When it comes to owning a dog there is a lot of stuff you need to consider. Bringing a new dog into your home is certainly life-changing and it can be really exciting but overwhelming as well. The main thing future dog owners need to do is research what dog breed is best for them.
There are a lot of factors that can come into consideration, some of them being: the size of the dog, their energy levels, trainability, and whether or not they are hypoallergenic.
Training a dog is something that every breeder and dog owner will tell you to start early with. Early training and socialization are very important for the quality of your dog’s life. When they are puppies there are many different things that you need to teach them, one of them being potty training.
In this article, we will be going through the list of the easiest dogs to potty train. Some doggies are more intelligent and quicker learners than others and we are here to tell you which dog breeds are on the easier side when it comes to potty training.
Easiest Dogs To Potty Train
Teaching a new dog, especially a puppy, is never an easy thing to do. For many people it is overwhelming, and it can sometimes even feel like they will never learn. Don’t worry, you are not alone.
Many dog owners have problems with teaching their doggies new stuff. Some dogs are better with obedience training while others have no problems with socialization training.
Potty training is just one of the many things your pooch will need to learn, and they will use that knowledge for the rest of their lives. How to potty train is totally up to you, but there are many different training methods, so you don’t have to worry.
We’ve made a list of the easiest dogs to potty train which can help you decide on what breed your future pooch will be.
1. Big/Large Dogs
Here are some of the big doggies that have no problems when it comes to being potty trained.
1. German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds in the world. These dogs are known for their amazing work ethic and ability to learn new things. They are often used as police dogs, guard dogs, military dogs, herding dogs, service dogs, and many more.
You can see that they excel in many different things, and this includes both male and female German Shepherds.
German Shepherds love to bark to alert their owners of potential danger and this is something that makes them amazing guard dogs. These dogs are extremely active and intelligent, so they need to be mentally stimulated as well as physically stimulated daily.
If their daily needs are not fulfilled, they can become aggressive.
These beautiful dogs can have either short, medium, or long coats that come in different colors. They shed a lot and you will need to brush them daily.
These pooches have an amazing ability to get along with everybody including kids and other animals. They can even be good with cats if socialization and training are done properly, so when it comes to potty training, you will have absolutely no problem with this dog breed.
RELATED: German Shepherd Price – Are These Dogs Expensive to Keep?
2. Doberman Pinscher
When it comes to their intelligence and obedience, Dobermans are often compared to German Shepherds. These pooches are very popular as well and are highly intelligent dogs. Unfortunately, because of their size and muscular bodies, they have some misconceptions surrounding them.
These dogs have a playful nature but don’t let that fool you. When it comes to detecting and protecting you from danger, they are the best of the best. Nothing can get past their eyes. They are also used as police and service dogs but make amazing family companions as well.
Because of their protective nature, they make one of the best guard dogs. When they are not in working mode they love to cuddle and play. Being surrounded by kids is not a problem for this dog.
They are really big dogs that have muscular bodies covered with short and shiny coats. Their coats do come in different colors but the most popular combination is black with brown patches.
They do shed and are not hypoallergenic so you need to brush them daily and be careful if you have severe allergies to dogs.
RELATED: Doberman Growth Chart: Growing Up Healthy
3. Standard Poodle
Poodles are dogs that are famous for their looks. They have these luscious curly coats that come in different colors. There is something for everybody. They are known for excelling in show competitions and can rock many different hairstyles. But these pooches are not just looks, ohh no no.
Poodles are one of the most intelligent dogs in the dog kingdom. Training a Poodle is a positive and enjoyable experience because they soak up everything that you as the dog owner are teaching them. Potty training them is no different. They will catch on to it in no time.
Since this dog is extremely popular you need to know that there are a lot of breeders that will breed these dogs just for profit. If you decide on getting this dog breed, do a lot of research to find the perfect and the most reputable breeder out there.
