This week I’m going to answer a question I get often, and also point to which characteristics of these breeds generally give people trouble. This way you’ll know what you’re getting into if you decide to get one of your own. If you’re struggling with one of these breeds, it may also help you understand why.
I’ll count down to add a little drama. We can all use a little drama to liven up the middle of the week, no?
Fresno Dog Training Regulars
Honorable Mentions:
These are breeds I don’t see as frequently as the ones ranked below, but the dogs I’ve worked with have been particularly memorable.
Mastiffs
They have a good energy level for most families, though their enormous size and pickiness with other dogs can create challenges. (Fair warning: they are also highly skilled shedders and droolers.) Dogs this size can create a lot of unintentional damage, so it’s best to get started early with their training. Problems also pop up as they hit maturity, so don’t just take a puppy class and assume you’re good for life.
Pekingese and Shih Tzus
Two small breeds that can have big personalities. Their body language is also tougher to read, which can give people problems.
Chihuahuas
I love them, but we all know their reputation as being “yappy.” (Somewhat fair, though the idea that they’re not trainable is overstated and unfair.)
The Top 5:
#5: Poodles
Smart and fun to train, though they can be prone to neuroses and hyper behavior if not bred and weaned properly. The explosion in popularity of poodle-crosses has led to a lot of inexperienced breeders looking for a quick buck and cutting corners on proper temperament testing, puppy raising and socialization work. Overall a great family dog, though they can drive you crazy if they don’t get a lot of mental stimulation.
#4: Terriers
They were mostly bred to solve vermin problems. They think independently, have intense prey drive, and don’t give up easily once they’ve focused on something. They are also very destructive for the first two years of life. They will kill just about any toy you throw their way and need careful monitoring so they don’t ingest things. They tend to bark first, think later. They have TONS of personality. We’ve all seen the 8lb Yorkie terrier that “runs the house.” Terriers are an absolute pleasure, but generally a challenge. Just know what you’re in for. The more moderate energy terriers (like rat terriers) will be easier than the hyper terriers (Jack Russell terrier, fox terrier). Cute and fluffy does not equal EASY when it comes to terriers. Schnauzers, miniature pinschers, and dachshunds can show many of these same characteristics.
We also see a lot of the larger terriers (pitbull terrier, pit bull, Staffie, Am Staff, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire terrier, Wheaton terrier, Airedale terrier).
With these, the issue is usually strength, energy level, jumping, pulling, reactivity to other dogs, and trouble focusing. They are smart and fun to work with, especially once you learn to funnel their energy toward positive activities.
#3: Smaller Herding Dogs (Australian Cattle dogs, Australian shepherds, heelers, border collies).
I’ve grouped these together because a number of the dogs I work with are mixes with clear herding dog personalities. Herding dogs are bred to control the movement of other creatures with noise and their mouth. So they tend to be mouthy/bitey and over-reactive to environmental stimuli (which is a nice way of saying they bark at way too much, way too often). They also have endless energy and the smarts to get themselves into trouble. They are great for people who want a dog to do a lot of training with (thus they excel in dog sports), but they can be a little challenging for typical pet homes. Like terriers, they are best for someone who’s looking for a bit of a challenge. If you are, they reward the effort.
#2: Retrievers (labs, goldens, labradoodles, goldendoodles)
This group is my go-to recommendation for a family dog, because they tend to be social and open to new experiences. (One caveat: the retrievers bred to work — hunting lines, for example — may have more energy and a “harder” temperament than most pet owners like.) Retrievers have an endearing “goofiness” and an “I-love-life” demeanor. They have high pain thresholds and less spatial awareness than many breeds. This means they won’t take it as a challenge when a kid runs through their space or accidentally steps on their toes. But it also means they jump on people like crazy and will knock you over if not trained otherwise. They also have a lot of energy and can be very destructive for the first two years. Generally good natured, they are wonderful family dogs as long as you’re consistent with them and give them a controlled outlet for their energy.
#1: German Shepherds (GSDs)
This is a very popular breed that is also a challenging breed. They are nicknamed “land sharks” due to their mouthiness/puppy biting when young. They have traditionally been used for working purposes, like police K9s, military K9s, or search and rescue (SAR). They have a lot of energy, they are easily over-aroused, and they have been bred to be protective and territorial, which means they need a lot of positive socialization to do well around other dogs and new people. They are fun to train because they have a great work ethic and respond well to their handler.
When people think of “dog trainer,” they probably picture someone working with an intense-looking German shepherd. There are lots of misunderstandings and myths about what dog trainers do, but working often with an alert German shepherd is not one of them.
FINALLY:
These comments all point to general tendencies. Always consider the dog in front of you. I believe strongly in approaching each dog as an individual and customizing the training to fits its needs. Breed background is ONE key factor, but it is far from the ONLY factor.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this detour into my little corner of the dog training world. For more behind-the-scenes looks into our training, follow along with 10,000+ other awesome dog lovers on Facebook or Instagram.
Need help with training your dog in the Fresno or Clovis area? Drop us a note and let’s see how we can help.
Nate Hess is a dog behavior specialist and the owner of Dogspring Training, which provides premium dog training and behavior services in Fresno and Clovis, California. He is a graduate of Stanford University, a member of the International Association of Animal Behavioral Consultants (IAABC) and Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), and an evaluator for the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and S.T.A.R. Puppy programs. He lives in Clovis, CA, with his wife, Elaine, and some lovely dogs. You can reach him by email at nate@dogspringtraining.com.