You’ve probably met them at the dog park. Those pups who turn their heads away from your offered treat, who give you a side-eye when you try to pat their head, or who seem utterly unimpressed by your baby talk and enthusiastic praise. Not every dog is a bouncy Golden Retriever eager to make friends with everyone they meet. Some dogs are just wired differently, with personalities that lean more toward selective, reserved, or downright independent.
These cranky characters aren’t necessarily mean or unfriendly. Many are deeply loyal to their families but just have higher standards for everything else. They might refuse commands they find pointless, demand respect before affection, or simply prefer their own company to yours. It’s not that they’re poorly trained or badly behaved. It’s in their DNA. Let’s dive in and meet ten breeds known for being notoriously .
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow tends to be reserved and somewhat aloof, with an independent mind and calm disposition that radiates confidence, while their loyalty remains deep and their strong will adds to their dignified charm. Think of them like that one friend who only shows up to gatherings when they feel like it and isn’t swayed by pleading texts.
This seemingly aloof breed is attention-seeking and stubborn, often showing behavior problems when it doesn’t get what it wants, and can remain overprotective of its owner even with early training. With their blue-black tongues and lion-like manes, Chows look majestic but aren’t interested in performing tricks for strangers. They choose their people carefully and rarely warm to outsiders. Training a Chow can be challenging, as they don’t respond well to forceful commands, requiring consistent and patient leadership, and they obey because they choose to, not out of blind loyalty.
Akita
The Akita is considered the most stubborn breed, with this Japanese hunting dog known to walk away during training, though once they trust you, they become your loyal sidekick for life. Their powerful build and dignified presence command respect, not just admiration.
Akitas were bred to hunt big game, have a strong prey drive, and can be aggressive if not adequately socialized and trained, often being wary of strangers and not always getting along with other dogs. Early socialization is absolutely essential. Without it, their protective instincts can turn into suspicion or outright hostility toward strangers and other dogs. These are dogs for experienced handlers who understand that patience and firmness go hand in hand. Their strong prey drive and stubborn nature make them difficult for inexperienced owners to manage, and without firm training and control, this breed’s temperament can become a serious risk.
Afghan Hound
Elegant, regal, and utterly indifferent to your commands. With its elegant appearance and aloof demeanor, the Afghan Hound is a classic stubborn breed bred for scent tracking, following their noses over your voice any day, with their stubbornness combined with a laid-back nature requiring lots of patience from dog owners.
These gorgeous hounds with their flowing coats look like they belong on a runway, and honestly, they know it. Afghan Hounds are extremely intelligent but have independent qualities more in line with cats, preferring to do what they want, when they want, and loving to pretend you didn’t just call their name. They’ll learn commands quickly enough but will later choose to ignore them if you’re not consistent. Afghans observe their surroundings with quiet intelligence, engaging only when it suits them, and though affectionate in their own way, they remain reserved, never displaying their emotions too freely.
Siberian Husky
Several studies and experts have confirmed that Huskies are indeed one of the most stubborn dogs in the world, with short attention spans that frequently lead to temper tantrums, needing regular exercises and rewards. Their beautiful blue eyes and wolf-like features are captivating, but living with one is a whole different story.
Huskies are far from being low-maintenance dogs, requiring a lot of exercise and being prone to bolting out the door, also being very intelligent and skilled escape artists with a strong will that can lead them to ignore you in favor of doing whatever they want. They were bred to run for miles across frozen tundra, making independent decisions when the trail got dangerous. That independent streak hasn’t gone anywhere. Huskies are famous for their stubborn behavior, bred to pull sleds in harsh climates as independent thinkers who love to run and explore, often ignoring commands, especially if off-leash. Without enough exercise, they become destructive, vocal, and nearly impossible to manage.
Dachshund
Don’t let their adorable sausage shape fool you. The short wiener dog is well-known for their lively and independent attitude, as well as their intelligence, hunting ability, and stubbornness, liking to do things their own way, and you are likely to find your Dachshund digging holes, chewing on shoes, or chasing your other pets daily.
Dachshunds are difficult to train and tend to bite children, and these tough fighters can be difficult to train and may bite strange children, making it a bad idea to let children play around them. Originally bred to hunt badgers in burrows, these fearless little hunters have no problem standing their ground against much larger dogs or ignoring your pleas to come inside. Their prey drive is strong, and they’re far more interested in whatever is moving in the yard than whatever trick you’re trying to teach them. Training requires serious patience and daily exercise to burn off that stubborn energy.