You can always check the local shelters because there is a good chance that there is a Poodle waiting for a forever home. But you need to be quick because they do not stay in the shelters for long.
Poodles can get along well in apartments but a house with a yard is for sure a better option for them. The good thing about them is that they don’t shed and are considered to be the best dogs for people that suffer from allergies.
RELATED: Poodle Feeding Chart: Maintaining The Ideal Weight
4. Afghan Hound
Afghan Hounds have such a unique appearance. They are tall dogs that have really long coats that a lot of people agree resembles human hair. These doggies can be considered themodels of the dog world.
But don’t let the exterior fool you. These dogs are smart and love to please their owners, which is a perfect combination. They will learn anything and take on any challenge that you present to them. This is true even when they are puppies.
These elegant dogs are not demanding. They thrive in any size of their home. They can live in an apartment and a house as well; they don’t mind anything as long as they are with their owners.
When it comes to grooming, they are quite demanding, but it is not their fault, it is just how they were made. You will need to spend a lot of time maintaining their coats if you want them to stay tangle free, shiny, and clean.
Daily brushing is a must, and we even suggest brushing and inspecting their coats after every walk, especially if you were hiking somewhere in nature.
When it comes to their health, they are generally healthy dogs but there are some health problems that they are more prone to such as cancer, allergies, and Juvenile cataracts.
5. Newfoundland
These huge dogs resemble big real-life teddy bears. Some people find them intimidating because of their size while others will be more than happy to have a cuddle session with this cute giant.
They have long fluffy coats that make them even bigger, and cuter if we may add. The coats are the factors that give them their charm.
Having an amazing appearance is not their only virtue. These dogs are extremely intelligent. Since they are on the laziest side of energy levels and because of the fact that they like to lounge around, a lot of people connect this to them being a bit dumb.
But the truth is completely the opposite. Yes, they do prefer to lounge around but this does not mean that there aren’t many commands that they execute perfectly.
Potty training, crate training, and any other type of training is no problem for these dogs.
This dog was also featured in a popular movie called Peter Pan. They portrayed the role of a nanny which perfectly describes their loving personality.
They may have some health issues that are connected to their dog breed, but if you keep them nice and healthy their lifespan can be anywhere from 8 to 10 years, and even longer sometimes.
6. Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs originated from Switzerland and are truly versatile working dogs, they have been cattle dogs, watchdogs, and they even pulled carts. Today they are still hard working dogs but mostly they are family dogs.
Because of their size and big fluffy coats, the perfect environment for them would be a house with a big yard that is located in an area that is colder. Since they truly are big dogs and we understand that this can be overwhelming for a lot of people, we have good news.
There is a mini Bernese Mountain Dog which may definitely be better suited to a lot of people. Don’t worry, these dogs have all the same characteristics as the standard Bernese Mountain Dog.
These dogs are both intelligent and friendly. Learning new things and making new friends both come naturally to them.
RELATED: Bernese Mountain Dog Cost: Puppy Prices, Care, And Expenses
7. Portuguese Water Dogs
These dogs are amazing with water, hence the name. They used to go with fishermen to retrieve lost equipment and were used for herding fish into the nets. Since both dogs are water dogs, the Portuguese Water Dogs are often confused with Lagotto Romagnolos.
These dogs are bigger than Lagottos and a Lagotto will never be black in color. An interesting thing about this dog breed is that they were the first dog of America, just like the first lady of America. This means that this dog was the dog that the Obama family owned.
They have a high energy level, they love to swim and make amazing running partners. This dog is better suited to a family that leads an active lifestyle. Families that are more laid back can also be a good fit for them but you need to adjust them to that lifestyle while they are puppies.
This is one of the easiest dog breeds to train to do any water sports for dogs. To potty train a puppy of a Portuguese Water Dog is really easy because they are extremely intelligent and love to learn new things.
2. Medium-Sized Dogs
We’ve also prepared a list of medium-sized dogs that are really easy to potty train.
1. Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is a perfect mix of a working dog and a loving companion. These dogs are truly man’s best friends. They love their owners to their core.
People tend to connect the Golden Retriever with the Labrador Retriever because of their similar personalities.
Unlike the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retrievers have short shiny coats that come in different colors. These pooches can be kept in an apartment but a house is a better option because they are considered to be dogs with medium to high energy levels.
They shed quite a lot so keeping them in an apartment can be a hassle for the owner because you can expect hair to be everywhere.
These dogs are extremely easy to train, both male and female Labrador Retrievers. They will learn anything you desire them to. So, when it comes to potty training you will have no problem with these doggies.
They are more prone to some health issues like hip dysplasia, Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD), Cataracts, etc. This does not mean that they will get them for sure, but it is always smart to bring them to the vet from time to time to be sure that your pooch is in good and healthy condition.
2. Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are, in my humble opinion, one of the prettiest dogs out there. These dogs have the most amazing coat colors and color patterns. These dogs, besides having amazing coat colors, also have the most amazing eye colors.
This may sound strange because you might be thinking, there aren’t that many different eye colors out there. That is true, but Australian Shepherds are known to sometimes have eyes that are two different colors, and they can also in some cases have light blue eyes, even when they get into adulthood.
The only problem with their coats is shedding, which they do a lot of. If you live in a house, which would be preferable for these pooches since they have a lot of energy, the extra space will mean that you won’t have that big of a problem with their hair being all around the place. But if you live in an apartment on the other hand, you will likely notice their shedding a lot more.
Besides their beauty, they are also known for being extremely intelligent dogs that are amazing in almost every dog competition you can think of.
But besides being pretty and smart, these dogs are also very loving. They are amazing with kids and other dogs. But you need to keep in mind that they are herding dogs and if there are a lot of small children around them, they will probably try to herd them all into one room.
This isn’t anything bad, it is quite endearing, to be honest. They fall into the medium dog category, but if you still feel like they are too big for you, you can always check out the toy Australian Shepherd which has all the same characteristics as the standard one.
3. Lagotto Romagnolo
Lagotto Romagnolo is considered to be a water dog that is full of energy. These pooches have such unique personalities. In one moment they are running all over the place and being chaotic, while in the next moment they can turn into the quietest dogs.
You will never know what mood they will surprise you with. When it comes to training them, they can be a bit of a pain at times, but you just need to learn the way to motivate them. Some of them will love positive reinforcement while others will thrive when you bribe them with some treats.
When you figure that out, you will be able to teach these pooches everything because they truly are intelligent dogs.
Besides their unique personalities, their appearance is unique as well. They have super curly coats that come in a couple of colors and color patterns. You need to brush them regularly even though they are curly, and you want to keep the curls nice and tight.
If you don’t brush them and let their coat grow too much, they will naturally develop dreadlocks which can be quite painful for them. An interesting thing about this breed is that they don’t shed, which is surprising to a lot of people.
The only time you will see hair around your house is when the dreadlocks appear. They tend to pull them out because they will start to hurt if left for a long time.
4. Jindo
These dogs may not be known to a lot of people. They were bred in South Korea, and they are incredibly intelligent and loyal dogs. They are amazing at hunting, agility, and performing tricks. When you read all of this, you can see why potty training is a breeze for these smarties.
They are polite and quiet dogs that are perfect for any type of family. They do need a lot of exercise, but if you get them as a puppy and get them used to a calmer life they will adapt to that as well.
Since they are highly intelligent, they need constant mental stimulation or they can turn a bit anxious and destructive, especially if you combine that with leaving them alone for long periods of time.
Their intelligence is so high that they can become a bit strong-willed at times. This is why it is important to show them who is the pack leader.
They make amazing watch dogs because of their loyalty towards their owners and their wariness with strangers.
