
Even within these trainable breeds, every dog is an individual. Some pups are naturally more biddable and focused, while others are more distractible or independent. But one thing I can say with confidence is that every dog, regardless of breed or personality, does best with positive reinforcement methods.
The dominance and pack mentality methods of yesteryear are thankfully being replaced by science-based training that emphasizes cooperation and rewards. Building a strong bond with your dog through play, treats and praise is the bedrock of a happy training relationship.
Set your dog up for success by starting with short, upbeat training sessions in a low-distraction environment. Teach them that training is the most fun game in town by rewarding them with their favorite treats or toys. Clicker training is a fantastic way to mark and reward those brilliant doggy decisions.
As you advance, remember to keep things fun and switch up the skills you‘re teaching to prevent boredom (for both of you!). If you hit a training plateau, don‘t be afraid to seek out the help of a certified professional positive reinforcement trainer for some fresh ideas.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, I truly believe there are no "untrainable" dogs. With the right methods, patience and commitment, any dog can learn. But if you‘re looking for a canine training partner that will keep you on your toes, you can‘t go wrong with one of these intelligent, eager-to-please breeds.
Whether your goal is obedience champ, agility star or just a polite walking buddy, remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. Training is a lifelong process that deepens your bond with your dog with every silly trick and lightbulb moment.
So here‘s to all the Border Brainiacs, Doberman Geniuses, and Brilliant Papillons lighting up the canine world with their talents. May we continue to learn as much from them as they do from us!
For more tips on bringing out the best in your brilliant canine companion, check out these resources:
- The Genius of Dogs by Brian Hare
- Don‘t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
- The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell
- Zak George‘s Dog Training Revolution on YouTube