Basenji
The independent Basenji is notorious for being quiet, often referred to as “the barkless dog,” and is frequently described as having a catlike personality because of their aloof temperament and reserved nature. Yes, you read that right. A dog that acts like a cat.
These medium-sized pups are intelligent, curious, and completely uninterested in following orders just because you asked nicely. They groom themselves meticulously, prefer to observe rather than engage, and have a strong independent streak that can drive even experienced dog owners up the wall. The Basenji standard notes they can be aloof with strangers. They’re not motivated by praise or cuddles the way other breeds are. You’ll need creativity, consistency, and plenty of high-value treats to get anywhere with training.
Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is known for its strong-willed temperament and dislike of following commands, and while it’s highly intelligent, its independent nature can make training a challenge, with professional help sometimes necessary. This small Japanese breed has a big personality and even bigger opinions about how things should be done.
The American Kennel Club has said the Shiba is, in many ways, “more like a cat than a dog,” being small, good-natured dogs that are fiercely independent and notoriously difficult to train. They’re confident, bold, and often stubborn to the point of comedy. The Shiba Inu is famously known for being very loyal to their humans but highly independent, making them one of the more stubborn dog breeds, also being notorious for not being easy to train and able to act out towards others if not trained properly or early. Shibas will test your patience, your consistency, and your sense of humor.
Beagle
Another scent hound, the Beagle is friendly, loving, and notoriously difficult to train, with its independent streak and incredible nose meaning it will often ignore its owner’s calls when on a scent trail, requiring leash training and mental stimulation to help keep their focus. Their droopy eyes and floppy ears make them look sweet and obedient, but that’s all an act.
Basset Hounds are considered great hunting gun dogs, friendly with strangers and other dogs, greeting anyone with a loud bark, but with almost zero aggressiveness, the Bassett Hound would instead remove itself from a difficult situation than attack, however, even with their sad and droopy face, this breed has a stubborn and independent mind. Wait, that’s about Bassets. Let me focus on Beagles specifically. Beagles are stubborn because of their hunting background, tending to look for a reward after every command or when pleasing their humans, and they also need plenty of exercise, otherwise they get very bored and start gnawing things in your home to pass the time. If they catch a scent, good luck getting them back without a leash.
Pekingese
Touted as being “serenely independent” and “opinionated,” Pekingese pups aren’t exactly begging to learn commands, with this toy breed preferring to be in charge. Bred for Chinese royalty, they carry themselves like tiny emperors who just happen to live in your house.
If you wish to own a small, adorable, yet stubborn dog breed, count on the Pekingese, as these pups are incredibly good-looking with charming eyes and dropped-down furry ears, but Pekingese feel self-important and have a strong-willed attitude that reflects their originality to Chinese royalty, with their stubbornness often causing them to show indifference to commands, meaning training can be exhausting. They expect respect, not obedience training. You’ll need to understand their self-importance and work with it, not against it, using firm but patient tactics. Honestly, they’re adorable tyrants with excellent grooming habits.
Jack Russell Terrier
These energetic terrier breeds are as clever as they are stubborn, with the Jack Russell Terrier bred to hunt small prey like foxes, so it’s no surprise they often act like they’re on their own mission, doing best with structured routines and plenty of exercise. Their small size is misleading because their energy levels and determination are off the charts.
Jack Russell Terriers are often seen as pushy and insistent, but what they’re really looking for is work, not cuddles, with their demanding style obscuring how fierce and independent they are when left to their own devices. These little dynamos were bred to dig foxes out of dens, and that tenacity hasn’t been bred out of them. They’re smart, fast, and absolutely relentless when they want something. Without firm boundaries, consistent training, and tons of physical and mental stimulation, they’ll run your household. Training one is like trying to reason with a caffeinated toddler who also happens to be a genius.
Conclusion
Living with a cranky, hard-to-please dog isn’t for everyone. These breeds demand patience, respect, and an owner who understands that not every dog wants to be your best friend right out of the gate. They’re selective, independent, and often stubborn, but that doesn’t make them bad dogs. In fact, once you’ve earned their trust and respect, their loyalty runs incredibly deep.
If you’re considering one of these breeds, be honest with yourself about your experience level, lifestyle, and expectations. These dogs won’t bend over backward to make you happy. You’ll need to meet them halfway, sometimes more. Still, for the right person, there’s something deeply rewarding about earning the affection of a dog who doesn’t give it away freely. What do you think? Could you handle one of these cranky characters, or do you prefer a pup who’s eager ?
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
