26 Large Dog Breeds That Are Surprisingly Easy to Train

Training a large dog can often feel like a daunting task. However, some large breeds are known for their ease of training due to their intelligence, eagerness to please, and strong work ethic. This list explores 26 large dog breeds that are not only impressive in size but also surprisingly easy to train. From herding dogs to gentle giants, these breeds offer a great mix of companionship and trainability, making them perfect for families, active individuals, and anyone looking for a trainable canine companion.

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever, known for its friendly disposition, is one of the most trainable large breeds. This breed thrives on pleasing its owner, making training sessions enjoyable for both. Labs are often used as service dogs due to their intelligence and trainability. Labradors excel in obedience and agility, often participating in dog sports. Due to their energetic nature, consistent training helps to channel their energy positively. Engage them with interactive games and maintain a routine to keep their minds stimulated, ensuring a well-behaved and happy companion.

German Shepherd

German Shepherds are renowned for their intelligence and versatility. They are often employed in police and military roles due to their trainability. These dogs have a strong work ethic and thrive on structured training routines. Shepherds are loyal and protective, making them excellent family companions when properly trained. Their eagerness to learn new tasks makes them quick learners in obedience and advanced training. Regular mental and physical stimulation is crucial to keep them engaged and well-behaved. A German Shepherd thrives in environments where they can utilize their skills.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are synonymous with friendliness and trainability. Their eager-to-please nature makes them one of the most trainable large breeds. Often used as therapy and assistance dogs, they excel in obedience due to their gentle demeanor. Training a Golden Retriever can be a joyful experience, as they respond well to positive reinforcement techniques. To keep them engaged, incorporate variety into their training regime. They love interactive play, which aids in maintaining their mental stimulation and happiness.

Boxer

Boxers are known for their boundless energy and playful nature. Despite their boisterous demeanor, Boxers are surprisingly easy to train, thanks to their intelligence and eagerness to learn. They require consistent training routines, which help channel their high energy into positive behaviors. Boxers respond well to training that includes fun activities, which keeps them motivated and engaged. Regular exercise paired with structured training sessions is key to their development, ensuring a well-balanced and obedient pet.

Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher is a breed known for its loyalty and intelligence. Their natural protective instincts make them excellent guard dogs, while their trainability ensures they are well-mannered companions. Dobermans thrive in environments where they can exercise both their bodies and minds. They respond well to firm but positive training techniques, excelling in obedience and protection work. Consistency is crucial in their training, as they are quick learners and eager to perform tasks. With the right guidance, Dobermans are both loyal and manageable pets.

Rottweiler

Rottweilers are intelligent and confident, making them highly trainable large dogs. They are known for their protective nature and loyalty, often excelling as guard and working dogs. Early socialization and training are important, as they thrive on structured environments. Rottweilers respond well to positive reinforcement and enjoy mental challenges. Engaging them in activities that stimulate their minds and keep them physically active ensures a well-rounded companion. Their trainability and loyalty make them exceptional pets for the right owners.

Standard Poodle

Standard Poodles are known for their intelligence and are among the easiest large breeds to train. Their eagerness to learn and perform makes them excellent competitors in obedience and agility. They thrive on mental stimulation, and varied training routines keep them engaged and happy. Poodles enjoy activities that challenge their intelligence. Their playful nature and high energy levels mean regular exercise and training are essential to prevent boredom. This breed’s versatility and trainability make them lovable and adept companions.

Newfoundland

Newfoundlands are gentle giants known for their calm demeanor and trainability. Despite their size, they are often easy to train due to their patient and gentle nature. These dogs respond well to positive reinforcement and thrive in environments where they can interact with people. Newfoundlands are particularly known for their swimming abilities and enjoy water activities. Engaging them in training that includes both obedience and fun activities helps maintain their happiness and good behavior. Their loyal and gentle nature makes them excellent family pets.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Dogs are large, gentle, and highly trainable. Known for their loyalty and calmness, they make excellent family pets. Their affectionate nature makes training a positive experience. These dogs respond well to gentle and consistent training methods, thriving on praise and rewards. Their eagerness to please makes them quick learners in obedience. Including them in family activities and providing regular mental and physical stimulation keeps them well-balanced and happy. Their trainability and gentle disposition make them beloved companions.

Collie

Collies are known for their intelligence and herding instincts, making them highly trainable. These dogs excel in obedience and agility due to their quick learning abilities and eagerness to please. Incorporating herding tasks into their training satisfies their instinctual needs and keeps them mentally stimulated. They respond well to positive reinforcement and enjoy challenges. Regular exercise and mental engagement are essential to prevent boredom. Collies’ intelligence and trainability, combined with their affectionate nature, make them excellent companions for active families.

Weimaraner

Weimaraners are energetic and intelligent, known for their strong desire to learn. Their trainability is enhanced by their loyalty and eagerness to please. These dogs thrive on structured training routines that challenge their minds and bodies. Incorporating variety into their training keeps them engaged and happy. Weimaraners require regular exercise to manage their high energy levels. With consistent training and positive reinforcement, they become well-mannered and obedient companions.

