Dog intelligence, like human intelligence, comes in various forms. Smartest dog breeds learn new commands in only a few repetitions and can be trained very easily. They like to follow their owners’ commands and have an eager-to-please nature.
Many of these clever canines have high social and emotional intelligence. They can sense changes in their environments and their humans’ moods and emotions. That is why some intelligent dog breeds are serving as therapy dogs.
Some dogs have high adaptive and instinctive intelligence. Dogs bred for hunting, retrieving, and herding have strong natural instincts that enable them to excel in these skills. These pooches stand at the winner’s podium in many canine sports such as agility and obedience training.
Explore the 10 cleverest dog breeds that can be trained easily.
The Cleverest Dog Breeds – Training Made Easy
1. Border Collie
Border Collies are a highly intelligent and highly trainable dog breed. These clever dogs learn quickly and respond to cues during training. Their laser-like focus and exceptional problem-solving skills make them superstars at many dog sports.
They can learn a new command in less than five repetitions with 95% accuracy. Border Collies excel at activities like herding, agility training, and obedience competitions. Border Collies were originally bred as herding dogs and retain their herding instincts to date.
Their boundless energy means they can work tirelessly all day long. Border Collies have a high drive and are quite athletic, explains the American Kennel Club. They need plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation every day to stay fit.
2. German Shepherd
One of the most intelligent dog breeds, German Shepherds are valued for their incredible loyalty and ability to form strong bonds with their owners. They are naturally protective of their people and tend to be wary of strangers.
They have a territorial nature and make excellent guard dogs. German Shepherds are one of the easiest dog breeds to train due to their high brainpower. They can learn new commands in as few as six to eight repetitions.
Thanks to their courageous and confident personality, they make excellent police and guard dogs. GSDs respond well to consistent positive reinforcement training methods, explains PetMD. Their energy and intelligence make this breed better suited for experienced dog owners.
3. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are faithful and loving dogs known for their friendly nature. These outgoing, eager-to-please, and trustworthy canines are one of the most intelligent dog breeds. Golden Retrievers are highly trainable dogs due to their smarts and willingness to please their loved ones.
Their gentle nature and high social intelligence make them excellent family dogs and service dogs. Originally bred as hunting dogs, Goldens are active and athletic dogs who need plenty of regular exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
They can happily get their exercise on field trials or hunting trips. These fluffy, medium-sized dogs can also be trained to assist visually impaired people. Their role as guide dogs is also reflective of their sharp mind. Goldens excel at various dog sports, including agility courses and obedience training.
4. Labrador Retriever
One of the most popular breeds out there, Labrador Retrievers are the friendly and outgoing canines who love pleasing their owners. Thanks to their kind and loving nature, they make wonderful family dogs.
Being a highly intelligent breed, Labrador Retrievers are the easiest dogs to train. These hardworking gun dogs make excellent swimmers. Their webbed feet, otter tails, and thick double coats allow them to easily move through water.
Labs are so smart that they can learn around 250 words and count up to four or five. They can obey a known command on the first try with a 95% success rate. Labradors respond best to positive reinforcement training methods and are well-suited for first-time dog owners.
5. Doberman Pinscher
Having a laser-like focus, these quick learners rank among the first five smartest dog breeds. Doberman Pinschers are highly intelligent dogs who excel in various canine sports, including obedience training, agility, and tracking.
Thanks to their keen senses and sharp instincts, Dobermans make excellent guard dogs, search-and-rescue pups, and military dogs. They are naturally wary of strangers and have a territorial nature. Dobies are highly perceptive and understand changes in their owners’ moods and emotions.
Doberman Pinschers are very smart and respond quickly to new cues. However, their strength and size demand an experienced handler. They need plenty of physical activity to exercise their brains and bodies.
6. Papillon
Despite being a small dog, Papillons make it to the list of the smartest dog breeds. Papillons are loved for their butterfly ears. These small dogs have big brains, and they love pleasing their owners. This intelligent dog breed is very easy to train.
Papillons are companions at heart and may develop separation anxiety when left alone for too long. They do well at obedience school and respond nicely to positive, fun, and consistent training. Their affectionate and playful nature makes them suited for homes with kids.
Paps make great family dogs and are a good choice for people who love to travel with their dogs. They are also well-suited for first-time dog owners. Paps are energetic and driven, so they need two to three walks per day of 20 to 30 minutes at a time.
7. Shetland Sheepdog
Affectionately known as Shelties, Shetland Sheepdogs are highly intelligent dogs. Shelties were originally bred to protect livestock and look like a miniature version of the Rough Collie. They stand out from other canines due to their easy trainability and exceptional problem-solving skills.
They excel in various canine sports such as obedience, agility, and herding. Having high emotional intelligence, Shetland Sheepdogs also serve as therapy dogs. This working breed needs an ample amount of exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation.
Purina recommends that they are better suited for experienced pet parents as they need some extra training. Shelties are highly devoted to their owners, but take some time to warm up to strangers. Their playful nature makes them ideal pets for households with children.
8. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are active and loyal dogs who bond firmly with their humans. These powerful canines are often misunderstood as aggressive dogs. However, they are quite playful with their loved ones. Rotties possess strong protective instincts and make excellent guardians.
Rotties are highly intelligent and have keen senses. Thanks to their high brainpower and courageous personality, they make wonderful search-and-rescue dogs, military pooches, and police dogs. Rottweilers are active and athletic dogs.
They need plenty of daily exercise to stay physically and mentally fit. A properly socialized and well-trained dog makes an excellent family pet. Rottweilers pick up new cues easily but need an experienced handler due to their strong-willed personality.
9. Australian Cattle Dog
Also known as Blue Heelers, Australian Cattle Dogs are highly intelligent and easy to train. These hardworking canines were bred for herding sheep in tough conditions. Due to this, they possess extraordinaly problem solving skills.
Australian Cattle Dogs have a sharp focus and ability to think and respond quickly. Their high energy levels make them well-suited for indoor as well as outdoor activities. These courageous dogs do not do well in sedentary households.
Instead, they thrive with owners having an active lifestyle. Australian Cattle Dogs are always looking for a job to do and can become destructive if not exercised properly. They have nipping tenancies and need proper socialization to turn into well-behaved pups.
10. Belgian Malinois
Often confused with a German Shepherd, the Belgian Malinois are clever dog. They are slightly leaner than German Shepherds, but they are also very protective of their loved ones. One of the best police and military breeds, Mals possess keen instincts.
Belgian Malinois was bred as a working dog and thrives on having a job to do. At least an hour or two of daily exercise is recommended for these pups to keep them fit. They are quick learners and respond well to positive reinforcement-based training methods.
Being one of the smartest dog breeds, Mals are one of the easiest dog breeds to train. However, they are very strong and have an independent streak. These traits make them a better match for pet parents having an experience handling a strong-willed pooch.
Conclusion
From German Shepherds to Golden Retrievers and Belgian Malinois, several dog breeds are valued for their high intelligence and eagerness to please their owners. They are incredibly loyal to their humans and obey commands very easily.
These highly trainable canines are very perceptive and can easily understand changes in their surroundings and their owners’ moods and feelings. With proper training and socialization, many of them make excellent guard dogs, service dogs, and guide dogs.
