your pup is one smart cookie but is it among the most intelligent dog breeds we're all familiar with how smart and loyal our furry friends can be but some breeds are just on another level some breeds stand out for their exceptional ability to learn problem solve and follow commands today we're exploring the top 17 smartest dog breeds since the Stone Age dogs have been loyal companions to humankind and it's not merely because they are incredibly cute they possess intelligence that is ideally suited to humans a trait that was purposefully cultivated over thousands of years humans
have selectively bred dogs to become perfect companions throughout history the most intelligent dog breeds have played roles Beyond just being man's best friend they have served as Navigators field guides wartime allies detectives garbage collectors movie stars and Security Consultants as noted by renowned K9 researcher and Professor Stanley Corin PhD in his famous book the intelligence of dogs so how do we measure smarts in dogs there are three types of dog intelligence says Corin who defines can9 smarts by the way dogs interact with humans instinctive what the dog has been bred by humans to do adaptive
how well the dog learns from its environment to solve problems working and obedience how hard the dog is willing to work to please its people and do its jobs Corin explains that the key to all three is the dog's desire and ability to communicate effectively with humans by comprehending their human signs actions and commands and by expressing themselves through barks body language and actions on average a dog can understand 160 words according to Corin with some dogs knowing 250 words or more yet Perhaps even more essential to the effective communication between dogs and humans is
that dogs in general genuinely care while this applies to all dogs the smartest breeds have specific traits that elevate their intelligence we consulted seven pet experts to create this list of the 17 smartest breeds so just how smart are dogs the dogs on our list might not be ready to challenge you to a game of cards but they certainly excel at their jobs corin's research Remains the most reliable index for comparing dog breed bid ability however it was published in 1994 a Time when the AKC recognized far fewer breeds today any ranking would undoubtedly include
the pyrenean shepherd and the Belgian malinoi near the very top says Caroline Coy PhD dog breed expert and author of Baron's Encyclopedia of dog breeds she explains that breeds with higher bid ability often have been bred for specific jobs such as retrieving or hering for these working dogs the ability to follow commands from a distance was crucial this trait means that these breeds can still possess a strong desire to work which can present challenges in a home environment prospective owners should be aware of this before selecting a pup all right enough science talk let's get
to the top 17 smartest dog breeds number 17 kond once known as the Dutch barge dog the kond pronounced Kai's horn earned its spot on corin's list not just because it resembles a living teddy bear where of evaluating the smartest dog breeds here not just the cuddliest furballs the kon's intelligence and eager to please personality are key factors in its ranking originally bred to serve as both guard dogs and companions on Commercial barges hondan found themselves increasingly out of work as ship sizes grew and larger dogs were required however this beloved breed didn't let that
diminish its bright Spirit nowadays kundan may work as seeing eye or therapy dogs one important thing to consider if you're thinking about bringing a kund home these dogs are so sociable and deeply bonded to their humans that they're often considered clingy but with a face like that a bit of clinginess might just be a bonus number 16 collie long before Queen Elizabeth II developed her fondness for corus another queen of the realm Queen Victoria was renowned for her Devotion to four-legged friends Queen Victoria had numerous dogs throughout her life but two of her favorites were
Collies who lived during the latter half of the 19th century however it wasn't until 1943 that the colleag captured the world's attention this was when the film Lassie Come Home premiered introducing a sensitive loyal pup to audiences worldwide a dog that never hesitated to rescue a child in distress in essence the quintessential collie yet these affectionate long-nosed dogs excel at more than just protecting children with their remarkable intelligence and strong desire to assist they also serve as reliable guides for the Blind and highly capable rescue workers as noted by Stefan and Dr Hughes number 15
shipi referred to as the little Captain due to its role in pest control on Flemish Canal boats ship being the Flemish word for boat the shiper secures the 15th position on corin's list of intelligent dog breeds with its inquisitive clever and confident nature essential traits for catching Rats on a boat along with a surprising amount of Bravery for its size the shiper possesses a unique blend of intensity and Mischief despite its delicate fox-like face resulting from selective breeding its muscular body is built for labor even within its compact size therefore if you decide to purchase
or adopt one ensure you have ample space for your new best friend to frolic and play number 14 Belgian tverin described by Stefan and Dr Hughes as possessing an intelligent nature and affinity for sports such as agility tracking hering and sledding the Belgian tan rightfully claims its position among the smartest dog breeds Beyond its exceptional intelligence and aptitude for tasks the Belgian Turan has the cognitive abilities and skills to excel as a valued herder on many Belgian Farms moreover it serves as a highly attentive companion with a strong protective Instinct remarkable loyalty and Proficiency in
