What makes a smart dog, and which four-legged friends are considered exceptionally intelligent? iHugDogs introduces the smartest dog breed and nine others in the ranking of the world’s smartest dogs.

How to Evaluate the Smartest Dog in the World?

Assessing dogs in terms of intelligence is complicated. It’s essential to clarify which characteristics are considered in the evaluation. Factors may include how well the dog listens to humans, how quickly it learns, or whether it approaches new things with curiosity and eagerness to learn.

However, an obedient dog is not automatically considered intelligent. Generalizations cannot be made.

Nevertheless, specific assessments provide valuable insights into the intelligence of dogs.

So, a ranking created based on certain criteria can make a valid statement about the smartest dog breed in the world or, at the very least, offer a good reference.

The Smartest Dog Breed: What Researchers Say

A group of experts from the Netherlands, including animal behavior expert Frans de Waal, focused on the aspect of “working intelligence” for a study on the smartest dog breeds. This approach aimed to create a ranking of the smartest dog breeds by examining factors such as learning ability – how quickly a dog learns new skills or commands – and how obedient it is, as reported by Business Insider.

The Intelligence of Border Collies

This dog has aced its homework:

Border Collies are considered incredibly clever, obedient, and lively. They learn commands very quickly compared to other dog breeds.

The famous Border Collie, Rico, who became famous through the TV show “Wetten, dass..?” (Wanna Bet?), knew over 200 terms and could associate objects with them. Moreover, he demonstrated the ability of unconscious learning by spontaneously assigning new terms to objects that were unknown to him.

Due to their loyal, playful, and affectionate nature, they are considered perfect family dogs. However, these dogs need to be actively engaged or employed; otherwise, they can become unhappy, listless, or even exhibit pathological behaviors.

The Smartest Dog Breeds | The Top 10

The Dutch research group examined 141 dog breeds, resulting in the following ranking:

Border Collie

As explained earlier, the Border Collie is at the forefront and is often referred to as the smartest dog. They aim to please their humans and are very eager to learn. Originally bred to herd sheep, endurance is inherent in Collies.

Poodle

The Poodle is a clever fellow. Whether Toy, Miniature, Standard, or Royal Poodle, this breed is created for living with humans. The loyal, lively curly heads are very willing to learn and grasp new tricks and commands instantly. As a family dog, the Poodle is more than suitable, known to be gentle and patient with children.

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is one of the most popular family dogs. It is not only an extremely enduring dog but also intelligent, easy to train, and eager to learn. The German Shepherd is well-known as a service and guard dog, as well as a reliable therapy or assistance dog. They are very people-oriented and love working with their owners.

Golden Retriever

The energy of the Golden Retriever is unmistakable. Cheerful, eager to learn, and people-oriented describe these clever dogs best. Behind the lovable family dog is a real endurance athlete who wants to be challenged both physically and mentally. The Golden Retriever is also excellent as a therapy and assistance dog. Their extremely sensitive sense of smell makes them, like the German Shepherd, a popular search and rescue dog.

Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher is said to have a particularly pronounced protective instinct, which is why it tends to exhibit aggressive behavior. However, this doesn’t do justice to the inherently clever and empathetic nature of the dog. The Doberman is indeed a vigilant dog that makes an impressive guard dog. Nevertheless, with its secure and eager-to-learn nature, it is a fantastic family dog, especially patient with children.

Shetland Sheepdog

Like the Border Collie, the Shetland Sheepdog is an enduring herding dog. Regardless of the weather, Shelties prefer to be outdoors. The active dog is very willing to learn and wants to be challenged. However, its calm and gentle side should not be underestimated. The Sheltie is sensitive and people-oriented, preferring to avoid unfamiliar situations.

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador loves three things: food, water, and its humans! The robust “Labby” is not only active and playful but also quite clever. It would prefer to spend the entire day with its human. This makes the eager-to-learn Labby an excellent assistance dog. Not only is it the perfect companion, but it also makes a great family dog, known to be particularly fond of children.

Papillon

Behind the beautiful Papillon is a more intelligent mind. The breed was well-known at the French court and was considered a loyal companion even then. This clever breed is very willing to learn and people-oriented. Despite its royal appearance, its intelligence should not be underestimated. The Papillon needs regular mental stimulation and engagement.

Rottweiler

The Rottweiler gained its name through various film stories, but behind the powerful dog is not an aggressive fighting animal. The “Rottie” is a resilient, people-oriented, and affectionate dog. Moreover, behind the façade is an intelligent dog that wants to be challenged. When the body and mind are appropriately engaged, the Rottweiler is considered easy to train and calm.

Australian Cattle Dog

A real endurance athlete, the Australian Cattle Dog requires both appropriate physical and mental challenges. The breed loves movement and participates in any kind of dog sport! However, these eager-to-learn and clever dogs tend to be insecure around strangers. Early socialization and consistent training are essential.

Conclusion

Border Collies Usually Lead the Top Ten of the Smartest Dog Breeds

As mentioned, the ranking depends on the perspective or the aspects researchers or dog experts consider. These aspects may not only refer to the interaction between humans and dogs but can also assess other behaviors of dogs. Therefore, considering different parameters may result in a completely different ranking of smart dogs.

However, one breed is almost always at the forefront: the Border Collie. This intelligent dog breed usually ranks first in many lists because it demonstrates exceptional intelligence in various fields.