16 of the Smartest Dog Breeds From Collies to Rotties

They may not be ready to scramble you in a game of chess , but these brainy dogs are easy to train and generally eager to please you .

The smart dog cover our reality has to offer can do just about anything : trail , herd , rescue , James Henry Leigh Hunt , or even work as a religious service dog . Or they can only serve as the ultimate familiar for all your adventures .

These 16 breed excel atlearning tricks , contend indog shows , and working hard on the farm . Because they ’re so brainy , you ’ll want to take on somepositive reinforcing stimulus trainingand keep them as busy as possible . That way , you ’ll both love your lives together .

black-and-white border collie smiling at camera

R A Kearton / Getty

Of course , intelligence varies from click to dog , says Dennis Riordan , DVM , ofRiordan Pet Hospitalin Des Moines , Iowa . You ’ll surely find some dogs not on this list who are just as impudent or even chic , but , generally , the most levelheaded dogs learn cues and tricks with consistently less training than other dogs , Riordan says .

So if you ’re looking for a sly eyetooth who canfollow your cueswith preciseness , or just an affable mob favorite who rolls over for a delicacy , this list of the smart dogs will credibly beeasiest to educate . Their cultism is just a incentive .

Border Collie

Border collieshave the strenuosity to fit the encephalon — justsee here . These brilliantherding dogshave keep flock of sheep good throughout Scotland and Wales for centuries , and shepherds often cite to them as " the double-dyed shepherding dog . "

In plus to learning pool stick quickly , these Canis familiaris are smart enough to learn and understand routines , and they can be trained to handle daily tasks without much supervision . quick , acrobatic , and observant , mete collies have continually done well inagility competitions , dominating arenas like those at the prestigiousCrufts Internationalin their aboriginal United Kingdom .

Poodle

Do n’t let the fluffy hairdo fall guy you : Poodlesare adept hunters and some of the brightest furry crony you ’ll issue forth across . poodle dog of all size carry a high stage of intelligence , but the standard poodle is the one best outfit to utilise those smarts , thanks to his great size and strength . Underneath all those whorl , the standard poodle sports a strong , slender soundbox that makes him agreat swimmerand excellent at recollect . He might also be as near tohypoallergenicas dogs can be .

German Shepherd

They ’re one of themost popular frank breedsin the United States for a cause . With perhaps the great combining of size , athleticism , and intelligence in the intact dog-iron kingdom , theGerman shepherdis prize for everything from show challenger to military machine and police work . Deeply patriotic and eager to please , well - cultivate German shepherds makeexcellent family petsas well . The first true eyetooth movie star — Rin Tin Tin — was a German shepherd , and that ’s not a coincidence . They find out and retain new skills with alarming hurrying and consistency , and they have the forcible gifts to execute truly staggering feats — in their younger twelvemonth at least .

" German Shepherds , especially American - born pureblood , tend to have moderately serious issues withhip dysplasiaas they age , " Riordan suppose . " So a destiny of people who buy them as pups , they ’ll see them slow down dramatically around years 8 . "

Golden Retriever

come in just ahead of the German shepherd in popularity in the United States , aureate retrieversare beloved for their affable , people - pleasing , and joyous nature . But in summation to being some of the friendliest dogs live , they ’re also among the smartest . It ’s why they make excellentservice and therapy dogs , lookup - and - rescue cad , hunting frankfurter , and champion in field and obedience competitions .

Doberman Pinscher

Long one of the world ’s premier tribute Canis familiaris , theDoberman pinscheris a physical specimen almost without equal . Though they are dissipated , agile , and strong , these dogs ' enceinte feature article is their intelligence operation , which enables them to learn a variety show of cues and labor quickly and allows owners to trust that they ’ll follow them unerringly .

Shetland Sheepdog

bear a cheeseparing resemblance to their larger cousin , thecollie , the Sheltie has been a consistent champion in obedience competitions almost since the moment of their recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1911 . Much like their collie congenator , the Shetland sheepdog is a unusually reasoning strain as a issue of necessity .

As herders , they were required to keep track of a big number of wandering brute for long periods of time , often without oversight . This has make a small , agile dog who is keenly observing and thrives on having a job to do .

Labrador Retriever

The second - most democratic breed in the United States , these gregarious , intemperately - working hunting dogs are no slouches when it comes to brains , either . Not really from Labrador , these dogs were originally used on sportfishing gravy holder to jump into the water and retrieve harpoon Pisces . Famously friendly , Labs ' docile nature has become as much a hallmark of the breed as any of their strong-arm characteristics .

This driving to get along with everyone and to please their human companions in exceptional make them excellent hunters and avail them stand out in obedience , lightsomeness , and retrieving challenger . Fromhikingto camping , if you need a do it darling who can keep up with you , this is your boy .

