10 Best behaved dog breeds

If you are a first-time dog owner, you probably want to get an obedient dog. Raising a dog is not easy, and life can become difficult if you get a stubborn and naughty dog.

So I’ve compiled a list of Best Behaved Dog Breeds that are friendly and highly intelligent (which means they are easy to train). In theory, there should be no problem with them, although there are exceptions to every case. Also, a dog’s behavior depends on his upbringing from childhood!

1 – Golden Retriever

This is one of the most popular dog breeds, and no wonder because Golden Retrievers are so cute and have a kind temperament. They are quiet, good with children, and have no trouble getting along with other animals.

Golden Retrievers are relatively easy to train because they are highly intelligent. In The Intelligence of Dogs, they are ranked fourth among the smartest dogs.

However, Golden Retrievers also have some disadvantages, such as they shed a lot and require a lot of attention. Since they are very active, they need a lot of exercise. You should not leave such a dog alone at home for long periods.

If Goldens needs are not met, their good behavior can eventually change to bad behavior; for example, they may start chewing and ruining things. Also, Goldens often jump on people, not because of aggression, but to express their affection. 

Pros:

  • calm, friendly nature;
  • intelligent, quite easy to train;
  • get along well with other animals and children.

– Cons:

  • moulting a lot;
  • activity level is above average, so they require a lot of time and physical activity;
  • often suffer from separation anxiety.
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by u/snails2190 from discussion Golden Retrievers: Tell Me the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
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2 – Boston Terrier

A large dog is usually more of a hassle, so you may want to consider smaller breeds of well-behaved dogs like the Boston Terrier.

Boston Terrier outdoor

The first three characteristics of Boston Terriers displayed on Google are lively, smart, and affectionate. You can get this dog if you have other animals or children. Boston terriers get along well with everyone.

Boston Terriers are among the easiest dog breeds to train and rarely have behavior problems. They are also not prone to excessive barking like Beagles. However, they are energetic dogs that need exercise. Sometimes they become hyperactive, and you need to control this condition properly.

Pros:

  • high intelligence;
  • learning ability is above average;
  • gentle and affectionate;
  • playful and perky.

– Cons:

  • can be hyperactive and agitated sometimes;
  • need extra attention and lots of exercises.

What Boston Terrier owners say about their pets:

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от u/sleepiest_kitty из обсуждения Что я должен знать о бостон-терьере, прежде чем взять его?
в БостонТерьер

3 – Labrador

This breed is highly intelligent and obedient. Labs are also very eager to please their owner. So they can be easily trained.

In addition, they are very fond of yummy treats, so they are willing to obey your commands for a reward. But their gluttony sometimes knows no bounds, so it must be controlled.

It’s hard to find flaws in Labradors, except they can be overly active. They can have behavioral problems if they don’t get the proper exercise and mental stimulation.

Pros:

  • intelligent and loyal;
  • trainable;
  • obedient;
  • friendly;
  • seldom have behavior problems.

– Cons:

  • very energetic;
  • require lots of play and exercise;
  • molting a lot.
Комментарий
от u/Avridt из обсуждения Лаборатории в простом режиме? [Обсуждение]
у собак

4 – Poodle

This is a trainable, intelligent dog breed with a friendly and calm temperament. Some even consider Poodles the smartest. As dog trainers say, Poodles are really easy to train because they love to learn things by nature and follow their owner easily.

Poodles are not prone to anxiety as well as excessive barking. That’s why we added them to our list of the most obedient dogs. They are fairly balanced, although they also love activity and play. 

By the way, although Poodles have quite a long coat, they don’t shed as much. However, they do need regular grooming to look nice and be healthy.

Pros:

  • high intelligence;
  • good manners;
  • friendliness;
  • almost no flaws.

– Cons:

  • needs proper coat care.
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5 – Pug

Pugs are one of the best-behaved small dog breeds. They are calm and not aggressive dogs. They are real sweethearts who will not hurt a fly. Pugs are pretty easy to train, and behavior problems are rare.

Unlike most dogs on this list, pugs don’t need as much physical activity. Therefore, it is ideal for those who like a more measured life.

However, pugs have breathing problems and often suffer from various conditions affecting their eyes, skin, and ears. It can be burdensome, but also sad to see your pet suffer.

Pros:

  • calm, kind;
  • not hard to train;
  • have an average energy level, so they need minimal exercise.

– Cons:

  • there are virtually no pugs that don’t have health problems;
  • shed heavily.

Here are a few more words about pugs:

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Comment
by u/BulletRicochet from discussion Are pugs a valid/good dog for a first time owner?
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6 – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

This breed is on the list of the calmest dogs. They are peaceful and affectionate, not problematic and easy to train. They are even trained to participate in various competitions. They are very attached to their owners, so they will strive to please you.

