Willful Dogs
Want to know more about willful dogs? See all the dogs that fit this criteria and learn more about what it's like to have these dogs as pets.
117 Results
- breed group: herding
- breed size: medium (26-60 lbs.)
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, strong loyalty tendencies
- colors: white, cream, black, red, gold / yellow, brown / chocolate / liver
- patterns: bicolor
- coat length/texture: short
- temperament: willful, aloof
An ancient breed, Canaans are loving and loyal with their families but aloof with strangers. They are highly intelligent and a good fit for experienced dog owners.
- breed group: terrier
- breed size: small (0-25 lbs.)
- other traits: requires lots of grooming, high prey drive, apartment-friendly, cold weather tolerant, hot weather tolerant
- colors: gold / yellow, black, red
- patterns: brindle
- coat length/texture: long, wiry
- temperament: friendly, willful, playful
The Scottish terrier is among the oldest, best established, most recognizable breeds in the world. Tenacious and intelligent, these dogs can be great companions to the right owner.
- breed group: sporting
- breed size: large (61-100 lbs.)
- other traits: tendency to chew, high prey drive, high potential for weight gain, cold weather tolerant, loves water, good hiking companion, good for first-time pet owners
- colors: white
- patterns: flecked / ticked / speckled
- coat length/texture: medium
- temperament: gentle, friendly, willful, playful, aloof
Mellow but never boring, the rare Clumber spaniel is a large love bug who adores attention and makes a delightful companion in any home where fur and drool are welcome.
- breed group: terrier
- breed size: medium (26-60 lbs.)
- other traits: easy to train, requires lots of grooming, tolerates being alone, high prey drive, high potential for weight gain, apartment-friendly, strong loyalty tendencies
- colors: cream, blue
- patterns: brindle
- coat length/texture: medium, wiry
- temperament: friendly, willful, playful, outgoing
Glen of Imaal terriers are independent, fun-loving dogs with big personalities. Learn more about living with these intelligent Irish pups.
- breed group: none
- breed size: medium (26-60 lbs.)
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, strong loyalty tendencies
- colors: black, gray, white, blue, gold / yellow, red, brown / chocolate / liver, cream
- patterns: bicolor, tricolor, sable, spotted, brindle
- coat length/texture: hairless, short
- temperament: friendly, willful, playful
The Peruvian inca orchid is an intelligent, graceful dog that enjoys human companionship and an athletic lifestyle. Learn more about living with this often-hairless breed.
- breed group: sporting
- breed size: medium (26-60 lbs.)
- other traits: good hiking companion, strong loyalty tendencies, easy to groom, cold weather tolerant, high prey drive, easy to train
- colors: brown / chocolate / liver
- patterns: bicolor
- coat length/texture: medium, wiry
- temperament: gentle, aloof, willful, playful
The Chesapeake Bay retriever, the only American-bred retriever, is a loyal family dog who loves a job, whether that’s hunting, hiking, or splashing around in the cold water of his namesake.
- breed group: herding
- breed size: medium (26-60 lbs.)
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, good hiking companion
- colors: black, fawn, gray, white
- patterns: brindle, black and tan
- coat length/texture: medium, curly
- temperament: willful, outgoing, playful
The pumi may look like a teddy bear that’s come to life, but these brainy dogs are more than mere fluff. Find out more about these Hungarian herders with a comically endearing appearance.
- breed group: none
- breed size: medium (26-60 lbs.)
- other traits: good hiking companion, strong loyalty tendencies, tendency to chew, easy to train, easy to groom, high prey drive
- colors: black, gray, red, blue, fawn, white, brown / chocolate / liver
- patterns: bicolor, tricolor, brindle, tuxedo, black and tan, blue and tan, liver and tan
- coat length/texture: short
- temperament: friendly, willful, playful
American pit bull terriers are affectionate, loving, and energetic pups that make wonderful family dogs. Learn more about caring for pit bulls, a sweet and misunderstood breed.
- breed group: none
- breed size: large (61-100 lbs.)
- other traits: easy to train, easy to groom, apartment-friendly, strong loyalty tendencies, good hiking companion
- colors: black, brown / chocolate / liver, white
- patterns: bicolor, brindle
- coat length/texture: short
- temperament: willful, outgoing, playful
American bulldogs might surprise you with their devotion, task management, playfulness, and courage. Sure, they’re terrific working dogs—but they also have a sweet, sensitive side that makes them good family dogs.
- breed group: herding
- breed size: medium (26-60 lbs.)
- other traits: easy to groom, cold weather tolerant, strong loyalty tendencies, good hiking companion
- colors: fawn
- patterns: bicolor, brindle
- coat length/texture: medium, wiry
- temperament: friendly, willful
Berger Picards are a loving and active dog. They're fairly rare, especially outside of France, but have won the hearts of many with their big ears, sweet eyes, and silly nature.
- breed group: none
- breed size: small (0-25 lbs.)
