Every dog has their own personality. I know that from years of living alongside these incredible creatures. Yet there’s something fascinating about how certain breeds just seem wired differently when it comes to training. Some dogs practically read your mind, while others act like you’re speaking a foreign language even when you know they understand perfectly well.
Let’s be real, it’s not about being smart or dumb. It’s about independence, instinct, and whether your dog genuinely cares about following your lead. Some breeds were designed to make their own decisions in the field, and that trait doesn’t disappear just because you’re standing in your backyard with a bag of treats. So let’s dive in and discover which breeds will test your patience and which ones will make you look like a training genius.
Afghan Hound: The Royalty That Refuses to Bow
The Afghan Hound displays an elegant appearance and aloof demeanor, and was originally bred for hunting with a strong independent streak that can be aloof during training sessions. Picture this: a dog so stunning that people stop to stare, yet so stubborn that they’ll look right through you when you call their name. That’s the Afghan Hound for you.
These dogs are highly intelligent but tend to think for themselves, often displaying selective hearing when given commands and preferring to do things on their own terms, much like a cat. Their sensitivity to harsh corrections means you need endless patience and positive reinforcement. Once something catches their eye, forget about getting their attention back.
Basenji: The Barkless Rebel
The Basenji is a sleek, small hound with ancient roots tracing back to Central Africa, known for its cat-like independence and self-grooming habits. If you want a dog that marches to the beat of their own drum, this is it. They don’t bark, but trust me, they’ll find other ways to make their opinions known.
Basenjis are incredibly intelligent yet notoriously stubborn, often preferring to do things on their own terms and thriving on mental stimulation where traditional drills won’t cut it. The Basenji is very intelligent but also very stubborn and headstrong, which convinces their owners to underestimate their intelligence. They need creative training methods, puzzle games, and owners who understand that this breed doesn’t exist to please you.
Beagle: The Nose That Knows Better
The Beagle is friendly, loving, and notoriously difficult to train. Honestly, it’s hard to blame them. When you’re equipped with one of the most powerful noses in the canine world, everything else becomes background noise. That squirrel scent three blocks away? Way more interesting than your recall command.
This breed’s exceptional sense of smell often leads them to be easily distracted by scents, and most Beagles have high amounts of energy, making them hard to train, though with consistent training and patience, training is certainly achievable. Food motivation helps, but you’re competing with an entire world of smells that your Beagle finds absolutely irresistible.
Siberian Husky: Beautiful Chaos on Four Legs
I’ve seen Huskies in action, and let me tell you, they’re equal parts gorgeous and maddening. Siberian Huskies are known for their gorgeous appearance and high energy levels, and because they’re a very active breed, they need dedicated training, as this breed will act out if they get bored.
Their biggest challenges include being stubborn, having high energy, small prey drive, being escape artists of the dog world, and being very vocal at all hours. They were bred to run for miles in freezing temperatures, making independent decisions along the way. Asking them to sit quietly in your living room? Good luck with that.
Chow Chow: The Aloof Lion Dog
The Chow Chow is one of the world’s most ancient breeds, instantly recognizable by its lion-like mane and signature blue-black tongue, and despite its plush, teddy-bear appearance, carries a proud and independent spirit, often preferring to think for itself. They’re stunning to look at but notoriously difficult to motivate.
Their aloofness isn’t personal. It’s just who they are. This breed is known for its aloofness and strong-willed nature, requiring extensive socialization and training to prevent aggression and ensure they follow commands. They need an owner who respects their boundaries while still establishing clear leadership.
Bulldog: The Stubborn Sweetheart
The Bulldog is known for stubbornness which can make training difficult, and one reason the breed appears high on difficult-to-train lists may be its famed laziness, as it prefers curling up on the couch rather than running around. Let’s face it, Bulldogs have priorities, and training usually isn’t at the top of the list.
They respond best to short, upbeat training sessions and plenty of positive reinforcement, especially treats, as harsh corrections or long drills will only make them more resistant, and it’s vital to start early as young Bulldogs are more impressionable before their stubborn streak fully sets in. Keep sessions short, keep them fun, and accept that your Bulldog will never be an obedience champion.
