The 10 Most Stubborn Dog Breeds
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If you’ve ever tried to get a Chow Chow to listen, an American Foxhound to stop chasing every cat in the neighborhood, or an Afghan Hound to do pretty much anything, you’ll know that dealing with a stubborn dog is anything but a walk in the park. Obviously, all dogs are unique, and they’ve all got the potential to be stubborn regardless of breed. But as MSN recently highlighted, some breeds have a reputation for being more willful than others.
It could be they were bred as working dogs, spending their lives making quick decisions without checking in with their owners first. It might be they were bred as little aristocrats, spending more time having their every whim catered to than following commands. Either way, these aren’t bad dogs and they’re not untrainable ones either. They just need a little bit more work than the rest of their canine buddies. According to the data, these are the 10 most stubborn dog breeds.
10. Siberian Husky
The tenth most stubborn dog breed is the Siberian Husky. Affectionate and outgoing, they have the potential to be great family dogs…. providing you don’t mind repeating yourself 500 times a day. This was a breed that was bred to pull sleds and make decisions on its own. It doesn’t see much point in checking in with its owner before deciding what to do, and if you issue a command, don’t expect it to do it on your say-so alone. Huskies are also easily distracted by cats, rabbits, squirrels, and anything else they can use as an excuse to skip the training session in favor of a high-speed chase.
9. Pekingese
Ask a Pekingese owner how they’d best describe their dog, and the answer you’ll most likely hear is ‘opinionated.’ If they’re being kind. If they’re not, expect slightly riper language. Bred as the treasured companion of Chinese royalty, the Pekingese is a dog that’s far more comfortable giving orders than following them. They might be tiny, but if you want them to see you as their equal, they’ll need a firm but fair hand and plenty of training built around positive reinforcement.
8. Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is big. loyal, and very, very fluffy. They’re also dignified, serious, and don’t suffer fools gladly. If you want them to treat you seriously, you need to be the same. They’ll need plenty of early socialization and training to turn them into the excellent family dogs they’re capable of being, but don’t expect an easy ride. If you’re not firm but fair, consistent, and in control, they’ll leave you to go your way while they go theirs.
7. Chinese Shar-Pei
The Chinese Shar-Pei isn’t the kind of dog you forget in a hurry. With their blue-black tongues, tiny, conch-like ears, and excessively wrinkled skins, they’re one of the most distinctive-looking dog breeds in the world. Unfortunately for their owners, they’re also one of the most stubborn, with huge brains and absolutely no hesitation in using them to outsmart the humans in their life. With proper socialization and training, they’re model citizens. Without it, their protective, dominant traits can become a serious problem.
6. Bull Terrier
They might be comical and clownish, but the Bull Terrier’s mischievousness can often spill into stubbornness. As a dog that loves to play, they benefit from short, sweet training sessions that involve plenty of fun and games. According to the American Kennel Club, there are four, basic principles to ensuring a happy dog and a happy owner: firm but loving training, plenty of exercise, lots of early socialization with dogs and people, and ample affection. If they get those things, they’re great family dogs. If they don’t, well…. the less said about that, the better.
5. Bull Mastiff
Despite their enormous statures, the calm, dignified personas and loving natures of Bull Mastiffs have earned them a reputation as excellent therapy dogs. But there’s a caveat…. Bull Mastiff are independent thinkers who can become dominant if they don’t receive the right combination of training and socialization at a young age. If training is neglected, you can kiss goodbye to your hopes of a sweet, loyal companion and say hello to something altogether less controllable. As a result, it’s usually recommended that they’re left to experienced dog owners with the time and energy to invest in training.
4. Bulldog
Up next is the Bulldog. With the right training, Bulldogs are sweet, protective dogs that crave affection and love to please. Without it, they can be stubborn, hard-headed, and occasionally, hot-tempered. Setting property boundaries and socializing them from a young age is crucial to avoiding trouble and ensuring a happy well-adjusted dog.
3. Basset Hound
Who can resist a Basset Hound? With their doleful expressions, floppy ears, and wrinkled brows, they’re the cutest of breeds. They’re also remarkably easy-going and sweet-natured. But don’t be fooled – they might be adorable, but Basset Hounds are also razor-sharp. They know what they want and they won’t stop until they get it. Wiley, relentless, and with more tricks up their sleeve than David Copperfield, this is a breed that can be ruthless in getting its own way… especially when there’s food at stake.
2. American Foxhound
The American Foxhound is a friendly, energetic breed that may be aloof with strangers, but that bonds hard and fast with its owners. They’re a working breed that loves having a job to do, especially if it involves hunting or tracking. They’re easily distracted (especially if they pick up a scent), and benefit from short, engaging training sessions that let them use their bodies as much as their brains.
1. Afghan Hound
Finally, we come to that most stubborn of all dogs, the Afghan Hound. Aloof, haughty, and blessed with supermodel good looks, they’re a proud breed that likes plenty of “me time.” Despite looking like they’d never dream of getting their nails dirty, Afghan Hounds were actually developed as working dogs: according to wagwalking.com, they were originally bred to flush out rabbits and gazelle for hunting with nomadic tribes.
Those long, silky manes are far from an accessory: back when they earned they keep as hunters, they served as protection from the cold and wind. Their huge paws, meanwhile, helped them tackle the punishing mountainous terrain with ease. With a mile-wide stubborn streak, this certainly isn’t a breed for everyone. But providing they find their right match, they can make excellent pets.
