20 Most Obedient Dog Breeds

The most obedient dog breeds are known for being quick learners and easy to train. Whether you want to compete in obedience or other dog sports or just have an easy-to-train dog, these obedient breeds are excellent candidates. Of course, there can be different temperaments within breeds but overall, these dog breeds are known for being obedient. 

The most obedient dog breeds can excel beyond obedience and do well in agility, tracking, and other dog sports as well. Many of these breeds are herding dogs and are very high-energy working dogs, so they require plenty of exercise to be able to focus on obedience training. 

Most Obedient Dog Breeds

1. Border Collie

Border Collies are energetic herding dogs that are renowned for their intelligence and working abilities. They’re some of the most trainable dogs and make excellent pets if they have enough mental and physical stimulation.

• Temperament: Alert, intelligent, loyal, active

• Energy Level: Very High

• Size: Medium

2. German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is also a herding dog that excels in many working roles, including police work, search and rescue, and as a service dog. These smart pups are one of the most obedient dog breeds that are eager to please and quick to learn. 

• Temperament: Loyal, eager to please, protective

• Energy Level: High

• Size: Large

3. Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular family pets for a good reason – they’re intelligent dogs that love people and other dogs. Goldens are known for their easygoing nature and obedience. The Golden Retriever makes an excellent therapy dog, family pet, or service dog. 

• Temperament: Friendly, playful, quick to learn

• Energy Level: High

• Size: Large

4. Poodle

Poodles excel in obedience training and are ranked as one of the most intelligent dogs. These pretty pups come in three sizes – Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle, and Toy Poodle. Poodles are easy to train and they thrive with an active lifestyle. 

• Temperament: Friendly, playful, quick to learn

• Energy Level: High

• Size: Toy, Medium, and Large

5. Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman is a legendary guard dog, but they’re also known for their obedience. These large, athletic dogs are one of the most obedient dogs that are popular for protection work, search and rescue, agility, and other dog sports. Dobermans also make affectionate companions and are most often kept as pets. 

• Temperament: Athletic, loyal, active, affectionate with family and friends

• Energy Level: High

• Size: Large

6. Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is a great family dog that picks up on obedience commands quickly. Labs are one of the most popular pets in America due to their friendly nature. They’re also easy to train, especially if they get plenty of regular exercise to keep them happy. 

• Temperament: Friendly, playful, quick to learn

• Energy Level: High

• Size: Large

7. Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is often used for military and police work. These high-energy dogs learn commands quickly and are very driven to work. If you have the energy and time to dedicate to training a Malinois, the sky is the limit to what you can do together. 

• Temperament: Quick, athletic, loves having a job

• Energy Level: Very High

• Size: Medium to Large

8. Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog – also known as Sheltie – is an easygoing dog that is generally quick to learn. These furry pups make great family pets that love kids. 

• Temperament: Intelligent, affectionate, eager to please

• Energy Level: High

• Size: Medium

9. Collie

Collies are another herding dog that is known for being dedicated and easy to train. They love children, exemplified by the famous TV show “Lassie.” Collies are smart and loyal and excel in obedience. 

• Temperament: Devoted, quick to learn, athletic

• Energy Level: High

• Size: Large

10. Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherds are an athletic herding breed that loves to work. These smart pups are one of the most obedient breeds and they thrive in herding, agility, and other dog sports. If you want to adopt an Aussie, make sure you are up for their high energy and can give them the daily exercise they need. 

• Temperament: Energetic, protective, loves having a job

• Energy Level: Very high

• Size: Medium

11. Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog is also a herding breed that was developed to herd cattle over long distances. These natural athletes are loyal, obedient, and protective of their families. The Australian Cattle Dog is also renowned for being one of the longest-living dog breeds, with an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years. 

• Temperament: Alert, loyal, protective, athletic

• Energy Level: Very high

• Size: Medium

12. Belgian Tervuren

The Belgian Tervuren is a herding dog from Belgium that enjoys lots of exercise and bonding with their humans. These elegant herding dogs are dedicated to their people and enjoy learning commands. 

• Temperament: Courageous, protective, affectionate, active

• Energy Level: High

• Size: Medium to Large

13. Vizsla

The Vizsla is an energetic gun dog that gets along well with people and other dogs. This medium, sleek pup is one of the most trainable dog breeds. Vizslas are athletic and love to stay active. They thrive with training in dog sports like agility and also enjoy running and hunting with their owners. 

• Temperament: Courageous, protective, affectionate, active

• Energy Level: Very High

• Size: Medium

14. Havanese

The Havanese is a sociable small dog that gets along well with people and other dogs. These lovable pups take to training well. They have a medium energy level and are adaptable, making them popular dogs for city living.

• Temperament: Easygoing, adaptable, friendly

• Energy Level: Medium

• Size: Small/Toy

15. Papillon

The Papillon is one of the most obedient small dog breeds. These pint-sized pups are quick to learn new commands and they excel at agility. Papillons are happy, hardy little dogs that love to stay active.

• Temperament: Cheerful, playful, adaptable

• Energy Level: High

• Size: Small/Toy

16. Rottweiler

Rottweilers are large guard dogs with an intimidating appearance. These big dogs are generally very trainable and thrive in obedience and other dog sports like protection work. Although they may be reserved with strangers, Rotties are known to be big goofballs at home with their families. 

• Temperament: Loyal, alert, affectionate with family

• Energy Level: Medium

• Size: Large

17. Border Terrier

Border terriers are one of the most obedient dog breeds that are perfect for small dog lovers. These working dogs enjoy staying active and follow commands well. They’re happy, affectionate dogs that can adapt well to country or city life, as long as they get enough exercise. 

• Temperament: Cheerful, affectionate, fun-loving

• Energy Level: High

• Size: Small

18. Miniature Schnauzer

The Miniature Schnauzer is an obedient small dog with an outgoing personality. These tough terriers get along well with people and other animals and make great family pets and good watchdogs. 

• Temperament: Obedient, friendly, smart

• Energy Level: Medium

• Size: Small

19. Dutch Shepherd

The Dutch Shepherd is an energetic herding dog that excels at obedience. Dutchies are often used in police and military work due to their trainability, energy level, and high work drive. With enough exercise and mental stimulation, Dutch Shepherds make great pets. 

• Temperament: Energetic, smart, driven

• Energy Level: Very High

• Size: Medium to large

20. English Springer Spaniel

The English Springer Spaniel is one of the most obedient dog breeds. These medium-sized sporting dogs are friendly and eager to please. They’re good with kids and other animals and love being with their people. 

• Temperament: Loyal, alert, affectionate

• Energy Level: High

• Size: Medium

Dog Breeds That Are More Difficult to Train

There are some breeds who have an independent, strong-willed nature and they may be more difficult to train. These include ancient, primitive dog breeds such as the Akita, Siberian Husky, Afghan Hound, Basenji, and Shiba Inu. Bulldogs can also be stubborn, making them harder to train. Hunting dogs such as Basset Hounds and Bloodhounds can be very independent and may not listen to commands when they’re following a hot scent. 

Obedience does not correlate with intelligence, as these breeds are often extremely smart, but they were bred for tasks that required independent thinking and are less likely to be people pleasers (I know, I have an Akita with a mind of her own:). 

If you’re considering bringing a puppy or adult dog into your home, check out Petfinder for lots of adoptable dogs in your area. 

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