ASK THE TRAINER:
WHAT IS THE EASIEST BREED OF DOG TO TRAIN?
Why “Smart” Isn’t Everything
By Andrew C. Sherwood, Professional Dog Trainer with 25 years of experience.
Essentials: Trainability and high intelligence animals
Reading time: 6 minutes
Best for: Prospective dog owners, new dog owners, agility training
Key Takeaway: The easiest dog to train isn’t necessarily the smartest—it’s the one with an unmatched desire to cooperate with you; for professional trainers, the Border Collie takes the crown.
The short answer? If you are looking for the easiest breed of dog to train, professional dog trainers agree it wins by a landslide: the Border Collie.
However, “easiest” doesn’t just mean the smartest or the most athletic. It means the dog possesses an unmatched, gratuitous desire to please you. Ease of training is found at the intersection of adequate intelligence, high energy, and an unyielding work ethic.
Let me preface this by stating that I personally don’t care how easy or hard it is to train a dog. I love training animals, I love teaching hard concepts, and I love training all dogs. But when we talk about the ease of dog training, we have to look at the canine that puts the most effort into your relationship.
WHY IT HAPPENS
Understanding why certain dogs are easier to train comes down to separating raw intelligence (IQ) from biddability and desire to work.
Approximating a dog’s intelligence can be tricky. Many breeds understand exactly what their owners desire, but simply refuse to oblige them. A dog’s motives for a lackluster training career are similar to human personalities:
Laziness or low energy
Pride and independence
Low discipline or easily distracted
Lack of respect for the handler’s authority
An IQ is only as good as the desire to apply it. The valedictorian of a high school class usually isn’t the raw “smartest” student; they are the student who combined consistent effort with adequate intellect. Meanwhile, prison wardens will tell you some of the most brilliant inmates are serving hard time.
Canines offer the exact same smorgasbord of personalities:
Siberian Huskies: The wild geniuses who will break the law if left unemployed.
Shih Tzus: Trust-fund babies who prefer a quiet, comfortable life of luxury.
Border Collies: The heroes of the working class—the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” Canine American.
The Border Collie instinctively understands that being proactive leads to more freedom, making them the recognized gold standard of absolute reliability.
COMMON MISTAKES
When owners choose a breed based purely on “intelligence,” they frequently fall into a few common traps.
Equating High Intelligence with Low Effort
Owners assume a smart dog will train itself. In reality, a smart dog without direction will use its brain power to invent its own jobs—like opening cabinets, scaling fences, or herding your children.
Confusing Ability with Motivation
Assuming your dog will execute a command simply because they can perform it. Without a strong handler-oriented drive, intelligence turns into selective hearing.
Failing to Provide a Purpose
High-drive, easy-to-train breeds require mental stimulation. Leaving a highly trainable working dog unemployed in a backyard leads to destructive behavior and anxiety.
WHAT BLACK BELT CANINE ACADEMY DOES DIFFERENTLY
At Black Belt Canine Academy, we love teaching hard concepts to every type of dog—whether they are inherently biddable or fiercely independent.
We Cultivate Real Desire
We teach you how to build a dynamic where your dog wants to work for you, bridging the gap between raw intelligence and active compliance.
Customized Systems for Every Breed
Whether you bring us a eager Border Collie or a headstrong Husky, we adapt our martial-arts-inspired training philosophies to match your dog’s specific temperament.
Focus on Real-World Reliability
We help you turn training concepts into everyday habits, ensuring your dog listens off-leash, at door thresholds, and around public distractions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If Border Collies are the easiest to train, are they the best breed for first-time owners?
Not necessarily. While they learn commands faster than almost any other breed, their high energy and intense drive mean they require constant mental and physical stimulation. If an inexperienced owner doesn’t provide structure, a Border Collie’s intelligence will be channeled into neurotic or destructive behaviors.
What is the difference between a dog being "smart" and being "trainable"?
Smart refers to problem-solving capability; trainability (biddability) refers to their willingness to cooperate with a human. A smart dog might figure out how to unlatch a gate on its own, but an easily trainable dog will eagerly look to you for permission before stepping through that gate.
Can stubborn or "low IQ" breeds still achieve high-level obedience?
Yes, absolutely. Any dog capable of learning can achieve reliable obedience with the right approach. With less biddable breeds, the focus shifts from repeating commands to establishing clear leadership, consistent motivation, and non-negotiable boundaries.
What other dog breeds are considered easy to train?
Breeds in the Herding and Sporting groups generally top the list. Alongside the Border Collie, breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Australian Shepherds are renowned for their high trainability and strong desire to work closely with human handlers.
How do I know if my dog is ignoring me because they don't understand or because they don't care?
Look at the environment. If your dog performs a command 10 out of 10 times in your living room, they fully understand the concept. If they ignore that same command outdoors near a squirrel, the issue isn’t comprehension—it’s motivation and relationship structure.
NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP?
Easy or hard, we train them all in Tucson, AZ.
We know that a lot of factors come into play when bringing a new dog into your family—size, temperament, energy level, and aesthetic all matter. Whether you have a dog that loves running every morning or one holding down the fort while you work, we can help.
At Black Belt Canine Academy, Andrew Sherwood can teach you how to cultivate a dog that cares about your desires and works to please you reliably, every day, in every setting.
