While some breeds can learn commands quickly because they are highly trainable dogs, some breeds need patience, time, and devotion from their owners. Average trainability breeds are also intelligent, but they need extra care, attention, and patience from their pet owners.
They are between obedient and independent, but whether it’s a Border Collie bred to be a herding breed or the cutest Havanese, they make a perfect companion for owners who can provide them positive reinforcement and training.
This article explores the average trainable breeds that can become well-mannered with proper training.
Average Trainability Dog Breeds
1. Border Collie
Border Collies were originally bred for the purpose of herding sheep, and even today, they are counted as premier herding dogs; they originated from the frontiers of Scotland and England.
They require early socialisation and training because they are highly intelligent and energetic, as per AKC. When they are around 7 months old, usually going through their puppyhood, they need to be handled gently and introduced to positive experiences with people and places.
This training, if provided, helps them become confident dogs without being afraid and extra cautious of others.
2. Manchester Terrier
Manchester Terriers are alert, lively, and highly spirited dogs. They have an eagerness to please attitude, due to which owners can train them easily by using positive reinforcement. They are quick learners and do not provide any reaction even to harsh corrections.
They have an interesting story behind their name; Manchester Terriers were originally bred in England to hunt and kill rats, catch and chase rabbits. Their name was also derived from the city of Manchester, where breeders combined the traits of Whippets and Black and Tan Terriers.
3. Vizsla
Vizslas are generally gentle and energetic dogs, and they were first bred in Hungary to be a hunter, as per PetMD. They have an elegant, golden shade coat with a weight of up to 60 pounds. They are a perfect choice for those owners who want a devoted four-legged companion.
They need physical as well as mental stimulation, which can range from jogging to agility training. They require large ample ample-sized rooms or spaces to wander around and play.
They even love to adhere to their owners, due to which they are affectionately called “The Velcro Dog”. To prevent boredom, training is also suggested for them.
4. Keeshond
Keeshonds are popular for their glazed eyes, with which they have attracted the attention of many pet lovers towards them. They have a loving nature and get along well with families. They are medium-sized dogs that stand as tall as 18 inches. They are among the most obedient dog breeds.
They are usually social dogs; therefore, they feel irritated when left alone for many hours. They have an innate desire to be treated equally as a family member because they love their owner deeply and want their attention.
They’re also referred to as “Smiling Dutchman” due to their happy and loving personality. Obedience training is recommended for them because Keeshonds do exceptionally well in this training.
5. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are among the most well-known breeds in the U.S. They have a medium to large size, and they remain active all the time. They are usually 55 to 80 pounds heavy with a deep chest. Labrador Retrievers are usually found in three colours including chocolate, yellow, and black.
Labrador Retrievers are athletic dogs, and training is a must for them. Puppy training, obedience training, and even various dog sports are recommended for them. This particularly obedient dog breed needs exposure to other dogs and people at an early age to get comfortable around others.
If they develop the habit of biting or chewing on objects, they need to be corrected immediately to avoid worsening these habits over time.
6. Havanese
Did you know that the Havanese is the national dog of Cuba? Well, that’s not just the end; this toy breed is exceptionally smart and good-natured. They are among the cutest dogs on the planet, they have a rounded face with floppy ears. Their double coat is long, straight, and silky, which ranges in colours from tan, gold, and red to white, cream, and silver.
PetMD states that Havanese like cuddling and can be a perfect option for families who like lap dogs. Additionally, they are not very high-energy dogs; they need about 30 minutes of exercise daily.
Moreover, they do not necessarily need outdoor activities, as fun activities inside the house are also enough to make them happy. They also need positive reinforcement training to boost their happiness further.
7. English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel is also counted in the list of handsome dog breeds. They are medium-sized dogs with medium-length coats, popular for their refined features, like big eyes. They are active dogs, so they are perfect for active households.
They are also very popular among pet owners; in fact, in 2018, the American Kennel Club ranked them as the 27th most popular breed.
They are fast learners because they learns commands comparatively quickly than most other breeds in this list, and they need to stay engaged. Reward-based training methods are the most suitable for them; they tend to get overexcited as well, so they need patient owners. They also need toilet training, but generally they are easy to train and do not have aggressive behaviour.
8. Golden Retriever
What makes Golden Retrievers distinct from others is that they are even used as guide or service dogs for the blind. They are extremely loyal and among the most popular dog breeds that were initially bred as hunting dogs. They are used to fetch objects due to their soft mouth, which makes it easy for them to carry things without biting or damaging them.
They require thorough training sessions and outdoor play. They don’t like to stay alone and love being with the family. However, they are not suitable as watchdogs due to their friendly nature with almost everyone. They often bark a lot as well, for which they need proper dog training to stop this behaviour.
9. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are a versatile dog breed with a sturdy build. They are often used as guard dogs and cast as movie stars; they are usually 22 to 26 inches high and weigh around 60 to 100 pounds. They have incredibly strong work ethics with a protective and loyal nature.
This smart dog breed needs attention and care from their owners, but gets overly cautious around strangers; therefore, it requires proper training. Early socialization is also essential, after which they remain good with children as well.
An interesting thing about their behaviour is that they get irritated and aggressive if their owner cannot handle and train them properly; however, due to their intelligence, learning and training are an easy task for them.
Conclusion
While trainability is directly influenced by intelligence and an eager-to-please attitude, some breeds are very easy to provide training and open to guidance and learning, like Australian Cattle Dog, Doberman Pinscher, Miniature Schnauzer; however, other breeds require a little more patience, devotion, and time from their owners like Border Collies and Golden Retrievers.
Although average trainable dog breeds are intelligent as well as obedient, they need extra care, attention, and motivation to make training a more unique experience.
