The following is a list of dog breeds that have been proven in most instances to be the easiest to train. Keep in mind that just because a puppy is full bred doesn’t mean it will always live up to the common standards of its breed. Often times a mixed breed dog can also be easy to train.
For larger breeds one of the first and most well known for its ability to be easily trained is the Golden Retriever. Most don’t make good watch dogs because they have a very good disposition and generally love people. They are known to be an excellent family dog for those with children. They are exceptionally smart and eager to please their owners, thus making them a very good choice if you are looking for a dog that is easy to train. Golden Retrievers are also known to enjoy their food and snacks almost too well, so while in training it may be a good idea to use a toy or simply a lot of praise when the dog accomplishes part of a new lesson, instead of giving it a food snack. The Golden Retriever is known to be a very quick learner. They are almost always highly intelligent, so even if you aren’t experienced in training dogs, you should be able to train a Golden Retriever fairly easily to do simple commands.
The second large breed dog that is known to be easily trained is the Labrador Retriever. These are most normally very good-natured dogs that are also eager to please to their family members. They can be trained to duck hunt if there is a hunter in your household, but they also make excellent family pets. Because the Lab is one of the most popular breeds purchased by families, you will want to make sure you get a puppy from a reputable breeder and not a puppy mill. The latter can turn out unpredictable dogs due to inbreeding. Because the Lab is usually extremely smart and eager to please, it is usually very easily trained. If you start training your Labrador from the time you bring him home you should end up with a very well mannered and socialized adult dog. A Labrador will particularly enjoy training sessions with its owners because they love any extra attention.
Although the Rottweiler looks like quite the stubborn beast, they too are known to be easily trained if done properly and from an early age. This breed loves to have a job to do and is also willing and eager to please its owner. They are known to be very loyal which also helps in their training sessions. It is important to raise a Rottweiler puppy being subjected to many people. Otherwise they may bond to only the person that spends the most time with them, and feel too protective around strangers. They do require a persistent trainer and handler to behave well and learn what is acceptable behavior.
One of the most intelligent and easily trained dogs in the large breed category is the German Shepherd. They are known to be extremely smart dogs that are loyal, alert and always ready to grant their owners wishes. Everyone has seen how this breed is often chosen to work with the police and the military, and it is because they are so easily trained. They are known to be obedient and seem to learn very quickly. The German Shepherd is known as the easiest of all breeds to train .
For the small to medium sized breeds, among the top four that are most easily trained are the poodle, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Papillon. All four of these breeds are known to be highly intelligent and loyal to their owners, making them eager to learn and easy to train.
Sources: Personal and http://www.justdogbreeds.com/dog-breeds.html
