What is the most unpredictable dog

15 Most Stubborn Dog Breeds (Hard to Train)

Smart breedsis a category used to describe trainable dog breeds who are fast and adept learners (source). They are the main protagonists in the dog world.

But just like any other world, the dog world has its antagonists, too. They are called the stubborn breeds due to their dominant, independent, and aggressive character (source).

In this article, we will look at the 15 most stubborn dog breeds in the world. Do you think your puppy is one of them? Let's find out!

15 Most Stubborn Dog Breeds That Are Hard To Train

1. Siberian Husky

Several studiesand experts have confirmed that Huskies are indeed one of the most stubborn dogs in the world.

These dogs have short attention spans that frequently lead to temper tantrums. Thus, your Husky might need regular exercises and rewards.

Siberian Huskies are excellent escape artists with very vocal characters, making them unsuitable forfirst-time dog owners.

2. Dachshund

In addition to Huskies, Dachshunds are a stubborn breed too.

These little barking sausages would instead run around the yard to hunt than listen to your commands.

Nevertheless, Daschunds are gooddogs for families: theirhigh lifespan, looks, and other positive traits make them attractive.

3. Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is a lively dog breed that has an independent streak. According to trainers, it's a fun breed to own, but they're stubborn to train, even when employing the most effectivepsychological tricks.

These dogs don't like being told what to do and would rather romp around than play fetch or sit for treats.

Patience is a virtue for them, and it'll be worthwhile if pet owners take the time for them.

4. Chihuahua

Tiny and fierce, the Chihuahua would rather lie in your lap than work for a reward. They're not only challenging but also one of thelaziest.

These dogs tend to be aggressive when not trained. Hence, you must work with a professional pet trainer to avoid this type of problem.

Even with the Chihuahua's miniature stature, they are very protective of their owners. These dogs will undoubtedly attack anyone to defend their household.

Overall, they aren't the best dogs with first-time pet owners or a family with small kids.

5. Scottish Terrier

Scottish Terriers are handsome pets. These dogs are an enchanter due to their gorgeous beards and stunning black coat.

However, don't let their good looks fool you because these dogs are stubborn too!

Vocal, active, and proud, a Scottish Terrier will do whatever they set their mind on. If these dogs don't want to do something, they don't.

Furthermore, a Scottish Terrier can be a handful since they're a one-person type of dog. Thus, make sure to train these dos from a young age.

6. Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu breed is fiercely independent, making them one of the most stubborn dog breeds.

These pets are also known forbeing aggressiveif not properly trained at a young age.

Shibas need an experienced owner full of patience, preferably those who have experience in handling stubborn breeds.

7. Beagle

Beagles are known as one of the best huntingdogsand companions in history.

However, these dogs are also famous for their independent and tenacious character, making them hard to please. They even tend to howl when they are left alone.

Because of their deep-set hunting characteristics,Beaglesneed plenty of exercises and training sessions to keep themselves from getting bored and destructive.

8. Fox Terrier

Fox Terriers are dogs that know their worth and will not submit to aggressive interaction. This impulsive breed has a mischievous streak, boundless energy, and an eager attitude.

As a consequence, Fox Terriers will likely not respect an inexperienced dog owner.

They need someone who knows what they're doing because this breed knows how to get what they want without working.

9. Akita

Dominant, quiet, and complex, the Akita has many dogs with a unique, strong will. On top of that, these dogs can also be aggressiveto other dogs but aloof towards people.

It won't be easy to get along with an Akita as they will require professional help in training.

Nonetheless, Akitas aretalentedand well-rounded loyal dogs.

10. Chinese Shar-Pei

Shar-Peiis an ancient dog breed known for its original traits, such as its wrinkly coat and blue tongue.

Early training is a must for these dogs due to their uncompromising character. Regardless of that, a Shar Pei dog can be an obedient trainee only if they're with a good trainer.

11. Miniature Pinscher

Min Pins, short for Miniature Pinschers, is one of the most active, independent, but stubborn dog breeds. They're related to Doberman Pinschers, who are one of the scariest dogsin the world.

