These are the 10 dog breeds that are difficult to train without expensive obedience classes
Over the past 18 months, many of us have welcomed a new four-legged friend to our homes as the Kennel Club has seen the number of dog owners increase by almost 8% from 2020.
But with 221 different purebred dog breeds to choose from, there is a lot of thought to be done before selecting your perfect puppy – whether you want a large dog, a family dog, or a crossbreed.
There’s even academic advice to seek out, with psychologist Stanley Coren’s book “The Intelligence of Dogs” categorizing breeds by instinct, obedience, and adaptability.
One thing to keep in mind when finding a new dog is that some breeds are more difficult to train than others.
That’s not to say that they don’t make great pets – just that you will have to work really hard to get them to listen, understand, and obey commands.
It may be worth investing in obedience classes to get them to understand the basics of sitting, standing and walking.
Here are 10 of the hardest breeds to train, according to the American Kennel Club.
For all the latest dog news, chat, tips and information join our Scotsdog Facebook group here
A message from the editor:
Thank you for reading this article. We depend on your support more than ever, as the change in consumption habits caused by the coronavirus is having an impact on our advertisers.
If you haven’t already, consider supporting our trusted and verified journalism by purchasing a digital subscription.
The Afghan Hound may be elegant and affectionate, but its training can be a nightmare. The American Kennel Club describes it as “the challenge of training and the independent dog” who has a habit of being “aloof.” Positive reinforcement (in other words, lots of treats) is your best shot at getting this breed to sit up and stay.
Photo: Canva / Getty Images
Rottweilers are dogs that benefit tremendously from professional training, otherwise they can become overly protective of their owner and potentially prey on strangers. They can be incredibly stubborn at first, but a well-trained Rottie will be one of the best-behaved dogs you can meet.
Photo: Canva / Getty Images
Chow Chows are a very gentle dog, but another dog described by the American Kennel Club as “aloof.” So they’ll always be a pleasure to ignore every word you say.
Photo: Canva / Getty Images
The long-nosed Borzoi will seem eager to please, but may not succeed. The American Kennel Club’s explanation for this is that “in their calm, feline manner, they can be stubborn, and training is best done with patience, consistency, and good humor.”
Photo: Canva / Getty Images
Hardly Anyone Is Feeding Their Dog Safely, a US Study Suggestions
Ring doorbell footage captures postie appearing to boot family’s dog across drive