When it comes to choosing a canine companion, size and smarts often go paw in paw, especially for these obedient large dog breeds. For those attracted to large breed dogs with even bigger hearts, obedience can be a game-changer, especially when managing the strength and power that large breeds bring to the table. Let’s face it, a toy dog breed can get away with a whole lot more because when they throw their weight around, we hardly notice.
Whether you’re after a loyal hiking partner, a family-friendly protector, or simply a gentle giant with manners, certain large breeds rise above the rest in terms of trainability and responsiveness.
Obedience in dogs isn’t just about following commands; it’s a reflection of temperament, intelligence, and the ability to form strong bonds with their handlers. From working dogs to affectionate giants, we take a look at 20 obedient large dog breeds that prove that big doesn’t have to mean unruly.
20 most obedient large dog breeds
1. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are known for their high trainability. They are intelligent and tend to build strong bonds with their owners, which makes them eager and able to please. They are one of the best service dog breeds, which highlights their innate obedience.
2. Newfoundland
Newfoundland dogs were bred to assist fishermen at sea and so are naturally trainable and willing to work alongside humans. Due to their massive size and weight, they need to be well trained or they can cause a whole load of trouble due to their clumsiness, but happily they are eager to please.
3. Great Dane
Great Danes might look intimidating due to their impressive stature but this is a gentle breed that responds well to consistent training. They are intelligent and typically easy to train, although they do have a stubborn streak, so require a bit of patience.
4. Golden retriever
Golden retrievers are intelligent, patient, and love to please their humans. According to canine psychologist Stanley Coren, this breed will often obey a first command around 95% of the time, which makes them among the most obedient dogs of all.
They are also very driven by their tummies, so positive reinforcement with some tasty treats makes training these natural workers and lovable family pets a breeze.
They are happy to learn exactly how they should behave, whether it’s as a service dog or a family pet.
5. Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is highly intelligent and tends to lap up consistent training. However, they are also naturally very active with a strong prey drive, so early obedience work is a must. They thrive on consistency with plenty of mental and physical stimulation. They make great service dogs with appropriate training.
6. Labrador Retriever
There’s a reason that the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in the US. Loveable, affectionate, friendly, and highly trainable, this breed has been developed to work alongside humans. They make great service dogs as well as super family pets.
They are also highly motivated by food, which makes them wonderfully receptive to learning tasks.
7. Standard poodle
Poodles are known for their high intelligence, which means they can easily and quickly learn commands. They are receptive to learning quick and easy tricks and love to please. However, they can have a stubborn streak, so patience is essential, and remember that high intelligence often means they’ll have other outlets for their energy if you don’t make their sessions interesting enough.
Poodles come in several sizes, of which the standard is considered a large breed, weighing up to 70lb, and standing over 15 inches tall at the shoulder. If you want a smaller dog, you could consider the toy poodle or miniature poodle.
8. Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans have an alert and imposing look, but they are naturally the teacher’s pet. Their high intelligence, loyalty, and desire to please make them smart and quick learners who respond well to rewards and praise.
They are a high-energy breed, so they need plenty of mental and physical stimulation to ward off any behavioral issues.
9. Boxer
Like many breeds that are deeply loyal to their people, the boxer loves to please. This means that they want to be obedient, and it’s just up to the handler to make the most of that natural aptitude. They relish learning tricks, but need consistency and patience to bring out the best in them.
10. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are considered highly obedient by nature, with their intelligence a great asset in their ability to learn commands. They are a naturally loyal breed who longs to please their owner and thrives on clear guidance. Best under an experienced hand.
As they are a large, strong breed, training should start when they are young to establish good habits and manners.
11. Giant schnauzer
Here is a breed that is eminently trainable and therefore can prove wonderfully obedient, however, they are not naturally submissive. They require consistent training with plenty of positive reinforcement, and they will quickly adopt appropriate behavior – it might just take more patience and perseverance with some individuals.
12. Bernese Mountain Dog
While the Bernese Mountain Dog is slow to mature and training can therefore take time, they are mild-tempered and respond well to positive reinforcement. They are naturally eager to please, but sessions should always be kept engaging and fun to keep their interest up.
13. Leonberger
Known for their intelligent, willing temperaments, these large dogs are relatively easy to train as they respond well to a consistent and rewarding approach. They also enjoy activities such as obedience and agility, as well as water work, which provide other outlets for their energy while using their big brains.
14. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
In experienced hands, these out-and-out working dogs are terrifically obedient. They are bred to hunt, retrieve, and assist fishermen, and they thrive on hard work, being exceptionally quick learners and willing companions. However, without sufficient stimulation and patience, they can run rings around inexperienced handlers.
15. Beauceron
A dog that is naturally devoted to their owner, like the Beauceron, gives you a head start on the training front. This statuesque breed is smart and longs to please. However, they do have an exuberant side which can be unnerving in a large dog, so they require firm and consistent training to teach appropriate behavior from a young age.
16. Airedale Terrier
The largest of the terrier breeds, and generally rather more biddable than their smaller cousins. However, they retain a terrier’s independent streak and so require engaging, patient, and consistent training to get the best out of them.
17. Kuvasz
This Hungarian herding dog is, in common with many pastoral and guardian breeds, smart. They were traditionally used as royal guard dogs.
While their intelligence and devotion to their owners mean they can be trained to be obedient, they do require a firm and experienced hand to ensure the right approach.
They are sensitive to both praise and criticism, which means they don’t respond well to harsh training methods or inconsistency.
18. Black Russian Terrier
This large and immensely powerful breed isn’t really a terrier at all, but a working guard dog bred to protect. This is a dominating and imposing dog, but one that learns quickly. Developed as a specialised guard and service dog, one of his duties was rounding up fugitives – this is a breed that can achieve a very high level of training.
19. Flat-coated retriever
These sweet, outgoing, and affectionate family pets are also adept at field sports, which highlights their trainability. They are intelligent, enthusiastic, and eager to please, making training these quick learners a doddle.
They can be a trifle bouncy, but all they want to do is make you happy, so reciprocate by giving them plenty of mental and physical stimulation.
20. Irish Wolfhound
Sensitive and independent, Irish Wolfhounds require a positive and consistent approach to encourage them to show their obedient side. But as they are intelligent and long to make you happy, trainability comes easily so long as you keep the rewards and encouragement coming.
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis de Leaver.
This feature was last updated in May 2025 by Martha Terry.
