Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds
You need a SMART dog? Well here are the smartest breeds of dogs.
The Border Collie is a working and herding dog breed developed in the Anglo-Scottish border region for herding livestock, especially sheep. Okay, this list should actually be factual. It's scientifically proven that Border Collies come in first, Poodles in second, and German Shepherds in third. Being easily trained doesn't make a dog smart. The smartest dogs need mental stimulation. If training isn't fun, they won't listen. Make it stimulating and enjoyable.
Border Collies are awesome and loving dogs. They are amazingly intelligent! Border Collies are much smarter than German Shepherds. It has been proven that Border Collies are the smartest dog breed in the world. They really should be number one!
The German Shepherd is a breed of medium to large-sized working dog that originated in Germany. The breed's officially recognized name is German Shepherd Dog in the English language. The breed is known as the Alsatian in Britain and Ireland. I've had both German Shepherds and Border Collies, and the German Shepherd BY FAR was easier to train. Border Collies may actually be labeled as more intelligent than other dogs, but the Shepherd is so much more attentive during training than the Border Collie and aims to please 24/7. What good is the Collie's intelligence if they're too hyper to pay attention? German Shepherd all the way!
I've heard that the German Shepherd is the third smartest dog in the world. They can be trained to sniff out bombs, find missing people, and search for illegal drugs and animals that smugglers want to sell across the country. They are also great service dogs for disabled people. Even as amazing workers, they are great and loyal pets that will protect you and your family for life.
The poodle is a group of formal dog breeds, the Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle and Toy Poodle. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognizes four sizes of one breed: standard, medium, miniature, and toy. Poodles are very cute, smart, and playful. Poodles are all you need to have a great life.
Smartest breed there is. My standard Poodle could probably do calculus if he felt like it.
I have six Poodles. They are smarter than the neighbor's two kids.
The Golden Retriever is a large-sized breed of dog bred as gun dogs to retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks and upland game birds during hunting and shooting parties, and were named 'retriever' because of their ability to retrieve shot game undamaged. Golden Retrievers are so nice, and they are the best! My neighbor had one that knew so many tricks. Every time he saw me, he would knock me down and start licking me! Awesome companion and great family dog!
They are extremely smart, especially in knowing your feelings. They help you feel better and seem to feel your emotions.
Goldens are very easy to train. My Golden, Donut, learned Stay when he was only one month old. My Golden also learned many tricks without much difficulty.
The Doberman Pinscher, or Dobermann, or Doberman, is a medium-large breed of domestic dog originally developed around 1890 by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a tax collector from Germany. I think Dobies, like any species of animals, can vary quite a bit in intelligence. I had one named Judy who was phenomenal. I used her on the third shift of an Arco (in a BAD neighborhood) many years ago. She was always untethered and had the run of the office, garage bays, and a large outdoor area with 12 pumps and several flower gardens. She had access to all of that and could intermingle with customers. She knew the commands to go inside or outside of each of those areas from wherever I was and could very quickly think on the fly.
She actually saved me from at least severe beatings twice. Once, two punks came in, gave me a $5 bill, and then tried to claim they had only asked for a dollar's worth after they had gotten the gas. They both got out of the car, telling me how they were going to beat me. Judy was in the office, so I called her out. These guys were confident and told me, "That dog isn't gonna do anything." I then grabbed her collar and gave her the command to "launch." Neither one of them said a word and ran for their car.
Another time, a huge guy came in and started to give me a bad time (I can't remember what it was about). I had just arrived at work and had not let Judy out of my car yet. So, I walked around behind the gas station (with this behemoth following me). I opened my car door and took hold of her collar. His reaction was to say, "Oh, so what are you going to do, sic that dog on me?" To which I replied, "I'm just going to protect myself. You're a really big guy." He turned and left. I don't mean like a guy 6'3". I'm talking like 6'8" and 300-350 lbs. I'm 5'6". Thank God for my Judy. Smartest dog I've ever known. She could size up situations.
