Most Intelligent Dog Breeds

There are dog breeds that are more intelligent than others. These dog breeds can quickly learn tricks and are highly trainable, but they can also be challenging to take care of.

These dog breeds are among the most intelligent in the world according to professor Stanley Conen. Find out if your dog is included on this list!

Border Collie

1. Border Collie

The Border Collie is considered the most intelligent among the dog breeds. Although they are commonly used as a herding dog, Border Collies are also quite successful at obedience and agility competitions. As a highly intelligent and trainable dog, a Border Collie needs constant exercise and tricks to keep it stimulated. Their weight varies from 14-23 kg and that can stand tall for about 20 inches. The hair on their body is long and often in black, white and red color.

Standard Poodle

2. Standard Poodle

The poodle is not just beauty, but also brains! Considered the second most intelligent after the Border Collie, this dog is also exceptionally active. As a water dog, the poodle is originally bred for retrieving things from the water but later it has been part of hunting and performing at the circuses. Poodle generally comes in three sizes but all three have heavy hair, hanging ears, a long straight muzzle and a pompom tail. A standard poodle can stand up to 15 inches and weigh up to 32 kg. The poodle has a dense, woolly coat in white, brown, black, grey, cream and apricot color.

German Shepherd

3. German Shepherd

It’s no wonder that these dogs are almost always used as guard dogs, police dogs, military dogs and search-and-rescue dogs. German Shepherds, the world’s third most intelligent dogs are super-protective of their masters and known for their intelligence, trainability and obedience. They have a strong built and their bodies are longer than other breeds with a height in between 22-26 cm and weight around 34-43 kg. The outer hair on their body is medium

Golden Retriever

4. Golden Retriever

The fourth most intelligent dog is also friendly, gentle, patient, sociable and very eager to please! The Golden Retrievers was also known as the water retriever or a breed of sporting dogs for their exceptional swimming and retrieving. They have a strong body and can stand 21.5-24 inches in height and weight from 25-34 kg. They have a thick coat has a beautiful share of golden brown around their neck, thigh, tail and legs. Because of their disposition, they make ideal companions for the disabled as well as excellent guides in search-and-rescue missions and also a great family pet.

Doberman Pinscher

5. Doberman Pinscher

Like the German Shepherd, the world’s fifth smartest pooch, the Doberman pinscher is also trained as a police dog or a military dog. Their height is between 24-28 inches while they can weigh up to 88 pounds. In appearance, they are usually black, blue, red or fawn in color with rust color markings found around their chest, tail, feet and head.

The Doberman Pinscher is widely known for its intelligence, fearlessness, loyalty, speed and stamina. However, it has a tendency to become aggressive.

Shetland Sheepdog

6. Shetland Sheepdog

Don’t underestimate its small size and prettiness — the “Sheltie” is the sixth most intelligent dog. This miniature Collie is a working and herding dog with a nice long coat in black, brown or blue-grey color with mottling in black, tan or white color. They have a sturdy body but by nature, they are very loving and affectionate.

Labrador retriever

7. Labrador retriever

Like the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever is smart, kind, gentle and easygoing. The seventh most intelligent dog is naturally excellent in retrieving things and is an indefatigable swimmer. Its height ranges from 21.5 to 24.5 inches and can weight in between 25-36 kg, making them strong and big. It has short legs, an otter-like tail and a dense coat in black, brown or yellow color. The “Lab” also makes an ideal family dog, disability dog, therapy dog, and search-and-rescue dog. However, it is not suitable as a guard dog due to its gentle, trusting disposition, even towards total strangers.

Papillon

8. Papillon

This adorable butterfly-eared pooch is the eighth most intelligent dog in the world. Famous as the toy dog breed, it was also known as the dwarf spaniel for being adorably appealing. They can stand tall up to 11 inches and can weigh up to 5 kgs. They have soft coat white in color with black or dark reddish brown patches around their body. By nature, Papillon is alert and friendly and never gets aggressive or shy. They like to remain happy and show their adventurous side to others.

Rottweiler

9. Rottweiler

The ninth most intelligent dog in the world has an appealing combination of calmness, confidence and courage. The Rottweiler is also a powerful breed that loves to do something purposeful. That’s why this breed is excellent in guarding, police work, therapy, guiding the disabled, detection, as well as search-and-rescue work. The Rottweiler has a height in between 22-27 inches (56-68.5 cm) and can weigh around 90-110 pounds. Although this breed is famous for its intelligence and strength, they aren’t very friendly and require training on socialization.

Australian Cattle Dog

10. Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog is the tenth most intelligent dog in the world. It is also famously known as the blue heeler, red heeler or Queensland heeler as it used to move cattle with their feet back in the 19th century. It is an energetic, active and independent breed, like most working dogs and considered to be very faithful. It is generally a medium sized dog with prick ears and weight from 35-45 pounds. The Australian Cattle Dog has a dense double coat on its body with dark red or blue spots/speckles or markings on their head, chest and lower legs. Their puppies are born white, however; these markings are a result of discoloration that grows with age.