If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Royal Kennel Club (that’s the new name for the UK Kennel Club) figures show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels over recent years.
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the UK Kennel Club recognises 221 different pedigree dogs, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ to lovable mongrels.
So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.
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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
That academic work measured canine intelligence with three different metrics, one of which was “working and obedience intelligence” - in other words a dog’s ability to learn from humans and effectively and consistantly carry out commands.
Here are the 10 breeds of dog that Coren found were the most obedient - starting with the most obedient.
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9. Rottweiler
You won't have to tell a Rottweiler to do something twice. Their combination of obedience, eagerness to please, and loyalty makes them a great canine companion and earns them ninth place on this list. | Canva/Getty Images
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10. Australian Cattle Dog
Just sneaking into the top 10 most obedient dogs is the Australian Cattle Dog who, according to the American Kennel Club, are "true-blue loyal, famously smart, ever alert, and wary of strangers". They complete our list. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken