There’s one question that comes up time and time again in dog training — especially from prospective puppy parents. It is:

“Does breed really matter?”

I get asked this A LOT. Usually, by panicking dog owners as they helplessly watch their dog bolt across a field, nose to the ground, in pursuit of a squirrel.

The short answer? Yes, breed matters — but not in the way you might think.

Your dog’s breed can shape their behaviour, but it’s not the be-all and end-all in how they are as a pet or how trainable they are. The key is understanding your dog’s origins so you can start understanding the instincts that have been hard-wired into their little brains. And then — most importantly — use this to YOUR advantage.

Think of your dog’s breed as their superhero origin story

Think about Batman for a moment. Less the super camp Adam West version, but more the surly and intense Michael Keaton or Christian Bale version.

What makes him Batman — the dark, brooding character, afraid of emotional connection, and driven by guilt and childhood trauma — is his emotional origin story of his parents being killed when he was young. And nobody tries to change him. He is who he is, and he owns it and even turns it to his advantage.

The same goes for your dog’s origin story.

Dogs didn’t start their evolutionary journey as our companions. Their natural place wasn’t snuggled up in our beds and demanding the cheese tax whenever we prepared food. They had jobs and functions — real and practical jobs.

They were herders, hunters, guards and great diggers. And it was these skills that brought them into our homes in the greatest symbiotic love story of all time. You work for me, and I pay you with shelter and food.

So when you bring home your baby Labrador, Spaniel, or Border Collie, you’re not looking at a blank canvas. You’re looking at thousands of years of work ethic and a deep need to be mentally and physically engaged, that have made them wired for certain behaviours — whether you want them or not!

To name a few:

Border Collies: Smart, fast, and constantly alert. Bred to herd sheep, they’ll happily herd your kids, cats or even the Roomba if you let them.
Terriers: Small but mighty. Bred to hunt, they’ll chase squirrels, dig like they’re training for a mining competition, and never, ever back down.
Labradors: Friendly, bouncy and obsessed with carrying things. Will bring you your socks, the post, your house keys, whether you want them or not. Acts of service are their love language…. just don’t expect them to stop at the one stick.
Sighthounds (like Greyhounds and Whippets): Elite athletes built for the sprint, who take relaxation so seriously you’ll need to check if they’re still breathing. Will be dead to the world until a pigeon flies past. Then it’s zero to 60 in two seconds flat.

Knowing your dog’s breed and its function will give you helpful insights into how they see the world, and what’s likely to make their tail wag (and you breathe a sigh of relief!).

But breed isn’t destiny

Here’s the kicker: your dog’s breed is a guide, not a guarantee.

Not every Beagle will bay at unsuspecting passers-by. Not every German Shepherd is a born guard dog. And not every Poodle is, well... okay, nearly all Poodles are pretty clever.

The point is, dogs are individuals. Their training success depends on so much more than their breed. Such as:

How they were socialised and what their early experiences were
Their personality and temperament
The environment they were in as a puppy, and the environment they live in now with you
Your level of consistency, how clear you are, and your (let’s be honest) patience

So while your dog’s breeding is helpful to know and goes a good way to helping you understand them better, it’s not everything. And it certainly is NOT an excuse for letting them get away with undesirable behaviour.

“Oh, he’s a Husky — he won’t listen.”

It might get you some sympathy for a little while, but it won’t help when he’s halfway across the park, singing the song of his people at full volume because he doesn’t want to go home.

**Using breed info to work with your dog, not against them**

Rather than trying to "train out" your dog’s natural instincts, ask: how can I make this work in my favour?

A few examples:

Digging Terriers? Give them their own digging pit or sandpit in your garden where digging is a reward, not a crime scene.
Retrievers? Use fetch games or hide-and-seek with toys and treats to engage their natural desire to sniff out “quarry” (their favourite well-loved toy), and “retrieve” it to you (shove it into your lap, soggy patches and all).
Herding breeds? Channel that energy into structured games like scent work, agility, or trick training — anything that gives them a job to do and stops them from assigning themselves one (like yelling at the postman or trying to herd the kids).

Breed gives us a roadmap. It helps us choose rewards, predict challenges, and tailor training to suit your dog’s instincts, not fight against them.

What if my dog’s a mix (or a total mystery)?

You don’t know your dog’s breed or breed makeup? No problem.

Many rescue dogs or crossbreeds don’t come with a tidy breed label. But if you spend time watching your dog and their behaviour, you’ll spot patterns. Do they love sniffing? Are they always watching? Do they freeze when they see movement?

Even without a DNA test, these little clues can help you train more effectively.

In other words, you don’t need a pedigree to train well — just curiosity and a good sense of humour.

Real-life example: Terrier vs Greyhound

Let’s say you’re teaching loose lead walking.

Terriers are steered by their nose: Expect a tug-of-war over every lamppost, leaf, and distant smell. Keep sessions short, use tasty rewards, and bring your patience.
Greyhounds have high prey drive: They might start off chill... until something zips past. Then they’ll turn cartwheels at the end of the lead, trying to get to it. Practice in low-distraction areas and build up gradually.

Same goal. Different dog. Different plan of action.

Avoiding stereotypes (and guilt trips)

It’s tempting to use breed as an excuse or a get-out clause for when things don’t go to plan.

“He’s just being a Beagle and following his nose.”
“She’s part Collie — she needs a job!”
“He’s a Dachshund, he won’t come back when he’s called.”

While these are often said with love (and a sigh of exasperation), this approach can hold you back.

Your dog might not follow the blueprint for their breed, and that’s okay. Just because your Retriever doesn’t love swimming, or your Spaniel doesn’t want to fetch, doesn’t mean something’s wrong. It just means they’re a dog, not a stereotype.

Celebrate the quirks. Train the dog in front of you.

When I work with clients, I always ask about the dog’s breed (or the likely mixes), but I never assume. I watch the dog, I listen to the owner, and we figure out together what makes that dog tick.

Sometimes the breed traits are obvious (hello, Tasmanian Devil-like Spaniel pups). Other times, it’s more subtle. But what matters most is working with the dog’s natural tendencies, not against them.

If your dog was bred to chase, let’s build in safe chase games to achieve a rock-solid recall.
If they were bred to guard, let’s give them structure and predictability so they know where they fit in.
If they were bred to cuddle... well, that’s a training reward in itself.

Final thoughts

So, do you need to consider your dog’s breed when training?

Yes — but with nuance, curiosity, and a sense of humour.

Your dog’s breed can give you helpful insights into your dog’s instincts and motivation, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Your dog is also shaped by their personality, their life experiences, and the environment you create for them to live in.

Understanding your dog’s breed (or best guess at it) isn’t about putting them in a box or giving them a label — it’s about giving them the kind of training, enrichment, and guidance they’ll thrive with.

And if you're ever unsure where to start or feel like your dog is one furry mystery box of instincts, I'm here to help.

Need personalised help with your dog’s training or behaviour?

Let’s chat — I offer 1:1 support tailored to your dog, your lifestyle, and yes… even their breed quirks.

Sarah-Jane x

Do I have to consider my dog’s breed when training?