For humanity’s earliest beginnings, dogs have served as their best devoted companions. They are not only the best furry friend of a man but also have played various roles to save the lives of people. They have shared an unbreakable bond by becoming their protection, guardians, and whatnot.
Fun Fact: A typical dog can learn up to 165 words, while the super dogs, in context to their sharp minds, can own up to 250 words.
Intelligent dogs are easier to train and excel in human contact. So, if you are thinking of adopting a breed that has the ability to please you with its smartness and obedience, you can give a read to our article.
Best of the Brightest Dog Breeds to Keep You Engaged
1. German Shepherd
German shepherds stand proudly as one of the top contenders in the list of smartest dogs. In the dog world, they are also prized for their unwavering loyalty and strong desire to work that they inherit from their ancestors.
They are used for various types of work, like search and rescue missions. The protective instinct, along with a compatible nature, makes the German Shepherd one of the most affectionate and loyal dogs.
They are perfect partners for active families. Being an intelligent dog, a GSD should be involved in different dog sports. Since they are easy to train, these smart dogs excel in different competitions. German Shepherd Dog learns quickly and picks up the instructions in first time.
GSD is one of the cleverest dog breeds, and that is the reason they are trained for special tasks. Currently, rather than just a family pet, these versatile workers are also serving as police dogs. This high-maintenance dog sheds heavily round the year and needs regular brushing and bathing.
2. Golden Retriever
The natural instinct of Golden Retrievers is to please their owners, which makes these smart dogs hold one of the top spots when it comes to a dog’s intelligence.
These loyal companions are highly sociable and are great for first-time dog parents. Goldens are highly adaptable dogs and fuse seamlessly into any kind of lifestyle.
Being one of the smartest dogs, the Golden Retriever is easy to train and has excellent problem-solving skills. They were originally bred to hunt, which means they need something to keep their brain busy. Besides, its calm nature they are highly active dogs with a need for 2 hours of exercise.
According to PDSA, their coat needs to be brushed 3 times a week. These clever dogs are also known for their soft mouths because they are blessed with a natural soft grip. They make perfect family dogs as they equally love children and family pets around them.
3. Labrador Retriever
Did you know that Labs also rank high among the brightest dog breeds? One of the most popular dogs, the Labrador Retriever, radiates charm and warmth wherever they go. This people-oriented breed is so invested in human emotions that these ideal companions are also called therapy dogs.
When we go back in history, these gundogs were bred to retrieve game animals. The virtue of friendliness, when it blends with its devoted nature, makes them great family pets. These amiable dogs excel in human companionship and also make great service dogs.
These clever dogs quickly learn the commands via observation. Labs are highly trainable and excellent in obedience competitions, thanks to their eagerness to please others.
They have boundless energy and love adventurous games. Other than physical exercise, these smart breeds thrive on mental stimulation.
4. Doberman Pinscher
This intelligent dog is also famous for its work with people with special needs as a service dog. Doberman Pinschers were bred in Germany by a tax collector.
The powerful and courageous dog has also made its name in the list of the most intelligent dog breeds. Besides its dominating persona, this breed is affectionate and loyal to its humans.
Despite their fearless and sharp natural instincts, Doberman Pinschers are sensitive dogs towards their family. They may get along with pet animals, except for the unknown dogs. This alert breed is an excellent guard dog that protects humans and their property.
Dobies are large, energetic dogs and excel in canine sports, like agility. These dogs also love retrieving, swimming, and running.
This breed has the ability to jump, so pet parents should have a fenced yard for them. They are extremely smart dogs and respond positively to intensive obedience training.
5. Border Collie
The Border Collie is often considered the smartest dog breed. These intelligent dogs were bred for herding livestock and are now ranked among the most popular dog breeds as well.
When their non-stop energy is paired with their intelligence, they make an excellent dog for singles who are ready to give them ample time for mental and physical health.
Border collies are built for high-energy activities. This smart dog breed is a quick learner, and the training becomes fun with them. According to PetMD, they can easily be trained from basic to advanced levels of commands. Their learning ability is equal to a 4-year-old child.
They are a bit reserved around strangers. If daily stimulations are provided, they can easily adjust to a new environment.
They not only have exceptional problem-solving skills but also have a fast pace and speed, states Purina. Border collie is also a loyal companion and form strong bonds with their owners.
6. Australian Shepherd
A medium-sized dog breed that is blessed with a keen and penetrating gaze in its eyes. The lean but tough farm dog ranks among the intelligent dog breeds. With its remarkable intelligence and strong work drive, the Australian Shepherd can easily herd any animal.
This herding dog is perfect for owners who are looking for tireless and brainy dog breeds. These dogs have a friendly nature only toward their family and are wary of strangers. The Aussie is a high-energy breed as it loves to do the jobs of hard work.
With a muscular and agile build, this is not a dog for everyone. However, with proper training and socialization, they can get along with small children and other animals.
Without proper physical and mental stimulation, they may exhibit destructive behaviours like digging and chewing, says PetMD.
7. Poodle
Beauty with brain. The Poodle is one of the smartest dog breeds that was primarily bred for duck hunting in Germany 400 years ago. Today, this energetic and elegant dog breed enjoys the position of France’s national dog. The breed comes in three different sizes: toy, miniature, and standard poodle.
The intelligence of a poodle is not only confined to its athleticism, but it also expands to learning new things and the strong desire to please others.
This versatility in its personality, along with a lovable attitude, makes it a perfect small dog for families. In the past, it was the companion of the aristocracy, and now it has been adored by thousands of dog lovers.
AKC says that the Poodle’s glory is enhanced more by the coat. Since they shed minimally so they make a great breed for people with dog allergies.
These smart dogs are easy to train and love doing tracking, obedience, and agility competitions. They thrive on both mental stimulation and physical exercise, such as long walks and puzzle-solving games.
Conclusion
Each dog has an innate ability to learn basic instructions. However, to enhance their learning abilities, owners must pair them with consistent training and mental stimulation. The thing that will ease your task is the information on the breed, because the smartest dogs are the ones who will save you time and energy.
Intelligent dogs are not always good at acting as cuddling partners. So choose your mates according to your needs and lifestyle.
