The 20 Smartest Dog Breeds

Dogs are well-known for being some of the most intelligent animals, but that doesn’t mean they’re all intelligent. Some of them seem too goofy to be all that smart, but the simple fact of the matter is that dogs are smart creatures, and they are good at what they do. They are able to learn more than you imagine. They’re turned into animals who can help you stay safe, stay healthy, see for you when you cannot, and they are able to track down criminals and find people who are lost or missing. It’s an amazing thing what so many dogs are capable of doing, but which dog breeds are the most intelligent? It’s time to find out.

Border Collies

These are beautiful dogs, and they are capable of so much. They are considered the valedictorian of the dog breeds because of their high level of intelligence. They are beautiful dogs that just don’t stop at anything to learn all they can. There is so much these dogs have to offer, and many people are impressed by that. There is evidence these dogs can learn something new in less than five seconds, and that they are 95% successful in following instructions the first time. Most people can’t even get this much success from their kids.

Papillon

These dogs are happy, friendly, alert and overall good dogs for many reasons. They don’t tend to spend much of their time doing anything other than loving their homes and their situations, but they are very happy dogs that make the most of their intelligence. They are not shy, but they are not aggressive, either. They are what you might refer to as an athletic dog, and that makes them easily trainable in the world of tricks. You can get these little dogs to do just about anything.

Poodles

They’re said to be highly intelligent creatures, and that they are among the smartest. It turns out this is a true story. They are highly intelligent, but you do need to get a full-blood poodle and not one of their hybrid dog breeds. They are smart enough to do almost anything you teach them to do, and that’s one reason they also have a good reputation for being so good at what they do in terms of their ability to learn new things, too.

Bloodhound

These are dogs that are known for their wrinkles and their adorable ears, and they are among the smartest dogs in the world. These dogs are known for their amazing sense of smell. They are known for their independent, inquisitive demeanor. These are dogs that aren’t afraid of what they can do in terms of tracking things down, and they’ve long been known as some of the most useful dogs in the history of the world. They are great dogs that can do almost anything.

Brittany

It sounds like the name of the girl you sat next to in the third grade, but Brittany is also a dog. This is the kind of dog you might not hear much about, but you should familiarize yourself with this dog. It’s the kind of dg that is high-energy and loves attention, but it’s also the kind of dog that is highly intelligent. This is not a dog that wants to spend its time lying around. This dog wants to be there for the people it loves. It wants to be there for everyone, but it wants to be there from the great outdoors where it’s walking and running as often as possible.

Great Dane

They are huge, they are loveable, and they think they are lap dogs. These are highly intelligent dogs, and they will do anything and everything to protect you. They will naturally scare off just about anyone due to their sheer size, but these are dogs that don’t have much else to do when it comes to protecting their loved ones. They are so big that they naturally scare people, and that’s all there is to it. There’s a lot of love from these gentle giants, but be careful of their destructive nature. They are massive, but they have no idea they’re so big and it’s easy for them to get in trouble.

Saint Bernard

You know this dog as “Beethoven,” from the movie that made it the most popular breed around. However, you also got to see how much that dog knew about his family. He knew too much, he was too smart, and that’s not at all far from the truth. He’s a dog that doesn’t do well in every single climate, but he’s a dog that does well when it comes to learning, protecting, and training. They’re great dogs because they’re such smart dogs.

German Shepherds

There is a reason you see these dogs working as support animals and police dogs so often. They are smarter than the average dog, and they learn quickly. They are used most commonly as police dogs, seeing eye dogs, medical assistance dogs, therapy dogs and more. It’s because they have the ability to learn something new quickly, follow instructions, and do exactly what they are told to do in a matter of seconds.

Golden Retrievers

These are dogs who are meant to work. They’re great with kids, which is a good thing for many people, and they are also fun. They’re smart, too. They’re great for hunting, but they are also used for other intelligence methods, too. They are smart enough to learn almost anything, but what makes them so unique is that they are so good at being smart and being playful. That makes them the ideal dog for families to have around their small kids. They want to have fun, but they know when it’s time to be serious, too.

Dobermans

These beautiful dogs are great guard and watch dogs. They learn fast, they are highly protective, and they are wonderful with kids. They are highly intelligent dogs who learn quickly and follow instructions well. They are fearless, but they love kids. This means this dog is good with your family because it will keep you safe, your kids safe, and you will all feel loved and happy with this dog at home. It’s one dog you can teach a new trick to.

Shetland Sheepdogs

You don’t hear much about this breed since it’s not one of the most popular in many areas because of its long coat and the fact it’s difficult to raise a dog like this in the heat, but it’s a smart dog. Any dog designed to herd sheep has to be a smart dog. This one ranks very high in intelligence testing, which is good news for everyone who wants to raise a dog in a way that allows them to make sure they have a highly intelligent and easy to train animal at home.

Labrador Retriever

Along with the Golden Retriever, this is a very popular family dog that many people love to have at home. Not only is this dog smart, it’s also easily trainable and protective. They are used a lot to detect narcotics and to guide those who need it. They can be taught almost anything, and that makes them the ideal dog to have at home when you have something to do. You are going to find this dog is one you can live easily with the rest of your life. It’s smart, and it will make your life easier to have this dog at home.

Rottweilers

They’re used often as guard dogs because they are so intimidating looking, and that’s for a good reason. These sweet dogs are friendly and loving, but they are fiercely protective. They have almost a sixth sense about them, and they know when to go into protective mode and when to be sweet with the people they love the most. They are great dogs because they are smart and protective, but they also have a very calm temper and overall demeanor. This makes them successful in all they try to do.

Australian Cattle Dog

They look a lot like the German Shepherd, and they are almost just as smart. They are dogs that are always very alert. They have a lot of curiosity, and they want to know everything. They are also easy to train and very protective of the people they love the most. They have a lot of energy when they are used for herding, which is great when they’re given a job like that one. But there is no reason you cannot have this dog even if you don’t have a flock of sheep. This is a dog who is happy to have a job like herding your kids around the yard, too.

English Springer Spaniel

A pretty dog with such a sweet face, you might not realize just how intelligent this dog is without us telling you. This is a dog that can learn almost anything in no time at all. They are known for being the most trainable dogs around, and that’s great for someone who wants a pet but doesn’t want to deal with the difficulties that come with training new pups. This is a smart dog, but it’s one that’s also highly loveable and sweet with you and your kids. You won’t find a better companion.

Collie

These are such smart dogs, as you can tell by the fact that the Border Collie is a dog we already mentioned here. It’s a dog that works hard to learn, and it’s easily trainable. It’s a family-friendly dog, too, which does make it one of the most sought after animals in the world. This dog is one you can train to work hard, but it’s also a dog you can work on getting to do what you need without much effort. It’s so smart and so loyal, and it’s why people love their collies.

German Short-Hair Pointer

Beautiful and sleek, these dogs are just as intelligent as they look. They are great hunters, and they are versatile in their skills, too. They can do anything, especially when it comes to guns. They are great for hunters, they are well-behaved, and they adapt easily to any situation. You might find these in households as family dogs, but you might also find them in the middle of the woods being used and kept as hunting dogs, too.

English Cocker Spaniel

They’re cute dogs, and they’re even smarter than they are good-looking. These dogs ae known for being exceptionally intelligent. They read people well, and they always seem to know what you need before you need it. People love these dogs because they are so well-behaved, and they are very easy to train, too. They are the kind of dog you want to live in your house with you because they are also respectful and kind.

Schnauzer

The standard variety is a smart dog. They are great protectors and providers, and they work very hard to keep a house and a farm. They are the kind of dogs that spend their time watching and learning everything they can. Their goal is to protect their families and their homes, and they’re good at doing both. They are not only protective of your home, but the people you invite into it and the ones who live with you. This is what makes them so special.

Cocker Spaniel

This is not the same as an English Cocker Spaniel. They are two different breeds, but they both inherited the intelligence gene. However, they are wonderful family does that are able to protect both families and the loved ones of their families. They are the kind of dogs that make it easy to want to spend as much time as possible outside, and they are going to spend as much time as they can napping. They might come across as lazy, but they are actually quite intelligent despite their love of naps.