Most intelligent dogs have a unique ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. These dogs are capable of gathering the right kind of information and use it at the right time. Then, we can place them in the club of the most intelligent dogs.
Experts indicate that an adult dog illustrates a similar intelligence to that of a two-year-old human baby. So, this 6-minute read indicates that a smart dog has its limits as well.
15 Smartest Dog Breeds List in 2020
1. Border Collie
2. Poodle
Height: 10’’-15’’
Weight: 40-70 Pounds
Lifespan: 12-15 Years
Group: Non-Sporting
Active and smart Poodles are the top training achievers. They are fantastic for agility, obedience, and amazing at hunting grounds. This aristocratic and intelligent German dog dislikes solitude. He is a natural hunter, tracker, and retriever.
What is the national dog of France? Of course, you guessed the Poodle. He loves to be with his family and possesses a great sense of humor
3. German Shepherd Dog
Height: 22’’-26’’
Weight: 50-90 Pounds
Lifespan: 8-13 Years
Group: Herding
The second most popular dog in the USA, the German Shepherd is courageous, confident, and smart. Known as Alsatian in Britain, they still serve in both the military and the police.
A herding dog, the German Shepherd has earned an eminence for its agility, nobility, and all-weather working capacity. He holds a reserved personality only to be melted down by the family members. It makes him a splendid watchdog.
Why did the Brits use the name Alsatian?
British people used to abhor anything German during the Second World War. This dog first came to the public focus during that restive period. So, they chose ‘Alsatian’, after the place of their origin ‘Alsace’.
4. Golden Retriever
Height: 21’’-24’’
Weight: 55-75 Pounds
Lifespan: 10-12 Years
Group: Sporting
The third most popular dog Golden Retriever is friendly, witty, and devoted. He is a Scottish gun dog reputed for search and rescue. Goldens are sociable, trustworthy, and all-for-family dogs. This lavish beauty takes his job seriously and puts a lot of effort into it.
A solemn working attitude makes him a perfect trainee. He loves your presence and seeks ways to please you with adorable companionship. This sporting dog is highly energetic for a watchdog, but not a protector or guard.
Why is this big dog not a protector?
They are more social than required. They barely know the meaning of aggression. it’s in their nature to smilingly welcome a stranger. So, it makes them unfit for protection jobs.
5. Doberman Pinscher
Height: 24’’- 28’’
Weight: 60-90 Pounds
Lifespan: 10-13 Years
Group: Working Group
The AKC mentions this sleek and strenuous dog as loyal, intrepid, and alert. Majestic Doberman is a grand combination of physical superiority and sharp intelligence.
Their fierce outlook and bright understanding make them incomparable protection dogs. His nature does not permit him to seek trouble.
But he goes the distance to minimize an imminent threat. His physical and mental soundness requires plenty of exercises. Deep loyalty to the family has placed Doberman as a top-rated dog.
6. Shetland Sheepdog
Height: 13’’-16’’
Weight: 15-25 Pounds
Lifespan: 12-14 Years
Group: Herding
Energetic and bright Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the herding group. He is a nimble runner, distinguished jumper, and obedient herder. Watchdog Sheltie bears a close resemblance to his cousin Border Collie.
Lively Shetland asks for excessive physical and mental stimulation. Shelties are kind of withdrawn among strangers. But they are deeply amicable with their family members.
Sensitive Shelties need a tranquil trainer’s voice. A messy environment weighs in on your nerve with his corresponding high-pitched barking.
7. Labrador Retriever
Height: 21’’-24’’
Weight: 55-80 Pounds
Lifespan: 10-12 Years
Group: Sporting
The topmost popular dog in America, Labrador Retriever is active and outgoing in nature. Robustly built Labradors are ardent athletes looking for a ton of both physical and mental exercise in swimming and fetching.
He accommodates many roles. This is a swift retriever, show dog, affectionate companion, and hard worker. Labradors are champion swimmers with webbed feet and water-repellent coats. Hunter Labrador easily gets bored absent exhaustive tasks.
Why are they so popular? They are all for the family. Sporty Labrador is warm, intelligent and ready for anything. Dog competitions bear testimony to their agility and obedience.
8. Papillon
Height: 8’’-11’’
Weight: 5-10 pounds
Lifespan: 14-16 Years
Group: Toy
Toy spaniel and wonderful companion Papillon has a reputation for a friendly, alert, and happy demeanor. He has butterfly ears, demonstrating his nimble athleticism. This toy breed shows no bellicosity.
