How many times have you been taken aback by your dog’s intelligent tricks and capabilities? Turns out, your cuddly furballs can be one of the smartest dogs in the world. So this International Dogs Day, observed on 26 August, let’s give a loud cheer to the smartest dog breeds in the world.
They say dogs are a man’s best friend and rightfully so. The unwavering loyalty, love, affection and protectiveness they have for their pet parents is hard to explain. You show them care and affection, and they become fiercely loyal to you. Just like humans have varying degrees of intelligence, abilities, and aptitude, dogs also have specific areas in which they excel.
For instance, a golden retriever is good at learning commands and directions and is extremely trustworthy. German shepherd dogs are excellent at adapting to situations and protecting herds. Their powerful sense of smell also makes them vital search and rescue dogs.
While we have created a list of the smartest dog breeds based on agility, learning abilities, and how they learn new things, that doesn’t mean your dog is not intelligent if it doesn’t appear on this list. With consistent training, regular exercising and proper mental stimulation, these qualities become more enhanced in dogs.
Every breed has its own characteristics. So whether you prefer energetic dogs, great family pets or one that would help you on the ground, each has its own pros and cons. To answer all your questions about which smart dog breed is the best for you, here’s the list for you.
Check out some of the smartest dog breeds in the world
Border collie
The joyful, intelligent, and obedient border collies are renowned for their acumen and herding abilities. These canines, who ranked first in Stanley Coren’s dog intelligence ranking in 2014, can typically acquire a new command in less than five trials and obey it at least 95 per cent of the time. They have origins in England and Scotland, with a life expectancy of about 12 to 15 years. They have an agile body on a slender frame with two coat types — smooth (short and coarse) and rough (medium-length and feathered).
The double coat of border collies requires multiple grooming in a week, and sometimes quite frequently in the spring and fall seasons when they shed a lot of hair. In addition to routine grooming, they require a little leg-back trimming to give them a neater appearance.
Their eyes, which are light blue or brown in colour and oval in shape, are the most prominent feature of their appearance. The breed benefits from their strong vision when working in the field thanks to their piercing gaze, which is more than simply attractive looks.
Poodle
A poodle stands 18 to 24 inches tall, with an average weight of 27-31 kg and a maximum life expectancy of about 18 years. These smart dogs are also intuitive and can interpret the facial expressions and body language of their owners.
The active, bright, and amiable French breed, poodles are coated canines with the least amount of shedding. These curly-coat dogs won the silver medal for working intelligence in Coren’s assessment. The most common coat colours for poodles are white, black, or brown, though they can also have apricot and silver coats.
They are particularly well-known for being connected to the topiary cut, an elaborate dog grooming technique, which leaves curled pom-poms of hair precisely sculpted around the chest and joints.
Read more: 5 pet-friendly hotels in Khao Yai for road trips with your pooch
German shepherd
German shepherds are quite sought after for their obedience, which makes them a very famous dog breed in America. These smart and agile canines are indeed man’s best friend, as they can serve both police dogs and aid during emergency medical services. They can also help hospital patients as therapy dogs.
Weighing between 29 and 40 kg, German shepherds with black and tan coats can grow up to 26 inches, with a life expectancy of about 7 to 10 years. Although black and tan is the most prevalent colour combination for German Shepherds, other varieties include black with red, sable, all-black and even exceptionally white.
German shepherds shed a lot in the spring and fall. To reduce hair fall, German shepherds’ thick, double-layered coats should be brushed once a week.
Golden retriever
Golden retrievers are acknowledged as one of the most popular dog breeds in the US, considering their gentle demeanour and lustrous coats. The average lifespan of these robust, medium-sized dogs is 10-12 years, and they can weigh between 29-34 kg and retain their playful baby traits and distinctive smiles into adulthood.
Belonging to the sporting dog breed, these intelligent canines are highly intelligent and need at least one hour of daily activity. And, when they are playing fetch, they are just as enthusiastic as their name suggests.
They shed more hair in the spring and fall than they do in the summer and winter due to their thick, water-repellent double coat.
Doberman pinscher
The best watchdogs in the world, Doberman pinschers are huge dog breeds that can reach heights of over 2 feet. Though they appear to be thin, they have a lot of muscles on their slender frames and can weigh up to 45 kg.
