In the YouTube video “Our Favourite Dog Breeds to Train” published by the channel "Will Atherton Canine Training", professional dog trainer Will Atherton breaks down the breeds he personally finds the most rewarding to work with. Rather than ranking dogs based on looks or popularity, the video focuses on trainability, temperament, drive, and how structure and boundaries can unlock a dog’s full potential.
In this article, we’ve repurposed and expanded on those insights to help dog parents better understand why certain breeds thrive with training—and what that means for everyday life at home. Whether you’re raising a working dog, a high-energy family companion, or a small dog with a big personality, this guide will help you set realistic expectations and build a calmer, cleaner, and more harmonious home.
Why Trainability and Structure Matter More Than Breed
One of the strongest themes throughout the video is that behavioral success has far more to do with structure, leadership, and consistent training than with breed alone. Even the most intelligent, eager-to-please dogs can develop serious behavioral issues if their physical and mental needs are not met early on.
High-drive dogs often bring higher rewards—but also higher responsibility. Without appropriate outlets, routines, and boundaries, energy quickly turns into frustration. This can show up as reactivity, destructiveness, anxiety, or poor impulse control.
A well-trained dog doesn’t just behave better outdoors—it contributes to a more peaceful home environment indoors too. That includes fewer accidents, less stress-related odor buildup in carpets, and easier routines when washing bedding, toys, and blankets with Laundry Powders (https://www.goodnaturedbrand.com/collections/laundry-powders) or refreshing shared spaces using All‑Purpose Cleaners (https://www.goodnaturedbrand.com/collections/all-purpose-cleaners).
Labrador Retrievers and Their Training Versatility
Labrador Retrievers take the top spot due to their adaptability and consistently balanced temperament. What makes Labradors especially interesting is that they often fall into two distinct lines, each with different training strengths.
Working-line Labradors tend to have extremely high drive, motivation, and endurance. They excel in advanced tasks such as gun dog work, retrieving, scent-based activities, and structured obedience. These dogs love having a job and thrive when their intelligence is challenged daily.
Show-line Labradors, on the other hand, are generally calmer and softer in temperament. They still enjoy training but are often better suited for relaxed family lifestyles centered around daily walks, play, and companionship.
Across both types, Labradors are praised for their eagerness to please, emotional stability, and friendliness. When properly exercised and mentally stimulated, they integrate seamlessly into family homes—making daily cleanup easier and reducing stress-related messes on carpets and furniture that benefit from Carpet Deodorizers (https://www.goodnaturedbrand.com/collections/carpet-deodorizers).
German Shepherds and the Power of Leadership
German Shepherds are often misunderstood due to early negative experiences many owners have with undertrained or poorly socialized dogs. The video highlights a shift in perspective: with the right structure and leadership, German Shepherds become some of the most responsive and rewarding dogs to train.
This breed thrives on clarity. Clear rules, boundaries, and consistent follow-through allow German Shepherds to relax into their role and trust their handler. Once that relationship is established, they demonstrate remarkable obedience, synchronization, and loyalty.
Well-trained German Shepherds are soft, loving companions at home, contradicting their intimidating reputation. Their deep bond with their humans often results in calmer household behavior, which naturally supports better routines for cleaning dog beds, blankets, and shared living areas using Laundry Powders (https://www.goodnaturedbrand.com/collections/laundry-powders) and All‑Purpose Cleaners (https://www.goodnaturedbrand.com/collections/all-purpose-cleaners).
Spaniels and Channeling High Energy the Right Way
Spaniels—particularly Springer Spaniels—are praised for their intelligence, affectionate nature, and manageable size. While smaller than many working breeds, they come with just as much drive and enthusiasm.
Because of their energy levels, Spaniels need early socialization and structured training. Without it, fearfulness, nervous behavior, or reactivity can develop. These challenges are not inherent flaws but signals of unmet needs.
When their energy is properly channeled, Spaniels are cuddly, resilient, and incredibly joyful companions. The trainer’s personal story of Bernard, a three-legged Springer Spaniel who remains energetic and determined, perfectly illustrates the breed’s spirit.
A mentally fulfilled Spaniel is far less likely to engage in stress behaviors such as digging or excessive shedding, making routine home maintenance easier—especially when refreshing floors and fabrics with Carpet Deodorizers (https://www.goodnaturedbrand.com/collections/carpet-deodorizers).
Hungarian Vizslas and Intensity with Affection
Hungarian Vizslas are described as even more intense than Labradors. As hunt-point-retrieve dogs, they are constantly engaged with their environment, relying on their eyes, ears, and nose to process stimuli.
This intensity can be overwhelming for owners who choose Vizslas as pets without understanding their working background. Without structure, these dogs may develop behavioral issues rooted in excess energy and lack of direction.
With consistent training, however, Vizslas quickly transform into deeply affectionate companions. Often called “Velcro dogs,” they prefer constant physical closeness and thrive on human interaction. Indoors, they are calm, loving, and eager to relax once their needs are met.
Maintaining that balance helps prevent restlessness-related messes and supports a cleaner home environment, especially when daily surfaces are maintained with All‑Purpose Cleaners (https://www.goodnaturedbrand.com/collections/all-purpose-cleaners).
Cockapoos and the Problem of Being Underestimated
Cockapoos close out the list as a breed many trainers struggle with—not because of the dogs themselves, but because of how often their needs are misunderstood.
This breed combines the intelligence of a Poodle with the energy of a Spaniel, creating a small dog with significant mental and physical stimulation needs. When treated like low-maintenance lap dogs, Cockapoos often develop frustration-driven behaviors such as reactivity or anxiety.
When trained like the high-drive dogs they truly are, Cockapoos become incredibly fun, focused, and rewarding to work with. Their compact size does not reduce their exercise needs—it simply changes how those needs should be managed.
Proper training also supports better hygiene habits, reducing odor buildup on furniture and textiles that benefit from regular washing with Laundry Powders (https://www.goodnaturedbrand.com/collections/laundry-powders).
Training Foundations Set the Tone for Life
A core takeaway from the video is that training foundations shape everything that comes after. Early structure, boundaries, and clear communication prevent most behavioral issues long before they appear.
Dogs that understand expectations are calmer, more confident, and easier to live with. That calmness extends into the home, influencing cleanliness, routines, and the overall feel of your space.
Whether you live with a large working dog or a small energetic companion, pairing consistent training with a home environment maintained using Carpet Deodorizers (https://www.goodnaturedbrand.com/collections/carpet-deodorizers), Laundry Powders (https://www.goodnaturedbrand.com/collections/laundry-powders), and All‑Purpose Cleaners (https://www.goodnaturedbrand.com/collections/all-purpose-cleaners) helps support both your dog’s well-being and your family’s comfort.
Final Thoughts on Choosing and Training the Right Dog
“Our Favourite Dog Breeds to Train” reinforces an important truth: great dogs are shaped through guidance, not assumptions. High-energy, intelligent breeds can be the most fulfilling companions when their needs are properly met—and the most challenging when they are not.
By understanding breed tendencies, committing to early training, and creating structured routines, dog parents can enjoy deeper bonds, fewer behavioral challenges, and a more balanced home. Training isn’t about control—it’s about communication, clarity, and mutual trust that lasts a lifetime.