Despite the Min Pins' stubbornness, they require tons of exercise, constant stimulation, and a partner in crime who can understand their needs.

12. Dalmatian

Noted for its unique white coat spotted with dark marks, the famous Dalmatian can have a mind of its own, too.

Despite their extrovert personality, these dogs can be challenging to train. They need constant activities and exercise to stimulate their mind and body so they won't get bored.

But they can be a great, perfect companion as anapartment dog.

13. English Bulldog

Strong, solid, and challenging, theEnglish Bulldogis another headstrong dog breed.

Their lazy personality makes them the perfect pets for couch potato owners who aren't interested in training dogs.

Thus, if you're someone who's looking forward to teaching their pet new training tricks, the English Bulldog is not for you.

On the bright side, despite their fierce looks, these dogs are friendly with anyone and aregreat for kids.

14. Basset Hound

Basset Hounds are considered great hunting gun dogs.

Friendly with strangers and other dogs, this scent hound will greet anyone with a loud bark.

But with almost zero aggressiveness, the Bassett Hound would instead remove itself from a difficult situation than attack.

However, even with their sad and droopy face, this breed has a stubborn and independent mind.

15. Weimaraner

The final breed on this list is the Weimaraner or the gray ghost. This beautiful and energetic dog will chase anything that runs.

The Weimaraner isn't recommended for new dog owners, as they can be challenging to handle. But a professional dog trainer or handler can help.

They may be stubborn, but they aren't the most difficult to train. Knowledge and patience are the key to training this breed.

They're Headstrong yet Intelligent Dog Breeds.

These stubborn dog breeds aren't a joke regarding dog ownership since they can be hard to train.

They aren't the best dogs forfirst-time pet ownersand other pets due to their strong willpower and unruly behavior.

In the end, all breeds, even the intelligent dog breeds,are still trainableat a very young age. With consistency in proper care and training, your dogs can adjust any of their destructive behaviors.

Unless you're patient and pro, you're likely to need some help from a professional trainer or canine behaviorist.

READ NEXT:30 Breeds That Are Good House Dogs & Perfect for Families

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4 Most Unpredictable Dog Breeds

The list of most unpredictable dog breeds: Often, choosing a pet, people focus only on their own preferences. Meanwhile, some dog breedsdo not get along well with others and are not adapted to living in a living room due to the size or characteristics of the breed.

List of the Most Unpredictable Dog Breeds

According to dog handlers, they are the most unpredictable. With improper training or its absence, they can attack even the owner. Also, they are categorically not recommended to be kept in the apartment.

This list includes a Brazilian mastiff or Brazilian fila. In the apartment, they do not belong. These are great guards. This breed has a suspicious disposition and can show sudden aggression.

Brazilian Fila (Brazilian Mastiff)

Dogs of this breed are very loyal, but suspicious, are aggressive and have a hot temper. They are ideal guards for a private home, but absolutely not suitable as a pet.

Cane Corso

The ancestors of Cane Corsa participated in gladiatorial battles in ancient Rome. Dogs are devoted to the owner and clearly carry out all the commands. But with improper training or psychological trauma, they are very dangerous for others, even for the owner. The best place for them is also a private house, which they will guard with all care.

Cane Corso is the most unpredictable dog breeds whose ancestors participated in gladiatorial battles in ancient Rome. If this breed is not brought up correctly, there may be a threat to others and to the owner himself.

Tosa Inu (Japanese Mastiff)

The breed was bred in Japan specifically for dog fights. Accordingly, breeders cultivated fighting qualities in dogs. With proper training, the dog is absolutely loyal to the owner and has a relatively calm character.

At the same time, animals of this breed are very aggressive towards strangers and other animals in the house. Japanese mastiff is also on the list. This breed was bred in Japan to participate in dog fights. This breed can cause troubles to the owner due to aggressive behavior towards strangers.

Basenji

Dogs of this African breed are characterized by a distinctive feature rumbling instead of barking. Animals are also very hardy and practically do not get sick.

Basenji is a dog devoted to the owner, but not amenable to training. Hence the unpredictable behavior of the dog.