tricks although relatively rare the Belgian Turan is somewhat more accessible in the United States compared to some of its Belgian sheep dog counterparts such as the malenoir and the Lenoir number 13 English Springer Spaniel endowed with an excellent memory and when liver colored striking green eyes friendly playful and obedient this breed was originally bred centuries ago for the purpose of rushing out and retrieving game birds in the British Uplands during its development the English Springer Spaniel was nearly identical to breeds later recognized as the English Cocker spanel and the English Field spaniel both of which
also rank among the 50 smartest dog breeds according to Corin however in modern times the English Springer Spaniel has carved out its own identity as a remarkably bright alert and eager to please breed if there's a drawback to the breed read it lies in its tendency to form strong attachments to its human companions to the extent that it may appear quite Miserable as noted by the AKC when excluded from activities number 12 miniature schneer this charmingly bearded dog the smallest among the three schneer breeds shines in its intelligence and versatility these quick Learners relish challenges
and often excel in sports requiring intelligence such as agility and competitive obedience unlike many other breeds in the terrier group miniature snowers possess a strong desire to please and the intelligence to achieve it friendly intelligent and obedient these pups exhibit a big dog confidence within a small dog physique originally bred from the standard schneer for farm work serving as a form of four-legged Pest Control they excel in sniffing out and dispatching rodents despite their working Origins the these bearded brainiacs also Thrive as City companions thanks to their size adaptability and fondness for children and other
small animals with the exception of rats of course number 11 pemro Welsh Corgi affectionate intelligent and Vigilant the pem Welsh Corgi has held a special place in the hearts of the English Royals since 1933 when the then Duke of York later King George 6 introduced cores suuki and Jane as companions for Elizabeth and her younger sister Margaret throughout her 70-year Reign Queen Elizabeth raised more than 30 corgis the pemr Welsh Corgi likely endeared itself to the royal family due to its reputation for high obedience exceptional tracking abilities and impressive athleticism despite its short legs this
breed boasts powerful muscles and a Fearless demeanor making it an unexpectedly effective Watchdog according to Dr Hower this cheerful short-legged breed Finds Its greatest fulfillment when engaged in a task if not given hering work don't be surprised if your Corgi attempts to herd family members especially the younger ones number 10 Australian Cattle Dog bred in Australia for the purpose of hering cattle these compact yet robust dogs are often credited with playing a significant role in the development of the country's beef industry as noted by Corin highly driven to fulfill their work duties the Australian Cattle
Dog can pose a challenge for City dwellers or individuals who are unable to provide the mental and physical stimulation necessary to keep these diligent herders occupied in simpler terms if you fail to provide these dogs with constructive activities they will find their own ways to occupy themselves activities that you may not necessarily appreciate on a positive note Corin highlights that this Australian breed is so intelligent and organized that they put their belongings back after use with a keen willingness to learn the Australian Cattle Dog proves to be an excellent companion for engaging in human activities
such as playing catch number nine Rott Vier the lineage of the Rott Vier can be traced back to the era of the Roman Empire where it served as a livestock herder today rotties are esteemed as one of the most intelligent dogs due to their Keen perception unwavering loyalty and acute awareness this is why they are frequently utilized as search and rescue dogs guard dogs and police dogs noted for their power resilience and sturdiness Rott viers are also renowned for their exceptional affection and loyalty as affirmed by both Corin and the AKC they Excel not only
as police dogs but also as competitors in obedience trials service dogs therapy dogs and beloved household pets while Corin acknowledges the perception of Rott violas as fearful he asserts that the reality is quite the opposite they do not hesitate to defend their owners and family number eight papon in corin's ranking the papon stands as the smallest among the smartest dog breeds with its endearing big ears this breed boasts a lineage that spans nearly 700 years A factor that significantly contributes to its intelligence as noted by Katie Stefan a pet expert at animal activity tracker company
whistle and Angela Hughes DVM PhD a veterinarian geneticist with dog DNA test kit wisdom panel being one of the oldest dog breeds has afforded the papon ample time to evolve into one of the world's most intelligent dogs a feat that breeders have capitalized on wisely derived from European spaniel lineage and subsequently bred with toy dogs to achieve miniaturization the papon's name which means butterfly in French pays homage to its wing-like ears originally serving as companions for nobility these dogs exhibit a cheerful outgoing disposition coupled with a strong desire to please and a remarkable ability to
learn and Obey commands making them ideal natural companions number seven Labrador Retriever originally developed by 16th century settlers on the Canadian island of newfinland the labrador retriever is a descendant of the now extinct St John dog and a relative of the New Finland breed the breed acquired its name in the 19th century when English Nobles returning from Canada referred to it as the labrador dog upon arriving in England the labrador retriever's breed characteristics such as its water repellent coat were further refined to excel at retrieving Ducks during hunts the labrador retriever is lorded for its
remarkable sense of smell and its ability to make sound judgments based on it the labrador retriever is renowned for its capacity for self-training it has a natural inclination to learn from humans not through direct instruction but by observation and imitation these qualities along with its affectionate nature have contributed to its status as the most popular breed in the United States for an extended period Labradors are also highly sought after by individuals with disabilities and are widely regarded as one of the best emotional support dogs number six shetland sheep dog the compact shetland sheep dog possesses