He is fast, a trait suitable for unleashing a cascade of tricks. Inevitably, Papillon’s beauty does not blight his strenuous capacities. This sturdy dog enjoys both warm and cold climates. They are the highest competition performers.
This little watchdog steers clear rodents of your place. He is easily trainable. Sweet tempered Papillon makes a superb family dog.
9. Rottweiler
Height: 22’’-27’’
Weight: 85-135 Pounds
Lifespan: 8-11 Years
Group: Working
Robustly built Rottweiler is a loyal, loving, and confident guardian. They are self-assured, calm, and courageous. Instinctively territorial Rottweilers are befitting as police dogs, herders, and service dogs.
These guard dogs turn into magnificent family protectors. He loves family companionship. He is a two-edged sword with the potential of tragic incidents if left unsupervised. With awesome physicality and intelligence, a Rottweiler becomes your best friend.
10. Australian Cattle Dog
Height: 18’’-20’’
Weight: 30-50 Pounds
Lifespan: 12-16 Years
Group: Herding
Alert and pleasant Australian Cattle Dog belongs to the herding group. High energy ‘Australian Heeler’ regularly outdoes his master. This is a dog of action and abhors idling around.
You must keep him busy all the time or he demonstrates destructive behavior. In addition, his muscular physique is a symbol of energy and agility.
They perform their superiority at chasing, hunting, and herding cattle. He bonds intimately with a single person and maintains reserved relationships with the rest. This dog is built for rough weather or terrain and can endure immense pressure.
11. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Height: 10’’-12’’
Weight: +-30 Pounds
Lifespan: 12-14 Years
Group: Herding
First of all, smart and affectionate Pembroke Welsh Corgi belongs to the herding group. They are the tiniest in the group. They are the most amiable among the miniatures.
Their top-notch intelligence turns them into family dogs. This role supersedes their previous working jobs. They are still the most in-demand herding breed.
Reliable, agile, and focused Pembrokes unleash a big-dog personality and stubbornness, common traits among intelligent dogs. Corgi produces nerve shuddering barks.
But he is gentle with the guests. Frankly, this is a fantastic trainee and a loyal family dog. He is susceptible to obesity. So, you have to be careful about overfeeding him.
12. Miniature Schnauzer
Height: 12’’-14’’
Weight: 11-20 Pounds
Lifespan: 12-14 Years
Group: Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer, a German dog breed, stands out as friendly, smart, and intelligent. His cheerful, extroverted presence and lightweight size make him a flawless family dog.
He was bred to be a farmland guard against smaller threats. Nowadays, a spunky Miniature would love to join the amusements of a family. He also prefers ceaseless company, agreeable to his high energy.
Generally, healthy Miniatures bring in a congenial shaggy beard and eyebrows. His minuscule size demands a little outdoor exercise but feisty indoor games.
Moreover, he learns swiftly, thanks to a superb wit. The terrier nature often triggers awkward actions. They bring a non-aggressive character and go well with the others.
13. English Springer Spaniel
Height: 19’’-20’’
Weight: 40-50 Pounds
Lifespan: 12-14 Years
Group: Sporting
Versatility lies at the core of an English Springer Spaniel. He promises a happy, lively personality with intense family ties. He is fit for any job that you can think of for a pet dog. Hunting, tracking, agility, obedience tests, and show rings are some of his zones. Tremendous tenacity and stamina allow them a free pass in difficult situations.
However, the family remains to be their common ground of expertise. His happiness never shrinks while with his loved ones. They impeccably adapt to a social gathering. Spaniels are reputed for an outgoing character and active participation in the events around them.
14. Belgian Tervuren
Height: 22’’-26’’
Weight: 45-75 Pounds
Lifespan: 12-14 Years
Group: Herding
Intellectually sufficient Belgian Tervuren comes in a medium size. These smart dogs love tough challenges and compact schedules. Previously, he was a farm dog with a jam-packed routine.
Athleticism and versatility describe a Belgian Tervuren. He is the most handsome member of the Belgian clan. Enter into the world of ceaseless humor with a Tervuren. They readily learn your tricks and commands.
