The 26 Hardest Dogs to Train

Different dog breeds have their own attitudes and behaviors. And when it comes to training your dog, certain breeds will make it a lot tougher on you than others.

Here are some of the dog breeds recommended for only the most experience dog owners…

Afghan Hound

Starting us off— Afghan Hounds. They’re known for their long, silky coats. Their personalities most resemble that of a cat’s and that’s probably why they’re so tricky to train.

Their independence and aloof nature make certain training techniques futile. If you’re that rare owner and find your fur-match in an Afghan Hound, then power to you. They make wonderful companions.

Shar-Pei

Yes, their smushy faces are the cutest. No, they are not the easiest dogs to train. Shar-Pei’s can be very territorial and their awkward nature doesn’t make things any easier.

Training and socializing them in their early stages is most beneficial for them and you. They’ve been known to attack other dogs, people you don’t know, and people you do know. Shar-Pei’s need a lot of attention from their owners.

Chow Chow

Chow Chow’s seem perfect for cuddles because of their bear-like appearance. Known as a “one-man dog”, Chow Chow’s aren’t the best around anyone who isn’t their owner.

Socializing this dog at a young age is the best way to avoid aggression in this respect. A Chow Chow’s aggressive and stubborn nature can make training them difficult.

Mastiff

Mastiffs are massive. The “gentle giant” comes from a line of other traditionally tricky-to-train dog-breeds like Terriers, Pit Bulls, and Bulldogs. Although they’re gentle, they can be quite stubborn.

They aren’t the best around other dogs, so taking the time to socialize them from a young age is encouraged.