When it comes to training, certain dog breeds stand out for their eagerness to please and ability to follow commands; they’re not all equal! If you’re looking for a pup that will really impress, we’d recommend searching for the following 19 dog breeds that excel in obedience!
Border Collie
When you think of an obedient dog, Border Collies immediately come to mind. Called by the UK’s Kennel Club as keen, alert, responsive, and intelligent, they learn very quickly. They are highly responsive to verbal commands and hand signals, excelling in obedience competitions and herding tasks.
Golden Retriever
Famous for being a happy, friendly breed, golden retrievers are easy to train as they are so eager to please! You’ll enjoy training a retriever as they are patient and gentle and love your attention. Their skill at learning and adapting makes them perfect for use as service dogs, too!
Poodle
People sometimes think that poodles are high maintenance and have lower intelligence, but this could not be further from the truth. They are actually extremely smart and perfect for obedience training. Best of all, their hypoallergenic coats mean they can be trained indoors as well as outdoors, which is super convenient!
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador is an extremely popular breed, partly due to its obedience. Friendly and relaxed, they have an adorable nature and can be very easy to train. They’re even used in hunting and rescue operations, as seen in CNN’s story of heroic Roger, the friendly labrador!
Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogs, or “Shelties,” are small but full of intelligence and trainability. They were originally bred to herd livestock in the difficult climate of the Shetland Islands, as they could follow complicated commands easily. They’re also very sensitive to their owner’s voice, making them perfect companions if you’re searching for obedience.
Boxer
Boxers may be energetic and playful, but this doesn’t stop them from being highly responsive in training. They are loyal and protective and work well when they have consistent and positive training. Best of all, their strong-minded working dog heritage means that once they are taught, they’ll never forget your rules!
Rottweiler
Rottweilers have a bad reputation as out-of-control, vicious dogs, but their natural obedience makes them ideal for police service roles. They’re eager to protect and please their owners, so why not give them a break by caring for one as a pet?
Australian Shepherd
Energetic and always keen to be active, Australian Shepherds need plenty of mental stimulation due to their high intelligence. However, as long as they receive this, you can rely on them to work closely with humans, demonstrating incredible obedience once they’re properly trained.
Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinschers are very protective and make for excellent guard dogs. Known for their loyalty and sharp intellect, they find learning commands effortless, and they’re hard-working and loving, too! The Doberman Pinscher Club of America describes them as ‘discerning,’ able to use their training to tell between enemy and friend.
Belgian Malinois
Another breed ideal for intensive military and police roles is the Belgian Malinois. Their intelligence is super impressive, and they love to be physically and mentally active. This, combined with their exceptional obedience, makes for an easy-to-train canine, as long as they get plenty of physical activity!
Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel is a naturally affectionate and easy-going breed, sporting a gentle demeanor and fun-loving nature. Ideally, they’re suited perfectly for family life, primarily because they respond so well to affection, love, and structured training. Trust us; they can be super obedient and loving pets!
Vizsla
Vizslas, affectionately known as “Velcro dogs,” are very obedient dogs, particularly due to their strong connection to their owners. They have been used for search and rescue and ‘seeing eye’ organizations, with the Vizsla Club of America describing the breed as ‘much more than a dog.’
Miniature Schnauzer
Obedient and good-natured, Miniature Schnauzers are intelligent and spirited, making them popular choices for watchdogs and agility sports. Their high energy could indeed distract them from obedience training, but they are actually very responsive if they have regular sessions and get sufficient one-to-one attention from their owners.
Springer Spaniel
With a keen sense of smell, Springer Spaniels are known for their enthusiasm. They boast an adorably bouncy nature that actually makes them ideal for hunting and tracking! They are also great at obedience training, as they’re a happy breed that enjoys pleasing their owner, so what more could you want in a dog?
Weimaraner
Weimaraners thrive on exercise, learning, and obedience training, so it’s no wonder they made this list. Loyal and with quick learning ability, they are best suited to owners who can provide regular, structured training. This will help Weimaraners develop a strong bond and a reliable, obedient nature, making them an ideal breed for a family pet.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs are gentle giants who are exceptionally obedient. With a calm disposition and eagerness to learn, they love to carry out tasks such as carting and weight pulling to leverage their strength. They also enjoy the type of activity that teaches them obedience and are able to learn quickly.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are highly regarded in the security industry, with The American Kennel Club valuing them for their strong work ethic and instinctual desire to follow commands and learn new things. They’re not just working dogs, though; their protective nature and obedience make them charming family pets!
English Setter
Known for their mellow and chilled-out nature, English Setters are shockingly easy to train. Responsive to both voice and whistle commands, they’re excellent at field trials due to their keen instincts and obedience. Their gentle temperature makes structured training environments ideal for this breed!
Brittany
Last but not least, Brittanys (or Brittany Spaniels) are typical Spaniels: energetic and alert, they need regular mental and physical challenges to stay engaged. With great agility and quick responses to training, they learn obedience commands quickly and benefit from regular, engaging training sessions.
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