If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Royal Kennel Club (that’s the new name for the UK Kennel Club) figures show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels over recent years.
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the UK Kennel Club recognises 221 different pedigree dogs, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ to lovable mongrels.
So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or crossbreed.
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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
A dog’s IQ has a bearing on how easy it is to train - although a brainy pup still has to want to do what it’s told to be considered highly trainable, so it’s not all about intelligence.
Some breeds tend to have a range of attributes that mean it’s pretty easy to get them heading outside for the toilet, sitting, staying and walking to heel. Others, however, tend to be a little trickier.
It should be noted that every dog is an individual so there is no guarantee that any particular animal will have the traits common to its breed.
Having said that, here are the 20 breeds that are generally seen as the easiest and the hardest to train.
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5. Australian Cattle Dog
A more unusual breed in the UK, the Australian Cattle Dog is a tireless worker – which it needs to be while droving cattle over long distances in Australia. It's a dog that seems to have trainability in its very DNA. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken
6. German Shepherd
A favourite of the police and army, the German Shepherd is one of the most useful dogs out there and picks up new things quickly. Sitting, staying and walking to heel is easy for these amazing animals who can be used for everything from sniffing out drugs to catching criminals. | Canva/Getty Images
7. Havanese
Many smaller dogs can be stubbornly resilient to training - just ask any Dachshund owner (more of that later) - but the tiny Havanese is one of the exceptions to the rule. They are attentive and receptive to positive reinforcement meaning they should be giving you a paw in no time. | AFP via Getty Images
8. Poodle
They may look high-maintenance, but Poodles are very eager to please and keen to learn. Not just a pretty face, these curly cutesters are as brainy as they are beautiful. | AFP via Getty Images