September 30, 2025, 12:00 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Intelligent, family-friendly, loyal—these are often the traits used to describe certain dog breeds. But how much can or should you rely on them? PETBOOK asked dog trainer Katharina Marioth in an interview.
Dachshunds are considered quite independent, Labradors family-friendly, and Poodles intelligent. When reading such descriptions of various dog breeds, one often wonders: Is that really true? PETBOOK asked dog trainer Katharina Marioth whether and how much a dog’s breed influences its character. In her work, she has not only encountered many different dog breeds—she also knows the problems faced by owners who chose a specific breed and ended up regretting it.
Terms Like “Loyal” Come More From Human Psychology
“Fundamentally, we should think less about breed stereotypes and more about the individual character of the dog—whether manager, workaholic, or clown,” says Marioth. Terms like “loyal” come more from human psychology. Dogs show attachment behavior, but they don’t know true loyalty in the moral sense. If a dog never leaves its owner’s side, it could even indicate chronic stress.
However, certain behaviors like hunting instincts do have genetic foundations. “Certain breeds were specifically bred for hunting traits—this should be considered when choosing a dog,” says Marioth. These dogs need targeted activities like dummy or tracking work. Territorial breeds like the Tibetan Mastiff can also be challenging in everyday life.
Also interesting: Which Dog Is Right for Me? Trainer Offers Tips
There Is No Guarantee for Certain Character Traits
The expectation that a dog of a certain breed will have a similar character to another known example is unrealistic, according to Marioth. “Even if dogs of the same breed share a similar gene pool, each dog is individual,” she emphasized. There is no guarantee for specific character traits.
When asked about training breed-specific traits, Marioth explains: “Certain tendencies, such as the guarding instinct in shepherd dogs or territorial behavior in livestock guardian dogs, are genetically fixed.” However, knowledge about this is continually evolving.
Dogs like Malinois, Terriers, or Dachshunds are particularly demanding. “Anyone who spends all day in the office and then wants to relax will likely have significant problems with such dogs,” warns Marioth. These breeds require intensive engagement and clear communication.