The 20 Most Trainable Dog Breeds (and Breed Mixes)

One of the best things about adopting from a rescue or shelter is that the hard-working staff there have already done their best to socialize your future pup and teach them a few domestic essentials. But no matter how seemingly perfect your new dog may seem, they will likely need some guidance while fitting into your home and lifestyle. This is where training comes in. 

While all dogs require patience and positive reinforcement during training, some dogs are more eager to please and have the ability to learn commands quickly. “It’s not the breed, but the dog’s confidence and openness to training,” says Stacy Alldredge, a certified dog trainer, behaviorist, and founder of Who’s Walking Who in an interview with The Wildest.

The following highly active and intelligent breeds and breed mixes thrive in dedicated homes that provide both physical exercise and mental stimulation. First-time pet parents should hire a professional certified trainer to set themselves up for success. Unfortunately, over three million dogs, including many trainable purebreds, end up in shelters each year due to “behavioral issues” that often arise when unprepared pet parents underestimate the challenges of caring for these demanding breeds.

Below, learn more about the dog breeds and mixes known for their trainability and learn why being “trainable” isn’t always the same as being easy to train.

Characteristics of a trainable dog

Any dog can be trained, but some pups have certain characteristics that make them more trainable for more advanced commands and tricks. This trainability is influenced by certain traits, including working group, intelligence, and temperament.

Working group

Breeds are grouped by their original purpose, such as hunting, herding, and so on. Some groups of breeds have traits that make them more trainable. For example, breeds who work closely with humans tend to be more eager to please and willing to learn. Those include sporting breeds like Retrievers and Spaniels, herding breeds like Shepherds and Collies, and some working breeds like Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers.

Intelligence

Most dogs are smart. But highly trainable dogs include those who have high levels of intelligence coupled with low levels of independence or stubbornness. Smart dogs who enjoy working closely with humans learn cues and tasks more quickly and happily. Intelligent dogs love the mental challenge of trying to figure out what their people are teaching them and are usually great problem-solvers. 

Temperament

The most trainable dogs are those who are enthusiastic about doing what their people ask of them. Rather than wonder why they should do something, they are eager to solve the puzzle and make their pet parents happy. High-energy breeds are usually eager to learn, because mental workouts fight boredom and help burn off their excess energy (which is why they often do best with a “job”).

Finally, the more a breed can focus their attention on the task at hand, the more trainable they will be. For instance, Hounds, who are easily distracted by the lure of interesting smells or sights, are a bit more difficult to train.

Training methods

For all dogs, no matter the breed, proper socialization and early, consistent training from a dedicated pet parent are the keys to a well-trained and well-behaved dog. Early exposure to various people, environments, and other animals helps dogs develop confidence and reduces fear or anxiety, which can impede training.

• Use positive training methods. Positive, reward-based training (such as clicker training) works best for all dogs, no matter the breed. Harsh, “old school” dog training methods are not only unnecessarily cruel, they are far less effective than positive methods.

• Each dog is an individual. Just like people, some pups (even from highly trainable dog breeds) might grasp commands faster than others. Be prepared to adjust your training based on your dog’s personality and needs.

• Training takes time and effort. Don’t be fooled by the “easy to train” label. Training dogs takes time (think months and years, not days). It isn’t instant, regardless of breed.

Let’s meet the Top 20 most trainable dog breeds.

Most trainable larger dog breeds and mixes

You’ll find that many of the most loyal and trainable dog breeds are big dogs from the American Kennel Club's Sporting, Herding, and Working Groups.

Petra / Pixabay/

Mixed-Breed Dogs

Many mixed-breed dogs are highly trainable, especially if they are related to breeds known for this. Sporting dog mixes like Lab mixes, Golden Retriever mixes, and Spaniel mixes, as well as herding-breed mixes like Shepherd mixes and Collie mixes often inherit that eagerness to please, which means many mixed-breed dogs are intelligent, obedient, and quick learners.

Weight: 25 to 65 pounds

Lifespan: 13 to 15 years

OlgaOvcharenko / AdobeStock/

Australian Cattle Dog 

And Australian Cattle Dog Mixes

The Australian Cattle Dog is a serious working breed used to herd and drive cattle. They are extremely smart and driven to work, so they take well to training efforts. These high-energy dogs will become bored without enough mental stimulation and physical exercise, so training sessions are welcome.

Weight: 30 to 40 pounds

Lifespan: 12 to 15 years

Andrea / AdobeStock/

Australian Shepherd

And Australian Shepherd Mixes

The Australian Shepherd is another herding breed filled with intelligence, energy, and an eagerness to please their pet parents. They love to learn tricks and train for dog sports like agility and flyball. Australian Shepherds, who are highly attuned to their people, are also sometimes trained as service dogs.