Attached to the owner, with strangers restrained, but without aggression. At the same time, they are very difficult to train and practically do not learn the rules of obedience.

Irrepressible curiosity and activity can be limited by the limits of the enclosure in a private house, and when kept in an apartment, the whole life of its inhabitants will be subordinated to the dog.

Greyhound

This breed is not aggressive, lends itself well to training, and most unpredictable dog breeds get along with people.

But hunting dogs for a normal life needs space and long walks with the ability to run.Can turn the apartment around, as this breed is hunting and needs to move a lot. The apartment will become a greyhound prison.

Given the impressive size and tremendous speed that greyhounds can develop, keeping in an urban environment is unlikely to be comfortable for the dog or its owner.

So these are the 4 most unpredictable dog breeds that are best not to turn your back on.

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5 Most Aggressive Dogs by Breed

Nature versus nurture: Its the age-old debate, especially when applied to the question of who the most aggressive dogs are.

Any dog who endures an abusive, neglectful or life-threatening situation can become aggressive. Does that mean these are bad dogs?

Absolutely not.

However, some dog breeds were bred for centuries to become protectors and hunters, and those traits are stamped on their genes. This doesnt mean that every animal in the breed is aggressive, but simply that the potential is there (and even in what are thought of as the least aggressive dog breeds, youll find some outliers).

The point is this: Any dog can be aggressive, and thats where nurture comes in.

Proper training is vital when it comes to helping dogs cope with anxiety and aggression. Moreover, training ensures the safety of your dog and anyone who handles the dog.

Dangerous vs. Aggression

Dangerous and aggressive are not always comparable at least in the statistics.

Several small dogs often display more aggressive tendencies than larger breeds, yet its the larger breeds that always make the dangerous dogs lists and have their bites tracked, sometimes skewing the statistics regarding what type of breed has the most attacks.

Damage potential is a term that comes up with insurance companies when these companies are deciding which dogs to place on their dangerous dogs list:

• Several breeds such as wolf hybrids, Rottweilers, Dobermans, pit bulls and pit bull mixes, German Shepherds, and Akitas often make the list.
• Yet Chihuahuas, dogs who can and do bite often, are nowhere to be found.

The reason for this disparity? Damage potential.

Damage potential is what an insurance company will use to evaluate a dog breed. They ask: How much damage will this dog cause to a person or property should they attack?

Obviously, a Doberman can do a lot more damage than a Chihuahua, so the Doberman makes the list.

Although this may seem unfair to Doberman fans and other large-breed lovers, it makes sense. Your Doberman may be the most sweet-tempered dog on earth, but other Dobermans may not and they can cause massive damage.

The result of all this is that the larger breeds often get unfairly labeled as being the most aggressive dogs out there, when in many cases its dogs who barely reach their kneecaps who deserve the title of most aggressive dogs.

Why Dogs Display Aggression

The dogs who cause damage most likely do so because of their ancestry.

These dogs were bred to be workers, hunters and baiters. Aggression was deliberately encouraged to get these dogs to perform their specific task better.

Centuries later, those traits are still coded into our dogs DNA.

Abuse, neglect and poor training also play a large role in how any dog of any breed responds to their environment. Any dog can become aggressive under the right conditions. (Say it louder for the people in the back, right?)

When were choosing a dog to adopt, history is as important as the dogs breed:

• Dogs who were allowed to exhibit poor behavior because of their small size often become aggressive, as they see themselves as the alpha.
• Dogs who were abused become aggressive out of fear.
• Dogs who were starved often become food aggressive.
• Dogs who were not properly socialized often become aggressive to other animals.
• Lastly, people often push their dog into aggression without realizing it.

Child parenting around dogs is critical. Dont let your child hit, punch, pull tails, ride the dog or in any way harm or make your dog uncomfortable.

It may make for a cute Facebook video when your child is face-to-face with your dog, but dogs see direct eye contact and full-front facing as a challenge. The dog will be very uncomfortable with a child getting right in their face.

