The 20 Least Obedient Dog Breeds

We could guarantee that the majority of homes in the nation and across the world as well, have at least one pet in the home, and for many of those homes, a dog is the pet of choice. In the world of dogs, there are so many breeds that you can choose from — Breeds that are small, large, energetic, friendly, brutes, loyal, you name it, it is probably out there.

However, there are also some dog breeds that can be, should we say, difficult to train because of various aspects, whether it be their personality, their behavior or just their intelligence. We are talking about dogs out there that are typically stubborn, are sometimes mischievous, and will often get themselves into heaps and bounds of trouble at the drop of a hat.

If you are wondering if your dog might be one to gravitate toward this behavior, then we are here to help! In this list, we are going to be counting down the top twenty dog breeds out in the world today that are the least obedient when it comes to house training and listening to their owners. So, let’s get to our countdown before you pick your next family pet and begin your puppy training!

English bulldog

20. English Bulldog

As we are going to see throughout the majority of the dog breeds on this list today, one of the key factors that makes a dog less obedient to their families and their owners is the fact that they just aren’t quite as intelligent as they could be.

English Bulldogs begin our list, not because they are not intelligent, but because they just require much more patience and persistence when it comes to training and obedience.

Aside from this, though, English Bulldogs are excellent family dogs, especially for those with children, as they are full of playful energy and bountiful amounts of affection for everyone.

If you are wanting to get a English Bulldog, it is important to make sure you read up on the best ways to train them and get them to follow orders, as it can be somewhat time consuming.

19. Basset Hound

Basset Hounds are known for being excellent hunting companions for people all over, and are also very loyal to their families. In the long run, to be honest, Basset Hounds typically are quite obedient, especially as they grow with age.

However, they tend to be not quite as intelligent as some other breeds we often see, and in the beginning, it will take quite a bit of effort and time on your part to get them to that obedience that you are looking for.

Luckily, Basset Hounds also have a calm demeanor that will definitely play in your favor when it comes to training them.

18. Lhasa Apso

Unlike the majority of the dogs on this list, the Lhasa Apso is actually a breed that is quite intelligent. Because of these smarts, they are actually quite easy to train … That is, if you are a professional trainer.

If you are just the owner or member of the family, you might have a bit of a time trying to get them to be obedient. This is because the Lhasa Apso is a stubborn and independent breed of dog, and can walk all over you if you don’t set a firm hand on the training from the very beginning.

Regardless, the Lhasa Apso makes a great family dog with its good amount of energy and love for their families.

17. Bloodhound

Bloodhounds are a breed of dog that has been around for many generations (possibly one of the oldest breeds out there), and are known for their keen sense of smell that can track literally anything in its path.

Although they have this valuable trait that has helped many people throughout the years, Bloodhounds are also known to not be very intelligent as compared to other dog breeds in the world.

They make up for this lack of intelligence with their affectionate and patient behavior, as well as their good temperament. If you are wanting to train your own Bloodhound pup, just remember that it will require a good deal of patience and time.

16. Old English Sheepdog

You might recognize this dog breed for their wild, long coats, and for their sense of adventure. Originally bred for herding, Old English Sheepdogs are another breed of dog that are resilient, and have a certain need for independence among themselves.

The good thing is that this breed is quite intelligent, and that can be beneficial when it comes to training them. Remember to show your assertiveness up front in order to let them know who is ruling the house, and to get through their stubbornness at the beginning.

Once they are trained, Old English Sheepdogs are generally happy and well mannered pups, making great family pets all around.

15. Chow Chow

The Chow Chow is a breed that requires a family and owner that is assertive and will let their pooch know who is the boss in the house. Chow Chow’s are known for being stubborn, along with also needing a great deal of attention and love all the same.

Chow Chows are also quite resilient, wanting to be their own dog and not have to follow orders. It is crucial to establish authority from the very beginning with your Chow Chow pup, otherwise they will try to take advantage of the situation, becoming more difficult with age.

Once your Chow Chow is trained, you will see that they can truly be great pets for your home.

14. Great Pyrenees

Just as with several of the breeds on this list, the Great Pyrenees is known for its regal appeal, as well as its stubborn independence. They can be very faithful and loyal dogs to their families; However, if they feel any weakness from their owners when it comes to training, they will walk all over you in regard to the rules of the house.

That is why, when training Great Pyrenees pups, it is crucial to let them know who is in charge right up front. In other words, you must earn your respect with them in order to get them to listen to you, and in order to get them to be obedient in any way, shape, or form.

13. Beagle

Beagles are probably one of the most popular breed of dogs that you will see in family homes. They are known for being extremely gentle with children, as well as loving to play outdoors and have a good deal of energy.

Along with their affectionate demeanor comes the need to be independent pups of their own, making them a bit stubborn to train in obedience.

It is important to put in the time to train them right away at a young age because they can be so stubborn. If you still are having a difficult time training your Beagle, you may need to enlist the help of a professional trainer.

12. Bull Terrier

Bull Terriers, just like some of the other dogs that have made our list, are often compared to young children and toddlers behaviorally. These canines are often known as very friendly and genuine dogs, making them great for families with children on board.

They are also very gentle and calm in many circumstances. Although they have many of these great traits that so many look for in a dog, they can also be slightly mischievous. When it comes to training, they will try to get away with bad behavior and test you to see how far they can go.

That said, when you are training a Bull Terrier, it is important to stay consistent with the training, and to place discipline where it is needed.

afghan dog

11. Afghan Hound

These dogs are known for their exquisite, regal look to them, along with their fast pace and rather loyal behavior toward their families. However, this loyalty doesn’t necessarily translate into obedience with the Afghan Hound. They are another breed of dog on the list that is not quite as intelligent as breeds like the Shepherds and Mastiffs that we often see.

Often more than not, the Afghan Hound will try to be more independent during the day, trying to rely on themselves when it comes to “making decisions”. This is why being assertive and having a firm hand on training at all times will be the most beneficial for you when it comes to training your own Afghan Hound.

10. Chihuahua

This is a breed that should be no surprise when it comes to the list of the least obedient dog breeds. Although they are indeed intelligent dogs, they can be stubborn and not very well mannered pooches.

This tends to be the case with many toy breed dogs, as their personalities all seem to portray the same mannerisms. Chihuahuas, however, often have a difficult time handling strangers, causing them to be yippy, shake, and become somewhat vicious when they feel uncomfortable.

It can take some time to teach Chihuahuas to be obedient and to be more well mannered when it comes to other people, but patience is key.

9. Lakeland Terrier

If you have ever owned a Terrier, you will know that they are quite energetic and always ready for a good time, yet they are also affectionate and crave attention like no other.

This is the same for the Lakeland Terrier, who can literally drive you insane if you do not take the proper steps to train them right away. Lakeland Terriers are excellent dogs for families with young children, as they require a ton of exercise during their day.

They are also quite protective, and will bark at any strangers they see coming their way. That is why obedience training is so important, although it may not always work when it comes to the barking. Having a firm yet sensitive demeanor when training will be the key to success when it comes to this breed of dog.

8. Mastiff

You might recall that earlier, we stated that Mastiff are actually quite intelligent. So, why have they made our list for least obedient? Well, to put it bluntly, they are enormous! Mastiffs can average to be over at least 120 pounds once they reach to their full grown stature, and to top it off, they can also be a bit stubborn in their behavior.

Although they are affectionate and great with children, it is important to be firm with them when it comes to house training. However, make sure to be somewhat gentle about it, as Mastiffs tend to respond better positive feedback.

7. Scottish Terrier

Just like with the majority of Terriers that we see in the breed, Scottish Terriers are known for their energy, playful behavior, and friendliness to their families. However, it is important to train Scottish Terriers from a young age as well, just as with many other dogs on this list.

Instilling these rules and obedience guidelines early on will make for a better and more well behaved dog as they get older. When training them, be wary that they may snap at your initially, as Scottish Terriers are a bit sensitive when being reprimanded for bad behavior.

6. Japanese Chin

We have seen our fair share of toy dog breeds make this list, and we are here to bring you the next one in the line up. The Japanese Chin, which is known to be quite loyal and trusting of their owners and families, can also have a difficult time when it comes to strangers.

It is important to include socializing you dog in the mix with obedience training at the forefront, as that will more than likely be your biggest issue when it comes to the Japanese Chin. They are typically quite stubborn at first, but once they are trained fully, they are quite affectionate and loving dogs to everyone they meet.

5. Borzoi

The Borzoi is another type of dog breed that has a sophisticated and regal look to them, similar to that of the Afghan Hound. Similarly with behavior as well, the Borzoi dog breed will often be strong willed, and wanting to be independent for themselves.

This often translates into lack of intelligence as well, but that is not necessarily the case. In order to train these dogs to be obedient, it will require a long and firm training process, so be resilient. Patience will be necessary, but you will be sure to get your dog trained the correct way as long as you keep that consistent grip on the process in general.

A pair of Shih Tzu dogs

4. Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus, along with their entertaining name, often are known to be extremely strong willed and independent dogs. These dogs are another breed that are extremely popular with family homes, as they are well tempered with children and make excellent watch dogs all the same.

However, because of their stubborn side to their personalities, it can make it difficult to train them to be obedient when it comes to house training. Just remember to have a good amount of patience and understanding when it comes to training and instilling the rules of the house in them.

3. Bullmastiff

This dog breed, which is, obviously, very similar to that of the Mastiff, grows quite large in size. Although they have their brute like demeanor, Bullmastiffs are excellent family dogs, especially with children, and are also very protective of their families in general.

On the other hand, the Bullmastiff is a type of dog that definitely needs its space at times, and does require quite a bit of patience when it comes to training. However, once you have successfully trained these pups, they can be quite obedient to their owners and their families. It just takes some time, just as with many of the other dogs on this list; Remember to hold firm and always be consistent with training regimens.

2. Pekingese

If you had a difficult time with the terrible twos with your own children, then you might have a sense of deja vu when it comes to the Pekingese dog breed and training.

These pups are known for being extremely stubborn with their behavior and personality, which tends to come off as being unintelligent to many people, even if it is not the case.

Although this breed is often quite relaxed and also extremely affectionate to their owners and their families, it can take some time to get house training through to them due to their stubborn demeanor.

Just make sure to have rules set in stone and stick to them when training your Pekingese to be obedient. It will, of course, take some time, as it does with so many other dog breeds, but it will be worth it in the end.

1. Saint Bernard

Just as with a couple of other dog breeds that have made our list, the Saint Bernard is also somewhat difficult to train and to instill obedient behavior in simply because of their size. However, it is also very important to begin training them right away, as the good behavior you want is harder to train as they get older.

This is because Saint Bernards tend to have an independent aspect to their personalities, as they were originally bred to be search and rescue dogs. Aside from their need for training at an early age, Saint Bernards are truly excellent dogs to have with families and especially with children as they very tolerant, as well as slow to aggression.

Just be patient with your Saint Bernard, especially regarding their size, and you will see the results in no time.

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