Training a dog can be one of the most rewarding aspects of dog ownership. A well-behaved pet makes daily life easier. Additionally, training strengthens the connection between you and your furry companion.
With the right approach, you can train all dogs, but some breeds are naturally more receptive due to their intelligence, temperament, and willingness to learn. Here’s a guide to some of the easiest dogs to train, helping you choose the perfect companion for an enjoyable training experience.
1. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are often a go-to choice for first-time dog owners because of their friendly nature and eagerness to learn. These dogs thrive on interaction and respond well to reward-based methods, making them ideal for mastering commands quickly. Their intelligence, coupled with their love for people, makes them perfect candidates for service work and family life alike.
Group: Sporting
Height: 21.5–24.5 inches
Weight: 55–80 pounds
Coat Color: Short, dense coat; breed standard colors are black, yellow, and chocolate
Life Expectancy: 11–13 years
2. Border Collie
Known for their remarkable intelligence and high energy levels, Border Collies thrive when given jobs to do. Originally bred for herding, they have a strong work drive and love learning new commands.
Border Collies often excel in agility and obedience competitions due to their quick thinking and responsiveness. Their mental sharpness makes them one of the most trainable dogs.
Group: Herding
Height: 18–22 inches
Weight: 30–45 pounds
Coat and Color: Smooth or rough double coat; breed standard colors include black and white, red, sable, brindle, and blue merle
Life Expectancy: 12–15 years
3. Poodle (Standard, Miniature, and Toy)
Poodles, regardless of size, are intelligent and highly trainable. They have both the smarts and the focus to master various activities, from obedience and agility to water sports.
Poodles are eager to please and respond well to consistent, positive training techniques. Their hypoallergenic coats and versatile personality make them perfect companions for families or individuals looking for a highly trainable pet.
Group: Non-Sporting
Height: Varies (Standard: Over 15 inches; Miniature: 10–15 inches; Toy: Under 10 inches)
Weight: Varies (Standard: 40–70 pounds; Miniature: 10–15 pounds; Toy: 4–6 pounds)
Coat and Color: Curly, dense coat; breed standard colors include black, white, apricot, red, gray, and blue
Life Expectancy: 10–18 years
4. Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are hardworking dogs with a strong drive to learn. Bred for herding, they are great problem-solvers who need mental and physical stimulation. Positive reinforcement helps them excel in learning new commands, and their ability to tackle complex tasks makes them a joy to train for active owners.
Group: Herding
Height: 18–23 inches
Weight: 40–65 pounds
Coat and Color: Medium-length coat; breed standard colors include blue merle, black, red merle, and red
Life Expectancy: 12–15 years
5. Manchester Terrier
Manchester Terriers have a lively personality and are highly intelligent. These dogs bond deeply with their owners, a valuable trait for those looking to train their dogs in obedience and agility. Their size makes them great for individuals looking for an easy-to-train, compact breed with plenty of energy and enthusiasm for learning.
Group: Terrier
Height: 15–16 inches
Weight: 12–22 pounds
Coat and Color: Smooth, short coat; breed standard colors include black, black and tan
Life Expectancy: 15–17 years
6. Havanese
The world loves the Havanese, the only dog breed native to Cuba, for its affectionate, playful, and friendly nature. Havanese dogs respond well to positive reinforcement and are eager to please, making them a breeze to train, especially for obedience tasks. The breed’s curiosity and sociability make training a fun and rewarding experience for everyone involved.
Group: Toy
Height: 8.5–11.5 inches
Weight: 7–13 pounds
Coat and Color: Silky, long coat; breed standard colors include white, black, and black brindle
Life Expectancy: 14–16 years
7. Doberman Pinscher
It’s no wonder Doberman Pinschers are among the breeds most commonly used in the military. These muscular, strong dogs are incredibly loyal, whip-smart, and have a strong work ethic. Dobermans are easy-to-train dogs that thrive in structured training environments. They do well in obedience and protection work. Dobermans form close bonds with their owners and are quick learners, making them an excellent choice for those seeking a highly trainable and protective breed.
Group: Working
Height: 24–28 inches
Weight: 60–100 pounds
Coat and Color: Short, smooth coat; breed standard colors include black, red, blue, and fawn with rust markings
Life Expectancy: 10–12 years
8. Miniature Schnauzer
Don’t let its size fool you: this diminutive dog is alert, intelligent, and easily trained, making it an ideal watchdog and family companion. Its playful yet obedient nature ensures that it fits well into most households.
The Miniature Schnauzer thrives on attention and direction from their owners. Its small size and ability to learn quickly make it ideal for those seeking a trainable, low-shedding breed.
Group: Terrier
Height: 12–14 inches
Weight: 11–20 pounds
Coat and Color: Wiry, double coat; breed standard colors include salt and pepper, black, and black and silver
Life Expectancy: 12–15 years
9. Keeshond
The Keeshond is a friendly, intelligent dog that bonds closely with its family. Its desire to please and natural curiosity make it a quick learner and one of the most trainable dogs around. Keeshonds are particularly responsive to positive reinforcement, which makes teaching them commands and tricks both easy and fun.
Group: Non-Sporting
Height: 17–18 inches
Weight: 35–45 pounds
Coat and Color: Thick, double coat; breed standard colors include silver and black
Life Expectancy: 12–15 years
10. Border Terrier
The Border Terrier values its independence and can have a stubborn streak. It was originally bred to hunt down vermin, like rats and mice, and work on farms. This solitary work required them to be self-sufficient and resourceful, traits that have been passed down through generations.
