The 15 Smartest Dog Breeds Ranked By Their Intelligence

The Belgian Tervuren has an above-average emotional intelligence along with extensive physical abilities. These dogs are known to follow complex verbal commands with high precision and efficiency.

Belgian Tervurens are ready to train within two months of their birth. Their highly intelligent minds allow them to adapt to new environments and learn to perform complicated tasks.

These canines form a strong bond with their owners and even serve as great family pets.

The English Springer Spaniel has an incredible sense of observation combined with an ability to learn quickly. These dogs have been used in a series of activities, including hunting, herding, and participating in obedience competitions.

Spaniels serve as great family companion pets due to their ability to understand and follow commands. The breed is said to be as smart as a 2.5-year-old child with the ability to learn hundreds of commands during their lives.

The Miniature Schnauzer is gifted with a sharp intellect and quick learning ability. During an experiment, the canine breed easily understood new commands after about 5-15 repetitions. Also, it accurately followed a command over 85% of the time. 

Miniature Schnauzers are able to understand verbal commands as early as eight weeks old. The breed also has an above-average brain size that serves as a contributing factor to its intelligence.

Considered one of the smartest small dog breeds, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has consistently aced in multiple dog activities and sports competitions. Blessed with incredible agility and herding skills, these pups also possess an unending desire to please their owners along with a strong work ethic.

Dog experts believe the breed to have an intelligence level equivalent to a child of 2 to 2.5 years old. This canine, on average, can learn up to 200 words which is an impressive quality for any dog breed.

Based on its cognitive abilities, the Belgian Malinois is considered one of the smartest dog breeds. The breed has constantly outperformed itself in multiple dog talent competitions although it has shown some issues in inhibition control.

The Belgian Malinois was originally bred to possess incredible problem-solving skills and a strong work ethic that allows it to fit in multiple roles, including as a herding dog, a guard dog, and a law enforcement dog.

The Australian Cattle Dog was bred in such a way that makes it highly alert, a quick learner, and an excellent problem-solver. Further, its natural herding instinct allows the breed to successfully anticipate its handler's commands and react accordingly.

Their raw intelligence and high energy levels need constant mental stimulation and training. These canines also tend to become bored easily, which is why it is important to keep them occupied with various activities or tasks.

The Rottweiler's intelligence can be credited to the fact that the breed was created to serve as a high-functioning & independent herding and guard dog. The breed has passed down the intelligence through multiple generations, making them quick learners and adaptable to various situations.

Additionally, the Rottweiler also possesses a strong sense of loyalty for its owner along with a strong desire to impress everyone around them. They are also known to serve as working animals, including as a service animal or a companion dog.

Papillon's intelligence and ability to follow commands make it an excellent choice to participate in obedience and agility competitions. Further, their highly observant nature helps them to understand and connect with their owners' emotions and moods.

Additionally, Papillons have a significant ability to solve problems, adapt to new environments, and understand voice commands. Their sharp memory also lets them retain a memory for an extended period.

Labrador Retrievers are passionate about training, learning new skills, and solving complex problems. Gifted with an intelligence level of a 2.5-year-old child, these furry creatures serve as service dogs, therapy dogs, and even search and rescue dogs. 

A contributing factor to a Labrador's intelligence is its natural retrieving instinct. These dogs also serve as excellent law enforcement dogs for agencies like the police, FBI, and military.

According to animal intelligence expert Dr. Stanley Coren, the Shetland Sheepdog is the sixth most intelligent dog breed in the world. These dogs are normally as smart as a three-year-old human child.

Their ability to learn quickly paired with their sense of loyalty to owners makes them one of the best companion dog breeds. One other perk of owning a Shetland Sheepdog is that they have an excellent memory which lets them remember a task or command for a long time.

Doberman Pinscher are big smart dogs with the ability to make critical decisions. Although it was originally bred as a guard dog, its intelligence made the breed a great choice to serve in law enforcement agencies, including K9 units, bomb squads, narcotics, and search & rescue operations.

In conclusion, their intelligence along with an unparalleled sense of loyalty makes the Doberman Pinscher a highly in-demand canine breed to serve as a working and companion dog.

Golden Retrievers show a committed spirit when it comes to learning obedience, agility, and commands. Further, they possess a strong desire to train as a way to impress their owners. 

Dog experts believe Golden Retrievers have an intelligence level resembling a human child of three years old. Paired up with their ability to learn over 160 commands, these pups are some of the smartest dogs existing today.

One of the smartest dog breeds in the world, German Shepherds possess a level of intelligence that only a few dog breeds have. Their exceptional problem-solving abilities, trainability, and quick learning skills are what makes them one of the smartest canine species.

Ever since its creation in the late 19th century, the German Shepherd has worked in multiple capacities, including as a police dog, search and rescue dog, and service dog.

Poodle consistently ranks as one of the best dog breeds in regard to intelligence and learnability. These working dogs can solve problems with an intelligence level of a 2.5-year-old human baby. 

Additionally, these canines also possess high levels of cleverness and adaptability. They can learn close to 400 commands during their lifetimes.

Considered the smartest dog breed, the Border Collie takes the top spot of this list. These canines are highly intelligent and quick learners, gifted with excellent problem-solving skills.

Moreover, the multi-purpose pup serves as a herding dog as well as a family companion. They can easily adapt to different living conditions and can learn up to 250 voice commands.