alt text: border collie jumping over obstacle]
[meta description: Trainability is a major factor to consider when choosing a dog breed. Our article lists ten of the most trainable dog breeds.]
Trainability is one of the most preferred traits in dog breeds. A trainable dog is easier to manage during walks, and you can teach one various tricks for fun as well as to impress family and friends.
Whether you’re looking for the most trainable dog breeds for adoption or are simply curious about these breeds, our article is here to present a complete list. We’ll also cover what makes a dog breed trainable. Read to the end to learn ten of the most trainable dog breeds.
What Makes a Breed Trainable?
Intelligence is the most common trait commonly linked to trainability in dogs. Although it is an important factor that can make a dog trainable, it isn’t the only one. Intelligence allows dogs to understand what their owner wants them to do, but they must also be eager to cooperate.
For example, livestock guardians like the Anatolian shepherd are one of the most intelligent dog breeds, but their intelligence doesn’t reflect well in training due to their independent nature. These dogs were bred to work independently and didn’t develop a natural drive to obey commands.
However, it isn’t the same with every working dog breed. Border collies, for instance, are also working dogs, mainly utilized for sheepherding, but have an endless desire to work alongside their owners. This high drive enables such dog breeds to learn countless commands, ranging from basic tricks to more multi-step commands.
There’s also how distracted different dog breeds get. Breeds like Labrador retrievers remain calm despite distractions and focus on their task. This trait made Labs and similar dog breeds employed in a range of jobs, from service animal work to search and rescue.
Overall, intelligence is necessary for a dog to be trainable, but other factors, such as eagerness to please, cooperativeness, and distractibility, are just as important when determining if a breed is trainable.
10 of the Most Trainable Dog Breeds
With everything covered so far, you should have a good idea of what makes a dog breed trainable. Below, you’ll discover ten of the most trainable dog breeds.
1) Poodle
The poodle is an intelligent dog breed with an incredibly athletic body under all that curly fur. Poodles, whether standard, miniature, or toy, pick up new commands quickly and enjoy learning with their owners.
2) Border Collie
Border collies are as trainable as their energy and desire to work. Coupled with their physical abilities, the trainability of the Border collie makes the breed a serious contender for agility, obedience trials, and various other dog competitions.
3) Belgian Malinois
Commonly employed by law enforcement agencies, the high drive and complex commands they can learn prove the trainability of Belgian Malinois.
They can apprehend suspects, detect explosives, and excel in obedience with guidance from an experienced trainer.
4) German Shepherd
Another popular breed among law enforcement agencies, the German shepherd, has established itself as one of the most trainable dog breeds. They are extremely loyal dogs that take pride in obeying their owners’ commands.
5) Labrador Retriever
The cooperativeness, intelligence, and friendly demeanor make the Labrador retriever a highly trainable dog breed. They are dependable dogs that absorb training like a sponge, making them an excellent candidate for service dog training and other jobs that require the utmost attention.
6) Golden Retriever
The golden retriever is known for its friendly disposition towards everyone, but one quality of this breed often overlooked is trainability. Golden retrievers love working with their people and learning new things from them.
7) Australian Shepherd
Another breed with boundless energy that’s just as trainable is the Australian shepherd. While they learn everything you throw at them quickly, prospective Aussie owners should remember that training must be a lifelong journey with these dogs due to their stimulation needs.
8) Doberman Pinscher
The intimidating appearance isn’t the only reason the Doberman pinscher makes an excellent guard and personal protection dog.
They are highly intelligent and trainable dogs that remain obedient in all situations.
9) Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland sheepdog, also known as the sheltie, is a sensitive dog bred that shines in training with a gentle and experienced trainer. They are attentive dogs that always observe their surroundings, making them suitable for various advanced training types.
10) Doodles
Doodles are poodle mixes that come in numerous shapes and sizes. Goldendoodles and Labradoodles, along with smaller varieties like the Maltipoo and cavapoo, are highly trainable dogs that deserve a spot on our list.
Most Trainable Dog Breed Suitable for You
We’ve covered the most trainable dog breeds. While trainability is an important trait to consider when picking a dog breed, it shouldn’t be the only one. Every dog breed has unique characteristics and quirks that may or may not suit your lifestyle and preferences.
That said, keep in mind any dog breed’s traits as a whole rather than simply looking at trainability or specific qualities. This way, you will find the best dog breed that will be an irreplaceable part of your family.
