The easiest dogs to train are smart, eager to please, and enjoy spending time with their owners. If you're looking for a canine companion who loves to learn and is highly motivated, the breeds on this list are a great place to start.
"Dogs that are easy to train usually share similar characteristics,” explains expert vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan. "Easy-to-train breeds are naturally intelligent, meaning they are quick to learn. They are also people pleasers and enjoy human companionship. They respond well to positive reinforcement and are eager to receive praise and attention from their owner."
Easy-to-train breeds are a particularly good choice if you're a first-time dog owner, as it means you can more easily avoid a range of unwelcome behaviors, such as jumping up, pulling on the leash, and excessive barking. As long as you use positive reinforcement, such as the best dog treats, you'll find your new fur friend quickly masters new commands.
"The most important thing with any dog breed, however, is how you approach their training," says Dr MacMillan. "A patient, consistent, and positive approach is needed to get the best out of any dog."
With that in mind, here are 20 of the easiest dogs to train – and a few of them may just surprise you!
Easiest dogs to train
1. Border Collie
A whip-smart workaholic who's never happier than when they have a job to do, the energetic Border Collie is one of the best farm dogs. Athletic and agile with keen herding abilities, they are muscular yet nimble dogs who excel in obedience and agility training. They have also been named as the smartest dog breed.
Border Collies need a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy, and because of that, they're best suited to homes with lots of space for them to run around and owners who have the time and energy to keep them occupied. They're very affectionate with those they love, but can be reserved with strangers.
2. Poodle
They may look pretty as a picture, but don't let their outward appearance fool you – the poodle is a highly intelligent dog who's not afraid of getting their paws dirty! Regardless of whether you adopt a toy poodle, miniature poodle, or standard poodle, expect a canine companion who is active, affectionate, and an absolute breeze to train.
Poodles are very social dogs who view strangers as people they just haven't made a friend out of yet. They are playful, adaptable, and great with children, and their friendly and fun-loving nature makes them a joy to be around.
Just be aware that they can become easily bored if they're not given enough physical and mental stimulation, so investing in a few of the best dog puzzle toys will come in handy for those times when you're too busy to play.
3. German Shepherd
Often found working alongside the police and military, the German Shepherd is about as smart as they come. A tireless breed that wants nothing more than to please its owners, this courageous and confident canine has an outstanding work ethic and is one of the greatest all-purpose dogs around.
Devoted and steady in temperament, the German Shepherd is a large and muscular dog capable of reaching great speeds. They are quick learners and move through the world with a noble and dignified air. This breed won't hesitate to put their life on the line for those they love, and while they are watchful and wary of strangers, they are incredibly affectionate with their human family.
4. Golden retriever
One of the world's most beloved family dogs, the lovable, friendly, and eager-to-please golden retriever is a delight to have in the home. As beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside, this loyal and exuberant pup adores children and gets on famously with other dogs making them one of the best family dogs.
Hard workers who can be found in a variety of roles, including search and rescue, as guides for the blind, and in hunting and field work, this breed excels at picking up new commands and never fails to execute the task that's asked of them. They have a true zest for life and love to stay active, so be sure to check out these fun ways to workout with your pet to keep things interesting for you both!
5. Doberman Pinscher
Looking for a fearless and loyal companion? The Doberman Pinscher is hard to beat. With a reputation for being a quick learner who never forgets what they've learned, this breed is popular with the police and military because they're so obedient and easy to train.
Energetic and alert, the watchful Doberman Pinscher is a curious dog who likes to be kept busy. Their brains and bodies need to be frequently exercised, because if bored and left to their own devices, they have a tendency to be destructive. Dobermans are very loving dogs, but they have a strong prey drive and are wary of strangers, so early training and socialization are key.
6. Shetland Sheepdog
When it comes to the most beautiful dog breeds, it's hard not to award that crown to the Shetland Sheepdog. A striking dog with a long coat that comes in a range of gorgeous markings, the sheltie (as they're affectionately known) is a small herding dog who hails from the Shetland Islands in Scotland.
An incredibly bright breed who is quick to learn and highly obedient, they excel in competitive sporting events and are easy to train thanks to their eager-to-please nature. Affectionate dogs who are wonderful with children and get on famously with other canines, the sheltie is playful and adaptable, but they do have a tendency to bark, so they're not the best choice if you live in an apartment!
