Plenty of us decided to welcome new four-legged friends into our homes in the last couple of years – according to the Kennel Club figures dog ownership soared and post-lockdown demand for puppies remains high.
There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
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.
As well as having varying levels of intelligence, different breeds of pup are also very different when it comes to the crucial process of training.
While some are liable to quickly pick up basic commands, others will find it a far trickier business – while others may even ignore your wishes even though they understand you perfectly.
So, here are the 10 breeds of dog that are easiest and most difficult to train.
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9. Beagle
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
10. Basenji
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 "having a stubborn streak a mile wide" they use their notable intelligence to get what they want - even if it isn't what their owner wants. Photo: Canva/Getty Images