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5. Border Collie
Border Collies are known for their intelligence and excellence in different types of competitions. It is very interesting to observe them move because they have a sleekness and elegance to them. When they are competing in agility it looks like they don’t get tired at all and go through everything with ease.
Border Collies often get confused with Australian Shepherds because of their intelligence. Border Collies are known for their black and white coats, but they can come in different colors like red merle. Whereas Australian Shepherds have more interesting color combinations and patterns.
They are herding dogs as well, and they have the known eye stare. This is one of the ways they control the animals that they are herding. These dogs have strong energy when it comes to being active and showing love and affection as well.
Since these dogs are good at anything that is physically possible for a dog to do, this means that they need a family that is active and that likes to spend time in nature and participate in various activities.
RELATED: Border Collie Feeding Chart: A Healthy Feeding Habits Guide
3. Small Dogs
Here are some of the small dogs that are truly easy to potty train.
1. Maltese
These cuties are known worldwide, even people that are not the biggest fans of dogs have heard of the Maltese breed. Maltese chocolate might add to their popularity but that is another topic. These pooches are known to be lap dogs but are amazing show dogs as well.
They have the most amazing coats when their owners let them grow long. It can grow all the way to the ground, so you won’t even be able to see their feet. And this is for both male and female Maltese dogs.
When you get a Maltese as a family pet you will probably keep their coats short, so it is easier to maintain them. When their coats are short they look like puppies, even when they are well into adulthood.
These dogs are known to be pure white but they can also come with other colors as markings on their white fur. .
This small breed is not just for show, they have a big brain underneath all that white hair. They really are a pleasure to train. They can be stubborn sometimes but using positive reinforcement will do the trick.
They are not the most energetic dogs, but they still need their fair share of daily exercise. If they don’t get it, they can get frustrated and even a bit destructive.
RELATED: How Much Does A Maltese Cost? Crunching Some Big Numbers
2. Papillon
These dogs have been around for a long time. There are even pictures that date from the 16th century of dogs that look just like a Papillon, and it is actually believed to be the Papillon himself. The best feature appearance-wise that these dogs possess are their big, pointy, and fluffy ears.
The hair on the ears almost resembles curtains. There is something that makes me describe these dogs as sprinkles with their sprinkly personalities. They might look like lap dogs, which trust us they don’t mind sometimes, they are actually really active and playful doggies.
Lounging around is not their favorite thing to do all day, but after a day that is filled with excitement, they will be more than happy to lay and cuddle with you.
Whether you live in a house or an apartment these dogs don’t like to spend time alone, especially if it is for a long period of time. They can develop separation anxiety and become generally scared dogs.
These little dogs have descended from toy breeds, to be more specific Spaniels. They may not look like a breed of dog that is easy to train but we can reassure you that they truly are. They might be stubborn sometimes and even get tired of training quickly, but positive training is something that will work every time.
RELATED: 8 Best Papillon Breeders + Why To Get Them
3. Boston Terrier
These unique-looking pooches have been around for more than a century. Some people like to call these dogs ˝Tuxedo dogs˝ because of their coat colors. Even though they are most recognized for their black and white coats there are also red and blue Boston Terriers.
Besides their colors, there are a couple of things that make them recognizable as well, and those are their big pointy ears, small smushed faces, and big eyes.
Unfortunately, the reasons they were bred are not the best. They were made to be used as fighting dogs, which, luckily, is not the case anymore. These pooches are amazing family pets that are loved and adored by many people around the world.
They do shed so if you are allergic to dogs you need to know that they are not hypoallergenic. They need a lot of affection and mental and physical stimulation. If you provide them with those things, then you will have the perfect family dog.
RELATED: Boston Terrier Growth Chart 101: All You Need To Know
4. Miniature Schnauzer
These pooches are quite a package. They have everything: intelligence, loyalty, stubbornness, humor, temper, and many more things. Being extroverted is their speciality. This might sound overwhelming, especially when you realize that their personality is twice as big as their bodies.
