15 Smartest Dog Breeds

There’s still a debate about the 15 smartest dog breeds, but it’s hard to argue intelligence when it’s on display. Many dogs show intelligence of some sort, but several breeds are consistent with their learning capabilities.

Border Collie

These worker dogs are known to as crafty and extremely athletic, which is typical considering the work they’ve been given over the years. Herding cattle is tough enough, but being able to understand over 1,000 words is amazing.

Poodle

There are plenty of people who would debate the overall intelligence of poodles. However, despite the posh look of these dogs, they’re well-known for their obedience and capability when it comes to taking direction.

German Shepherd

There’s a reason why you see so many German Shepherds as police dogs. Not only are they incredibly loyal and intelligent, but they can typically learn a command very quickly and perform without question.

Golden Retriever

This breed of dog is often seen as a people-pleaser since they are extremely loyal to their humans and show a tremendous amount of brainpower as well as compassion. As a best friend and intelligent breed, these dogs are a solid match for many people.

Doberman Pinscher

As one of the dogs whose appearance has helped to foster a bad reputation, they tend to be thought of in an ill light. However, as guard dogs they are quite fierce and capable, not to mention that they are smart enough to take direction without much coaxing.

Shetland Sheepdog

The typical sheltie can learn commands quickly and perform them not long after without as much direction. Not only that, but they can take on the role of a larger herding dog while using fewer resources, meaning they can do the job without eating as much.

Labrador Retriever

A lot of people do think that the playful nature of these dogs makes them less intelligent. But the truth is that they’re people-pleasers and will actively learn on their own if they can.

Papillon

It’s tough sometimes to state that smaller dogs are that intelligent since many of them don’t do much. But the Papillon puts that idea to rest since they’re fully capable of learning commands and will do so eagerly more often than not.

Rottweiler

This is another dog that gets a bad reputation due to their appearance. But the fact is that as guard dogs they’re nearly perfect, and their capability of taking direction belies their brutish appearance.

Australian Cattle Dog

The fact is that any herding dog is thought to be intelligent to some degree. This breed isn’t the smartest dog in the world, but by dint of being on this list, they’re intelligent enough to learn, take, and remember many different commands.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Believe it or not, this breed has been used to herd cattle. They’re an active breed that requires guidance at times, but quite often if they’re kept busy they will prove themselves as intelligent and capable dogs.

Miniature Schnauzer

Bred to deal with vermin, these miniature versions of their bigger progenitors are eager to please people and will make it a goal to do so. Their intelligence isn’t the greatest, but they’re cunning and quick, which is more than enough to help spark their creativity when given a task.

English Springer Spaniel

Spaniels are indeed known for being hyper, but they’re also very personable dogs. As a smart dog though, much of their intelligence is based around emotion, since if they’re not being included in something they appear quite sad.

Belgian Tervuren

Though they aren’t the smartest dog, the Tervuren is the type that can multitask since they’ve been used as herding and sledding dogs. Many people still don’t know about this breed, though it’s easy to think that a lot of folks will mistake them for German Shepherds.

Schipperke

The natural curiosity and cleverness of this breed make it one of the smartest dogs on the list. They were bred to carry on ships to ferret out vermin, so it’s fair to assume that they had to be smart to figure out where the rats were hiding.