Weight: 30 to 70 pounds

Lifespan: 13 to 15 years

OlgaOvcharenko / AdobeStock/

Belgian Malinois

And Belgian Malinois Mixes

The Belgian Malinois is one of four Belgian herding breeds renowned for their intelligence, trainability, and endless energy. Along with their cousins, the Belgian Tervuren, Belgian Laekenois, and Belgian Shepherd, Belgian Malinois are incredibly hardworking and alert dogs. In fact, they are frequently trained as police and military dogs.

Weight: 60 to 75 pounds

Lifespan: 12 to 14 years

doda / AdobeStock/

Border Collie

And Border Collie Mixes

Hailed as the most intelligent, trainable dog breed, the Border Collie lives to learn and work. Border Collies are said to have the intelligence of a three-year-old human child (a famous Border Collie named Chaser even learned more than 1,000 words). To be happy, a Border Collie needs tons of exercise and a job to do.

Weight: 30 to 55 pounds

Lifespan: 10 to 17 years

FernandoPardo / Pixabay/

Collie

And Collie Mixes

Anyone familiar with the television show Lassie knows that Collies are highly trainable dogs. These gentle herding dogs form close attachments to their people and love to please. Collies excel at herding, agility, and obedience, as well as learning useful skills and fun tricks.

Weight: 40 to 65 pounds

Lifespan: 14 to 16 years

DSD / Pexels/

Doberman Pinscher

And Doberman Pinscher Mixes

The Doberman Pinscher is a member of the AKC Working Group. The breed was developed specifically to be a loyal and alert guard dog. Dobermans are highly intelligent and responsive to training, with an unmatched work ethic. It’s no surprise that Dobermans are prized for police and military work, but they also make wonderful pets.

Weight: 66 to 88 pounds

Lifespan: 10 to 13 years

DSD / Pexels/

German Shepherd Dog

And German Shepherd Mixes

The German Shepherd Dog is a member of the AKC Herding Group, but these versatile dogs can do far more. They have been used for police and military work, as service dogs, and as loyal and protective companions. Extremely intelligent and capable of learning complex tasks, German Shepherds need lots of exercise and consistent training.

Weight: 65 to 90 pounds

Lifespan: 9 to 13 years

sergioboccardo / Shutterstock/

Golden Retriever

And Golden Retriever Mixes

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular family dogs due to the breed’s sweet, calm disposition and trainability. A sporting breed developed to work closely with people, Golden Retrievers live to please their pet parents. Frequently used as service dogs and therapy dogs, Goldens are steadfast and affectionate companions.

Weight: 60 to 75 pounds

Lifespan: 10 to 12 years

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Labrador Retriever

And Labrador Retriever Mixes

Another popular breed for families, the Labrador Retriever is friendly, intelligent, and highly trainable. Labs are willing to please and put their smart brains to work. Without enough training and exercise, the highly active Lab can be overly exuberant or destructive due to boredom and pent-up energy. They are great therapy dogs, service dogs, and devoted family pets.

Weight: 55 to 80 pounds

Lifespan: 10 to 14 years

Shchus / Shutterstock/

Rottweiler

And Rottweiler Mixes

The Rottweiler is a versatile working breed originally used to protect cattle from predators and thieves, as guard dogs, and later as police and military dogs. These highly trainable dogs are confident and fearless, intelligent, and have a strong work ethic. They do best with an experienced pet parent who knows how to guide and channel their strength and energy.

Weight: 85 to 110 pounds

Lifespan: 8 to 10 years

Nerijus Juras / Shutterstock/

Vizsla

And Vizsla Mixes

Known as a versatile gundog, the Vizsla works closely with the hunter pointing and flushing game, as well as retrieving downed birds. Vibrating with energy and an intense desire to work, the Vizsla is extremely responsive to training. These friendly, intelligent dogs can learn a wide variety of commands, whether hunting-related or traditional obedience. They need a great deal of exercise to be happy and content.

Weight: 45 to 65 pounds

Lifespan: 12 to 15 years

Most trainable small dog breeds 

Trainability isn’t just for the big dogs. These are some of the most trainable small dog breeds.

Masarik / Shutterstock/

Corgi

And Corgi Mixes

Two Corgi breeds, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi, are both highly trainable and intelligent companions. Corgis were used to herd cattle in Wales. Despite their short legs, they are very active and need lots of exercise. They are fast learners and respond well to positive training methods.

Weight: 22 to 38 pounds

Lifespan: 12 to 15 years

HasPhotos / AdobeStock/

English Springer Spaniel

And English Springer Spaniel Mixes

The English Springer Spaniel is a bird dog bred to assist the hunter by flushing (or “springing”) birds and retrieving downed game. They are very eager to please their pet parents, so they take well to training. The English Springer Spaniel’s abundant energy allows them to hunt all day in the field. They need lots of exercise to stay calm indoors.