Basset Hound: The Droopy-Eyed Defiant
Basset Hounds are some of the most stubborn dogs around, bred for scent tracking, and they’ll follow their noses over your voice any day. Those sad eyes might melt your heart, but don’t be fooled. They know exactly what you’re asking.
Basset Hounds can be stubborn, especially when it comes to housebreaking, and their keen sense of smell often distracts them during training sessions, making positive reinforcement and patience key with this breed. Thankfully, they’re extremely food motivated, so keep those treats handy and celebrate even the smallest victories.
Jack Russell Terrier: Small Dog, Big Attitude
Jack Russell Terriers are as clever as they are stubborn, bred to hunt small prey like foxes, so it’s no surprise they often act like they’re on their own mission. These little firecrackers have more energy than dogs three times their size and the determination to match.
Stubborn pups like these do best with structured routines and plenty of exercise. Without proper outlets for their boundless energy and sharp minds, they’ll create their own entertainment, and you probably won’t like what they come up with.
Bloodhound: The Scent Detective
Bloodhounds are hunting dogs renowned for their exceptional sense of smell and are law enforcement’s go-to choice to locate fugitives and find missing individuals, however, their instincts and self-reliance can pose a challenge during training as they are stubborn and easily sidetracked.
Their nose literally controls their brain. Once they catch a scent, you cease to exist in their world. Bloodhounds are hard to train because they are distracted by smells near and far, though they are gentle, easygoing dogs with strong persistence in following scent trails. Persistence, patience, and high-value rewards are your best friends with this breed.
Shiba Inu: The Feline Canine
The American Kennel Club has said the Shiba is, in many ways, more like a cat than a dog, as these small, good-natured dogs are fiercely independent and notoriously difficult to train. They’re beautiful, they’re bold, and they absolutely do not care what you think.
Shiba Inu, a small breed originally from Japan, is accompanied by a stubborn characteristic and is highly disobedient, needing consistent and assertive training techniques, making it one of the most stubborn dog breeds. They’ll learn what you’re teaching, sure. Whether they choose to comply is an entirely different matter.
Border Collie: The Workaholic Genius
Now let’s shift gears completely. Border Collies are widely regarded as the smartest dog breed, excelling at herding, agility, and learning complex tasks quickly, though they also need a lot of mental and physical stimulation from their owners. These dogs are basically canine computers.
According to psychology professor Stanley Coren, border collies can learn a new command after five repetitions or less, while other dog breeds learn a new command after 25-50 repetitions. A Border Collie named Rico was able to learn the names of around 200 objects, and this record was broken by another member of this breed, Chaser, who could recognize more than 1000 toys by name. If you’re not ready to keep up with their brilliant minds, though, they’ll become a handful.
Poodle: The Elegant Brainiac
The Poodle is intelligent, keen to work, and eager to please, and no matter the size, these dogs will happily learn whatever you choose to teach. Standard, miniature, or toy, they’re all ridiculously smart and versatile.
Poodles are often seen in sports like agility and obedience trials, showcasing their quick learning abilities, and their ability to quickly pick up on commands and execute them with precision makes them a highly intelligent breed in the dog world. Behind that fancy coat is a working dog ready to excel at pretty much anything you throw at them.
German Shepherd: The Loyal Protector
There is good reason this large and powerful breed is often used for police and military work, as the German Shepherd Dog is a tireless worker and wants nothing more than to please their handlers. Their intelligence combined with unwavering loyalty makes them training superstars.
German Shepherds are renowned for their versatility and intelligence, often used as working dogs in roles like police work and search-and-rescue due to their strong work ethic and quick learning abilities. They form deep bonds with their families and thrive when given a job to do.
Golden Retriever: The Perpetual Optimist
Consistently near the top of the most popular breeds list, this beautiful and friendly dog is also very trainable and eager to please, and Golden Retrievers can be silly and fun but don’t underestimate their brainpower. Honestly, Goldens just want to make you happy, and that makes all the difference.
