What are the top 10 smartest dog breeds

    smartest dogs

Some dogs just seem to know what you’re thinking, right? Whether it’s learning tricks in a flash, solving puzzles or even opening doors, certain breeds stand out when it comes to brainpower. So, what are the smartest dogs out there and what makes them so clever?

 

 


How do we measure a dog's IQ?

When people talk about dogs with the highest IQ, they usually mean how quickly a dog learns new commands, how well they solve problems and how easily they can adapt to new situations. Researchers ranked breed intelligence based on trainability, using data from over 200 obedience judges who evaluated 110 breeds. The smartest dogs learned commands in under five tries and followed them at least 95% of the time. Curious how they scored each breed? 

Top 5 smartest dog breeds

Let’s start with the top 5 smartest dog breeds—the ones that blow everyone away with their smarts.

1. Border Collie. These herding dogs top the list in just about every IQ test. They can learn a command in under five repetitions and follow it 95% of the time.
2. Poodle. Behind the fancy haircut is a brainy dog that loves to learn tricks and solve tasks. They’re also great in agility competitions.
3. German Shepherd. Loyal, brave and super smart, German Shepherds are often used as police and service dogs because they learn quickly and can handle complex jobs.
4. Golden Retriever. Friendly and eager to please, Goldens pick up new skills fast and love to work with humans.
5. Doberman Pinscher. These alert, loyal dogs are quick learners and excellent protectors.

Top 10 smartest dog breeds

If you're curious about the top 10 smartest dog breeds, here are five more canine geniuses:

6. Shetland Sheepdog. Small but mighty, Shelties are great at reading people and love to show off what they’ve learned.
7. Labrador Retriever. America's favorite family dog is also one of its smartest. Labs are trainable, gentle and great at everything from therapy to search-and-rescue.
8. Papillon. Don’t let their size fool you, papillons are one of the smartest small dog breeds around. They learn commands quickly and have tons of energy.
9. Rottweiler. Strong and smart, Rottweilers are confident learners with a strong protective instinct.
10. Australian Cattle Dog. These energetic dogs were bred to herd, and they need plenty of mental and physical challenges to stay happy

What are the smartest dog breeds ranked?

When it comes to smartest dog breeds ranked, remember that intelligence can look different depending on the task. Some dogs are great at understanding commands, while others shine at problem-solving. The breeds listed above consistently rank high in obedience and working smarts.

Want to test your dog’s IQ? Try teaching a new trick, hiding treats in a puzzle toy or setting up a little obstacle course. You might be surprised by how clever your pup really is!