The Three Most Well-Behaved Dog Breeds According to an Expert: “They Are Incredibly Devoted, Loyal and Stable”

If you have ever wondered which dog breeds are the easiest to live with, a canine behavior expert has a pretty clear answer. Will Atherton, who founded his own dog training academy, recently shared his thoughts on TikTok after asking himself a different kind of question. Rather than thinking about which breeds cause the most trouble, he flipped the script entirely. He asked which breeds he almost never gets called out to help with, and the answer pointed to three very specific dogs.

Atherton works as a clinical canine behaviorist, which means he sees patterns across hundreds of dogs and their owners over the years. He noticed that certain breeds kept showing up on his schedule again and again, while others were practically absent. That observation is what shaped his list, and he was upfront about the fact that his picks are rooted in real professional experience rather than personal preference. His TikTok video quickly gained traction among dog lovers eager to hear his take.

The first two picks on his list will not shock anyone who knows dogs well. Labrador Retrievers landed at the top, with Atherton describing them as the best dog breed on the planet and joking that it is almost a shame he rarely needs to intervene with them. Their gentle temperament and natural eagerness to please make them a go-to choice for families, especially those with young children. Golden Retrievers came next, sharing many of those same qualities while being a touch more playful and spirited in Atherton’s view. He noted that both breeds tend to be friendly, cooperative, and highly responsive to training.

The third breed on his list is where things get interesting. Atherton named the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a dog that often carries an undeserved reputation in the public eye. According to him, when Staffies are raised with proper structure and consistent leadership, they turn out to be some of the most affectionate and emotionally stable dogs around. Many TikTok users who own the breed chimed in to agree, with one owner sharing that their six-month-old Staffy picked up commands quickly and was simply too friendly with everyone she met on walks. Another owner said their Staffy was their favorite dog they had ever had, even after owning Labs and Retrievers.

@iamwillatherton People often ask me which breeds are the worst behaved… But here’s a more interesting question. Which breeds do I almost never get called out to help with? Three stand out. Labrador Retrievers. Trainable, eager to please, and generally very people-focused. Golden Retrievers. Same story — friendly, cooperative and usually very responsive to training. And one that might surprise you… Staffordshire Bull Terriers. When they’re raised with the right structure and leadership, they’re often incredibly affectionate, loyal and stable dogs. Of course, any breed can develop behaviour problems if the foundations aren’t there. But these three tend to be naturally cooperative and eager to work with people, which makes training much easier. #dogtrainingtips #dogbehaviour #labradorretriever #goldenretriever #staffordshirebullterrier ♬ original sound – Will Atherton (MSc)

Atherton was careful to note that no breed is automatically problem-free. Any dog can develop behavioral issues if the groundwork is not laid properly from the start. What sets these three apart, in his experience, is that they are naturally wired to cooperate with people, which makes the whole training process significantly smoother. It is a good reminder that while breed tendencies matter, how a dog is raised and socialized plays just as big a role. If you are thinking about bringing a dog home, these three are worth serious consideration.

Do you own one of these breeds or have a different dog that surprised you with how well-behaved it turned out to be? Share your experience in the comments!