List of the Easiest Dog Breeds to Train

From the time humans learnt that we could tame wolves and teach them things, we haven’t really stopped exploring them. It began with teaching them a barter system – protection from the wild against food and shelter. Today, we’ve taken it to another level. Here are some craziest things that someone has actually trained their dogs for – 

Don’t believe it? Search the internet for these videos and you’ll find them. 

Dogs are definitely smart and trainable after looking at these facts. So, are humans overall. But just like it’s easier for some of us to understand quantum mechanics than for others to even spell it, even in the canine world, some dogs pick things quickly and others, well, let’s say they like to rest in laps and pretend like they didn’t hear anything. 

When it comes to dog training, there are 2 most important requirements in a dog – obedience and learning ability (basically IQ). Based on that, we’ve answered all your answers below! 

What Breed of Dog is Easiest to Train? 

The success of a training program depends on the willingness of the dog to learn, the temperament of the dog and a consistent schedule of the trainer among other things. There’s even a survey saying that female dogs are usually better at training than males. Males tend to be more reactive, immature and aggressive. ⁽²⁾ 

Having said that, it is difficult to point at one single breed as the easiest to train as we mentioned above that it depends on several factors and can be subjective to the dog. Here are some breeds (in no particular order) that are generally found to be easier to train than others – 

Corgi

Starting with the small ones out there, Corgies are highly intelligent and eager to please their owners (just keep handing them treats). They are independent but treat bribes can get them to do as said. Even Queen Elizabeth II was a fan of theirs! There must be a reason.

American Pit Bull Terrier

Many may not think of pitbulls to be easy to train because of all the stereotypes against them being aggressive and stubborn. But these are loyal, smart, determined and hence, easy to train. 

Husky

Not just Huskies actually but all Spitz family dogs including Malamutes, Akitas, and Japanese Spitzs are quite easy to train. They were bred to hunt, herd and pull sledges. Following commands, hence, is in their genes. Their size and high energy levels can be difficult to manage for a novice trainer though. 

The one dog breed that you will find in every list of ‘easy to train dogs’ is – 

Border Collie

Ranked as the smartest dog breeds out there, Border Collies do make amazing dogs for training, Well, someone did teach Chaser, a Border Collie, names of more than 1000 objects. The only concern here is, with high intelligence, comes high curiosity and high energy, both physical and mental. And managing them can be quite a task at times. 

Other dog breeds that can make their mark on this list are –

What is the Easiest Dog for Beginners? 

When it comes to owning and then training a dog for the first time, it is always advised to choose a dog whose lifestyle matches yours. Many dog breeds are easy to train (after all we domesticated them for a reason). But your experience can vary. For example, Huskies are usually easy to train but their big size, high energy levels, and occasional stubbornness can be overwhelming for a new pet parent. 

Having said that, if there were a consensus to be taken, we guess the one dog breed that would appear on every list of ‘Easiest Dog for Beginners’ is – Golden Retriever. ⁽⁵⁾

They are one of the most popular dog breeds, not just in the US but the world. The reason is that they make amazing family pets. They are affectionate, soft-tempered, gentle with children, and very very cuddly. They love to learn as they are quite intelligent, and it also means spending time with their owners. Just take them on regular walks, feed them good quality vet-recommended food and spend some quality time with them every day and you’ll have a sweet little goofball who wouldn’t ask for much from you. 

What is the Hardest Dog to Train?

Every student can be a genius, all it needs is a good teacher. This is true but we all know that some students can just be extremely difficult to teach. It’s the same in dogs. Again, it would be difficult to point at a single breed that is the hardest but here are some dog breeds that people may find more difficult to train as compared to others, especially the ones from the list above – ⁽⁴⁾

Beagle

They may be great family companions but when it comes to training, their strong genetic inclination to follow scent trails can take over. They tend to get distracted easily, especially in an outdoor environment with multiple stimulants. They are also among the loudest and most frequent barkers. Some do consider them to be the hardest dog breed to train. But again, they are food lovers. You can have their noses follow a yummy treat in your hand and train them. 

Basenji

It is usually the breeds that tend to be independent, that are harder to train. Basenji is one of them. They are often known for their cat-like nature – calm and non-barking. They also have a high prey drive – one that they can prioritize over any treat or toys that you may offer. 

Bloodhound

A Bloodhound is usually the choice for police forces to locate fugitives and find missing individuals. Reason – their exceptional sense of smell. During training, this can become a distraction for them. Plus, they are stubborn and self-reliant at times making it more difficult to train them.

Other breeds that can appear in this list are – 

What is the Hardest Dog Breed to Own?

The types of breeds that are usually not recommended for first-time owners are working breeds, independent or stubborn breeds, terriers, guarding breeds and the ones with a high prey drive. The reasons include high energy levels, less trainability, difficult off-leash management, excessive barking, etc. 

Here are some dog breeds that can be among the hardest ones to own. They may either have some of the above traits or all. ⁽³⁾

You may see that some of the names in all of the lists above are categorized in other categories by other experts. The reason is that there is no exact science or formula here to determine the easiest and the hardest. It can be highly subjective to both the trainer and the dog. 

More About Spot Pet Insurance

While some people may not agree with the lists we’ve made above for you, they will definitely agree that an unhealthy dog is always difficult to train. Dogs are prone to multiple illnesses during their lifetime. You may be able to keep them out of some with proper care. However, others may still affect them and there’s also a high chance of them getting injured during training. At such times, pet health insurance can help you save up to 90% of the treatment costs. Pet health insurance at Spot Pet will help you with much more!

Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home, or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more. 

Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!