Puppies are forever, not just for Christmas. And after another festive boom of gifting pets as presents, many new dog owners may be struggling to train their puppies.
Boxers, Alsatians, and Pugs all take a spot on the list of the top dog breeds gifted at Christmas. But after the initial excitement of having a new playmate in the house, a daunting reality of the true training and care a canine needs can set in for new owners.
Knowing which dog breeds are better behaved and easier to train can be vital when buying (or asking Santa for) your first pet pooch. But which breeds of dog are less likely to develop bad tempers or behavioural problems?
There are three breeds that Will Atherton, opinionated dog trainer and behaviourist, says he “rarely” has to train, as they are unlikely to misbehave. Read on to find out which dogs the expert rates so highly.
Labrador Retriever
Atherton describes the Labrador Retriever as the “best” dog breed “in the world”, reports the Express. A common but easily-solved issue with Labrador Retrievers is them pulling on their lead.
This “stems from them just being so loving and wanting to meet people [and] go see all the dogs and play with them”. These mild behavioural issues of lead-pulling or jumping up at people can be easily resolved, according to Atherton. “It’s dead easy to dial those things in,” he promised (providing the pooches are trained correctly).
English Mastiff
“Next up is the English Mastiff,” said Mr Atherton. “I think they’re one of the best breeds on the planet.” Describing the breed as “laidback”, he reckons they are the “perfect” dog.
This large dog is known for its gentle nature and is less likely than other breeds to develop a confrontational personality. The Mastiff is known as the largest living canine, outweighing the wolf by up to 50kg on average.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
“Last up is the little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel… I think they’re one of the best small breeds on the planet” continued Atherton. And fans of the breed were quick to agree.
One owner commented: “I knew a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel would be on there.” Another added: “I’d love a King Charles spaniel but their health issues really put me off.”
Given the health issues associated with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a veterinary nurse raised a word of caution. They said: “I got one knowing I’d have to deal with heart issues.”
A dog walker, however, refuted Mr Atherton’s picks, saying she works with some “horrifically behaved Labradors”. Another said: “He just proved that just because you work with something does not mean you’re an expert.”
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