The Labrador Retriever, also Labrador, is a sporting dog bred for aquatic game. The Labrador is one of the most popular breeds of dog in the United Kingdom and the United States. I've had 5 Labs, and they have all been wonderful, loving pets. My current Lab is now 11 but still loves to take walks and be petted. She barks when a vehicle comes into the driveway but is very friendly once I've invited someone into the house.
My Lab is so smart that when we say "Walksies" or "Din-din time," she will either run over to the door or sit in front of the spot where we put her food bowl. Also, if we short her as much as a 1/4 cup, she will growl and stare at us as if to say, "Come on. I'm not that stupid."
I also really love Labradors. They are actually very smart. At lunchtime or dinner, mine brings its own food to me, and I give it to him. Very playful and very friendly to everyone in the apartment.
The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the Sheltie, is a breed of herding dog. The original name of this breed was Shetland Collie, but this caused controversy among the Rough Collie breeders at the time, so the breed's name was formally changed to Shetland Sheepdog. These dogs should be much higher up because they are sweet, kind, and so trainable!
Should be much higher up! They are one of the most trainable breeds I know!
Should be up with the Collies. They are so very loyal.
My Papillon, Misty (short for Mysteriosa, as we did not know what she was at first), was independent from the time she was born. We had to formula feed her as her mother did not have milk. She was raised with another pup, three weeks older who was bigger, and she became the boss right away.
She is twelve now, not so playful, and never lets me out of her sight. She is the oldest of five dogs, and they all are a loving family. She does not romp with the others anymore but prefers her own quiet, solitary walks. We live in a small ocean community, so we can walk freely. She never did like a leash.
The Rottweiler is a breed of domestic dog, regarded as medium-to-large or large.The dogs were known in German as Rottweiler Metzgerhund, meaning Rottweil butchers' dogs, because one of their uses was to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat to market. Rottweilers are underrated. Rottweilers are underestimated since they seem mean because of their size. They are actually smart and loving.
They are the smartest dogs I have seen and way smarter than the German Shepherd.
My Rottweiler can pick out the words eat, park, walk, and bath in everyday conversations.
The Australian Cattle Dog, or simply Cattle Dog, is a breed of herding dog originally developed in Australia for droving cattle over long distances across rough terrain. I adopted a Heeler-Border Collie mix from an animal shelter who is 2 years and 2 months old. I was very wary about the dog because I have 5 cats and 2 kids. We live on a ranch. Our closest neighbor has a sheep and a couple of donkeys. This is one of the smartest and sweetest dogs I have ever met!
We built a special huge kennel to put the dog in when we go to work on good weather days, and the dog doesn't even pee or poop in its kennel. The first day we brought the dog home, we unleashed it, and it stays in the territory of our house. It's great with our cats and kids. It sleeps right next to me on the floor by my bed. Awesome dog!
The Newcomers
Extremely smart. High drive, very loyal, and hardworking.
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is one of two separate dog breeds known as Welsh corgis that originated in Wales, the other being the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
The Siberian Husky is a medium size, dense-coat working dog breed that originated in north-eastern Siberia. Huskies are SUPER smart dogs, but they are very independent. They have to have a purpose or reason to come to you when called. They will RUN FOREVER if not kept on a leash (which is what they were bred for) and are excellent survivalists down to -75-degree weather.
They are very loving with children and visitors, so much so that they would leave with a burglar! NOT good watchdogs! They love to pull carts and sleds too. They are special dogs that need a special owner to understand them, as they are one of the oldest and purest breeds with a very wolf-like mentality and characteristics.
The Beagle is a breed of small-sized hound, similar in appearance to the much larger foxhound. The Beagle is a scent hound, developed primarily for hunting hare. My Beagle had a vocabulary of over 65 words, names, and commands. He knew his left from his right and black from red playing cards. He was a great hunter and retrieved game as well. He was one smart dog. He learned people's names with one introduction and then went to the person I requested. What a dog... RIP.
- Gerry
My aunt has a Beagle named TJ, and he is a very smart dog. He is always able to find his toys no matter where I hide them. Afterward, he gives me thank-you licks.
