A Definitive List of the Top 20 Most Obedient Dogs Worldwide

If you own a dog, we’re sure you know how hard it can be to train one. Even simple commands like “sit” or “stay” can be difficult to follow, especially if the dog is still young. However, out of the hundreds of dog breeds worldwide, a couple can be considered the most obedient and trainable. If you want to find a dog that’ll be a perfect fit for your family, we have a list of the most obedient dogs ever!

Golden Retriever

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Golden Retrievers are known to be intelligent and affectionate dogs. Because of their eager-to-please personalities, they are also very easy to train. Additionally, before becoming popular domesticated pets, Golden Retrievers were bred as hunting dogs, so being obedient is their nature.

Border Collie

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According to the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service, Border Collies excel in obedience. They are very smart and responsive dogs. Border Collies also revel in praise and are very trainable.

Labrador Retriever

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Like the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever is also an eager-to-please dog. In fact, the University of Idaho Library notes that they live to please and make their owners happy. Pippa Mattinson of The Labrador Site notes that these dogs can be very successful in obedience competitions.

Poodle

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Cedar Grove Veterinary Services notes that the Poodle is one of the most trainable dog breeds. Some can even be trained to hunt! However, because they are very smart dogs, owners must possess an air of authority to train them properly.

German Shepherd

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German Shepherds are famous for being great working dogs. They are courageous, fearless, alert, and obedient. They are also great companions because of their fierce loyalty to their owners and family.

Keeshond

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The Keeshond is another excellent working dog. According to the United Kennel Club, it was and is still used as a watchdog for herding, hunting, and draft work. Additionally, the American Kennel Club notes that it’s very smart, highly trainable, and excels at obedience and agility.

English Springer Spaniel

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The English Springer Spaniel is temperamentally similar to a Golden Retriever. These dogs are amiable, eager to please, and obedient. An article on Nylabone also notes, “Springers want to do what you ask, and they catch on fast to training.”

Havanese

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The Havanese is a small yet energetic dog breed that is affectionate and intelligent. Hooman’s Friend notes that they are renowned for their cheerful and willing temperament. The Havanese is also a devoted dog that seeks encouragement and praise from its owners, making it a great contestant in obedience competitions.

Vizsla

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If any dog could be the epitome of clinginess, it’ll be the Vizsla. These dogs are also known as Velcro dogs because they stick to their owners, especially when outside. Vizslas are very smart, but they are also known to be stubborn. They, however, will be great obedience competitors once you can train them properly.

Papillon

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Betterpet notes that Papillons are an intelligent dog breed that is easy to train—with the proper guidance. They are energetic, curious, happy, alert, and rarely shy or aggressive. Because of its high intelligence, the Papillon can also learn show tricks.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

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Corgis are very smart dogs; therefore, they can also be fiercely independent. The good thing is they can also be very easy to train. It would require some time and patience, but a Corgi will never disappoint you!

Doberman Pinscher

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According to PetMD, the Doberman Pinscher is an extremely intelligent dog that thrives in obedience and dog training. They are high-energy dogs and, therefore, need to have a way to release all their extra energy. Dog training is one of the best ways of doing so. But be warned: they can be obedient, but only in the hands of people willing to take on the responsibility of owning such a strong dog.

Manchester Terrier

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This dog is a people-pleaser. In fact, the American Kennel Club says it enjoys pleasing its owners and can easily be trained when its owner uses a reward-based training method. However, though it’s eager to learn, the Manchester Terrier can also be very cunning.

Miniature Schnauzer

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The Miniature Schnauzer is another very intelligent dog. It is also usually easily trainable and obedient. However, it has a stubborn streak and requires a lot of patience from its owners.

Shetland Sheepdog

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If you and your family are looking for a new pet, consider owning a Shetland Sheepdog. They are loyal, loving, responsive, devoted, and docile. They are also intelligent and understanding, making them one of the most obedient dog breeds.

Rottweiler

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Rottweilers have earned a bad reputation. However, most of the time, they act up because of lousy ownership: they’re not loved, they’re left tied up in the yard, they’re not socialized, and more. Beyond all this, though, if trained and cared for properly, Pet Screening notes that Rottweilers excel in obedience training. This trait makes them great assistance and service dogs or police dogs.

Pomeranian

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Pomeranians are small dogs that pack a punch! They are intelligent and obedient dogs that love to learn new tricks. However, they can also be stubborn and strong-willed. So, to be successful, an owner needs to consistently train them.

Cocker Spaniel

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Cocker Spaniels revel in praise and food rewards, so they can be great at obedience training. However, some sources say a Cocker Spaniel’s obedience and ease of training may vary. For example, they can be very obedient at other things while being stubborn, especially when breaking stuff in the house!

Bernese Mountain Dog

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The Bernese Mountain Dog has a working background and enjoys learning new things. However, its owners must start socializing it early so it can develop into a well-rounded and obedient dog. Pet Duka says, “By introducing the puppy to various situations and providing positive experiences, owners can lay the foundation for a well-adjusted and obedient dog.”

German Shorthaired Pointer

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One of the main qualities of a German Shorthaired Pointer is that it has boundless energy and needs lots of exercise. According to the American Kennel Club, though controlling them from six months to three years old can be challenging, they are highly receptive to training and good at picking up obedience commands.

Author: Karen Danao

Expertise: Culture, Society, Home & Gardening, Travel

Karen is a writer and also a marketing and advertising professional. Beyond the keyboard and the screen, she is someone who’s out to enjoy every bit that life has to offer! Poetry, philosophy, history, and movies are all topics she loves writing about! However, her true passion is in traveling, photography, and finding common ground to which everyone from different cultures can relate.

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