However, these quick learners love making their owners or handlers happy. When trained with patience and positive reinforcement, Border Terriers can become obedient companions. In fact, the Border Terrier is considered one of the easiest dogs to train in the terrier group.
Group: Terrier
Height: 12–15 inches
Weight: 11.5–15.5 pounds
Coat and Color: Dense, wiry coat; breed standard colors include red, grizzle and tan, blue and tan, and wheaten
Life Expectancy: 12–15 years
11. Rottweiler
Another dog breed popular in the military, the Rottweiler, is an intelligent and trainable dog. Rottweilers strongly desire to protect their families, making them ideal for obedience, protection work, and even therapy roles. They form strong bonds with their owners and respond well to positive reinforcement.
Group: Working
Height: 22–27 inches
Weight: 80–135 pounds
Coat and Color: Short, dense coat; breed standard colors include black and rust, black and mahogany, and black and tan
Life Expectancy: 9–10 years
12. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and versatility. They excel in various tasks, from obedience and protection to search and rescue. German Shepherds are quick learners and respond well to training, making them popular for service work and family companionship.
Group: Herding
Height: 22–26 inches
Weight: 50–90 pounds
Coat and Color: Medium and double-coated; breed standard colors include black and tan and black and sable
Life Expectancy: 12–14 years
13. Papillon
The Papillon’s sharp mind makes them stand out among toy breeds. Despite their small size, they excel in obedience and agility, thanks to their cleverness and eagerness to follow commands. Owners find Papillons particularly responsive when using praise and treats to encourage new behaviors.
Group: Toy
Height: 8–11 inches
Weight: 5–10 pounds
Coat and Color: Medium, flowing coat; breed standard colors include white with patches of black, lemon, red, or sable
Life Expectancy: 14–16 years
14. Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogs, or Shelties, enjoy tasks that challenge the mind and body. Originally bred for herding, these dogs are quick to learn commands and do wonderfully well in activities like agility and obedience. Their natural inclination to please their owners makes them a joy to work with, especially in structured settings.
Group: Herding
Height: 13–16 inches
Weight: 15–25 pounds
Coat and Color: Long, double coat; breed standard colors include sable, black, and blue merle
Life Expectancy: 12–14 years
15. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers have a calm, gentle temperament and a strong desire to please. They are quick to learn and responsive to a variety of training methods. Their even temper and patience make them wonderful companions for families and individuals alike.
Group: Sporting
Height: 21.5–24 inches
Weight: 55–75 pounds
Coat and Color: Dense, water-repellent double coat; breed standard colors include shades of gold
Life Expectancy: 10–12 years
16. English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel is a friendly and active breed that enjoys learning new commands and participating in activities like agility and obedience competitions. Their natural energy and enthusiasm make them one of the easiest dogs to train, particularly for owners who can provide consistent and engaging training routines. This breed thrives in an active household with plenty of mental and physical stimulation.
Group: Sporting
Height: 19–20 inches
Weight: 40–50 pounds
Coat and Color: Medium-length double coat; colors include black and white, liver and white, and tricolor
Life Expectancy: 12–14 years
17. Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Cattle Dogs are intelligent, independent, and hardworking. With a strong herding instinct, they quickly pick up obedience commands and thrive when given tasks. Due to their high energy levels and sharp minds, this breed responds best to consistent training. They are great for families or individuals who can match their need for regular physical activity.
Group: Herding
Height: 17–20 inches
Weight: 35–50 pounds
Coat and Color: Short, smooth double coat; breed standard colors include blue, red, blue mottled, and red speckled
Life Expectancy: 12–16 years
18. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are energetic and intelligent dogs with a strong herding instinct, which translates into an eagerness to follow commands. They’re excellent learners when training is consistent and engaging. Corgis are known for being highly motivated by rewards, making them responsive to positive reinforcement techniques. Despite their small stature, they have an impressive capacity for learning.
Group: Herding
Height: 10–12 inches
Weight: 25–30 pounds
Coat and Color: Short double coat; breed standard colors include black and tan, red, sable, and fawn
Life Expectancy: 12–13 years
What Makes Certain Dog Breeds More Trainable?
When watching videos of dogs performing commands, from Sit and Stay to Leave It and Roll Over, we usually think, “Wow, that dog is so smart!” However, intelligence is just one of the few characteristics that make dogs trainable.
Other factors that impact a dog’s trainability include its temperament, level of socialization, motivation, and the consistency of the training it receives. A dog’s willingness to focus, please its owner or handler, and respond to positive reinforcement also impacts its trainability.
Additionally, a dog’s breed plays an important role in its trainability. Some dogs were specifically bred to perform tasks, such as herding and hunting, with human partners, making them particularly adept at learning commands and behaviors.
While some dog breeds are naturally easier to train due to their intelligence, temperament, and energy levels, it’s important to remember that all dogs are trainable. Any breed can be well-behaved and obedient with the right approach, patience, and consistency. Whether you own one of the breeds listed above or a different breed, investing time in training will help strengthen your bond and lead to a happier relationship with your dog.
Set Your Dog Up for Success With Proper Training
No matter the breed, proper training is key to a well-behaved dog. If you’re looking for expert guidance to help your dog reach its full potential, contact Unleash Fido. We offer a range of training programs tailored to meet your dog’s needs at any age, including Basic Obedience, Advanced Obedience, Behavior Modification, Puppy Foundation, Doggie Boot Camp, and private lessons.
Contact us today to learn more about our training programs!