This page is part of the Command Training section of the Dog Science
Dog Training
Workshop, which is an element of the Dog Science Network
The Dog Breeds with the Best Potential to be Obedience Trained
Benjamin and Lynette Hart wrote a brilliant little book called The Perfect Puppy: How to Choose Your Dog by Its Behavior (1988). Unfortunately, the work is currently out of print.
The Harts interviewed 48 veterinarians and 48 obedience judges and asked each of them to rank-order 56 of the most popular dog breeds along 13 characteristics. Then, they compiled the results to make it possible to compare each of the 56 breeds, one to another, in some essential ways. Fortunately, obedience training potential was one of the variables about which the Harts polled the experts.
Please note that, although the Hart's study did not address happenstance training, it is the opinion of this author that the best obedience dogs are also the most responsive to happenstance work.
The Best Breeds for Obedience Work -- Taken from The Perfect Puppy
| #1 Rating: The poorest obedience dogs Located here at the top of the chart are the breeds that are the least likely to do well at obedience work. As you work your way down the chart, the breeds in each successive group hold greater promise as obedience dogs than did their predecessors. |
Chow Chow Fox Terrier Afghan Hound Bulldog Bassett Hound Beagle |
| #2 Rating | West Highland White Terrier Chihuahua Pug Pomeranian Pikingese |
| #3 Rating | Scottish Terrier Yorkshire Terrier Saint Bernard Old English Sheepdog Irish Setter Dachshund |
| #4 Rating | Samoyed Lhasa Apso Cairn Terrier Weimaraner Airedale Terrier |
| #5 Rating Middling Bad Obedience Dogs |
Maltese Bloodhound Silky Terrier Siberian Husky Boston Terrier Alaskan Malamute |
| #6 Rating Middling Good Obedience Dogs |
Dalmatian Boxer Great Dane Shih Tzu Newfoundland German Shorthaired Pointer |
| #7 Rating | Norwegian Elkhound Cocker Spaniel Bichon Frise Miniature Schnauzer Rottweiler |
| #8 Rating | Vizsla Brittany Spaniel Akita Welsh Corgi Toy Poodle Keeshond |
| #9 Rating | Labrador Retriever Chesapeake Bay Retriever Collie Golden Retriever English Springer Spaniel |
| #10 Rating: The best obedience dogs Located here at the bottom of the chart are the breeds that are the most likely to do well at obedience work. |
Miniature Poodle German Shepherd Standard Poodle Shetland Sheepdog Doberman Pinscher Australian Shepherd |