7. Labrador Retriever
When it comes to the most popular dog breeds in the US, the Labrador Retriever just misses out on the title, coming in at number two. A firm favorite amongst families, the versatile Labrador Retriever is a fast learner with an eager-to-please personality and a gentle temperament.
Friendly, affectionate, and outgoing, this breed loves children and other dogs and is kind to strangers. High-spirited and enthusiastic dogs, they are very athletic and adore hiking, swimming, and games of fetch. Just a word of warning – Labradors are known for eating things they shouldn't, so be sure to keep your favorite clothes and shoes out of reach!
8. Papillon
Papillons measure around 8-11 inches in height and weigh no more than 10 pounds, but although they're small, they're athletic, curious, and happy dogs who are much more robust than they look!
Quick studies who love to learn, you'll have no trouble training a papillon, and they're also one of the most adaptable dog breeds around. Content to live in both warm and cool climates, in an apartment in the city or a home in the country, they have a very flexible nature and adore being part of family life.
Papillons like mastering new things, so brushing up on a few quick and easy tricks to teach your dog will go down a treat with this breed.
9. Rottweiler
The Rottweiler has been given an unfair reputation over the years, with many viewing them as aggressive. And yes, while they are natural protectors with strong guarding instincts, as with all breeds, when trained and socialized correctly from a young age, Rottweilers can make wonderful family companions.
Known for having clown-like personalities, Rottweilers are very affectionate with their chosen humans and are typically quiet, gentle, and calm dogs who often like to follow their owners around the house.
This breed thrives when they have a job to do, which means they respond brilliantly to training. Smart, eager to please, and a quick study, Rottweilers like positive reinforcement, so be sure to have plenty of treats on hand.
10. Australian Cattle Dog
A medium-sized herding dog with almost inexhaustible energy levels, the Australian Cattle dog is known for being an incredibly intelligent breed that loves to be on the go. This breed likes to have a sense of purpose, and they need a lot of exercise (think hiking, running, fetch, agility training, and games), so they're not suited to apartments or homes without yards.
However, if you have the time and energy to devote to this breed, the Australian Cattle dog will reward you with a fierce devotion. They tend to attach very strongly to one person and bond deeply with them, spending their lives loving and protecting them. Because of that, they don't like being left alone and need to be part of a home where someone can be with them at all times. This breed is highly trainable, but they can be stubborn, so you'll need a firm but gentle hand.
11. Collie
A stunning breed with a deep fondness for children, the majestic collie is a razor-sharp dog with bucket loads of smarts. Fast, athletic, and a breeze to train, they thrive on human companionship and enjoy being a part of all aspects of family life. Affectionate and energetic dogs, they need at least an hour of exercise each day to keep them happy and healthy, and particularly excel at obedience and agility work.
Because of their high intelligence and their need for a lot of mental and physical stimulation, collies can become destructive when they're bored. Brain games can be great for this breed when you're too busy to play, and teaching them some new tricks will also go down a treat.
12. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
They may be low-set, but don't let that fool you – the little Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one powerful pup! A lively herder with an agreeable nature, this breed is loving and loyal where their owners are concerned, but they're also a vigilant watchdog with a big bark. Bold yet kind, they are bright and sensitive dogs who adapt well to almost any living situation.
Eager to please their humans, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a dream to train, and they enjoy learning new things. They do need a lot of mental stimulation to keep them occupied, so investing in some puzzle toys for those times when you're too busy to play will be well worth it – otherwise, you may just find that boredom drives them to dig up your flower beds or chew your favorite slippers!
13. Miniature schnauzer
Standing 12–14 inches in height and weighing 11–20 pounds, the miniature schnauzer is one of the best small dog breeds thanks to their smart, affectionate, and obedient nature. Friendly dogs who are great with children and get on well with other animals, the miniature schnauzer is playful, protective, and highly adaptable.
Watchful and fearless, they may be little, but this breed has a big dog bark, so that's something worth considering if you live in an apartment. They also need a lot of exercise, at least an hour a day, and plenty of mental stimulation to ensure their brains get a good workout.
Spunky dogs who want to please their owners they're amenable to many types of training, and as long as you keep things fun, they'll pick up new commands quickly.
