Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds In The World

All dogs are smart. However, some dog breeds are just smarter than the others. This is exhibited in many forms like a dog’s inherent abilities to understand commands, figure out situations, or just understand and empathize with their humans. If you’ve ever wondered who’s the smartest of the bunch, here are the 10 smartest dog breeds in the world.

10 smartest dog breeds

1. Border Collie

Border Collies are considered one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. They are excellent sheep herders. In addition, they can learn voice commands, follow directions from a whistle or hand signals, and can understand more words than most dogs.

This dog breed is energetic, affectionate, and smart. However, on the flip side, these dogs need constant stimulation to keep them out of trouble. This dog breed needs a job to stay busy. They are capable of thinking for themselves and making their own decisions.

2. Poodle

Poodles are elegant dogs with a charming and dignified personality. This makes them one of the most popular dogs in America. However, Poodles also happen to be one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. They excel at obedience and working intelligence. In addition, Poodles also have a high instinctive intelligence and have also shown signs of possessing high adaptive intelligence.

Poodles are proud, active dogs that can be trained easily to track, hunt, retrieve, and obey. They are also hypoallergenic. Poodles are the national dog of France.

3. German Shepherd

​The German shepherd is one of  the smartest dog breed with a great deal of stamina and a sharp mind. In fact, most dog experts consider the German shepherd as the most intelligent dog breed in the world as well as one of the easiest breeds to train. They are also one of the strongest dog breeds in the world.

This dog breed has a fast and retentive memory. They can remember words of importance, commands, and tricks. The German Shepherds were once keen herding and working dogs. This contributes to them being sharp, attentive, and logical.

In addition, these dogs are also courageous and confident. They have an excellent work ethic and are used in a number a situations as police or service dogs. These dogs are fiercely loyal family dogs that are great with kids.

4. Golden Retriever

The original purpose of the Golden Retriever was to mark and retrieve gamebirds which had been shot. This ability has been treasured with this breed since the late 19th Century when the breed was established.  In addition, Golden Retrievers also have the ability to work independently. These dogs are known for their problem solving skills.

Golden retrievers are intelligent, friendly, and devoted sporting dogs. They try to be the best at what they do, whether it’s hunting, serving as a seeing-eye dog, working in search-and-rescue, or simply being a loving companion.

5. Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinschers are well known as intelligent, alert, and tenaciously loyal companions and guard dogs. This dog breed tends to be loving and devoted companions. The Doberman is driven, strong, and sometimes stubborn.

Besides strength, endurance, and speed, Doberman pinschers have the smarts necessary to retain training. They are very much in-demand as a police or war dog.

6. Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland sheepdog is basically a miniature working collie. They are intelligence, willing to please, and athletic. They’re exceptionally good in competitive obedience, flyball, tracking, and herding. Being one of the smartest dog breeds, their smartness can often lead these dogs into trouble. Just like the Border Collie, these dogs need constant mental stimulation to keep them from mischief. Without it, they may find their own methods to amuse themselves.

These dogs have a strong herding instinct. They will try to herd squirrels, rabbits, and children, running around them, barking, and nipping. They are playful and intelligent herding dogs that love to learn new tricks and play with kids.

7. Labrador Retriever

Aside from their charming personalities, the Labrador Retrievers have the intelligence and eagerness to please. This makes them fairly easy to train. However, do not skip out on the training as this breed has a lot of energy. This breed needs activity, both physical and mental, to keep them happy.

The Lab has the reputation of being one of the most sweet-natured breeds, and it’s well deserved. They’re outgoing, eager to please, and friendly with both people and other animals. They will get along well with kids and other pets. However, their friendly disposition makes them terrible watchdogs.

8. Papillon

Papillons may be lap dogs but they certainly are not going to be content sitting in your lap all day. This dog breed takes its responsibilities as a watchdog seriously but can often take on more than he is capable of handling. This dog breed is one of the smartest out there and they need constant mental as well as physical stimulation to keep them busy..

The papillon is an alert, friendly, and happy dog. Papillon means “butterfly” in French, and the papillon was given this name because of its butterfly-like ears.

9. Bloodhound

Bloodhounds are a highly active and smart dog breed. Their keen sense of smell makes them a good fit for law enforcement and search and rescue. They posses a sweet nature and an unique appearance.

This dog breed is independent, inquisitive, and friendly. Bloodhounds have been recognized for their determination and scenting power as far back as the third century.

10. Rottweiler

The Rottweiler has a reputation of being one of the most dangerous dog breeds in the world. However, this assertion largely depends on how the Rottweiler was trained. A well trained Rottie is calm, confident, and even affectionate towards its family. They do not open up with strangers immediately, taking their time to make friends. The Rottweiler is smart and adaptable with a strong work ethic. This dog breed is well suited to be service dogs, police dogs, herders, therapy dogs, devoted companions, or obedience competitors.

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