These brainiacs and nerds of the dog world are always up for playing mind games, and are so sharp that they might de-stabilize you with their quips and retorts.
They are always on top, no matter what cards they are dealt, and are mostly seen pranking the neighbor’s dog with some new tricks and sneaky ideas. You would always find them taking trivia too seriously, and sports and games are where their real brainpower is revealed.
They are like the canine Mikes and Harveys, just minus the Suits, and if you take them to work, they’ll close deals faster than you blink.
Never underestimate the power of these smart breeds, and never take them too lightly, or you might have to deal with a kidnapping or a house arrest at the hands of these furry versions of Alex from “Home Alone” who’ll make you agree to everything they want and won’t let you breathe or go until you bend the knee.
Dog Breeds That Outthink Other Dogs in Games
1. Border Collie
EQ: Emotionally perceptive, sensitive, and incredibly intuitive. They know when you are happy, sad, or completely distraught, be ready to be nuzzled and comforted by their sweet gestures when you are feeling low.
IQ: Close to a 4-year-old human, aka a pre-schooler who wants to know why everything is the way it is.
Tendency for Zoomies: Crazy like a tsunami, expect nipping, jumping, running, and humping at least 3-4 times a week, especially at night.
Energy Level: Agility courses, flyball, canicross, disc dog bring all of it in one place, and this pooch will still ask for more creativity from your side.
Make a habit of living with a certain amount of disbelief in your life, because you’ll find yourself facepalming after you bring in this force of nature in your abode.
Raising a Border Collie is no joke; you’ll likely have to hire a certified professional dog trainer because this smart breed tends to take over the home and can be really overwhelming for a novice owner.
The Cunning Strategist – Secretly runs an underground operation and plans to take over the world one day
According to the breed history, Border Collies were meant to herd cattle and work along the rocky borders of England, Scotland, and Wales, and survive in this treacherous landscape. But somehow these descendants of European herding dogs got in touch with a secret service and sneaked a few tricks up their sleeves.
Because now these black and white pooches always seem to be one paw ahead of everyone else. Don’t ask how or why? Because we still haven’t solved the mysterious reason behind their boundless canine intelligence.
These Dynamos aren’t just book smart; they are the masters of every mind game
Purina UK says these dogs have an IQ score of more than 100; they know how to bribe their owners, make them give in to their demands, herd children, and solve problems (aka high-profile cases).
They know how to search and rescue folks, detect money trails, and decipher the meaning behind human emotions, all the while looking calm and composed even after navigating through the most complex tasks.
2. Poodle
EQ: They have natural instincts to protect and alert, and will definitely save you from your emotionally distressing ex.
IQ: These poodles have an incredible ability to think on their feet or webbed paws.
Tendency for Zoomies: These curls can go crazy and turn into a fluffy whirlwind without any heads up! Hence, always be ready to duck and hide when these curly-coated pups are in action.
Energy Level: Turbulently high, try interactive games that provide enough mental stimulation and physical stimulation every day
Need a sharp-minded sidekick with real-world problem-solving skills? Look no further than the Poodle, which is the second-smartest dog breed on the planet.
Poodles love interactive games that are incredibly fun and take on new challenges with fervour. They make great obedience competitors and have exceptionally energetic personalities with a side of grace and poise.
Featuring one highly intelligent package delivered directly from Germany
Orvis states that if you think these pooches are just a fancy show dog breed with a pretty face and classy hairdo, then we cannot emphasize enough how wrong you are. Because Poodles are an enigma, give them some trick training, and their big brains will show you how it’s done in only 5 tries.
These dogs beat all the fast learners and enjoy structured tasks and learn commands with passion. They are not only pretty, elegant, and strong, but they also have enough intellect to back up all their finesse.
Be it hunting, tracking, or agility training, these pups excel at everything and do all of this with an added jovial sense of humor.
Deliberately Cute Secret Agents – Seemingly innocent, eager pups that seem to work for the FBI
Don’t think these water retrievers are only fine-tuned to fetch waterfowl, they’ll fetch you exactly what you need with extreme precision that will shock you out of your mind.
These posh puppies were employed for their quick thinking and learning skills in wartime and proved to be exemplary aids in getting supplies to soldiers with their steadfast focus and clear-headed decision-making.
3. Labrador Retriever
EQ: An excellent judge of character, knows your friends better than you do. Take their advice seriously.
IQ: Service dogs, therapy dogs, elite working dogs, sporting dogs, they pull every role off with a wagging tail and calm demeanor.
Tendency for Zoomies: Their sudden, hilarious, and borderline terrifying burst of energy and motion happens quite often, hence always be prepared beforehand by offering them an hour of vigorous play with a frisbee or a ball.
Energy Level: High, like the Summit of Mt. Everest.
Equipped with a stunning sense of smell and a remarkable ability for self-training. Labrador retrievers will make you feel like you are a parent to an exceptionally intelligent child.
These dogs learn commands by watching and imitating your moves are the best emotional support dogs and are so versatile that they fit into any role they are given flawlessly.
Labrador comes from Newfoundland, refined in the UK
Hill’s Pet US mentions that born to be hunting assistants and retrievers, these pups belonging to Newfoundland, Canada, were refined on the English soil from the St.John’s water dogs to rule the hearts of dog lovers worldwide.
Station them at a military base, a police department, a nursing home, a hospital, a fire station, a rescue service, or outside a home, and they’ll adapt to every job and scenario within a few days and show how incredibly hardworking they are and how much adaptive smarts they have.
The Labrador Retrievers are not just adept at retrieving ducks and waterfowl; they are a great asset for upland game hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, swimmers, climbers, and off-road adventure seekers.
