Best dogs
Easiest dog breeds to train
The breeds rated quickest to learn and most eager to work with their owners.
Trainability means how quickly a breed learns and how much it wants to work with its owner. The breeds below are rated highest. Even the easiest dog needs consistent, kind training from a young age.
The list
| # | Breed | Size | Typical weight | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Labrador Retriever | Large | 55 to 80 lb | 10 to 12 years |
| 2 | Golden Retriever | Large | 55 to 75 lb | 10 to 12 years |
| 3 | Poodle | Medium | 40 to 70 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 4 | Miniature Schnauzer | Small | 11 to 20 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 5 | Papillon | Small | 5 to 10 lb | 14 to 16 years |
| 6 | German Shepherd Dog | Large | 50 to 90 lb | 9 to 13 years |
| 7 | Miniature American Shepherd | Medium | 20 to 40 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 8 | Shetland Sheepdog | Small | 15 to 25 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 9 | American Eskimo Dog | Small | 6 to 35 lb | 13 to 15 years |
| 10 | Spanish Water Dog | Medium | 31 to 49 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 11 | Australian Shepherd | Medium | 40 to 65 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 12 | Doberman Pinscher | Large | 60 to 100 lb | 10 to 12 years |
| 13 | Border Collie | Medium | 30 to 55 lb | 12 to 15 years |
| 14 | Belgian Tervuren | Medium | 45 to 75 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 15 | Belgian Sheepdog | Medium | 45 to 75 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 16 | Mudi | Small | 18 to 29 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 17 | Belgian Laekenois | Medium | 55 to 65 lb | 12 to 14 years |
| 18 | Belgian Malinois | Medium | 40 to 80 lb | 14 to 16 years |
About the breeds
1. Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is a sturdy, water-loving gun dog with an easygoing nature, widely kept as a family pet and a working guide and service dog. Read the Labrador Retriever profile.
2. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a friendly, feathered gun dog from Scotland, known as a patient family companion, a bird retriever and a frequent service dog. Read the Golden Retriever profile.
3. Poodle
The Poodle is an intelligent, athletic water retriever in three sizes, known for a curly non-shedding coat and strong trainability. Read the Poodle profile.
4. Miniature Schnauzer
A sturdy, bearded German terrier-type dog with a wiry coat, a quick mind, and a loud voice, popular as a small family companion and watchdog. Read the Miniature Schnauzer profile.
5. Papillon
The Papillon is a small, intelligent toy spaniel named for its butterfly-like ears, quick to learn and unusually athletic for its size. Read the Papillon profile.
6. German Shepherd Dog
A large, athletic herding breed from Germany, widely used in police, military and service work and kept as a loyal, trainable family guardian. Read the German Shepherd Dog profile.
7. Miniature American Shepherd
A compact, athletic herding dog developed in the United States from small Australian Shepherds, quick to learn and happiest with a job. Read the Miniature American Shepherd profile.
8. Shetland Sheepdog
A small, long-coated herding dog from the Shetland Islands, known for sharp intelligence, sensitivity and a tendency to bark. Read the Shetland Sheepdog profile.
9. American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is a white, fox-faced spitz in three sizes, known for its intelligence, loud bark and long history as a trick dog and family watchdog. Read the American Eskimo Dog profile.
10. Spanish Water Dog
A medium-sized Spanish herding and water dog with a woolly, curly coat that sheds little, known for versatility, stamina and a close bond with its family. Read the Spanish Water Dog profile.
11. Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is an agile, intelligent American herding dog with a merle or solid coat, known for stamina, loyalty and a need for work. Read the Australian Shepherd profile.
12. Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher is a sleek, fast German guard and working dog valued for intelligence, loyalty and a strong bond with its family. Read the Doberman Pinscher profile.
13. Border Collie
The Border Collie is a lithe herding dog from the Anglo-Scottish border, famous for intense focus, speed and exceptional trainability. Read the Border Collie profile.
14. Belgian Tervuren
The Belgian Tervuren is an elegant, long-coated Belgian herding dog with a black-tipped fawn coat, known for sensitivity, athleticism and drive. Read the Belgian Tervuren profile.
15. Belgian Sheepdog
The Belgian Sheepdog is a striking, long-haired black herding breed from Belgium, known as the Groenendael elsewhere, with intelligence and a watchful nature. Read the Belgian Sheepdog profile.
16. Mudi
A rare, athletic Hungarian herding dog with a wavy coat and upright ears, quick, versatile and alert, best suited to owners who have plenty of time to train. Read the Mudi profile.
17. Belgian Laekenois
The Belgian Laekenois is the rarest of the four Belgian herding breeds, with a rough, wiry fawn coat, and is valued as an agile working partner. Read the Belgian Laekenois profile.
18. Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a powerful, short-coated Belgian herding breed used in police and military work, with intense drive that calls for experienced handling. Read the Belgian Malinois profile.
How this list was made
Breeds rated 5 for trainability, then ordered by suitability for first-time owners and popularity. The ratings come from the breed profiles on this site, which rate each breed as a whole. Individual dogs differ, so use the list to decide which profiles to read, then meet the breed before you choose.