Is there such a thing as an untrainable dog? The short answer, according to animal behaviourist Dr Joanne Righetti, is no. “Most dogs are trainable. There may be some dogs with brain disorders or injuries that find it hard to learn, but this is the exception,” she explains.
Basically, we humans see dogs that are difficult to train as "dumb", but that just isn't true. Some dogs are easier to train while others are harder--it has nothing to do with intelligence, but rather on the genetic makeup of that dog's specific breed.
According to Svartberg's data (PDF), a pinscher, a Bernese mountain dog, or an English springer spaniel might be the most disloyal since each ranks very low on playfulness, with moderate sociability.
The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train. Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners. True to their herding instincts, Aussies are very protective of their families and territory and will let you know if strangers approach, but they are not considered aggressive.
The Pit Bull is the most common dog breed (along with pit bull breed mixes) found in shelters in the United States. They are also the most abused, neglected, and the most euthanized.
Dobermanns are the most spoiled pups in Louisiana, Whippets come in first in Georgia, and Great Danes take the cake in Florida. But the other Southern states tend to have different breeds ranking as the most spoiled: Alabama loves Cairn Terriers, and North Carolina prizes Shetland Sheepdogs.
1. Border Collie: A workaholic, this breed is the world's premier sheep herder, prized for its intelligence, extraordinary instinct, and working ability.
1. Border collie. According to The Intelligence of Dogs, which ranks 131 dog breeds in terms of their relative intelligence, the border collie is the smartest dog breed known to man.
While Yorkshire Terriers took the top spot, other muddy breeds include Bearded Collies, Border Collies, Saint Bernards, and Cocker Spaniels. After taking three long walks, it was found these pups are among those who pick up the most soil.
Dogs instinctually crave leadership and are keenly attuned to the discipline associated with it. However, if dogs don't sense leadership from owners, their instinct compels them to try to take charge, which can lead to behavior issues such as barking, pulling on the leash, jumping or even worse behaviors.
