Most intelligent dog breed

Just like humans, our canine companions are all different, so although some breeds have an edge over others when it comes to smarts, each dog will differ in their intelligence. It’s also worth pointing out that there are different kinds of intelligence, with some breeds excelling in social situations and others better able to problem-solve or learn new words. We’ve listed 13 dog breeds that regularly rank as being the smartest, but all dogs can have their cognitive abilities nurtured through early socialization and regular training. (Image credit: Getty Images) Known for being confident, courageous, and smart, the German Shepherd is the second most popular dog in the United States, and for good reason. Loyal and steady, this breed will think nothing of putting their life on the line for those they love. Gentle family companions and hard-working police and military dogs, the German Shepherd is eager-to-please and razor-sharp, learning commands quickly. 3. Papillion (Image credit: Getty images) Alongside the Chorkie, Papillons are one of the smallest breeds in the world, weighing in at a dainty 5-10lbs. Their petite size says nothing about their mental capacity though, with the Papillion well regarded as one of the most clever canines around. Friendly and alert with a naturally happy disposition, the Pap is a quick study, picking up new commands and routines with ease. Excellent agility dogs, they frequently take out the winner’s trophy at all levels of the sport and love pe...

Ksuksa/Getty Images Smartest dog breeds, ranked Dogs have been humankind’s faithful companion since as far back as the Stone Age, and it’s not just because they’re so The Intelligence of Dogs. Dogs are among the few “There are three types of dog intelligence,” says Coren, who defines canine smarts by the way dogs interact with humans. The first is “instinctive” and focuses on what the dog has been bred by humans to do. The second is “adaptive,” or how well the dog learns from its environment to solve problems. The third is “working and obedience,” or how hard the dog is willing to work to please its people and do its jobs. What underpins all three is the desire and ability to communicate effectively with humans—both by understanding its human’s signs, actions, and commands, and by expressing itself via barks, body movements, and actions. The average dog can understand 160 words, according to Coren, and some dogs comprehend as many as 250 or more. But what may be even more fundamental to effective communication between dogs and humans is that dogs, as a general rule, actually care. “Dogs are very attentive to and responsive to us,” Alexandra Horowitz, head of the Dog Cognition Lab at Columbia University’s Barnard College, told the American Kennel Club (AKC). Although this is true for all pooches, the smartest dog breeds have certain traits that put their intelligence a step above. Just as some of our furry friends are known for being Get  Reader’s Digest ‘s Read Up news...

R A Kearton / Getty Images The border collie is often considered the smartest of all dogs and the overachiever of the canine world. Originally bred as a herding dog, border collies can perform just about any job you give them. Extremely energetic, athletic, and driven, they are always up for learning something new. In fact, if you don't keep them constantly moving and working, they might start getting destructive in the home. Amanda McGlothlin / Getty Images Toy, miniature, or standard in size, the poodle is gifted with some of the best canine brainpower. Poodles originated as hunting dogs and continue to be diligent workers and trusty companions. They can easily learn even the most complex tricks. For instance, you can teach a poodle to balance on a ball, jump through a hoop, or work as a service dog. Height: Standard: 15 inches; miniature: 10 to 15 inches; toy: 10 inches and under Weight: Standard: 45 to 70 pounds; miniature: 15 to 18 pounds; toy: 5 to 9 pounds Physical Characteristics: Curly, dense, single-layer coat that may be one of many solid colors, including white, black, gray, brown, and apricot The Spruce / Kevin Norris The German shepherd is a loyal, protective breed that has so much energy and intelligence that it sometimes comes across as high-strung or anxious. German shepherds need a job to do. Something as simple as supervising and protecting children can give this breed a sense of purpose. These dogs generally pick up training fast and thrive on performin...

You might think your beagle is the smartest canine on the block, but they have got the dubious honor of being among the least trainable of If it's bred to hunt, herd, or retrieve, the dog is more likely to be quick on its feet, eager to work, to move, and to please you. It will learn faster. If it's bred to be a livestock guard dog or a scent hound, it may seem distracted and just a bit dense. Yet, even if some The key is knowing what your pooch is built for and how to motivate them. But keep in mind that the smartest dogs often don't make the best pets. Your job is to find a breed that suits your lifestyle and to focus on bringing out the best in your dog. Top Dogs In his bestselling book, The Intelligence of Dogs, neuropsychologist Stanley Coren, PhD, focuses on trainability as a marker of intelligence. The University of British Columbia psychology professor relied on the assessments of 110 breeds by more than 200 professional dog obedience judges who scored breeds based on working/obedience tests. The top dogs absorbed commands in less than five repetitions and obeyed them 95% of the time or better. Here's the list along with a breed description by the American 1. Border Collie: A workaholic, this breed is the world's premier sheep herder, prized for its intelligence, extraordinary instinct, and working ability. 2. Poodle: Exceptionally smart and active. Bred to retrieve things from the water. The miniature variety may have been used for truffle hunting. 3. German Sheph...

