Humanity’s best friend may give us plenty of examples of how naive and dense they can be at times. But a lot of dogs are a lot smarter than we give them credit for.
Dog brain power varies a lot based on their breed. With hundreds of years of selective breeding, modern dog breeds have many precursors of the purpose of their breed.
Psychologist Stanley Coren, PHD, published a book in 2006 titled “The Intelligence of Dogs.” We’re primarily looking at his research when ranking the most intelligent dogs.
1. Border Collie
It’s no surprise that border collies are at the top of this list. According to Stanley Coren, border collies can learn a new command within five attempts and can obey a command the first time 95% of the time.
2. Poodles
It may surprise some people to see the poodle as the second-highest dog, but trust us, they deserve to be there. With a heritage of hunting ducks and geese in the water, it’s no wonder that they are so clever now, even if they normally sit in the lap of luxury.
3. German Shepherds
German shepherds are often seen as police dogs, and it’s no coincidence. German Shepherds get the bronze medal for the most intelligent breed. They can be taught nearly anything, from being great service dogs for handicapped people to sniffing out narcotics and even bombs!
4. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are loyal, but many people brush them off as a little slow. Despite their dopey expression, they are sharp and easy to train. They are one of the most common breeds that are used as guide dogs and service dogs. They were even deployed after 911 to help try to find survivors in the aftermath. That makes them number 4 on the list.
5. Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinschers have a history in the military. Originally trained to be scouts and alert troops of any opposing forces. They are one of the only breeds to be officially given ranks in the military.
6. Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogs are smaller than their border collie cousins. As their name implies, they are bred to safeguard and herd the sheep on farms in Scotland. They are highly affectionate to people they trust but are wary of strangers, making them perfect as watchdogs.
7. Labrador Retriever
Labrador retriever, like golden retrievers, are often thought to be dumb because of their expression. Labrador retriever are highly intelligent dogs that historically helped fisherman in their job, Be it pulling rope or even catching fish themselves.
8. Papillon
Papillons used to be called dwarf spaniels and can be seen in 16th century paintings. It’s no wonder when the breed can be trained very easily and make exceptional family pets.
9. Rottweilers
Rottweilers, like their German Shepherd cousins, have historically helped police. The strong breed was originally bred to herd cattle to get them to market. They make amazing guard dogs, being able to analyze a situation quickly and put their owner’s safety first.
