Ever wondered why some dogs pick up new tricks in minutes while others stare at you like you’re speaking another language? Or why certain breeds seem obsessed with chasing things, while others prefer snuggling on the couch?
The answer lies in breed-specific behavior. While all dogs share the same species (Canis lupus familiaris), their genetic makeup influences how they learn, react, and behave.
Whether you’re struggling with an independent Husky, a barking Chihuahua, or an unstoppable herding dog, understanding breed instincts makes training easier—and more effective.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide
✔️ The easiest (and hardest) breeds to train
✔️ How herding instincts shape behavior
✔️ Why some breeds bark more than others
✔️ Which dogs have the strongest prey drive
✔️ How food motivation varies by breed
1. Which Dog Breeds Are the Easiest (and Hardest) to Train?
Training success isn’t just about intelligence—it’s about a dog’s willingness to work with humans. Some breeds are highly biddable (eager to please), while others are independent thinkers who need more patience.
🧠 Study Insight
A large-scale study analyzing over 14,000 dogs across 101 breeds found that trainability is highly heritable, meaning certain breeds are genetically wired to be easier (or harder) to train (MacLean et al., 2019).
🐾 Easiest Breeds to Train
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✔️ Border Collie – Ranked #1 in intelligence; learns new commands in under 5 repetitions (Coren, 2006)
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✔️ Poodle – Smart and eager to please
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✔️ German Shepherd – Obedient and instinctively cooperative
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✔️ Labrador Retriever – Loves to learn (especially when food is involved!)
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✔️ Golden Retriever – Friendly, responsive, and motivated by praise
🐾 Hardest Breeds to Train
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❌ Basenji – Intelligent but famously stubborn
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❌ Afghan Hound – Aloof and difficult to motivate
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❌ Chow Chow – Loyal, but not easily impressed by commands
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❌ Bulldog – Strong-willed and prefers naps to training
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❌ Beagle – Nose-first thinkers that easily get distracted
💡 Training Tip:
For stubborn breeds, keep sessions short and fun. Use high-value rewards and focus on engagement over repetition.
2. Understanding Herding Instincts: Why Some Dogs Chase Everything
Does your dog obsessively chase kids, bikes, or shadows? That’s likely herding instinct—a behavior bred into dogs originally developed to control livestock.
🐕 Why Do Herding Dogs Chase?
Herding breeds were selected to move animals with precision. Without a flock to herd, they may redirect that energy to anything that moves (Ha & Campion, 2018).
Top Herding Breeds with Strong Instincts
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Border Collie – Uses an intense stare (the "eye") to control movement
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Australian Shepherd – High energy and herding drive
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Corgi – Known to nip at heels (cattle herder!)
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Belgian Malinois – Powerful herding instinct used in military and police work
📊 Did You Know?
Herding behavior is often more genetically heritable than trainability (MacLean et al., 2019).
💡 Training Tip:
Channel herding energy through agility, structured play, or dog sports to prevent frustration or chasing behaviors.
3. Why Some Dogs Bark More Than Others
Some dogs bark nonstop. Others barely make a sound. It’s not just about personality—it’s genetic wiring.
🐾 Why Do Certain Breeds Bark More?
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Dogs bred for guarding or alerting tend to be vocal
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Terriers and hunting dogs bark to signal prey
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Companion breeds bark to get your attention
Most Vocal Breeds
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🔊 Beagle – Uses barking to alert hunters
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🔊 Chihuahua – Protective and highly alert
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🔊 Miniature Schnauzer – Bark-first watchdog
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🔊 Shetland Sheepdog – Uses barking to manage livestock
Least Vocal Breeds
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🔇 Basenji – Doesn’t bark; makes yodel-like sounds
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🔇 Greyhound – Calm and quiet
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🔇 Great Dane – Gentle giant with a low bark drive
💡 Training Tip:
Teach a “quiet” cue and reward calm behavior. Avoid accidentally reinforcing barking with attention.
4. Prey Drive in Dogs: Which Breeds Are Most Likely to Chase?
Does your dog bolt after squirrels, birds, or anything that moves? That’s prey drive—an instinct to chase and capture.
⚡ Breeds with High Prey Drive
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Siberian Husky – Prone to chasing and running off
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Jack Russell Terrier – Bred to hunt small animals
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Weimaraner – Intense focus and drive
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Dachshund – Loves to dig and chase burrowers
💡 Training Tip:
Use long leads in open areas and practice a strong recall ("come here") command to help redirect chase impulses.
5. Food Motivation: Which Dogs Respond Best to Treats?
Some dogs will do anything for a treat. Others couldn’t care less.
🧬 Study Insight
Labradors have a genetic mutation that makes them more food-obsessed than other dogs (MacLean et al., 2019).
🍖 Highly Food-Motivated Breeds
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Labrador Retriever – The poster pup for food drive
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Beagle – Will work hard for even a crumb
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Cocker Spaniel – Responsive to tasty treats
🥩 Less Food-Motivated Breeds
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Siberian Husky – Often ignores food in training
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Basenji – Prefers praise or toys
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Afghan Hound – Choosy and independent
💡 Training Tip:
If your dog isn’t into treats, try toys, affection, or games as rewards.
Final Thoughts: Train With Instinct in Mind
Understanding your dog’s breed-specific instincts isn’t just interesting—it’s key to effective, respectful training.
✔️ Herding dogs need structured outlets
✔️ High prey-drive dogs need recall practice
✔️ Vocal breeds need calm reinforcement
✔️ Food-driven pups thrive on treat-based sessions
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References
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Coren, S. (2006). The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to Canine Learning, Training, and Understanding. Free Press.
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Ha, J. C., & Campion, T. L. (2018). Dog Behavior: Modern Science and Our Canine Companions. Elsevier/Academic Press.
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MacLean, E. L., Snyder-Mackler, N., vonHoldt, B. M., & Serpell, J. A. (2019). Highly heritable and functionally relevant breed differences in dog behavior. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 286(1917), 20190716.
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Pérez-Guisado, J., Lopez-Rodríguez, R., & Muñoz-Serrano, A. (2006). Heritability of dominant-aggressive behavior in English Cocker Spaniels. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 100(3–4), 219–227.
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Storengen, L. M., Lingaas, F., & Nielsen, E. (2014). Separation anxiety in dogs: Breed differences and risk factors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 169, 144–150.