Dobies are very smart dogs and always appear to be in uniform due to their blue, black, fawn and red coats, which is appropriate considering their credentials in security. With a few brown splotches on their feet, legs, and muzzles, their slim bodies are usually of a single colour with penetrating black eyes.
The Doberman breed requires minimal dental, nail, and ear maintenance. Also, they don’t have much fur, so they rarely shed.
Shetland sheepdog
A Shetland sheepdog is an exceptionally clever and one of the smartest dog breeds, like its bigger cousin Collie. Since the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognised them in 1911, they have consistently won obedience competitions.
Originally bred in Scotland’s Shetland Islands, these Shelties have elegant looks thanks to their narrow heads, plentiful fluff and sweet eyes. They usually weigh about 7 to 11 kg and can stand up to 16 inches.
They have two coats, the inner layer consists of long, straight, coarse hair, and the exterior layer has a short, thick, woolly undercoat. These layers typically come in several hues, including merle, blue, white, tan, sable and black.
Labrador retriever
Labrador retrievers are the seventh most intelligent dog breed on Stanley Coren’s list. With a weight range of 29-36 kg, the Labs are robust canines that serve in narcotics and bomb detection squads and can also function as guide dogs They are available in three colours: yellow, black, and chocolate.
Given that they were originally bred to be retrievers, their coat is soft, and it aids in protecting them from water and cold. They shed a lot and require at least half an hour of walking daily. The Labradors have long held the title of the most popular dog breed in America, considering they are friendly and are always ready to show you their love.
Read more: 6 dog cafes in Bangkok for a fluffy, relaxing afternoon
Papillon
A cute toy breed, Papillons have the cuddliest appearance and an endearing personality, which makes these tiny dogs very famous among the elite and royal families. Along with being adorable, they are a brilliant breed to pet. According to the AKC, they frequently win the top prizes at agility competitions and obedience tests and are deemed to be the most intelligent dog breed among toy breeds. It won’t be an exaggeration to say Papillons are practically great at mini versions of virtually every dog sport.
The papillons’ most prominent feature is their ears, which are inherently tall and massive with long and feathery hair. Their small bodies, which range in height from 8 to 11 inches and typically weigh less than 5 kg, are coated with long fur that has a variety of hues, typically white with some shade of chocolate, black and fawn.
Even with such long and flowing hairs, papillons shed significantly less, so brushing them once or twice a week is enough.
Rottweiler
The rottweilers are known for their tough and trustworthy traits, which they have inherited from the drover dogs of Ancient Rome. They constitute a very popular dog breed in the US. According to Coren and the American Kennel Club, rottweilers are also renowned for being incredibly affectionate and devoted. They make superb assistance and therapy dogs. Also, due to their obedient nature, they are pretty useful for police and other services.
Rottweiler puppies that are cute and energetic grow to be intimidating adults, with their height touching almost 27 inches and weight hovering between 43 and 61 kg. These powerful canines have broad frames and have black medium-length coats and rust-coloured markings on the legs, face and chest.
Australian cattle dog
Australian cattle dogs are just as smart as any other dog breeds in this list, and they are counted among the top 50 most popular breeds, according to the AKC. They stand about 19 inches tall and weigh between 16 and 23 kg. These double-coated dogs have a soft undercoat that insulates them against extreme temperatures.
They shed heavily twice a year, typically in the autumn and spring when they change their coats. To eliminate loose, dead hair, these dogs need to be brushed and combed several times per week.
Pembroke Welsh corgi
The AKC categorises them among the most agreeable of all small house dogs. They might look small and cuddly, but those small feet are a powerhouse of strength and speed. They measure around 25 to 30 cm at the shoulder and 27 to 30 pounds (13 to 15 kg) and are great family dogs known for their bright persona and learning abilities.
Pembroke Welsh corgis are like a bright ball of sunshine who enjoy human interaction and outdoor activities. Moderate exercising, regular walks and ample physical activities that can involve kids as well are well-suited for these intelligent dogs, making them the ideal family dog. As herders with a loud bark, they can also be quite protective and fearless.