15. Belgian Sheepdog
Height: 22’’-26’’
Weight: 45-75 Pounds
Lifespan: 12-14 Years
Group: Herding
Here comes another herder into the most intelligent dog club. This smart puppy takes no time in picking up dog training cues. His extraordinary intelligence demands an experienced owner.
You must plan in advance to keep him busy as his endless energy requires continuous jobs. Sports and agility are a breeze if you have this dog. Belgium has gifted the world with this multi-talented dog.
Does dog intelligence mean popularity?
Dog intelligence does not necessarily relate to popularity. The Border Collie captures the top spot in terms of dog intelligence score. But the AKC breed popularity list places it at the 35th position.
Contrarily, the most popular breed in the USA is the Labrador Retriever occupying the 7th spot among smart puppies. Sharp dogs may be difficult to handle. They are too much for a potential owner unwilling to spend much effort behind the puppy.
Useful Tips: Dogs Sleeping Position
What is the IQ of a dog?
Animal science suggests that an adult dog IQ stands equal to a two-year-old child. But the top smartest dogs such as the Border Collie, Poodle, and several other breeds can compete with a child aged 2.5 years in terms of mental skills.
What are the factors of dog intelligence?
Professor Stanley Coren at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver puts forward three distinct features of the most intelligent dogs. These are instinctive intelligence, adaptive intelligence, and working as well as obedience intelligence.
- Breed defines instinctive intelligence in the form of herding, pointing, protecting, companionship, and so on.
- Adaptive intelligence points to his capacity of resolving issues on his own.
- Working and obedience intelligence denote his aptitude for learning new things from humans.
So, we have brought you 15 of the most intelligent dogs who perform the best in these classifications
Which dog breed is the smartest?
Dog people agree that the Border Collie seizes this honored spot. Working breeds are normally good at receiving ideas and implementing those in life. The Collie specializes here. Five seconds is all it takes for him to learn a new command and apply it.
But such a feat must precede excellent basic training. In 95% of the instances, dogs excel in this context. Now, take a look at the list of top intelligent dogs.
Is dog intelligence subject to training?
Dog intelligence is not conditioned to intense training output. Though dogs easily learn the sit, stay, and other commands, these are not the prime intelligence factors.
Rather, it is often a grace from their breed line. Usually, we see that a herding or working dog better follows your orders. Ancestral records assist them in this regard.
Every dog has a basic function. If we try to frame a companion dog with guarding capability, it yields no fruitful results. Certainly, you can elevate his intelligence on the doggie scale. But at the upper echelon of dogdom, brilliance is often an inherited quality.
Moreover, there are breeds that master a command with as few as 5 trials and some will need 100 trials. They are characteristically different.
We can safely assume that a dog ranking list is not enough. Most of us need some related answers to satisfy our inner quest for knowledge on dogs.
So, we have listed the most common questions a dog owner might ask on this issue. Here go the questions and answers to the most basic dog intelligence issues
Can we also have a look at the least intelligent dog breeds?
Of course, the article gets fulfilled with these low performing dogs. These dogs are not responsible for this mishap. Actually, they have been bred to serve a certain purpose. So, their breeding line took a more passive line resulting into low intellect. Training them might prove a bit difficult task.
- Afghan Hound,
- Basenji,
- Bulldog,
- Chow Chow,
- Borzoi,
- Bloodhound,
- Pekingese,
- Mastiff,
- Beagle,
- Basset Hound.
To cap it all, the top smartest dog does not mean a world of good for you at all. If you are habituated to a serene life, these dogs will be a real pain for you.
So, dog intelligence ranking never means a dog should get preference over another one. Every dog is smart in its own way.
As a responsible owner, you have to select the breed to fulfill your requirements. We do not encourage you to run after the most intelligent dog and repent afterward due to a mismatch.
I enjoy the article
Thanks Shaun.
While the Brits may have had their reasons some 70+ years ago for referring to the German Shepherd as an Alsatian, it would be incorrect for North Americans to follow suit, since in this hemisphere there is already a breed of Husky known as the Alsatian. It is found primarily in northwestern Canada and Alaska. Further, referring to something originating in the former Alsace region might more usefully be considered French rather than German. To avoid saying the word ‘German’ by substituting a word having a strong French connotation seems fruitlessly obscurantist. I wonder if the Belgian Sheepdog would be amused by the Brits’ impertinence in this regard…
Thanks for this info Manley.
What’s up, just wanted to say, I loved this article.
It was inspiring. Keep on posting. Cheers