Dog Breed and Training

Dog Intelligence and Training

There are some breeds that have reputations to be easier to train than others. For instance the retriever and border collie have been bred for a specific purpose, to retrieve or herd! These dogs have in the past been easier to train and therefore are good breed to start with. Other breeds that have been bred to perform one task to the exclusion of others (the blood hound or the husky or the independent terrier) are more difficult to train.

So what is dog intelligence? a dog that appears to be easy to train may not be particularly adept at performing more complex tasks such as opening latches or opening kitchen cabinets! Do we always want a smart dog! well…as a new dog owner high intelligence in not necessarily good, highly intelligent dogs also require a high level of stimulation to prevent them becoming restless and taking out their frustrations on us (in a nice way!) .

No breed is impossible to obedience train, but novice owners might find training some breeds quite difficult. The capacity to learn basic obedience, and even complicated behavior, is inherent in all dogs. Owners may need to be more patient, or creative, or both, with some breeds than with others. Research what breed will suit your personality better than another.