Golden Retrievers are among the most popular dog breeds in the world largely due to their kind disposition and eager-to-please personality, as Goldens are smart, gentle, and obedient, making them fun to train. They excel as therapy dogs, guide dogs, and beloved family companions. Their positive attitude makes every training session enjoyable.
Labrador Retriever: The Enthusiastic Learner
Labrador Retrievers make the top of the list as Labs are intelligent, energetic, and eager to please, and these characteristics make them highly trainable dogs. Their food motivation doesn’t hurt either. These dogs will happily do backflips for a treat.
This gentle and versatile hunting breed is also a fast learner, and Labrador Retrievers’ outgoing nature and eager-to-please personality make them a preferred breed for service work. Whether it’s search and rescue, drug detection, or just being the perfect family pet, Labs are up for the challenge.
Doberman Pinscher: The Fearless Guardian
Another common police and military breed, the commanding Doberman Pinscher is a fearless and loyal companion. Their imposing appearance might intimidate some, but underneath is a highly intelligent and trainable dog eager for structure.
Dobermans are known for their loyalty and intelligence, and one of the small breeds, they are quick learners and excel in obedience training. They need confident leadership and thrive with owners who can match their energy and intelligence. Give them clear boundaries and consistent training, and they’ll be devoted partners.
Shetland Sheepdog: The Miniature Herder
Shetland Sheepdogs are smaller herding dogs known for their agility and intelligence, and they are quick learners and excel in obedience. Think of them as Border Collies in a more compact package, with all the brains and enthusiasm but slightly easier to manage in smaller spaces.
This gorgeous herding breed is playful, affectionate with family, and loves to learn new behaviors, and Shetland Sheepdogs make excellent competitors in dog sports such as agility or obedience. They’re incredibly responsive to training and bond closely with their families, making them ideal for active households.
Papillon: The Tiny Overachiever
Don’t let the size fool you. Despite their small size, Papillons are incredibly intelligent and trainable, with a keen sense of curiosity and eager to learn new tricks and commands. Named for their butterfly-like ears, these little dogs pack serious brainpower into a tiny frame.
Alert and affectionate, Papillons are tiny but brilliant, as they are quick learners who love tricks and excel in competitive obedience and agility. They respond beautifully to positive reinforcement and enjoy being challenged mentally. Papillons prove that intelligence has nothing to do with size.
Australian Shepherd: The Energetic Einstein
Known for their intelligence and high energy, Aussies excel with mentally stimulating activities and regular physical exercise, and activities like agility, herding, and trick training help keep them mentally and physically fit, as their eagerness to please and quick learning ability make them excellent students.
These dogs were bred to work all day, every day, and that drive translates beautifully into training. They pick up new commands quickly and genuinely enjoy the mental challenge. Just make sure you can keep up with their energy levels, or they’ll find less desirable ways to entertain themselves.
Rottweiler: The Gentle Giant
An imposing breed, the large Rottweiler is a natural protector that thrives when they have a job to do, meaning that not only is the Rottweiler extremely trainable, but training is essential to their happiness. Behind that intimidating exterior is a dog that craves structure and purpose.
Rottweilers are usually extremely loyal to their owners, especially when properly trained, and the key to training a Rottweiler is early socialization and consistent, firm training. They’re intelligent, willing to please, and form incredibly strong bonds with their families. With proper training, they become devoted and well-behaved companions.
Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Match
Here’s the thing about dog training: it’s never just about the breed. Every dog is an individual with their own quirks, strengths, and challenges. I’ve seen supposedly difficult breeds excel with the right owner and easy breeds struggle with inconsistent handling.
The breeds that challenge us aren’t less intelligent. They’re just marching to a different drummer, often one that sounds a lot like their ancestral purpose. The easy-to-train breeds? They were specifically developed to work closely with humans, which makes them naturally more inclined to follow our lead.
Whether you end up with a stubborn Afghan Hound or an eager Golden Retriever, success comes down to understanding who your dog really is and working with their nature rather than against it. Patience, consistency, and genuine respect for your dog’s personality will take you further than any breed reputation ever could. What’s your experience been with training your own dog? Are they living up to their breed’s reputation, or are they full of surprises?
