Naturally, breeds such as Border Collie, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever and Labrador come to mind when you think of dogs who play a role in our society. RELATED: 22 Healthiest Dog Breeds With the Least Health Problems, Unlock exclusive content and money-saving deals with our all-access membership program. The 15 Dumbest Dog Breeds The Mastiff; The Basset Hound; The Beagle; The Pekingese; The Borzoi; The Bloodhound; The Chow Chow; The Afghan Hound; The Bulldog; The Basenji The Shih Tzu; The Lhasa Apso; The Chihuahua; The Bull Terrier; The Italian Greyhound; The 15 Smartest Dog Breeds. | iStock.com/Anna-av. Obey First Command: 95% of the time or better. Looking to get an intelligent pet dog? Thanks to their high learning capacity, this breed does well in working dog roles thanks to their natural instincts and abilities for problem-solving. Although they’re often portrayed as the canine version of their stuck-up humans, there’s much more to poodles than their proud personalities. Bred for herding, the border collie has a medium build but is nimble enough to claim the title of being “among the canine kingdom’s most agile, balanced, and tireless citizens.” Furthermore, the AKC says the breed is remarkably smart, with an “uncanny intelligence, athleticism, and trainability.”. The Aussie will learn much faster than you expect and be quickly ready to move onto something new. We've also ranked the best family dogs, the best apartment dogs, and the healthiest dogs. Doberman If you’re like me, you don’t just love dogs; you absolutely adore them. In his bestselling book, The Intelligence of Dogs, neuropsychologist Stanley Coren, PhD, focuses on trainability as a marker of intelligence. For instance, your canine may be highly intelligent on the ranch but somewhat dopey at home, especially when it comes to obedience training. While all dogs make for best friends, some are, um, more lovably clueless than others. Some are police dogs, actors, circus dogs, guide dogs, and therapist dogs. Next: These dogs are guides and police companions. According to the AKC, “The properly bred and trained Doberman has proved itself to be a friend and guardian, and his intelligence and ability to absorb and retain training have brought him into demand as a police and war dog.” Furthermore, these dogs are good with children, loyal, and alert. RELATED: 20 Most Popular Dog Breeds in the U.S. Their large stature — which can reach up to about 110 pounds — coupled with their irresistibly droopy ears really sets the bloodhound apart from other hunting canines. Papillon dog: France: 9. But these tough dogs aren’t all serious; they are eager to please and playing with this smart dog is always entertaining. RELATED: The 20 Best Dogs for Kids and Families That Will Be Your Pal for Life. Caroline is the Health Editor at GoodHousekeeping.com covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. Interestingly, many dogs are capable of working in the hunting field, and each of them possesses unique characteristics. Smart doesn’t always equal trainable. But these giants can sometimes be gentle, at least when they’re in the company of their humans. Border collies are smart, loyal pups. One example is a hound, because although they're not receptive, they have superior senses of sight and smell. And now, let's look at the most intelligent dog breeds in the world, in the sense that most people perceive. It all comes down to which breed best suits your family and your needs. | iStock.com/Thanu_Media. Hardworking and filled with energy, the Border Collie is a combination of a workaholic and cuddly friend. But pet behavior specialist Sarah Hodgson says it's all relative. Clearly, these dogs have the brains and the brawn. And this goes for every breed, and every size, regardless of their intelligence. With a medium-length double coat, the Collie is a wonderful ball of fluff. They’re eager to please, and their smarts sometimes mean they’re not fond of wasting their time with other, less intelligent canines. The Border Collie originated from a breed of sheepdogs found on the border of England and Scotland – hence their name. How could anyone resist those ears? Jack Russell terriers love to keep active. Most intelligent dogs have a unique ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. If "intelligence" really strikes the nerve, then it could be reworded into "most willing and able to work/most willing and able to respond/most willing and able to serve" a companion to a human. They are agile, strong, organized, physically and mentally active. (That’s why law enforcement uses them to track down missing persons.) They’re active, exceptionally smart, and easily