Animal teacher! The breeds of dogs that are easiest to train have been identified – so how does YOUR dog work?

With their adorable faces and wagging tails, it’s no surprise that dogs have been man’s best friend for thousands of years.

But not all breeds are the same when it comes to training, and if your pet misbehaves, it can be a serious source of stress.

In a new study, researchers from the University of Helsinki have identified breeds that are the easiest to train.

Their results show that Australian Cobberdogs, Australian Labradoodles and Golden Labrador Retrievers are the best for training.

On the contrary, according to the study, Bull Terriers, Sled Dogs and Parson Terriers are the most difficult to train.

In a new study, researchers from the University of Helsinki have identified breeds that are the easiest to train.  Pictured: Australian Cobberdog

In a new study, researchers from the University of Helsinki have identified breeds that are the easiest to train. Pictured: Australian Cobberdog

According to the study, Bull Terriers (pictured), sled dogs and Parson Terriers are the most difficult to train.

According to the study, Bull Terriers (pictured), sled dogs and Parson Terriers are the most difficult to train.

In the study, the team set out to explore differences in temperament between dog breeds.

“Dog breed is the most important determinant of personality differences,” said Dr. Milla Salonen, lead author of the study.

“All dogs are individuals and all breeds have different traits, but breeds differ in what kind of personality most dogs in each breed have.”

The team collected a huge behavioral survey dataset containing information on 11,000 dogs from 300 different breeds.

Then they were divided into 52 groups.

The data revealed a strong association between the breed and seven personality traits.

These were insecurity, focus on learning, aggressiveness/dominance, energy, canine sociability, human sociability, and persistence.”

In terms of training, the “other breeds” group topped the list as the easiest to train.

The easiest dogs to train

  1. Other Breeds (Australian Cobberdog, Australian Labradoodle, Golden Labrador Retriever, Indian Pariah Dog, Large Peruvian Hairless Dog, Medium Size Peruvian Hairless Dog, Peruvian Miniature Hairless Dog, Sescar Fur Seal, Unknown Breed, Wolfdog, Xoloitzcuintle Intermediate and Standard Xoloitzcuintle)
  2. Labrador Retriever
  3. Border Collie
  4. Spanish water dog
  5. rough collie
  6. Golden retriever
  7. Poodle
  8. shetland sheepdog
  9. novo scotia duck retriever
  10. Lagotto Romagnolo
  11. welsh corgi
  12. Dogs from cups
  13. Asian primitive breeds
  14. dachshund
  15. english shepherds
  16. Lapland shepherd
  17. Central European working dogs
  18. smooth collie
  19. German Shepherd
  20. Retrievers/Flushing Dogs
  21. pointers
  22. berm mountain dogs
  23. Belgian Shepherds
  24. Other companion dogs
  25. australian shepherd
  26. Bichon type dogs

The most difficult dogs to train

  1. bull terrier terriers
  2. Sled dogs
  3. Parson Terriers
  4. Pinscher/Schnauzer
  5. primitive greyhounds
  6. hounds
  7. fighting dogs
  8. Northern Companion Spitz
  9. Chinese crested dog
  10. european greyhounds
  11. Central European pastoralists
  12. Brachycephalic dogs
  13. Northern hunting spitz
  14. Guard dogs for livestock
  15. Jack Russell Terrier
  16. Yard Terriers
  17. Mastiff type dogs
  18. miniature schnauzer
  19. whippet
  20. hunting terriers
  21. mixed breed
  22. miniature pinscher
  23. Chapendos
  24. Finnish Lapland dog
  25. Related breeds of the German Spitz
  26. White Swiss Shepherd

Parson Terriers have been found to be one of the most difficult breeds to train.  Pictured: Parson Russell Terrier

Parson Terriers have been found to be one of the most difficult breeds to train. Pictured: Parson Russell Terrier

This group included the Australian Cobberdog, Australian Labradoodle, Golden Labrador Retriever, Indian Pariah Dog, Large Peruvian Hairless Dog, Medium Size Peruvian Hairless Dog, Miniature Peruvian Hairless Dog, Sescar Sea Dog, Unknown Breed, Wolfdog, Xoloitzcuintle Intermediate and Standard Xoloitzcuintle .

This group was followed by a Labrador Retriever, a Border Collie and a Spanish Water Dog.

On the other hand, Bull Terriers, Sled Dogs, Parson Terriers, and Pinscher/Schnauzers were considered the most difficult to train.

In addition to breed, several other factors have been found to influence a dog’s trainability.

Female dogs were found to be easier to train, while training also became easier as the dogs got older.

Meanwhile, neutered dogs have proven more difficult to train than those who have not yet been neutered.

“Based on our research, personality traits are extremely complex and share striking similarities between dogs, humans, and other animals,” added Dr. Salonen.

WHAT ARE THE TEN COMMON MYTHS ABOUT DOG?

It’s easy to believe that dogs like the same things we do, but that’s not always strictly true.

Here are ten things people should remember when trying to understand their pets, according to animal behavior experts Dr. Melissa Starling and Dr. Paul McGreevy of the University of Sydney.

1. Dogs don’t like to share.

2. Not all dogs enjoy being hugged or stroked.

3. A barking dog is not always an aggressive dog.

4. Dogs don’t like it when other dogs enter their territory/home.

5. Dogs love to be active and don’t need as much rest time as humans.

6. Not all dogs are overly friendly, some are more shy.

7. A dog that seems friendly can soon become aggressive.

8. Dogs need open spaces and new areas to explore. Playing in the garden won’t always be enough

9. Sometimes a dog doesn’t bully, it just doesn’t understand what to do or what you want.

10. Subtle facial signals often prevent barking or growling when a dog is unhappy with something.