14. English Springer Spaniel
A lively gundog with an enthusiastic personality, the energetic English Springer Spaniel will certainly keep you on your toes! Built to hunt, this hardworking breed has both brains and beauty, not to mention outstanding stamina. Sweet-faced and well-mannered, they are true people pleasers, so training them is both an easy and rewarding experience.
Springer Spaniels bond very deeply with their humans and don't like being away from them. Because of that, they need to be in a home where someone can be with them for most of the day, as otherwise they will struggle with separation anxiety. However, as long as they have their humans around, the English Springer Spaniel will be a very content canine.
15. Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized herding dog with a muscular and agile build. High-energy dogs who love to play fetch, they have a strong prey drive, so they're best kept on a leash when being taken for a walk. Loyal and super intelligent, they're typically very friendly, although they can be reserved around people they don't know well.
Australian Shepherds were bred to work, and because of that, they like to have a job to do. They need lots of physical exercise and plenty of mental stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored and destructive. However, as long as they receive proper training and plenty of daily activity, the Australian Shepherd can be a very well-behaved dog. Highly attentive and motivated, they respond to training readily and thrive in an environment focused on positive reinforcement.
16. Keeshond
With its plush coat, expressive eyes, beautiful ruff, and curled tail, the striking keeshond (pronounced kayz-hund) is hard to miss. A friendly, lively, and outgoing breed, they make wonderfully affectionate companions and get along famously with children and other dogs. Moderately active, they adapt well to a variety of living situations but require lots of attention from their owners and don't like being left alone.
Keeshonds have a delightfully fun-loving and happy nature, and because they're so clever and eager to please, training them is real joy. They excel in obedience training, and while they are typically very well-mannered, they are prone to barking when they're home on their own.
17. Vizsla
The Hungarian Vizsla is an energetic, red-coated gundog that originated in Hungary. Bred to be a hunting companion, the Vizsla is an outstanding athlete and needs regular physical activity (think hiking, running, and swimming) to keep it happy. They are friendly and deeply devoted dogs who bond deeply with their owners and make great pets for homes with children.
Gentle, patient, and affectionate, Vizslas are Velcro dogs who like being with their owners at all times. Because they're high in energy, they're not suited to apartment living and need ample space to run around. Sensitive dogs, they require lots of positive reinforcement, but they are very intelligent and eager to please, so this makes them easy to train.
18. Bernese Mountain Dog
A gentle giant with a huge heart, the Bernese Mountain Dog may be big, but they are true softies. Often referred to as 'nanny dogs' because of their deep fondness and affection for children, they're a strikingly beautiful breed with a sweet temperament. Patient and kind with everyone in their human family, including other pets, they can be shy around strangers and prefer to stick close to those they know.
While they were bred to be working dogs, these days, most Bernese Mountain Dogs prefer to laze around the house all day. However, exercise is important for their physical and mental health, and so encouraging them to get out and about will do them the world of good. Eager to please, they're highly trainable and, given their size and strength, you'll definitely want to teach them not to jump up on people.
19. Boxer
A deep-chested dog with an upbeat and playful nature, the boxer is one of the canine kingdom's most beloved goofballs. True comedians who love making their owners laugh, boxers are happy, fun-loving dogs who make fantastic playmates for children. Patient and protective, they're a watchful breed who take their job of guarding their family very seriously.
Boxers are bright dogs who love to learn, so on the one hand, they're very easy to train. However, they have a high prey drive and bucket loads of energy, which means they can lose interest in what you're saying quite quickly if something else catches their attention. That being said, you'll find patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement work a treat with this breed as they respond very well to a rewards-based system.
20. Bichon frise
Not only are they adorable, but the bichon frise is also a dream to train. Smart and quick to learn, this little dog is always keen to please their owners and enjoys learning and performing tricks. Because they're so intelligent, you'll find they master new commands quickly, and they enjoy playing games like fetch and tug of war.
The bichon frise is energetic, adaptable, and gets on well with children and other pets. They also love to cuddle, so if you're looking for a lap dog, this could well be the breed for you. Social, gentle, playful, and loving, the bichon frise needs lots of attention and affection to keep it happy.
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. Rebecca enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation).
She writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis de Leaver.
This feature was last updated in May 2025 by Kathryn Williams.