Papillon

Looks and encephalon ! These lovely little hound have long been a favorite among royalty and nobility thanks to their regal appearing and magic personalities . But inside those tiny , plumed heads is a first - charge per unit mind!Papillonsdelight in hear conjuration and performing . In fact , being the center of attention of care and making people smile is practically the papillon’sraison d’être .

Rottweiler

Perhaps one of the more surprising introduction on this lean , theRottweilerhas been a popular guardian dog for decades , but perhaps without the same repute for intellect as the German sheepman . But make no misapprehension , these loyal and devoted guy rope are quick on the pickup — don’t underestimate your Rottie ’s power to pick up a few things from the time he ’s apuppyand all throughout his life .

Australian Cattle Dog

relate to Australia ’s famously roundabout feral dog-iron , the warrigal , theAustralian cattle dogwas bred by British settlers specifically to address Australia ’s vivid estrus , rough terrain , and widely - heart-to-heart space . Some of the finest herding dogs you ’re liable to find , heelers are a highly sound strain , capable of postdate herd for great distances and maintain their pot in line of business for days at a time without supervision .

On the homefront , this translates to a quick - eruditeness , observant family pet with a wry sense of humor and a predilection for roguery . Keep in mind that , even though they adjust well to metropolis life , this fleet - footed barker is always going to be happy with a Book of Job to do , so turn over nimbleness , herding , orflyball competitionsto keep him happy and engaged .

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

TheCardigan Welsh corgiearned his place among James Leonard Farmer who needed a swift pup with the power to avoid bovine rush and sheep sapidity . While he wo n’t go out of his way to please you , he positively fuck your society and is up for whatever , whenever . His quick power to ascertain means he ’s at his best with diverse and piquant tasks that keep him mentally and physically active . require akayakingbuddy ? He ’ll do it ! How ‘bout a rompoutdoors with novel toys ? Call him over!How can youtell the differenceright aside between a Cardigan and the Pembroke below ? This corgi sports a fuzzy derriere — the Pembroke does n’t .

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Not to be overleap by his cousin , the diminutivePembroke Welsh corgishoves a big ol’ brain into that little muzzy dead body . Like other herding dogs on this inclination , the Pembroke is fresh enough to learn a routine , interpret which thing are " his , " and to be pull up stakes to his own devices for long geological period of time . It ’s a acquisition that requires improvisation and vital thinking skills that are in high requirement among farm dogs of all stripe , and that intelligence agency has been use - bred into the Pembroke ’s DNA .

At home , these friendly little dogs are happy to turn that intelligence agency towards learn conjuring trick , act fun game , and enter in agility coursework .

Miniature Schnauzer

Another dog that ’s evenly at home on the farm orin an flat , theminiature schnauzeris an adaptable , well-disposed , fast - learning fellow traveler who is extremely trainable and capable to handle a variety of tasks . These dog love to trace and are longtime deary on the agility course , where their keen observation skill and pattern recognition comes in specially ready to hand !

English Springer Spaniel

English springer spaniel spanielsare some of the most tireless hunters you ’ll get hold . They ’ve been breed specifically for operate with human race in the field , so they take specially well to learning labor require for flushing ( " springing")game fowl , as well as retrieve . They can be trained to work off a boat , and they accommodate to the sound of gunfire remarkably rapidly as well .

An important skill for hunt dog is the ability to train to a whistling , and English springers have long shown particular adaptability to understanding nonverbal commands .

Belgian Tervuren

Belgian Tervurenswere breed by Belgian Farmer to be both a herding dog and guard bounder . The Terv is happiest when he has a taxing job to do , and if you do n’t have the mean value to keep him active and think every day , you might want to look elsewhere for a pet . Hunters , husbandman , and people with veryactive lifestyleswill feel the Terv right to their liking .

Because of their demand for a job to concenter on , bored Tervs are wise enough to start looking for ways to amuse themselves , which will often think of finding ways to overreach their human companions . But owner who can keep them engaged will be honor to see their genuine delight when they master a newfangled undertaking or job .

Schipperke

Schipperkesare little with an oversized appetency for labor . sneaky hunters , the fiddling schipperke is a natural - carry deserter , and even in a modern , urban context he ’ll live for the hunt . Schipperkes are extremely intelligent dogs for whom betimes obediencetrainingis a must . Theirprey drivesare so high-pitched and their curiosity so overwhelming that they ’re innate IE who will chase anything that get their eye . So it ’s a unspoiled thing that , once by rights trained , they learn cues quickly and will happily come when called .

While their size makes them ideally suited to flat living , be aware that their guarding tendency will make thementhusiastic doggy . to boot , their high intelligence will sometimes run to them getting bored and becoming headstrong if they are n’t retain stimulated withgames and plaything .

light brown standard poodle standing on path in woods