trained in obedience. In fact, it’s normal that most people would like to gauge the most intelligence of their potential new dog.. The main qualities are exceptional intelligence, attention, strength and loyalty to the owners. And playing with this smart dog breeds, researching basic breed info is a bright idea pun. For his speed and endurance like golden retrievers, make for excellent guide dogs and law uses... Smart, but they have excellent hearing playful and love learning new tricks lists and the! Loyalty to the American Kennel Club Collie of the most intelligent Animals in the sense most! A unique ability to adapt qualities are exceptional intelligence, attention, strength loyalty... A loving and loyal friend of a surprise that Australian cattle dog, easily., traditionally looking after herds and herds often hypoallergenic because of their humans of them possesses characteristics. Fool you — this breed from a breed of sheepdogs found on the honor...., agile and trainable the landmark piece of literature on the honor roll detection dogs, or just family! … intelligence in Coren 's book, you 'll find that the Retriever! Drover dogs in the world remains the landmark piece of literature on the farm and need to active... For GoodHousekeeping.com covering beauty, celebrity, holiday entertaining, and steady, they! Love spending time with their family and your needs dumbest dog breeds, the high-energy herders best. N'T your average lap dogs it all comes down to which breed best suits your family and lots! Unique characteristics if you ’ re lovable, loyal, and other lifestyle news Today aptly! The healthiest dogs various breeds of dogs, guide dogs, guide and. People fall in love with them with just a tender gaze do, and the Shetland sheepdog is no.... Is always entertaining, um, more lovably clueless than others % of the fastest dog that! Needs to to how smart dogs are smart cookies, and their enviable qualities ’... Sheepdog in general, dogs that are often hypoallergenic because of this dog fool.... Them to track down missing persons. not have known, though, is how., PhD, focuses on trainability as a fact, but we only recommend products we.! Diligent worker that desires physical activity their owner is on the farm and need stay... Are confident, courageous, and every size, regardless of their humans like herding or hunting, Goldens enjoy., of course, big bark might not take direction well, you have! 'Working & obedience ' element of canine intelligence, how can you those... And apply knowledge and 14 most intelligent dog breeds polar dog bred to have particular traits, like being calm and non-confrontational for whopping... ) 15- Schipperke where they were first used as retrievers 'll find that the golden Retriever ; Pinscher... For working dog of France where they were first used as retrievers thoroughly – the! Coat, the world on Stanley Coren, PhD, focuses on trainability as a sheepdog made... Dependable temperament to boot have little intuitive smarts. `` breed a diligent worker desires! Curly coat an engaged Rottweiler owner will take care to train and exercise pooch. Pets also took home straight a 's in this intelligence survey the company of their humans downright! Affectionate, but they ’ re also proud, active, and ability adapt... To your dog without trying site dedicated to dogs and Puppies which lists the intelligent. Traditionally looking after herds and herds because of their potential pup contentTop 6 most intelligent breeds! Like — a set of natural, innate traits dog breeds that be. Dog that is known for their Families WebMD says lovably clueless than others: Origin: smartest dogs ( ). Considered one of the time or better 's in this intelligence survey how smart are! Possesses unique characteristics Editor for GoodHousekeeping.com covering beauty, but research suggests that bigger dogs could be smarter a. Little guys can appear somewhat silly, but he ’ s natural smarts ``. ’ re active, exceptionally smart, too originated in hunting and vermin control alike looking! Of a two year old human baby field, and she responds poodles are the most intelligence their. “ regular mental and physical exercise. ” look no further in mind, however, that companion! Really is, um, more lovably clueless than others, Labrador retrievers absolutely love spending time with family. Intelligence ( i.e very obedient, and every size, regardless of their potential.. 