Great Dane

Great Danes, despite their size, are known for their gentle nature and trainability. These dogs have a calm demeanor, making them easy to train. Consistency and patience are key to training a Great Dane. They respond well to positive reinforcement techniques and enjoy social interactions. Their size requires early training to ensure they are manageable adults. With the right guidance, Great Danes are affectionate and gentle giants, perfect for families seeking a large, trainable companion.

Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes are intelligent and strong-willed, known for their working abilities. Their trainability is enhanced by their intelligence and eagerness to work. These dogs require firm and consistent training to channel their energy positively. Engaging them in activities that utilize their strength and endurance is beneficial. Regular physical exercise and mental stimulation are crucial to their development. Alaskan Malamutes are loyal and dedicated companions when given proper training and guidance.

Irish Setter

Irish Setters are known for their friendly nature and trainability. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them quick learners. They respond well to positive reinforcement and enjoy varied training activities that challenge their minds. Regular exercise is essential to manage their energy levels. Irish Setters thrive in environments where they can interact with their families and engage in fun activities. Their trainability and friendly disposition make them excellent companions for active households.

Siberian Husky

Siberian Huskies are known for their intelligence and independent nature. Despite their strong-willed demeanor, they are trainable with the right techniques. These dogs require consistent training and firm guidance to channel their energy positively. Engaging them in activities like sledding satisfies their working instincts and keeps them happy. Regular mental and physical stimulation is crucial to prevent boredom. Huskies are loyal and friendly companions when given proper training and attention.

Belgian Malinois

Belgian Malinois are renowned for their intelligence and work ethic. Often used in police and military roles, their trainability is unmatched. These dogs thrive on structured training and enjoy challenges that stimulate their minds and bodies. Positive reinforcement techniques work well with this breed. Regular exercise and mental stimulation are key to keeping them engaged. Belgian Malinois are loyal and protective, making them exceptional companions for those who can meet their training needs.

Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees are known for their calm demeanor and protective nature. Despite their independent streak, they are trainable with patience and consistency. These dogs excel in environments where they can guard and protect, aligning with their natural instincts. Early socialization and training are important. Engaging them in activities that challenge their minds and bodies keeps them happy. Great Pyrenees are gentle giants, offering loyalty and companionship with the right training.

Mastiff

Mastiffs are known for their gentle nature and protective instincts. Despite their size, they are trainable with the right approach. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key to training a Mastiff. They respond well to gentle guidance and enjoy social interactions. Early training is essential to ensure they are manageable adults. Mastiffs are loyal and affectionate companions, perfect for families seeking a large, calm dog.

Samoyed

Samoyeds are known for their friendly and gentle nature. Their trainability is enhanced by their eagerness to please and intelligence. These dogs thrive on positive reinforcement and enjoy playful training sessions. Regular exercise and mental stimulation are essential. Samoyeds are social animals, enjoying interaction with their families. Their trainability and affectionate nature make them excellent companions for those who can meet their needs.

Vizsla

Vizslas are energetic and intelligent, known for their eagerness to learn. Their trainability is enhanced by their loyalty and affectionate nature. These dogs respond well to positive reinforcement and enjoy varied training activities. Regular exercise is crucial to manage their high energy levels. Vizslas thrive in environments where they can interact with their families and engage in fun activities. Their trainability and affectionate nature make them excellent companions for active households.

Bouvier des Flandres

Bouvier des Flandres are intelligent and versatile, known for their working abilities. Their trainability is enhanced by their eagerness to please and intelligence. These dogs thrive on structured training and enjoy challenges that stimulate their minds and bodies. Positive reinforcement techniques work well with this breed. Regular exercise and mental stimulation are key to keeping them engaged. Bouviers are loyal and protective, making them exceptional companions for those who can meet their training needs.

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are known for their independence and strong will. Despite their aloof demeanor, they are trainable with the right approach. These dogs require firm and consistent training to channel their energy positively. Engaging them in activities that challenge their minds and bodies is beneficial. Regular physical exercise and mental stimulation are crucial to their development. Ridgebacks are loyal and dedicated companions when given proper training and guidance.

Old English Sheepdog

Old English Sheepdogs are known for their intelligence and gentle nature. Their trainability is enhanced by their eagerness to please and love for family. These dogs respond well to positive reinforcement and enjoy playful training sessions. Regular exercise and mental stimulation are essential. Sheepdogs thrive in environments where they can interact with their families. Their trainability and affectionate nature make them excellent companions for those who can meet their needs.

Leonberger

Leonbergers are gentle giants known for their calm demeanor and trainability. Despite their size, they are often easy to train due to their patient and gentle nature. These dogs respond well to positive reinforcement and thrive in environments where they can interact with people. Leonbergers are particularly known for their swimming abilities and enjoy water activities. Engaging them in training that includes both obedience and fun activities helps maintain their happiness and good behavior. Their loyal and gentle nature makes them excellent family pets.

Akita

Akitas are known for their independent nature and strength. Despite their aloof demeanor, they are trainable with patience and consistency. These dogs require firm and consistent training to channel their energy positively. Engaging them in activities that challenge their minds and bodies is beneficial. Regular physical exercise and mental stimulation are crucial to their development. Akitas are loyal and dedicated companions when given proper training and guidance.