From their temperament to their intelligence, when you’re looking for a canine friend to join the family fold, you need to take everything about the breed into consideration, especially if you’re looking to train them.
If you want a running buddy, a star performer, or a great companion for your kids, it’s important to look at how easily your dog can learn the basics of good behaviour, right through to more advanced skills.
Training your dog can be a great way to bond and spend time together. It also teaches your four-legged friend exactly what’s expected from them and how they should be behaving to reap tasty rewards. Training can take some time, and consistency and reward is key to get your puppy up to speed.
Whether you’re a first-time owner or an experienced handler, having an easy to train dog can help you both live together in harmony. To help, we’ve put together a list of intelligent breeds to help you find the easiest dog to take care of and train.
German Shepherds
Looking for a top-notch dog breed that's perfect for training, look no further than the amazing German Shepherd! These large, strong, and energetic dogs are a beloved dog breed, notably used in the police and military, they are fantastic at learning and following commands.
German Shepherds are eager to please their owners, making them highly trainable and always ready to take on new challenges. With their intelligence and willingness to learn, they excel in mastering tasks and obedience training. Ready to experience the joy of training a remarkable dog? Consider the incredible German Shepherd for an unstoppable training companion!
Labrador Retrievers
Another sidekick with a strong urge to please, Labradors are considered a breeze to train. Their easy-going nature and drive for treats means setting ground rules should be fairly easy. As Labradors love to play, training should be treated as a game – something a little Lab will be more than happy to participate in.
A Labrador’s intelligence really sets this breed apart and is why they make the perfect assistance or guide dog. Start your Lab’s training as early as possible to make the most of their ability to learn and their thirst for knowledge.
Golden Retriever
Looking for a dog who's eager to learn and a breeze to train? Look no further than the Golden Retriever. Renowned for their affectionate nature and unwavering loyalty, Golden Retrievers have long been celebrated as one of the top dog breeds for training. Their innate desire to please, stemming from their history as hunting companions, makes them a joy to work with.
While they may have transitioned from the hunting field to the family home, their dedication to pleasing their owners remains as strong as ever. With their sunny disposition and unwavering devotion, Golden Retrievers continue to shine as top contenders as one of the best dog breeds to train, but for the title of best family dog too.
Border Collie
With an eagerness to please, Border Collies are fast learners. Their observation skills paired with a goal-oriented mentality makes them one of the smartest breeds around.
This star pooch belongs to one of the most renown herding breeds - sharing similar characteristics with Shetland sheepdogs and Australian cattle dogs.
Whether they’re herding sheep or playing fetch, Border Collies respond well to commands- picking up positive behaviour and tricks with minimal fuss. Their intelligence, agility and energy levels make Border Collies one of the top easily trainable dogs.
If you’re thinking of bringing one of these playful pups into your home, they’ll need plenty of walks and activities to keep them occupied and mentally stimulated to stop them being naughty.
Be sure to check out our Border Collie Breed Guide for more information.
English Springer Spaniel
Looking for a furry friend who's as eager to learn as you are to teach? Meet the English Springer Spaniel - a top contender on best dog breeds for training list! Bred with an agile mind and a deep desire to please, these pups excel at obedience training and are quick learners. Their natural instinct to follow commands makes them stellar fetch partners and fantastic trainees, making training sessions a blast for both dogs and owners.
These lively companions thrive on mental stimulation and are happiest when bonding with their humans through activities like outdoor play, training exercises, and exploring new territories together. If you're looking for a trainable, eager-to-please canine companion, the English Springer Spaniel is an ideal choice for you!
Poodles
Don’t let those funky curls fool you, Poodles are highly intelligent and one of the easiest dog breeds to train. Their willingness to learn means they can pick up new skills and tricks effortlessly - and it’s something Poodles carry with them their whole lives.
Poodles are very attentive and often sensitive to different vocal tones which may be why they find learning new skills so easy. Spend some time teaching your four-legged friend the right way to behave, as Poodles can learn negative behaviours too.
Cocker Spaniel
The playful nature of a Cocker Spaniel makes it one of the best small, easy-to-train dogs. With its sights set firmly on playtime, mixing fun games alongside training will help your Cocker pick up the rules in no time. Cocker Spaniels love having a job to do, and their intelligent minds need to be constantly engaged.
Known for their heart of gold, cocker pups love exercise, so make sure they’re involved – both mentally and physically – to stave off any naughty behaviour. Start your training early with a Cocker Spaniel so they get to know the ropes from the off-set.
Doberman Pinschers
A fearless friend to have in the household, Dobermans are smart, loyal, and extremely alert. They’re one of the easiest large dogs to train and were previously used for military work and as guard dogs, belonging to a highly trainable dog breed. This furry pal should be able to pick up tricks and the correct behaviour easily.
Dobermans are very intelligent and respond well to positive, reward-based training techniques. They love the mental stimulations that come with learning new skills and will continue to learn throughout their life. To get the most out of a Doberman, you need to make sure you’re the right owner with enough experience to teach your canine friend positively.
Whether your four-legged best mate is on our easiest dogs to train list or not, it’s important to remember that all dogs have their own personality. With the right technique and positive reinforcement, you should be able to train your dog with ease.
Everypaw Dog Insurance
Everypaw's Dog Insurance comes with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses that can help with your pet's health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So you can rest assured your pup will be well looked after.