Advertisement
COVID inquiry live:

Hancock sent text complaining about Sunak during COVID

Tricky To Train Dogs 2023: These are the 10 breeds of adorable dog likely to need obedience classes - including the loving Beagle đŸ¶

David Hepburn
·4-min read
Some breeds of dog are notoriously more difficult to train than others. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
Some breeds of dog are notoriously more difficult to train than others. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)

The last two years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club saw dog ownership soar.

But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or crossbreed. There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.

The long-nosed Borzoi will seem to be eager to please but won't necessarily manage to do so. The American Kennel Club's explanation for this is that
The long-nosed Borzoi will seem to be eager to please but won't necessarily manage to do so. The American Kennel Club's explanation for this is that "in their quiet, catlike way they can be stubborn, and training is best accomplished with patience, consistency, and good humor." (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)

For all the latest dog news, chat, advice and information, join our Scotsdog Facebook group here

One thing to bear in mind when looking for a new dog is that certain breeds are more challenging to train than others. This doesn’t mean that they don’t make great pets – just that you’ll have to work extra hard to get them to listen to, understand and obey commands.

It may be worth investing in obedience classes to get them to understand the basics of sitting, staying and walking to heel. Here are 10 of the breeds that are most difficult to train, according to the American Kennel Club.

The Afghan hound may be elegant and loving, but it can be a nightmare to train. The American Kennel Club descrives it as
The Afghan hound may be elegant and loving, but it can be a nightmare to train. The American Kennel Club descrives it as "the challenge of training and independent hound" that has a habit of being "aloof". Positive reinforcement (in other words, plenty of treats) is your best chance of getting this breed to sit and stay.

Read more:

Velcro Dogs: These are the 10 breeds of loving dog likely to stick to their owner like glue - including the clingy Labrador

Labrador Retriever Names: Here are the 10 most popular dog names in the world for adorable Labrador puppies

Dalmatians are a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde breed - they can be very obedient, but only when it's something they are happy to go along with. If it's not something they are keen on they can be obstinate, while poorly-trained Dalmations have a habit of jumping up, growling and snapping. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
Dalmatians are a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde breed - they can be very obedient, but only when it's something they are happy to go along with. If it's not something they are keen on they can be obstinate, while poorly-trained Dalmations have a habit of jumping up, growling and snapping. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)

Dogs With Powerful Bites: These are the 11 breeds of adorable dog who have the strongest bite - including the strong Bulldog

Here are the 10 most expensive breeds of adorable dog since lockdown sent prices soaring

These are the 10 best adorable breeds of dog to choose if you have young children

Famously the only breed of dog that doesn't bark (it makes an odd yodelling noise instead), the American Kennel Club advises that crate training is an obsolute must when it comes to this unusual breed. Characterised as
Rottweilers are dogs that benefit hugely from professional training, otherwise they can become too protective of their owner and potentially lash out at strangers. They can be incredibly stubborn at first, but a well-trained Rottie will be one of the best-behaved dogs you could ever meet. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
Rottweilers are dogs that benefit hugely from professional training, otherwise they can become too protective of their owner and potentially lash out at strangers. They can be incredibly stubborn at first, but a well-trained Rottie will be one of the best-behaved dogs you could ever meet. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
Chow Chows are a very mild-tempered dog, but are another dog described by the American Kennel Club as
Chow Chows are a very mild-tempered dog, but are another dog described by the American Kennel Club as "aloof". So they'll always be very pleasant about ignoring every word you say. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
The Bulldog is a breed that can be exactly as stubborn as it looks. Their two favourite things to do are to eat and to sleep - getting them to do anything else can be a real challenge. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
The Bulldog is a breed that can be exactly as stubborn as it looks. Their two favourite things to do are to eat and to sleep - getting them to do anything else can be a real challenge. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
Bloodhounds are adorable and good-natured dogs but their incredible sense of smell can distract them from whatewver you are asking them to do. They can also be lazy, lacking any real motivation to learn. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
Bloodhounds are adorable and good-natured dogs but their incredible sense of smell can distract them from whatewver you are asking them to do. They can also be lazy, lacking any real motivation to learn. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
The Irish Setter has such energy levels that it finds it difficult to concentrate on training for more than a short period of time. They also take longer than most breeds to mature, so will also retain their puppish naughtiness for longer. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
The Irish Setter has such energy levels that it finds it difficult to concentrate on training for more than a short period of time. They also take longer than most breeds to mature, so will also retain their puppish naughtiness for longer. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
Beagles look like butter wouldn't melt in their mouth, but this as a breed whose sheer naughtiness and independent spirit makes them difficult to train. They'll make you laugh with their antics, but even if they've obeyed a command 10 times in a row, there's every chance they will ignore it the next 10 times. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)
Beagles look like butter wouldn't melt in their mouth, but this as a breed whose sheer naughtiness and independent spirit makes them difficult to train. They'll make you laugh with their antics, but even if they've obeyed a command 10 times in a row, there's every chance they will ignore it the next 10 times. (Photo: Canva/Getty Images)