Today's Tips on Pets

   

11 Most Stubborn Dog Breeds

By vetstreet.com | Pets

By Laura Cross and Shayna Meliker | vetstreet.com

Pigheaded, headstrong, determined and willful are words that easily apply to these 11 breeds. These dogs are all very independent and as the United States celebrates its independence this month we thought we would spotlight dog breeds that exemplify what independence really is. But independence in dogs is not always ideal. In fact, a dog with a mind of his own can be stubborn and hard to train.
 

Many breeds were developed to do work that required them to act independently. Those dogs tend to be smart, but as family pets, they may need more leadership and training than others. Ultimately, though, they're worth it.

 

Akita

             

                                                
                                       

 

The bold and powerful Akita isn't known for barking, but he is still an excellent watchdog. Many Akitas are protective of their families, especially children, and they require lots of socialization to help them distinguish between what is a threat and what is normal.

 

Chinese Shar-Pei

 

                                              
                                    

 

The Chinese Shar-Pei's wrinkly face may make you want to give him a squeeze, but that's probably not what he wants. The strong-willed guard dogs are highly territorial and can be distrustful of strangers, making them a poor choice for first-time dog owners who haven't had experience in firm, steadfast training.

 

Jack Russell Terrier

                                              
                            

 

If you look up the word "tenacious" in the dictionary, you may see a picture of the Jack Russell Terrier. Bred to eradicate pesky vermin from farms, the breed has an impressive drive to work and dig. She can be difficult to live with if you're not able to channel that energy and single-mindedness into dog sports that she enjoys, like earthdog trials, agility or terrier races.

 

Chihuahua 

 
                                              
                            

 

Don't let the Chihuahua's teeny frame fool you. If the little dogs have a reputation for being spoiled and untrainable, it's probably because their owners have let them get away with things that wouldn't be tolerated in larger dogs. The good news is that Chihuahuas are intelligent, and many respond well to consistent rules and structure - if you're smart enough to give that to them.

 

Miniature Pinscher
                                           
                            

There's a good reason people call the Miniature Pinscher the King of the Toys. This willful canine enjoys hobbies such as digging, barking and chasing anything that moves - and he doesn't particularly care if you don't share his interests. With the Min Pin, it's important not to let him get away with bad behaviors or they could become habits that are almost impossible to break.

 

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

                                                  

                                   
 

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog has worked as a herding and flock-guarding dog since the 15th century, and like many of her herding dog cousins, she needs activities to keep her physically and mentally occupied. She sometimes has a possessive temperament and is prone to stealing and stashing household items that you'll probably spend hours searching for.

 

Tibetan Mastiff
 

                                       

As a breed that's guarded people for more than 2,000 years, the Tibetan Mastiff can come across as strong-willed and overprotective. His protective nature combined with his independent mindset mean his attitude is "my way or the highway" - especially if he thinks it's for your safety. Early and frequent training helps this breed be better-behaved and less wary of strangers.

 

Beagle
  

                                             
                            

If there's one thing you need to know about Beagles, it's this: They are ruled by their noses. The breed's powerful sense of smell can lead them to escape from the yard or break into the dog food bag. Another thing you should know: They have selective hearing. Beagles are skilled at ignoring commands and wandering off. They are highly motivated by food. So if you want your Beagle to listen to you (and not his nose), command his attention with treats. 

 

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
 

                                  

The personality of a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is said to be somewhere between a Golden Retriever's and a terrier's - meaning that the breed is smart, outgoing and easy to train, but he likes to do things his own way. Keep him in check by establishing firm rules and challenging him mentally.

 

Lhasa Apso
 

                                      

Lhasa Apsos are smart dogs, but they can be manipulative, mischievous and stubborn. They were bred by Tibetan monks to protect people, not to please them. The keys to training the breed are consistency, firmness and short, fun training sessions.

 

Collie

                                                             

 

 Collies are eager to please and love people, but they can be a bit stubborn. As a herding breed, they learned to make decisions without human input. They also are known for trying to herd humans by nipping at their heels. It's up to you to train and socialize your Collie so his independence works for you - not against you.