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There are no lack of four-legged friends in the UK - around one-in-three households now contain at least one dog.
There are 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, along with an array of crossbreeds and ‘designer dogs’, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup.
And it’s important to find a pup that will fit into your lifestyle.
If you have plenty of room you might consider a larger dog, while somebody with allergies will be looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
And if you are looking for a dog that you can train to follow lots of commands, there’s scientific research that can guide you.
Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book The Intelligence of Dogs is a key piece of canine literature, judging breeds’ relative IQs – including by looking at how obedient they are.
So these are – officially – the 14 most naturally obedient dogs.
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13. Springer Spaniel
English Springer Spaniels are energetic, friendly, and never happier than when they have a job or task to carry out. Their obedience and adaptability make them excellent hunting partners and family dogs. | Canva/Getty Images
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14. Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois are focused, agile, and incredibly obedient when trained properly. Favored by military and police, they’re loyal and hardworking. | Canva/Getty Images