- other traits: easy to train, tolerates being alone, high prey drive, loves water, cold weather tolerant, strong loyalty tendencies, good hiking companion
- colors: black, gray, brown / chocolate / liver
- patterns: bicolor, black and tan
- coat length/texture: short, wiry
- temperament: friendly, willful, outgoing, playful
Jagdterriers are smart, capable hunting dogs developed in Germany. If you're an outdoor enthusiast and an experienced dog owner, a jagdterrier could be the perfect companion.
- breed group: hound
- breed size: large (61-100 lbs.)
- other traits: good hiking companion, high prey drive
- colors: blue, black, brown / chocolate / liver
- patterns: flecked / ticked / speckled
- coat length/texture: short
- temperament: outgoing, playful, willful, gentle
A regal and determined hound, the bluetick coonhound can be a wonderful hunting companion and gentle best friend wrapped into one shiny body. Needing an outlet for their “houndy” behaviors, these special dogs could amaze your neighbors with their ability to “sing”. Find out if this unique breed is a suitable addition to your lifestyle.
- breed group: none
- breed size: medium (26-60 lbs.)
- other traits: high prey drive, easy to groom, loves water, cold weather tolerant, strong loyalty tendencies, good hiking companion
- colors: black, white
- patterns: bicolor
- coat length/texture: medium
- temperament: willful, aloof
A loyal and independent hunting companion, the Karelian bear dog is a rare, medium-sized, Finnish breed that needs a devoted, experienced pet parent—and lots of outdoor exercise.
- breed group: hound
- breed size: medium (26-60 lbs.)
- other traits: good hiking companion, easy to train, easy to groom, high prey drive, cold weather tolerant, high potential for weight gain, loves water, apartment-friendly, strong loyalty tendencies
- colors: gray, black, white
- patterns: tricolor
- coat length/texture: medium
- temperament: outgoing, friendly, willful, playful
A loyal family companion and an eager outdoor playmate, intelligent Norwegian elkhounds are an ancient dog breed that fits well into an active, modern lifestyle.
- breed group: terrier
- breed size: medium (26-60 lbs.)
- other traits: hypoallergenic, requires lots of grooming, apartment-friendly, high prey drive
- colors: cream, gold / yellow, fawn
- patterns: bicolor, saddle / blanket
- coat length/texture: medium, curly
- temperament: outgoing, willful, friendly, playful
Soft-coated wheaten terriers are spunky, energetic dogs with a signature wavy, cuddly coat. They love to jump, run, and play, and always want to stick by your side like a fluffy shadow.
- breed group: hybrid
- breed size: small (0-25 lbs.)
- other traits: easy to groom, apartment-friendly, high potential for weight gain, strong loyalty tendencies
- colors: fawn, brown / chocolate / liver, black, white
- patterns: sable, bicolor, merle, brindle
- coat length/texture: short, long, wiry
- temperament: friendly, timid, willful, playful, anxious
Chiweenies are small dogs with big personalities. Their penchant for barking and need to be the center of attention can make them a handful, but with proper training they’ll be a lap dog for life.
- breed group: terrier
- breed size: small (0-25 lbs.)
- other traits: hypoallergenic, easy to train, requires lots of grooming, high prey drive, loves water, apartment-friendly, good for first-time pet owners, good hiking companion
- colors: cream, blue, brown / chocolate / liver
- patterns: bicolor, liver and tan, blue and tan
- coat length/texture: medium, curly
- temperament: gentle, willful, friendly, outgoing, playful
He's small, fluffy, and looks like a lamb, but the Bedlington terrier is all dog—and adaptable enough to join his family in any activity, from hikes to lazy days on the couch.
- breed group: terrier
- breed size: small (0-25 lbs.)
- other traits: high prey drive, loves water, high potential for weight gain, apartment-friendly, strong loyalty tendencies, prone to health issues
- colors: fawn, red, gold / yellow, black
- patterns: black and tan, bicolor
- coat length/texture: medium, wiry
- temperament: outgoing, willful, friendly, playful, anxious
Norfolk terriers are spunky, affectionate, and energetic small dogs who make great travel companions and outdoor adventurers. Happy and social, they thrive with active families.
- breed group: non-sporting
- breed size: medium (26-60 lbs.)
- other traits: easy to groom, tolerates being alone, tendency to chew, prone to health issues, highly territorial, apartment-friendly, strong loyalty tendencies, good hiking companion
- colors: brown / chocolate / liver, red, cream, fawn, black, blue
- patterns: sable
- coat length/texture: short
- temperament: gentle, willful, playful, aloof
The Chinese shar-pei is easy to recognize because of her loose, wrinkly skin, sandpaper fur, and a "hippopotamus" muzzle. This independent and loyal breed is best for experienced dog owners.
- breed group: herding
- breed size: large (61-100 lbs.)
- other traits: hypoallergenic, requires lots of grooming, strong loyalty tendencies, high potential for weight gain, loves water, cold weather tolerant, good hiking companion
- colors: black, fawn, gray
- patterns: brindle, flecked / ticked / speckled
- coat length/texture: medium
- temperament: gentle, willful, playful, aloof
Big, brainy, and boasting a shaggy double coat, the Bouvier des Flandres is a versatile working dog and family companion. But because of his intense grooming and activity needs, he’s not for everyone.