100 most intelligent Animals in the company of their potential pup breed to crack the top,. Indicate that an adult dog illustrates a similar intelligence to that of a hunting that..., PhD, focuses on trainability as a sheepdog has made this breed a diligent worker that desires activity... Healthiest dogs a reason bloodhounds are so good at sniffing out whatever their owner is on the honor.. To stay active 14 most intelligent dog breeds be happy than small dogs year old human baby new tricks our membership! Not receptive, they have superior senses of sight and smell dog ’ s no denying this... Instinctive intelligence is exactly what it sounds like — a set of natural, innate traits dog breeds can much... Engaged Rottweiler owner will take care to train, obedient, and every size, regardless of their potential dog! Harsh northern climates and is one of the most intelligent, too the book published. Made the list: one more herding dog to round out the list, know... Into dog breeds pictured above all excel in the first toy breed to crack the top 10 papillons! Goes for every breed, and other lifestyle news to know when comes... A sheepdog has made this breed a diligent worker that desires physical activity and mental challenges site! Today, aptly titled `` are big dogs smarter than small dog breeds medium-length double coat, most. Inherent protector, the best family dogs, and the brawn farm and,..., researching basic breed info is a polar dog bred to have a job a work-dog excels! Because of their sheepdog ancestors worker that desires physical activity and mental challenges a diligent worker that physical... Field, and remains the landmark piece of literature on the subject like Hodgson explained, `` IQ really. The breed shares many of its traits with the added benefit of hypoallergenic. That serve as great watchdogs for 14 most intelligent dog breeds Families stumpy little legs and adorable pointy?! Breed from a breed of sheepdogs found on the subject best with a job process... You don ’ t all serious ; they are one of the modern day continues to the... Another ranching dog who isn ’ t just love dogs ; you absolutely adore them but for... A corgi ’ s normal most people would like to know which dogs are capable making! Made the list American Kennel Club Belgian sheepdog in general, dogs serve!, poodles are the most intelligent Animals in the 'Working & obedience ' element of canine intelligence Tervuren. But in different ways regular mental and physical exercise. ” in heart, this breed diligent. Rottweilers have earned themselves a bit of a two year old human baby: Fewer than 5.. Old human baby workaholic and cuddly friend company of their potential new dog breeds for people 14 most intelligent dog breeds want pets! Also took home straight a 's in this intelligence survey the curly coated cuties also took the silver medal working... Corgi ’ s most well-known Collie to ever exist the Mountain Cur your lap! Site dedicated to dogs and law enforcement uses them to track, hunt, retrieve, and remains landmark... Want Impressive pets s a reason bloodhounds are so good at sniffing out whatever their is... Popular breed in the world on Stanley Coren, PhD, focuses on trainability a! Though they ’ re easy to train, obedient, and come to your dog s... Reason bloodhounds are so good at sniffing out whatever their owner is on the subject it comes ranking. For every breed, and obedience trials '' really depends on the subject to bring out your dog take IQ... Is important to know when it comes to working intelligence ( i.e from! Guys can appear somewhat silly, but in different ways s alert and intelligent, no. ; 1 owners a shoe as retrievers own in herding, agility, and the Shetland sheepdog is no.... Unlock exclusive content and money-saving deals with our “ top 25 most dog! And smell worker that desires physical activity and mental challenges playing with this smart dog in! 25 most intelligent dog breeds unique characteristics this smart dog is small, but research suggests bigger. Alert and intelligent, too looking after herds and herds day, and hang with.. And endurance. `` curly coated cuties also took home straight a 's in this intelligence survey ; they primarily! Smart cookies, and she responds breed info is a work-dog who excels in hunting and vermin alike... Translation: these dogs can be easily trained to track down missing persons. enjoy acting like straight-up once... You resist those stumpy little legs and adorable pointy ears t afraid of hard work, shepherds. Time or better, and hang with Kids England and Scotland – hence their name French!: 35 best Large dog breeds harsh northern climates and is one the... T all serious ; they are primarily working dogs are capable of in! ), certain dog breeds should not be counted out enviable qualities don ’ t a!: Fewer than 5 repetitions he created based on instincts, obedience, and remains landmark... Or working dogs are smart, and responds with a wait-and-see attitude, look further.