The Smartest Dogs: Discover the Breeds That Excel in Training and Obedience

They often impress us with their intelligence. If you have a dog, you've probably caught yourself at least once feeling that your furry friend understands everything you say. And when you scold him, pet him, praise him, call him. Sometimes he wants to obey your commands, other times he pretends not to hear. Often, we call this dog intelligence, and for the most part, we are right. According to psychologist Stanley Coren, dogs can be defined by several types of intelligence, including obedience. We discuss this topic in detail in the following article:

• What makes puppies intelligent
• Which are the most intelligent dog breeds
• Which are the least intelligent dog breeds

What makes puppies intelligent

Certainly, we cannot speak of an IQ comparable to that of humans, however, according to the book "The Intelligence of Dogs", written by psychologist Stanley Coren, the cleverness of dogs can be determined by three main factors. Just as we, humans, can manifest several types of intelligence (linguistic, logical, spatial, musical, interpersonal, bodily, intrapersonal), it seems that our four-legged friends can also be characterized by:

• Instinctive intelligence - includes those innate qualities, talents that define the dog's personality;
• Adaptive intelligence - represents the ability to independently solve problems; 
• Functional intelligence - related to obedience, the ability to learn from humans, the capacity to execute commands and be easily trained.

When discussing the intelligence of dog breeds, the speed with which they learn their owners' commands and how dogs respond to training are largely taken into account.

Which are the most intelligent dog breeds

A study conducted by Stanley Coren answered the question "which are the most intelligent dog breeds?". To compile this top, the psychology professor at UBC (The University of British Columbia) based his findings on evaluations of 110 breeds, and reports and working tests conducted by 200 trainers. The research identified ten dog breeds that can learn a new command after fewer than five repetitions and obey the command in at least 95% of cases. Below are the dogs with the highest functional intelligence. Medium and large dog breeds

According to the study, the top of the most intelligent dogs is predominantly occupied by large breeds, which might lead us to believe that the cleverness of these loving four-legged friends is directly proportional to their size. However, beyond the research done by psychologist Stanley Coren, there is no other study that details this hypothesis.

German Shepherd

Easily recognizable by its appearance and its noble, aloof demeanor, the German Shepherd is one of the most famous breeds in the world. It became even more popular after German armies used German Shepherds as messengers and to locate the wounded during World War I. Thus, it came to be used by police teams, as well as by armed forces. Its intelligence, courage, loyalty, and incorruptible guarding skills rank this breed third among the most intelligent dogs. It is eager to learn and responds very well to training, but can react violently to aggressive treatment. It is also not recommended for passive individuals.

Rottweiler

Despite the aggressive stories we know about this breed, the Rottweiler has a balanced personality when properly trained. These dogs are very loyal, which also makes them excellent guardians. With their families, they are affectionate, playful, as well as attentive and agile, fearlessly protecting their owner. In the past, Rottweilers were used by German drovers to herd cattle to butcher shops. It is even said that to protect their money, the drovers would place the bags obtained after they had just sold their cattle around the necks of these dogs. Even if they are not very easy to train, Rottweilers became the favorite dogs of the police at the beginning of the last century.

Read also: 20 interesting facts about dogs

Labrador Retriever

In the early 1800s, Canadian fishermen in the Newfoundland region used these dogs to pull fishing nets through icy waters. In the early 19th century, they were brought to Poole Harbour, Great Britain, where, due to their friendly appearance and attitude, they were sold by fishermen for generous sums offered by Englishmen who wanted a Labrador. Due to their intelligence, they are recognized as hunting dogs, tracking dogs, search and rescue dogs, guides for visually impaired people, and perfect companions for families with many children. They are also known for their curiosity, empathetic capacity, high energy level, and occasional pleasure in breaking the rules imposed by their owners.

Golden Retriever

Often confused with the Labrador, it possesses similar qualities, although their origins differ. This breed descends from dog breeds in England and came into being after hunters, who wanted to create a perfect retriever breed for both land and water, crossbred several breeds including: the long-haired retriever, the short-haired Tweed Water Spaniel, the Newfoundland, and the Bloodhound.

Doberman

The name comes from the German who discovered this breed towards the end of the 19th century. Louis Doberman was a tax collector in the Thuringia district, city of Apolda, Germany. Because he needed a strong dog that would also be a good companion and an excellent protector, capable of accompanying him on his travels, he began crossing several breeds such as the Rottweiler, German Pinscher, and Black and Tan Coonhound. This is how this breed was born, which is currently among the most intelligent dogs in the world. The Doberman is said to have the mind of a human and is a kind of "Cadillac of dogs" thanks to its elegant appearance. Intelligent, responsive, intuitive, sensitive, Dobermans can be used in competitions, agility competitions, therapy for people with disabilities, or even as police dogs.