If you constantly let your children treat your dog as their personal jungle gym, dont be surprised when your dog suddenly snaps and bites back. Chances are your dog had been telling you all along with their body language that they were uncomfortable, afraid and unhappy.

We have the ability and the responsibility to teach our dogs appropriate behavior and response starting in puppyhood, and this can make all the difference. We can promote nurture over nature.

5 Most Aggressive Dogs by Breed

Opinions vary on which are the most aggressive dog breeds. In no particular order, here are 5 breeds that make almost all the lists:

1. Pit Bulls

Lets take care of the elephant in the room first: the pit bull.

The term pit bull is actually not a breed it refers to the American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and American Bully.

Theres a lot of debate about pit bulls, and these dogs are often in the news having injured or killed someone.

Pit bulls attack by biting their target and then shaking their head back and forth, an attack style that can instantly lead to catastrophic injuries. These are also focused dogs, and many times they cant be persuaded to release their grip.

What the news often neglects to report is whether there was a trigger for the aggression, so its difficult to say why the dog attacked.

The pit bull is descended from the English bull-baiting dog, which was bred to bite and hold massive animals such as bulls or bears. These dogs were bred to be aggressive, tenacious and strong.

When bull-baiting was outlawed, breeders began crossing the bull-baiting dog with the terrier to make them quicker and more agile, which started the line of descent to the pit bull we know today.

Stepping back, we can see that the pit bull in all their various incantations today attacks the same way bite, hold and shake and is dogged about maintaining the grip. When we look at the ancestry, we now can understand why.

Pit bulls can make wonderful, devoted and loving pets. But its critical that their humans socialize, evaluate and continually train them so that, in any given situation, the dog knows how they are to behave.

In 2017, pit bulls were responsible for 74% of fatal dog bites or attacks. However, there is one big qualifier: Often, dog breeds are misidentified, especially in shelters. So some of these attacks may have been by dogs with little or no pit bull in them.

The next dog on our list consistently ranks as much more aggressive than the pit bull we just rarely hear about it.

2. Chihuahuas

Chihuahuas are strong-willed, extremely intelligent dogs.

They are responsive to firm and positive reinforcement-based training and usually turn out to be friendly, curious and adventurous.

However, the Chihuahua can also be dominant, jealous, aggressive and untrusting. And when these traits present themselves, a Chihuahua has no problem using those tiny jaws on their target.

Chihuahuas are among the oldest dog breeds in the world and originated in Mexico, prized for their combination of small size and courage.

Chihuahuas are alphas their intelligence demands no less. Therefore, you need to invest time in training the Chihuahua just as if they were a large-breed dog instead of allowing behaviors like jumping up that would not typically be allowed with larger breeds.

Many people think its cute when a small dog exhibits stubbornness or refusal to obey. Reimagine the Chihuahua at about 60 pounds, and its not so funny anymore.

So, the mentality is the same regardless of the size of the dog: Proper training is key. Dont allow aggressive or dominant behavior, even if you find it cute.

3. Wolf-Dog Hybrids

A dash of common sense will tell you why these animals score high on the aggression index. Wolf-dog hybrids are just what they sound like: a combination of wolf and dog.

Wolves and dogs are interfertile, which means they can mate and produce offspring, and their offspring are known as wolf-dog hybrids (regardless of the breed of dog who mates with the wolf).

Dogs have centuries of domestication at their back, but wolves have evolved with none.When wolves reach sexual maturity, their behavior changes. In the wild, this is when they begin asserting themselves as individuals within the pack.

Wolves will challenge the pack leader to achieve a higher position in the pack. In the domesticated household, you are the pack leader, so you might see assertive or aggressive behavior where there was none before:

• Territory might become increasingly important to your wolf-dog hybrid.
• You might start seeing urination inside the house as the dog marks their territory.
• Strangers may elicit a much stronger response from the wolf-dog hybrid than previously seen.

However, mating between wolves and dogs is consistent in only one area: It produces highly inconsistent offspring, also making it one of the most unpredictable dog breeds.

Some wolf-dog hybrids are just as laid-back as you are, while others seem to be taking all their cues from The Call of the Wild. Even animals from the same litter can demonstrate wildly differing behavioral traits.

