Bringing a dog into your life is a heartwarming decision. Choosing a breed that thrives on training and obedience makes the journey even more rewarding. Obedience learner dogs are an intelligent breed and eager to please their owners.
According to the American Kennel Club, breeds with high trainability are super popular. They are versatile and form strong bonds with owners. In fact, 5 of the top 10 most popular breeds are known for obedience and intelligence.
Trainable dogs learn the basic commands fast. Some even master complex tricks quickly. Let’s explore 10 exceptional breeds that are wonderful companions and known for their enthusiasm for learning. These breeds will steal your heart.
Obedience Learner Dog Breeds
1. Manchester Terrier
Appearance
The Manchester Terrier has a sleek, agile build with a short, glossy black and tan coat. They have a long lifespan of 14-16 years, which makes them a long-lasting companion.
Temperament
The Manchester terrier is an intelligent and energetic dog. They are incredibly intelligent and ideal for families who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and running.
Training
Manchester Terriers respond well to positive reinforcement. The Manchester Terrier is a highly trainable breed that enjoys learning new tricks and commands, making it an obedient dog breed.
Early socialization and training are important for this breed to ensure they grow up to be well-behaved and obedient dogs.
2. Papillon
Appearance
A papillon’s most striking feature is its unique butterfly-like ears, which are large and erect with rounded tips. Papillons weigh 5 to 10 pounds, making them a small but active companion dog breed.
Temperament
Papillons are known for their gentle nature and playful personality. They are great family pets and thrive on human companionship. However, they can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. Additionally, these small dogs require supervision when interacting with other breeds.
Training
Papillons excel in obedience training due to their high intelligence and eagerness to please, as per the AKC. The papillon’s alert nature makes them typically devoted to training sessions. Overall, papillons become highly skilled companions with the right guidance and motivation at a young age.
3. Border Collies
Appearance
The Border Collie has a medium build with an athletic yet agile physique. Their eyes are often brown or blue, and their ears are erect and alert, giving them an intelligent and focused expression.
Temperament
As highly energetic and intelligent herding dogs, Border Collies require regular exercise. They need mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.
Training
The Border Collie is an easy-to-train breed known for its high intelligence and obedience. As one of the smartest dog breeds, they excel in various activities and quickly learn commands. Their exceptional problem-solving skills set them apart from other dogs.
4. German Shepherds
Appearance
German shepherds are a large dog breed with an average weight ranging from 50-90 pounds. They are typically 22-26 inches tall. They possess a unique combination of characteristics that contributed to making them the most popular dog breed in the US, says PetMD.
Temperament
German shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds, known for their responsiveness and obedience. This obedient dog breed is used as a working dog in the military and police for patrolling, bomb searches, and rescue. They also help in herding cattle and other pets due to their intelligence.
Training
German shepherds respond well to consistent, positive reinforcement training. This breed is often seen in various roles such as police dogs, guide dogs, service dogs, and rescue dogs due to being the most trainable breed.
However, it is essential to give them proper training to prevent aggression towards unfamiliar people and other dogs.
5. Golden Retriever
Appearance
The Golden Retriever boasts a beautiful appearance that has captivated many dog owners. They have a thick double coat that is golden in color, a muscular build with a broad head, friendly eyes, and floppy ears.
Temperament
Golden retrievers are one of the most obedient dog breeds. They are known for their exceptional temperament, which makes them great family pets. They are highly intelligent and the easiest dog to have, and boast an affectionate nature.
Training
As one of the most trainable dog breeds, Golden Retrievers excel in obedience trials and can quickly pick up commands. They have their own unique personality and are extremely loyal dogs. This energetic breed is an excellent choice for active families who enjoy outdoor activities.
6. Labrador Retriever
Appearance
Labrador retrievers have distinct physical characteristics, including an average height of 21.5 to 24.5 inches and a weight of 55 to 80 pounds. Their average lifespan is 12 years. Common characteristics include being outgoing, kind, and loving.
Temperament
Labrador retrievers are great family dogs, as they are selfless and kind in nature towards people and animals. With the right socialization, they are loving towards children and are suitable for families with younger children, too.
Training
Labs are highly obedient dogs, renowned for their exceptional trainability. They are easy to train because they focus on pleasing their owner. Additionally, they exhibit attentive and responsive behavior during training sessions.
7. Vizsla
Appearance
The Vizsla breed is characterized by its muscular and well-proportioned physique. They typically range in height from 23 to 23 inches and weigh between 40 and 50 pounds.
Temperament
Vizslas have incredible stamina, enthusiasm, loyalty, and intelligence. They are eager to please and form strong attachments to their owners, often being referred to as “Velcro Dogs.” This strong attachment, combined with their intelligence, contributed to their obedient nature.
Training
In terms of training, Vizslas are quick learners. Their high intelligence and eagerness to please make them highly responsive to commands, allowing for efficient learning and obedience.
They require gentle guidance and consistent training from an early age to develop good behavior and prevent undesirable behaviors. Dog sports are ideal for these dogs to get both a mental and physical workout.
8. Poodle
Appearance
Poodles are a small dog breed with a height of 10-15 inches. Poodles are highly obedient due to their exceptional intelligence. It enables them to quickly understand and respond to commands.
Poodles are an intelligent breed and eager to please. Unlike certain breeds, Poodles are a healthy breed that is not prone to many health problems.
Temperament
Originally bred as hunting dogs, poodles have a long history of working alongside humans, says PetMD. They have a strong connection with humans, which helps them be easily trained. Poodles are one of the smartest dog breeds, so mental stimulation is just as important as exercise.
Training
This obedient dog breed is devoted to the owner and highly receptive to obedience training. They enjoy fun training and are more receptive to it. Their natural athleticism also means they can excel at dog sports.
9. Keeshond
Appearance
The Keeshond is a medium-sized breed that weighs between 35 and 45 pounds. They have well-muscled, compact bodies with plump tails. They are alert and curious dogs with a lot of enthusiasm.
Temperament
They are highly active dogs that require daily walks, playtime, and mental stimulation. They are highly trainable and excel in obedience competitions due to their bond with their owner.
Training
They have a lot of enthusiasm for learning new things and tend to excel when learning a new sport. Keeshonds were developed as herding dogs due to their strong alert instinct. They are well-suited for obedience training and have earned a high national ranking in various competitions.
10. Havanese
Appearance
The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba. Havanese are a popular choice for people who are often allergic to dogs because they shed less frequently than other breeds.
Havanese fur is double-coated; they become cold easily, so they need to be protected during winter playtimes.
Temperament
They are known for their friendly, outgoing, and affectionate nature. They are highly social dogs that need attention from their family members.
Training
When it comes to training, they are obedient dog breeds responding well to positive reinforcement. With proper training and socialization, Havanese become well-behaved, well-adjusted, and loving companions.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the right trainable breed can bring immense joy and companionship into your life. By choosing a breed that loves learning and obedience, you are setting yourself up to be filled with laughter, adventure, and love.
Whether you are an old dog owner or a newcomer, these exceptional breeds are sure to capture your heart and become a beloved member of your family.
With patience, love, and proper training, you can create unforgettable memories with your friend.