But don’t worry, these cuties are truly a pleasure to be around. Yes, they may be annoying for a bit, but they will make it up with their humor for sure. You cannot stay mad with them for long.
When thinking about training these dogs it may not sound that pleasurable. But don’t let all that attitude fool you. When you show them that you are the pack leader, and when you find a way to motivate them, training time will be fun for the both of you.
Their appearance is just as interesting as their personality. They come in different colors but their mustache is the eye-catcher. When they are any color/color combination except black, they look like a little old man, and this is true for both male and female Miniature Schnauzers.
If you live in an apartment with this pooch and want to start potty training, you can try and start with house training. This means that you first teach them to go to the bathroom in one spot of the house, and when they get a hold of it you start taking them outside.
5. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a dog breed that often gets confused with another dog breed, the Maltese. We can see the resemblance when it comes to their white coats and big black eyes, but this is only when their coats are short.
They have completely different coat textures and are two different breeds generally, even according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). This little dog is cheerful and likes a bit of mischief from time to time, but they make it up by the amount of love they give.
When they have their coats longer and all fluffed up, they truly look like a child’s toy. Because of this, you need to make sure to supervise any playtime between a Bichon Frise and a small child.
This toy dog might not have the biggest energy levels, but they sure do love to play. You will have a play companion that, when it comes to playing time, will never get tired. But if you make them run along for no reason and go for long hikes, they will not appreciate it very much.
They can learn new things very quickly but are not very fond of training. But since you know that they love to play you can always combine the two.
RELATED: How Much Does A Bichon Frise Cost? Initial Costs And Puppy Maintenance
6. Havanese
Havanese dogs are also called velcro dogs, and the reason for this is really cute. They are super affectionate, so they cling to their owners, almost like real velcro. This means that they do not like to be alone, not even for short periods of time, let alone for long periods of time.
Even though they are really cute and small, they aren’t just lap dogs. Oh no! These doggies are excellent when it comes to training, obedience, and even many dog sports. They are also amazing service dogs for people with disabilities.
Teaching them basic commands will be really easy because they can learn even the more complicated tricks easily.
These pooches come in many different colors. Their coats do shed a bit, so they are not really hypoallergenic.
RELATED: Havanese Haircuts: A Guide To 7 Interesting Haircut Styles
7. Shih Tzu
When you translate Shih Tzu, it means Little Lion. This may be not that fitting for this pooch because they are not really fierce or a fighter. They are quite the opposite. They love to give and receive love.
Shih Tzu is a true lap dog, but not that long ago people started including their Shih Tzus in different dog sports and shows. But don’t worry, they are still lap dogs at heart. Shih Tzus are really easy to please.
When it comes to shows, Shih Tzus they have the most interesting haircuts. It is similar to the Maltese dog. Their coats are left long so you can’t even see their legs. This is the case with both female and male dogs.
They get along with kids, other dogs, and even strangers. This makes them really bad watchdogs.
This dog is perfect for people that lead a laid-back lifestyle and would love to have a dog that is a big cuddle bug and that loves to lounge around. However, don’t forget that even these pooches need their daily exercise, so they stay fit and healthy.
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To Sum It Up
The training process is never easy no matter what dog breed you get. Yes, it can be easier with some breeds compared to others, but when you are a first-time dog owner teaching a new puppy new tricks is exhausting.
You need to figure out a lot of things like their sleeping area, what food to give them and when, all the necessary vet examinations, etc. The most important thing is to socialize and train your puppy. The toys and all of that other stuff are important as well, but if you don’t fulfill the training and socialization you may have a troubled dog.
Within the training process is potty training, which a lot of people are the most scared of. As we have already said, some breeds are easier to teach while others are a bit more difficult, but in the end, they all learn.
We hope that our list of easiest dogs to potty train has helped you decide what breed your future doggie will be. There are some of the most popular dogs on the list, and some that you may never have heard of before.
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