Some dogs don’t just learn; they understand. These intelligent large breeds have amazed humans for centuries with their quick learning, sharp problem-solving skills, and incredible loyalty.
They’ve worked beside us as protectors, helpers, and companions, always eager to follow our lead and figure out what we need, often before we even say it!
Smart, adaptable, and full of personality, these dogs love a good challenge and enjoy learning new things. From mastering commands to helping with real-life tasks, their intelligence and curiosity make them some of the easiest and most rewarding breeds to train.
Let’s meet these intelligent breeds who prove that brains and heart make the perfect team.
Intelligent Large Dog Breeds That Are Easy to Train
1. Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans are a universal favorite and every pet parent’s dream; obedient, highly intelligent, and easy to train. Doberman Pinschers were originally bred for protection and security. But did you know? With the right training, the sharp minds of Dobies can respond well to various environments.
Immensely loyal yet low maintenance and with a knack for problem-solving and finding their way amidst challenging ordeals, Dobermans are a work of art and a melting pot of many capable breeds.
The key to getting these pooches to immediately respond well is to tap into routine and be assertive with your commands, and they’ll quickly bring the whole world to your feet due to their eagerness to please.
Dobies thrive on positive reinforcement and make excellent family dogs if you can direct their energy and intelligence in a productive manner. Standing at an impressive top 5 in canine intelligence rankings, this Doberman is capable of concocting wonders. They can learn new commands in only 5 to 15 repetitions. Hence, if you are looking for a top-tier brainiac in a puppy, choose Dobies.
2. Weimaraner
Bred in the early 19th century and the favorites of the Nobles of Weimar, these pointers were developed to hunt big game. This active dog with a long hunting history is a strong, capable pooch built for work, streamlined and able to run with great endurance.
Hill’s Pet US says it is quite low maintenance due to its short, sleek wash-and-wear coat. This renowned “Gray Ghost” is known for his highly trainable and intelligent attitude.
This dog is one of the most intelligent puppies on Stanley Coren’s list and is among those pooches who pick up new commands quickly. It is well-behaved, friendly, and the right amount of attention and care makes it perfect.
History dictates that German nobles crossbred several different breeds to create a dog with exceptional tracking ability, speed, courage, and durability.
Hence, beware, this fearless member of the sporting group will not only need a ton of physical stimulation and activity, but it’ll also keep you on your toes and in those adventure boots quite often.
3. Alaskan Malamute
Helping humans in completing some of the world’s hardest jobs, these descendants of wolf dogs have an exceptional success in learning and trainability. Bred and developed by the indigenous native Mahlemut tribe in Alaska, these dogs were notoriously relied upon for hunting seals, scaring polar bears, and pulling heavy freight.
But nowadays these chubby winter dogs with their specific traits are adopted to be companions and their ample energy and street smarts are cherished by their pet parents, no matter they help them in traversing the challenging Alaskan wilderness or not.
The inbuilt hardworking nature of this fast learner is endearing and useful. Not to mention their zeal and spirit for conquering the great outdoors, endless unemployed energy, and spunky talking back feature make them a unique canine buddy.
Just beware, these dogs are the descendants of sled-pulling dog breeds, hence they are always on the lookout for the next big thing. Hence can be found taking unsupervised strolls in the neighborhood or pulling a hoodwinking move by escaping the fence.
4. Irish Setter
With a personality as bright and dazzling as their red coat, these sweet Irish puppies are the life of any party. But the most important thing is that these happy-go-lucky spirits are great in many fields.
Whether you want a hunting companion, therapy dog, or assistance specialist, a well-trained Irish setter is not just great at fetching balls. They even excel in dog sports and love making their people proud.
PetMD notes that these stunning, rollicking pooches are capable of stealing hearts in a heartbeat and are not just plain, basic pets. You can expect mischief from these smart and sweet, cheeky chappies. Hence, you’d better not leave these family dogs to their own devices, or you’ll come home to your shoes relocated, your socks disappeared, and your couch inside out.
But hey! Don’t be too quick to judge these lavishly red beauties. They just need a lot of physical and mental stimulation, along with patience, consistency, and a sense of humor from their owners, to understand and align these highly intelligent pooches with an independent streak.
5. Cane Corso
Profoundly loyal, affectionate, and smart, the Cane Corso is also another highly versatile working breed that has historically served our ancestors as watchdogs, farmhands, and even canine soldiers. But nowadays, this smart dog is proving its mettle as a personal bodyguard for folks.
Cane Corso also makes a great family dog despite their large heads, expressive faces, and muscular appearance, which makes them look daunting. But look closely and bond strongly with these strong pups, you’ll have a lifelong, reliable large dog who can help you in many of your mundane tasks, from herding livestock to deterring potential intruders.
It is recommended that these pups be provided with structured training to hone their natural talents. Moreover, spontaneous physical activities and regular exercise will also work wonders to build a bridge to these intensely loyal pups’ hearts.
6. Bernese Mountain Dog
Good-natured pets that can be included in all aspects of family life, these social and patient Bernese Mountain dogs are the right dog for those who need all in one solution for herding sheep, droving, drafting, and guarding.
Purina says these tri-colored Sennenhunds are among the four Swiss Mountain breeds that all look quite similar and are all highly trainable dogs. Also known for impeccable protective instincts, Bernese Mountain dogs stand as one of the easiest breeds to train because of their gentle temperament and affectionate attitude.
The secret to unlocking this dog’s ability and full potential is by exercising positive reinforcement, as this beautiful, large dog breed loves to please their owners and is a solid contender on the canine intelligence scale. Hence, quite solid, sturdy, and easy to train.
7. Bouvier des Flandres
Seemingly forbidding, serious, and unamused, Bouviers are actually unflappable, amiable, and affectionate.
The Continental Kennel Club states they are excellent drovers, draught dogs, and protectors of life and property. This rough-coated and calm yet bold herding breed has roots in the Flandres region that covers parts of Northern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This adaptable, intelligent, and energetic dog used to drive herds, as a draft animal, and to churn butter.
But the modernization of farm equipment changed its calling, and nowadays this active breed is used to guard farms as a defense dog. Presumably developed from Barbets, Brabanters, Schnauzers, Griffons, and Beaucerons, these pups were hand-chosen for working and not appearance.
Being intelligent, this puppy is capable of learning quickly and adapting to new situations without any issue.
Their dedication and motivation towards learning new tricks of the trade make them wonderful companions. Just provide them with a balanced approach with positive and consistent training, along with plenty of physical and mental stimulation, and they will become obedient, loyal big dogs.
Conclusion
When it comes to canine intelligence, the name Stanley Coren comes to the mind of many dog enthusiasts, as his intelligence ranking for witty, quick learners among canines is pretty diverse and based on instinctual, working and obedient, and adaptive intelligence, and even though some of these large dog breeds rank low on Stanley Coren’s intelligence scale. These breeds still show are great deal of promise and are among the easiest dog breeds to train and discipline.
But hey if you aren’t impressed with our list of big thinking intelligent dogs then you can also opt for other perceptive and intuitive pooches like Border collies, German Shepherds, Cavalier king Charles spaniels, Golden retrievers, labrador retrievers, standard poodles, Australian shepherds, and certain breeds of service dogs and guide dogs that have a gentle temperament and pick up on basic commands in a jiffy like the Shetland sheepdogs.
