Canine Expert Names Three Most Well-Behaved Dog Breeds
For families considering welcoming a new canine companion, a leading dog behaviour specialist has identified the three breeds he considers the "best behaved" in household settings. Will Atherton, a clinical canine behaviourist and founder of his own dog training academy, shared his insights in a recent TikTok video that has sparked considerable interest among prospective pet owners.
Rarely Needing Professional Intervention
"People frequently ask me which breeds exhibit the worst behaviour, but here's a more intriguing question," Atherton began in his video presentation. "Which breeds do I almost never get called out to assist with?" According to his professional experience, three particular breeds clearly distinguish themselves from others through their consistently good behaviour, making them "extremely popular" choices for households.
Atherton elaborated on his methodology, stating: "As a clinical canine behaviourist, I encounter numerous dogs from the same breeds presenting problematic behaviours. This always raises an interesting question - is this pattern due to those breeds being more popular and therefore appearing more frequently in my caseload, or is it because they possess inherent tendencies toward behavioural issues?"
The behaviourist explained that he classifies these three breeds as the best behaved precisely because he so infrequently needs to work with them professionally. While acknowledging that two of his selections might seem obvious to many dog enthusiasts, he noted that the third breed on his list often surprises prospective pet owners.
The Three Standout Breeds
Labrador Retriever
"They're exceptionally popular, and it's no secret why I consider them the best dog breed on the planet," Atherton enthused about Labrador Retrievers. He humorously added that it's somewhat "unfortunate" they "don't develop problems more frequently" since he would genuinely enjoy working with them professionally.
Golden Retriever
Regarding Golden Retrievers, Atherton described a "similar narrative" to their Labrador counterparts. While sharing many of the "same outstanding qualities" as Labradors, he finds this breed typically exhibits a "slightly more playful, fun-loving, and amusing" personality, whereas Labradors often demonstrate a somewhat more serious disposition.
"Golden Retrievers consistently display friendliness, cooperation, and usually respond exceptionally well to training protocols," Atherton confirmed.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The breed that might astonish many prospective owners is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. "When raised with appropriate structure and consistent leadership, they frequently develop into remarkably affectionate, loyal, and emotionally stable dogs," Atherton advised.
Fundamental Training Principles Apply to All Breeds
Atherton continued his professional assessment: "Naturally, any breed can develop behavioural problems if proper foundational training isn't established. However, these three breeds typically demonstrate natural cooperativeness and eagerness to work alongside people, which significantly simplifies the training process."
Several TikTok users responded with agreement based on their personal experiences. One owner wrote: "I have a six-month-old Staffy, my second dog ever, and she's remarkably easy to manage. She learns commands with impressive speed. The only minor challenge is her excessive friendliness toward every dog and person we encounter during walks."
A second commenter concurred: "We've owned Labradors, Retrievers, and various other breeds, but the Staffy remains my personal favourite. I'm currently on my second Staffy, and he's absolutely wonderful."
A third Staffordshire Bull Terrier owner expressed: "I've never loved any dog as deeply as our Staffy! It's a magnificent breed! Our dog is ten years old and continues to thrive!"