These dogs have thick, weatherproof double coats — a soft, light undercoat covered by a coarse outer coat. They shed a fair amount daily, which goes up in the late spring/early summer. A daily once-over with a comb and a slicker brush will remove a lot of the shed hair before it is all over the house.
Miniature schnauzer
The smallest of the three Schnauzer breeds, it is said that Miniature schnauzers are the result of mixing the standard schnauzer with the affenpinscher and poodle. Extremely adaptable to obedience training, this smart dog breed only needs five to 10 repetitions to learn a new command. Plus, this high-energy breed is quite outgoing and friendly. So, if you have a fenced yard, they can be the best mates to play fetch without worrying about them running all about and you behind them.
The miniature schnauzer are great at farm work, and as terriers, they are fast learners, eager to please their owners and quite agile. They have a double coat, a wiry topcoat, with a soft undercoat which requires frequent brushing, combing and grooming to look its best. The breed sheds very little. Paw parents who take their miniature schnauzers for the show ring, ‘strip’ their coats regularly by hand to maintain the perfect look.
English springer spaniel
Originally trained as a bird dog, the English springer spaniel was used to hunt game birds and either fetch them or flush them out of hiding and point towards their direction so that their owners could claim the prize. Such a sport puts the dog’s ability to test, and this breed comes out with flying colours.
Born hunting dogs, the springer spaniel enjoys the outdoors. Proper training and regular exercise keep them fit for all kinds of rugged adventures. However, early socialisation and living with family members also make them adapt to closed apartment life. Be sure to surround them with people as they might run into trouble if left alone for too long.
These tough muscular hunters stand 19 to 20 inches (48 to 50 cm) at the shoulder and weigh between 40 and 50 pounds (18 to 22 kg). A thorough weekly brushing will help to remove dirt and loosen their hair which will keep the springer’s coat healthy, shining, and free of matting. Owners can remove tangles with a slicker brush or metal dog comb.
Belgian tervuren
A close family member of the Belgian malinois, the tervuren is one of the smartest dog breeds that are ready to take up any hard job. “In fact, Tervs take real delight in their ability to master any task, and owners say a mischievous sense of humour is at work whenever Tervs outsmart their beloved human,” states AKC.
A natural sheep herder, this sensitive breed is agile and can learn to do anything you might want, just remember to make its chores fun and rewarding. While males can measure 24-26 inches (60-66 cm), females can measure up to 22-24 inches (56-59 cm).
The Belgian tervuren has a double-layer coat. A dense, protective undercoat is covered by a harsher outer coat. For most of the year, a weekly thorough brushing is enough to maintain a healthy shape. Their shedding season is mostly once a year during which a 15 or 20-minute brushing might be needed once or twice a week. This may become more frequent.
Schipperke
Curious, lively, intense and mischievous, the Schipperke is one of the smartest dog breeds. With high intelligence, agility and ability to learn easily they live up to their name which translates to ‘little captain’ in Flemish. They are excellent ratters and watchdogs but with a playful persona, it can be quite a task to train them. However, patience, persistence and consistency are the way to go.
They rarely grow beyond 13 inches (33 cm), but don’t let that size deceive you. Powerful jaws, necks and legs coupled with a stealthy, catlike hunting style make them the ideal hunting companion. Schipperkes have a thick coat that requires only weekly brushing. This breed goes through a shedding season once or twice a year.
Hero and Feature image: Courtesy Robin Jonathan Deutsch/ @rodeutsch/ Unsplash
Frequently Asked Questions
Studies suggest Border Collies have the highest IQ.
A Border Collie has the highest IQ, making it one of the top smartest dog breeds in the world. Other smart breeds include German Shepherd, Poodle, Doberman Pinscher and Golden Retriever.
While a Border Collie, Poodle and German Shepherds are among the smartest dog breeds in the world, Indian breeds like the Indian Pariah dog, Rajapalayam, and Himalayan Mastiff are also quite intelligent and are known for their hunting abilities.
The average IQ of a dog is around 100.
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Travel, lifestyle, wellness, and finance writer, Priyanshi is somebody who gorges on self-help and mythology reads, follows fitness trends, and stalks some famous travellers. She has two years of experience working with travel, hospitality, and tech companies. Travelling acts as a spark in her relationship with writing.
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