Smartest Dogs Ranked Dog Intelligence Ranking: The Complete List (137 Breeds) Rank Breed Name Origin Smartest Dogs (Top:1-10)Understanding of New Commands: Fewer than 5 repetitions. Obey First Command: 95% of the time or better. #1 Border Collie United Kingdom #2 Poodle Germany #3 German Shepherd Germany #4 Golden Retriever Scotland #5 Doberman Pinscher Germany #6 Shetland Sheepdog Scotland #7 Labrador Retriever Canada #8 Papillon dog France #9 Rottweiler Germany #10 Australian Cattle Dog Australia Excellent Working Dogs (Top:11-26)Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions. Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better. #11 Pembroke Welsh Corgi Wales #12 Miniature Schnauzer Germany #13 English Springer Spaniel England #14 Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) Belgium #15 Schipperke Groenendael (Belgian Shepherd Dog) Belgium Belgium #16 Collie (Rough Collie) Keeshond Scotland & Northern England Netherlands #17 German Shorthaired Pointer Germany #18 Flat-Coated Retriever English Cocker Spaniel Standard Schnauzer United Kingdom England Germany #19 Brittany Brittany, France #20 Cocker Spaniel UK, USA #21 Weimaraner Germany #22 Malinois (Belgian Shepherd Dog) Bernese Mountain Dog Belgium Switzerland #23 Pomeranian Germany #24 Irish Water Spaniel Ireland #25 Vizsla Hungary #26 Cardigan Welsh Corgi Wales Above Average Working Dogs (Top:27-39)Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions. Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better. #27 Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puli Yor...

Most dogs are smart, but in different ways: Working breeds learn how to perform jobs quickly because of their instincts and natural abilities, while other breeds are motivated based on their strong desire to please. But intelligence alone doesn't automatically make a good pet. To bring out your dog’s natural smarts, you have to study the breed, put in the necessary time to train, and understand his natural traits, like whether he’s a quick study or slow and steady.

When potential owners begin looking into dog breeds, researching basic breed info is a must. Starting with our “smartest dog breeds” list is a bright idea. In fact, it’s normal most owners want to gauge the intelligence of their potential pup. But regardless of how “smart” a dog you choose, what’s more important is that they’re compatible and loving. There really is no reason to pick a dog breed just because they’re intelligent. The truth is, a dog really doesn’t need to be that smart. Most dogs will be able to go through basic dog training that’s not above and beyond what you’ll need. Some will require a bit more time, but it’s not impossible. It’s just that those breeds specialize in hunting, retrieving, RECOMMENDED: How We Measure the Smartest Dog Breeds canine psychologist and PHD from the University of British Columbia, developed the criteria for ranking dog intelligence. With his criteria, Coren contacted obedience trial judges from the AKC and CKC to help evaluate and rank various dog breeds. He received 199 responses, which represented half of obedience judges in North America at the time. In addition, not all dogs in the trial appeared on his list. In fact, only dog breeds that received at least 100 evaluations qualified for his final list of smartest dog breeds. As a result, he was able to collect valuable data and infamously rank most of the popular recognized breeds. His findings eventually led to his renowned book: “ The Intelligence of Dogs.” It’s a fantastic...

Introducing a new member to your family never goes without some serious thought. And when it comes down to selecting a So we've compiled a list of the top 20 smartest dog breeds to help you find your new family member. How do we know? Well, psychologist Stanley Coren cataloged several of these breeds as the most intelligent in his book The Intelligence of Dogs, which has stood the test of time as a landmark piece of literature on the subject. According to Coren, a dog’s smarts can be identified by its ability to carry out specialized tasks, its level of obedience as well as its general working intelligence. With his data, along with other information from popular pet sites, we've put together this list. Scroll on to discover which Einstein of dog breeds is the right fit for you. Nowadays, you can adopt cockapoos, whoodles and goldendoodles, to name a few, but breeders love regular ol' poodles for more than just their hypoallergenic qualities. The curly-coated cuties also took the silver medal for working intelligence in Coren's survey. • Height: 10-22 inches • Weight: 6-7o pounds (depending on variety) • Life expectancy: 12-15 years That's right – one of the nation's most beloved family pets also took home straight A's in this intelligence survey. While the breed was originally intended for hunting, goldens also enjoy acting like straight-up goofballs once in a while (which you already know if you have one of your own). • Height: 23-24 inches • Weight: 65-75 pounds • Life ...

All dogs are known for their loyalty and companionship, but many breeds are celebrated for their intelligence, too. The smartest dogs can quickly learn and understand new cues, exhibit problem-solving skills, and show their independent side. But earning a spot on the list of smartest dog breeds is more than just how fast a pup can learn new tricks. Experts say Wondering if your pooch makes the list of most intelligent dog breeds? Here are some of the smartest dogs by breed and the features that make them so clever. 1. Border Collie Photo credit: iStock/Elayne Massaini These pups are superstars in agility and obedience competitions, and they have exceptional problem-solving skills. The uber-trainable Border Collie is part of the herding group, so they are happiest when they have a job to do. Their boundless energy means they can work for extended periods without tiring, so they’re excellent companions for farmers and ranchers. Puzzles and energy outlets like dog sports will help them live fulfilling lives if they’re not rounding up sheep on the farm. 2. Poodle Photo credit: iStock/ivanastar Originally bred as a hunting dog, 3. German Shepherd Photo credit: iStock/diego_cervo 4. Golden Retriever Photo credit: iStock/VYCHEGZHANINA With training, Goldens are known for being very loyal and affectionate family pets, solidifying their stature as one of the 5. Doberman Pinscher Photo credit: iStock/Malisa Nicolau 6. Shetland Sheepdog Photo credit: iStock/s5iztok 7. Labrador Retrie...

Usually, when we ask if a dog is smart, we really want to know how Another factor is However, there is no doubt that some breeds are more easily trained than others. Members from the • • • • • • • • • • • • • Remember, even if your dog is not on the above list, almost every dog can be trained. You just might need more patience with some breeds than others. And sometimes, the “most trainable” dogs present their own challenges. For example, they can learn bad behaviors just as quickly as good ones. Celebrate what makes your breed special, even if that isn’t trainability, and find the techniques that help your dog learn at his best.