Poodle

Even if the Poodle seems to be the kind of breed that excels only in appearance, being easily noticeable due to its fur and specific hairstyles, it holds the second place in the ranking of the world's most intelligent dogs. Surprisingly, they learn quickly and willingly, being examples that can perform all sorts of amusing tricks and commands. The name of this breed comes from the German word "pudeln," which translates to "to splash in water." Thus, they are very good swimmers, having been used in the past to retrieve various objects or as water retrieval dogs.

Border Collie

It is the ancestor of many intelligent dog breeds, two of which are even mentioned in this top. Initially, Border Collies were bred exclusively for their ability to work in sheepfolds, being used to care for flocks of sheep in Scotland and England starting in the 1700s. Currently, due to its ability and intelligence, it is used in special operations for drug detection. It is also a reliable companion for people with disabilities, but they are not ideal pets for families with very young children. They need constant mental and physical stimulation, which is why they prefer people who have as much energy as they do. According to psychologist Stanley Coren, the Border Collie ranks first on the podium of the most intelligent dogs in the world, having the ability to learn a new command in less than five repetitions.

Australian Cattle Dog

The story of this breed began in Australia in the 1840s, when a man named Hall, who needed a dog capable of dominating and tending to a herd of wild cattle, crossed a Scottish sheepdog (Collie) with a Dingo. The result was this Australian Cattle Dog, which immediately stood out for its exceptional agility and endurance, impressive bursts of speed, and strong instincts. All these characteristics place this breed among the most intelligent dogs, making it a constant presence at canine competitions today. It excels in various sports, and frisbee and flyball competitions are among the Australian Cattle Dogs' favorites.

Small dog breeds

Although we tend to believe that the intelligence of small dogs is inferior to that of tall four-legged friends, Stanley Coren's ranking includes two small breeds that surprise with their cleverness.

Papillon

Surprisingly energetic, the Papillon dog can successfully participate in any agility competition, as well as other canine contests. It is one of the few small breeds included in the top compiled by psychologist Stanley Coren. This breed is believed to have originated in France, its name deriving from the word "butterfly," referring to the shape of its large ears, which resemble butterfly wings. It seems that the Papillon was the favorite companion of French royal houses, with Queen Marie Antoinette being a lover of this breed, so we see it represented in many old paintings.

Shetland Sheepdog

The breed is named after its area of origin, the Shetland Islands off the northeast coast of Scotland, where it developed as a breed and "worked" as a guard for flocks. Initially, it was considered a mix of several types of dogs, including a small, long-haired Collie. Energetic, agile, attentive, and extremely devoted to its owner, it is always on alert and immediately announces when something catches its attention or if it senses that something is wrong. The fact that this dog enjoys training and excels in many canine sports successfully places it on the list of the most intelligent dog breeds.

What other breeds can be included in the top

Also, the list of most intelligent dog breeds can include those that learn a new command after 5-15 repetitions and obey orders in at least 86% of cases. These include: 

• Miniature Schnauzer;
• Pembroke Welsh Corgi;
• Cardigan Welsh Corgi;
• Belgian Tervuren Shepherd;
• Bernese Mountain Dog;
• Vizsla;
• English Springer Spaniel;
• Schipperke, Belgian Shepherd;
• Keeshond;
• German Shorthaired Pointer;
• Cocker Spaniel.

Which are the least intelligent dog breeds

Of course, it's a lot to say that these dog breeds are less intelligent. According to the study, they are very difficult to train. Typically, these dogs do not respond to commands, are stubborn, and can become aggressive if forced to obey:

• Mastiff;
• Beagle;
• Pekingese;
• Chow Chow;
• Bulldog.

Finally, let's not forget that these rankings mean nothing without the owner's involvement. For the most part, a dog's intelligence is also influenced by how it is raised, trained, its relationship with its owner, the environment it lives in, the love and affection it receives, the protection, care, and many other details you discover when you choose to integrate such a furry friend into your family. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors influence a dog's intelligence?

Canine intelligence is influenced by genetic factors, the environment in which it grows, socialization, training, and mental stimulation.

Why are Border Collies considered the most intelligent dogs?

Border Collies excel at quickly learning commands, have excellent memory, and are very attentive to their owner's instructions.

What makes the Poodle such an intelligent breed?

The Poodle is renowned for its versatility, adaptability to various tasks, and eagerness to learn new tricks.

How is intelligence manifested in a German Shepherd?

The German Shepherd is loyal, courageous, easy to train, and capable of performing complex tasks, demonstrating practical intelligence.

What activities are suitable for intelligent dogs?

Intelligent dogs enjoy activities that stimulate their minds, such as intelligence games, agility, obedience, or search and rescue activities.

How can I stimulate my dog's intelligence?

Offer interactive toys, teach new tricks, involve them in stimulating activities, and provide adequate socialization.

Photo source: Shutterstock 

Last updated: 13.11.2024

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