all the hering capabilities of larger breeds but requires considerably less food which is why they were coined the col's little cousin originally bred by Farmers on the UK's Shetland Islands these dogs were tasked not only with hering sheep but also with managing ponies and poultry eager to please and persistent in their efforts to Master tasks Shetland Sheep Dogs excel at learning new commands with just a few repetitions their relative intelligence obedience and Agility have earned them the sixth spot on corin's list of the smartest dog breeds similar to Golden Retrievers Shetland Sheep dogs are cherished
not only for their intelligence but also for their amiable personalities making them ideal companions for families with children despite their small size these fluffy dogs also serve as excellent guard dogs thanks to their innate ability to sense danger an example of instinctive intelligence at work number five doberman pincher described by the AKC as Fearless loyal and alert the highly intelligent and easily trainable doberman pincher was initially bred by a German tax collector who had spare time during the offseason and a strong desire to create the ultimate K9 bodyguard after all people tend to become rather
irritable when the tax collector makes an appearance renowned for their fearlessness speed and enduring stamina these tough yet elegantly poised and athletically robust creatures are considered ideal guard dogs despite their formidable appearance the breed is known for its gentle nature additionally they rank among the breeds known for their exceptional responsiveness to training number four golden retriever in the realm of K9 intelligence it's not just about sheer brain power for Golden Retrievers their eagerness to comply with commands or tasks given by their owners catapults them into the coveted no four position driven by their innate desire
to please their human counterparts these dogs exhibit consistent Behavior across various situations originally bred in Scotland as hunting Companions and game retrievers they are frequently utilized in search and rescue missions leveraging their relative agility and Powerful gate beyond their diligent work ethic golden retrievers are cherished worldwide for their reliability and obedience as companions their Sunny disposition and remarkable ability to learn commands mastering as many as 200 with most learned on the first attempt make them the preferred choice for individuals with disabilities seeking a faithful and trainable pet number three German Shepherd ranked as the second
most intelligent hering dog and the third most intelligent dog over overall by corin's ranking the German Shepherd is esteemed for its exceptional intelligence according to the AKC they are quick Learners often mastering new commands on the first attempt this breed is characterized by its high level of focus strong desire to please and innate obedience which facilitates training additionally German Shepherds possess a protective Instinct towards their pack members one of the breed's notable strengths lies in its ability to assess comp Le Lex situations and determine the most appropriate course of action this is why German Shepherds
are frequently employed in law enforcement search and rescue operations and as service dogs for individuals with disabilities number two poodle despite often being referred to as a French poodle the poodle is actually a German breed originally developed as a water retriever while the breed may be perceived as high maintenance owing to its curly coat that requires grooming this does not diminish its intelligence in fact the poodle is highly regarded for its emotional and cognitive intelligence despite their Posh appearance poodles have a rich history of wartime service where they were utilized to deliver supplies to soldiers
on the battlefield this role demanded obedience unwavering Focus clear-headed decision-making and quick learning abilities qualities that poodles possessed in abundance Wendy Hower DVM emphasizes that poodles are easily trainable and Drive in activities that challenge them such as hunting tracking agility Sports and obedience work furthermore the breed is known for its jovial sense of humor and propensity to perform tricks and exhibit deliberate cuteness with sizes ranging from teacup to standard poodles are bundles of joy and cuteness providing endless entertainment and love to their human companions number one border collie according to the intelligence of dogs which
assesses 131 dog breeds based on their relative intelligence the Border col stands out as the most intelligent breed known to mankind for evidence look no further than Chaser a remarkably linguistically gifted border Colley from South Carolina who could recognize over 1,000 words but their intelligence isn't just limited to being book smart originating from European hering dogs that inhabited the rugged borders of England Scotland and Wales the Border col was selectively bred to possess both cunning intellect and exceptional athleticism to navigate the challenging terrain moreover they boast a strong work ethic ingrained in their genetic makeup
recognized by the AKC in 1995 the Border col is described not only as smart affectionate and energetic but also as a remarkably bright workaholic prospective border collie owners should be prepared to provide ample mental and physical stimulation for their furry companion as recommended by the AKC with their remarkable intelligence and adeptness in communicating with humans it's not uncommon to find Border Collies quite skilled at getting what they want from their owners for these reasons the Border colly rightfully earns the title of the smartest dog in the world remember intelligence isn't everything every dog breed has
its own unique strengths and personality but hopefully this video gave you some insight into the amazing mental capabilities of our K9 companions