Weight: 40 to 55 pounds

Lifespan: 12 to 14 years

Craig Dennis / Pexels/

Miniature Schnauzer

And Miniature Schnauzer Mixes

The Miniature Schnauzer is a terrier developed to dispatch rats and other vermin, as well as to alert their pet parents to potential intruders or other problems. Although many terriers have a reputation for being somewhat difficult to train, the intelligent Miniature Schnauzer is obedient and highly trainable. They enjoy training for dog sports like agility and obedience competitions, as well as flyball.

Weight: 13 to 20 pounds

Lifespan: 12 to 15 years

Craig Dennis / Pexels/

Shetland Sheepdog

And Shetland Sheepdog Mixes

The Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, looks like a miniature Collie, but these are two distinct breeds. Shetland Sheepdogs originated on the Shetland Islands where they were used to herd sheep and ponies. Shelties are smart as a whip and filled with energy. They are fast and excel at dog sports such as agility and herding competitions.

Weight: 13 to 20 pounds

Lifespan: 12 to 13 years

Most trainable toy dog breeds

David Brown / Pexels/

Bichon Frise

And Bichon Frise Mixes

The charming, intelligent Bichon Frise is very eager to please and loves to learn tricks. At one time, Bichons Frises performed in circuses, a testament to their trainability. Bichons Frises have curly white coats that are somewhat hypoallergenic, a plus for allergy sufferers. They are energetic, but it’s easy to provide them with enough exercise due to their small size.

Weight: 7 to 13 pounds

Lifespan: 12 to 15 years

Alex Master / AdobeStock/

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

And Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Mixes

The sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel lives to please their pet parents. They respond great to training, but their sensitive nature requires positive and gentle methods or they might shut down. Cavaliers are lively yet mellow, and enjoy learning new things. Their small size makes them great apartment dogs.

Weight: 12 to 18 pounds

Lifespan: 9 to 14 years

Lobstrosity / Shutterstock/

Papillon

And Papillon Mixes

The Papillon is named for its large, erect ears that look like butterfly wings (“papillon” is French for “butterfly”). These clever little dogs learn quickly and eagerly, and can excel at agility and obedience competitions, as well as at flyball, where they are prized teammates thanks to their speed.

Weight: 5 to 10 pounds

Lifespan: 12 to 15 years

Colin Seddon / Shutterstock/

Poodle

And Poodle Mixes

One of the most intelligent trainable dog breeds is the Poodle, who is widely considered the second smartest dog breed (after the Border Collie). Poodles come in three sizes. The Standard Poodle is big, but Toy and Miniature Poodles are small and portable. Poodles love to learn and absorb lessons like a sponge. Their non-shedding coat is a bonus.

Weight: 10 to 18 pounds

Lifespan: 12 to 15 years

Breeds to avoid

If you’re looking for the most easily trainable dog breeds, there are some breeds you probably want to avoid. When it comes to breed groups like hounds, terriers, and some guardian breeds, training may take a bit more time and patience. Those breeds include:

• Afghan Hound

• Alaskan Malamute 

• Basenji

• Basset Hound

• Beagle 

• Bloodhound

• Bulldog

• Chinese Shar-Pei

• Chow Chow

• Borzoi

• Jack Russell Terrier

• Lhasa Apso

• Pekingese

• Scottish Terrier 

• Shiba Inu

• Siberian Husky

Commonly asked questions

Should I adopt a puppy or a dog?

When deciding if you should adopt a puppy or a dog, think about how much time you want to devote to overall training, including housetraining. Although adult dogs might need some potty training and obedience lessons, puppies take much more time and effort since you’re starting from scratch.

What are the best working dog breeds?

If you’re looking for a dog that can perform a job, you’ll want a working dog that is also highly trainable. The best working dog breeds in terms of drive to work and trainability include the Australian Cattle Dog, Belgian Malinois, Border Collie, Boxer, Doberman Pincher, and German Shepherd Dog.

How do I crate-train a dog?

Crate-training is a great way to potty train a puppy, and is also helpful for keeping your dog out of trouble, because you can watch them closely.

How do I potty train a dog?

Potty-training tips are the same whether you’re teaching a puppy or an adult dog. The steps on how to potty-train a dog include designating a potty spot, taking them outside to potty many times throughout the day, and cleaning up accidents quickly and thoroughly.

References

Cephalic Index and Perceived Dog Trainability

Prevailing Clusters of Canine Behavioural Traits in Historical US Demand for Dog Breeds