I don't know about other countries, but Australia uses them to sniff out drugs trying to be smuggled. They don't actually consume the drugs, though.
The Pug is a breed of dog with a wrinkly, short-muzzled face and curled tail. The breed has a fine, glossy coat that comes in a variety of colours, most often fawn or black, and a compact square body with well-developed muscles. However, Pugs have difficulty breathing, due to their extreme head shape... read more Okay, I adore Pugs, but they are not the smartest. Smart, but not the smartest. Still voting, but I gave two votes to another dog.
A shih tzu also known as the Chrysanthemum Dog, is a toy dog breed, weighing 10 - 12 pounds when full grown, with long silky hair. Quick learners, the Shih Tzu can be whatever you want it to be. A real couch potato, or just as full of love and energy for the outdoors as a big Great Dane!
My 10-week-old Shih Tzu could understand my sit command the first day he got home.
My Shih Tzu is smarter than my Great Dane.
I have to disagree with where a Catahoula ranks on this list. I have extensive interaction with all the breeds listed here, and the Catahoula is by far the most intelligent. The only dog that I have ever seen that can "outhink" most people. They will keep you on your toes in training them.
The question here is not whether the Catahoula is the most intelligent breed, but rather, "Is the Catahoula more intelligent than most people?!"
Catahoula is beyond a doubt the smartest. The trick is to get them at 6 to 8 weeks old. They bond with their humans like no other breed. If you get them past 6 to 8 months old, the bond doesn't seem to be as strong. These dogs are fun and athletic, and they love to work and play hard. I've had 3 in my life, and all were fully trained to do all basic tricks and commands before they were 4 months old. Start training them young.
The Pomeranian is a breed of dog of the Spitz type, named for the Pomerania region in Central Europe. Pomeranian Dogs tend to get sick very often, however.
The Jack Russell Terrier is a small terrier that has its origins in fox hunting. It is principally white-bodied and smooth, rough or broken-coated. My nine-month-old Jack is way too smart for his own good, but he is a very well-behaved, loving, and loyal dog.
Why is this only 15? I have a Jack Russell, and he is so cute and intelligent!
The Keeshond is a medium-sized dog with a plush two-layer coat of silver and black fur with a ruff and a curled tail.
I live on a horse ranch, and my dog Fluffy is a Collie. He is the sweetest thing! He licks and jumps on people and loves to play! This is a very good dog breed.
Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd was actually developed in the United States. Primarily a herding dog, it is characterized by its intelligence and agility. The breed is easily recognizable by its striking coat patterns and eye colors, which can include blue, brown, or even one of each.
I know, I do not own a Samoyed or really any dog, but I have learned a lot about them. They do behave a bit like a Husky. They can be a little independent and act like a genius a lot of the time. Not necessarily the smartest dog, but definitely smart.
Cocker Spaniels are dogs belonging to two breeds of the spaniel dog type: the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel, both of which are commonly called simply Cocker Spaniel in their countries of origin.
Schnauzers aren't only smart, but they are also so cute. Don't just go by the picture above. Search for them. Their mustaches are so cute, in my opinion. Don't mess with me.
Schnauzer is definitely a reliable dog. To be honest, it would definitely not be the smartest, but it is still very reliable. I'm just saying to my friend, BOOHYAH! Schnauzers are more reliable than Cavoodles! BOOM, in your face!
When it comes to trainability, look no further. The Schnauzer, with German origins, is an absolute delight to train and is willing to please its owner.
A large working dog breed known for its gentle and sweet nature, the Newfoundland excels in water rescue due to its webbed feet and strong swimming abilities. Originating from the Canadian island of Newfoundland, they are often employed in life-saving roles. We own a Newfoundland (Landseer). She is 135 lbs, sweet, smart, and amazingly elegant and courageous. A wonderful family dog for us.
I would highly recommend one for families in cooler climates with access to lakes, rivers, or oceans - they LOVE water. We live near the Upstate NY area.
I love Newfs. They look so dignified and smart, but when you live with them, you find out they are just big goofballs!