So its up to you to do intensive research on both dogs and wolves before bringing a wolf-dog hybrid into your home.

This is not a pet that typically does well lying around on the sofa all day. They require lots of consistent and repetitive training as well as plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

4. Dachshunds

Thats right heres another small pup on the list of most aggressive dogs to prove that size is no indicator of aggressive tendencies.

According to a study published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Dachshunds rank among the most aggressive dog breeds in terms of aggression against both people and other animals.

Like the Chihuahua, this is likely because the Dachshunds size makes it easy to overlook inappropriate behaviors such as jumping, barking and snarling.

Dachshunds originate in Germany, where they were bred to hunt badgers, small animals who are fierce fighters when cornered. The Dachshunds short legs allowed them to follow badgers right into their dens and fight to the death.

Today, Dachshunds still have a strong prey drive, so its not smart to allow them around smaller mammals.

Theyre also independent, intelligent and strong-willed. They will become aggressive if you dont train them properly or set boundaries.

5. Jack Russell Terriers

The Jack Russell Terrier makes a great pet. These dogs are intelligent, agile and fun-loving, and they were bred to hunt foxes and other small game in the mid-1800s.

But again, without a strong pack leader to set rules and boundaries, these dogs can and do demonstrate aggression toward other people and animals and will bite.

Small dogs like the Jack Russell Terrier tend not to be as well trained as larger dogs, so they can develop small dog syndrome where a small dog thinks they are head of the household and act accordingly.

In theApplied Animal Behaviour Sciencestudy, Jack Russell Terriers ranked 3rd overall in aggressive tendencies.

Most Aggressive Dogs: 6 More Dog Breeds

Other dog breeds that tend to come up repeatedly when discussing aggression are:

Final Thoughts on the Most Aggressive Dogs

Training (nurture) can make a huge impact on nature.

In no way are all dogs of any breed bad. Many in fact, most small dog breeds can become aggressive due to small dog syndrome, yet we rarely hear about these breeds because theyre simply (in most cases) incapable of causing the type of damage that a German Shepherd can.

The unifying factor when it comes to aggression is training.

Training should take place from an early age, if possible. Be consistent, firm, positive and repetitive.

Training is continual its never done. Continually refresh your dogs training and socialize them as often as possible to help prevent aggression toward other animals and people. Ultimately, training can save your dogs life.

Teach your children how to properly handle having a dog in the home, and watch your dog for body language that indicates distress, fear or discomfort.

References

• Dickey, Bronwen. Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon. Penguin Random House. 2017.
• Coren, Stanley, PhD, DSc, FSRC. 14 Dog Breeds Blacklisted by Insurance Companies. Psychology Today. May 27, 2014. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201405/14-dog-breeds-blacklisted-insurance-companies.
• Nolen, R. Scott. The Dangerous Dog Debate. American Veterinary Medical Association. Nov. 1, 2017.https://www.avma.org/news/javmanews/pages/171115a.aspx.
• McCarthy, Niell. Americas Most Dangerous Dog Breeds [Infographic]. Forbes. Sept. 13, 2018.https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2018/09/13/americas-most-dangerous-dog-breeds-infographic/#165736a062f8.
• Position Statement on Pit Bulls. ASPCA.https://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-policy-and-position-statements/position-statement-pit-bulls.
• 2017 Dog Bite Fatalities. DogsBite.org. 2017.https://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-fatalities-2017.php.
• Hare, Brian, and Vanessa Woods. Pit Bulls Are Chiller Than Chihuahuas. Atlantic. Sept. 19, 2016.https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/09/pit-bulls-are-chiller-than-chihuahuas/500558/.
• Wolf-Dog Hybrids. International Wolf Center.https://www.wolf.org/wolf-info/basic-wolf-info/wolves-and-humans/wolf-dog-hybrids/.
• Duffy, Deborah L., PhD, Yuying Hsu, PhD, and James A. Serpell, PhD. Breed Differences in Canine Aggression. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 114, no. 34 (Dec. 1, 2008): 441460. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159108001147.