In addition, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are also recommended as therapy dogs because they love to lie in your arms and cuddle. However, they are very needy of companionship, so they should not be left alone for long periods. Otherwise, their good behavior will change to destructive behavior.

Pros:

  • calm temperament;
  • intelligent and obedient, striving to please the owner;
  • friendly with everyone;
  • have an average energy level.

– Cons:

  • a large percentage of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels develop severe genetic diseases.
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7 – Bichon Frise

These obedient dogs would rather follow their owner than stubbornly stand their ground. Therefore, the Bichon Frise is easy to train.

This is a social breed that easily gets along with others. They are very sweet and kind. Also, the Bichon Frise will not require much physical activity and they like to stay at home. In general, living with these dogs is relatively easy.

By the way, this can be a great choice if you are looking for a best-behaved dog that doesn’t shed. The Bichon Frise is suitable even for allergies.

However, judging from the stories of Bichon Frise owners, these dogs often tend to vocalize excessively.

Pros:

  • obedient, well motivated by food;
  • friendly;
  • doesn’t require much physical activity.

– Cons:

  • some Bichon Frise bark a lot.
Comment
byu/hissxywife from discussion
inbichonfrise

8 – German Shepherd

Probably no one would argue that German Shepherds should be on this list. They are one of the most intelligent and obedient breeds with plenty of personal strengths. They can protect, guard, search for people, and provide other assistance. That’s why German Shepherds often work with police, rescuers and also serve as companions for blind people.

two German Shepherds outdoor

However, German Shepherds become obedient with proper and consistent training. You also need to devote a lot of time to exercise. With improper training, shepherds can become overly aggressive to others (defender instinct is off the charts). If you want a family-friendly, affectionate dog, you’re better off looking for another option.

Pros:

  • good protectors;
  • very smart;
  • loyal.

– Cons:

  • can be abrupt and even aggressive;
  • not very loveable.
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от u/red_hot_mama из обсуждения Плюсы и минусы немецких овчарок?
в немецких овчарках

9 – English Cocker Spaniel

In descriptions of this breed you can often see qualities such as poise and submissiveness. English Cocker Spaniels are usually peaceful and polite with everyone, both people and other animals. They are relatively easy to train, but remember that this is a hunting breed, which means you must give them plenty of physical and mental stimulation.

Cocker Spaniels love to learn and perform well in agility tests. They are usually eager to please their owner, but their hunter instinct can make them follow “prey” such as cats or squirrels. Finding other serious disadvantages with cockerels is difficult.

Pros:

  • one of the most docile, balanced breeds;
  • average energy level (sometimes like to lie down and do nothing);
  • affectionate and kind to everyone.

– Cons:

  • can be prone to running away from the yard and following prey.
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от u/geblix из обсуждения Каково это – вырастить английского кокера?
на английскомкокерспаниель

10 – Beagle

Beagles are often bred as hunting and companion dogs because they are highly intelligent and have a kind temperament. Beagles are not aggressive, so they get along well with other dogs. Also, dogs of this breed are friendly with children.

Additional advantages of Beagles are their small size and short coat. They are easier to care for and don’t need to be fed as much as Goldens.

But you can’t say Beagles are easy to train because they can be stubborn when they follow their nose. Outdoors, you need to keep them on a leash.

You should also understand that Beagles like to bark and dig, because they are bred to hunt. So to keep your backyard safe from these diggers, you need to provide a special digging area and give them plenty of physical activity.

Pros:

  • High intelligence, which allows them to be trained on a variety of commands;
  • friendly and affectionate;
  • have a high level of adaptability (can easily cope with life changes, and therefore are less prone to anxiety and behavioral problems).

– Cons:

  • quite vocal (like to bark and howl);
  • like to dig, so may dig under the fence and run away from home;
  • can be stubborn.

And here’s what Beagle owners have to say about this breed:

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Conclusions

There is no perfect dog. Every breed has its characteristics, so you must find one that suits your temperament and lifestyle.

If you’re willing to dedicate 1-2 hours daily to training, consider Labradors, Goldens, or smaller Beagles or Boston Terriers. These are good family dogs, smart and kind.

If you’re not as active, consider Pugs, English Cocker Spaniels, or Bichon Frise. Poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels also have a calmer disposition. These dogs are quite easy to live with. Consider the German Shepherd dog if you are looking for an obedient guardian and loyal companion.

Remember that the breed of a dog affects its character only partially. You need to properly train your dog from childhood so that it will grow up obedient and behave well!

Anastasia
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