4. Golden Retriever
EQ: They don’t need training cues to know what you are feeling and will smother you with kisses and lick your face, tickle and cuddle you until you giggle
IQ: This dog’s natural instincts show how immaculate they are in instinctive, adaptive, obedience, and working intelligence.
Tendency for Zoomies: Expect slipping on the floor, running into furniture, and crashing into people from time to time.
Energy Level: Unmatched, the vivaciousness is too high to be measured. They need a lot of exercise and physical and mental stimulation daily to avoid the downward spiraling of their brightness
Hold your hearts and lay the red carpet, as the beloved golden retriever is here to make an entrance in the smartest dog breeds list. Goldens don’t just read human emotions; they are the reason behind all the joy and merry things existing in this world.
This sporting breed is a great guide and service dog, exceptional at catching human cues, and has a soft, heart-melting, gentle nature. But did you know? The golden retrievers thrive in active families and have big brains, which help them figure things out in an instant.
Intelligence is now Golden, says this Interpreter of Human Emotions
As per VCA Animal Hospitals, they don’t need an official IQ test because they learn commands in an instant and solve problems by merely existing (Because who doesn’t want to hug and play with these golden puppies?). It’s like the golden retrievers were born to win hearts.
They pass obedience training with flying colors and don’t require experienced owners to tackle their needs. The ratio of canine intelligence in golden retrievers is equally proportional to how much they love you. Their willingness to please and comply with commands is to die for, but that’s not the only thing golden retrievers are good at.
These diligent workers are incredibly consistent in a variety of situations. Goldens are dependable, have a bright and sunny disposition, and usually learn commands on their first try.
You can employ them as hunting companions, emotional support therapists, guides, search and rescue operators, and dog sport competitors, and they’ll make you proud by overcoming new challenges with flair.
5. Shetland Sheepdog
EQ: If you are going to make a big mistake by rebelling against your parents, they will talk you out of it.
IQ: This smartest dog ranks 6th on the canine intelligence ranking
Tendency for Zoomies: These shy, anxious furballs aren’t much prone to zoomies but are particularly vocal and will sing, howl, and whine for every possible reason.
Energy Level: Provide them with an hour of exercise to keep these dogs sane.
These Collies’ little compact cousins were employed by farmers on the United Kingdom’s Shetlands to herd sheep, ponies, and poultry. Shetland Sheepdogs, or shelties for short, are the symbol of perseverance and persistence; they are relentless in performing their duties.
These Super Smarty Pants can beat Ron in the Game of Human-sized Chess
According to the Continental Kennel Club, fueled by eagerness to please their owners, shelties are great at learning new tricks in a few repetitions and conquer complex tasks without a hassle.
Shetland sheepdogs are sweet fluffballs turned into tiny dogs. They are protective of their families and make great guard dogs and family pets at the same time.
Despite their small size, these small herding dogs dominate agility, are known for their quick thinking, and have the ability to make independent decisions. Owners recommend these puffy pooches to people who don’t want a rambunctious pup but need a good-natured pooch with surprising problem-solving skills.
6. Papillon
EQ: These social birdies know how to boost your mood when you are not feeling okay and will playfully entertain you with their charming antics.
IQ: This toy breed is in the top 10 smartest dog breeds and is known for its rapid learning and precise reading of body language.
Tendency for Zoomies: They are not so easy to stop once their zoomies have started, and any sudden changes in the zoomie frequency are a sign of underlying medical conditions.
Energy Level: You’ll have to deal with their never-dull and ever-consistent high energy level throughout their lifetime. They love to play and enjoy outdoor activities, so let them join in on your every adventure.
These adorable big-eared pups are one of the oldest smart breeds, dating back 700 years ago and they have used this large amount of time quite wisely. These fragile-looking butterfly-eared dogs are equipped with big brains, an exceptional memory, and an impressive puzzle-solving ability, combined with an outgoing and happy demeanour.
Butterfly-eared brianiacs who can easily accompany Ethan Hunt in solving impossible missions
Omlet says give them an aptitude test for obeying commands, figuring out complex tasks, and learning new tricks, and they’ll show you what they are made of by beating even the big guys in their own kind of game.
They are descended from a European spaniel lineage, which solves a lot of mysteries and clears the air of intrigue around them.
They are affectionate, companionable, and way more sturdy than you think. They display a high eagerness to please and also have a high prey drive. But beware of their learning and retention rate because they will definitely remember every promise you make to them for life.
7. German Shepherd
EQ: They can sense danger from miles away and are equally capable of sensing your emotional distress, hence you can rely on these pooches on a bad day without question.
IQ: They are used for catching fugitives, are a part of bomb detection squads, and police and military K-9 units; hence, they are pretty smart.
Tendency for Zoomies: Expect dashing around the yard and house at top speed with a wild look in their eyes, but before you get too scared. Let us reassure you, it will only last for a few minutes before this hooligan turns back into your favorite pet.
Energy Level: These stronghearts will not be satisfied with a walk around the neighbourhood; you’ll need to bring out the big guns, running, agility, flyball, swimming, hiking, and more for at least 2 hours a day to keep them happy.
A high level of focus, a strong desire to protect and be obedient, the ability to evaluate tricky situations and change the course of action while handling immense pressure, this pooch is a paw ahead of most herding breeds and working dogs already.
Intellectual Powerhouses & Nerdy Geeks of the Canine Kingdom
A German Shepherd is a beautiful combination of strong protective instincts and natural herding instincts, and many pet lifestyle experts swear by their exceptional qualities. They are not only fast learners with sharp minds but also wise pack leaders when it comes to understanding cues quickly.
PDSA notes that German shepherds stand as the second smartest dog breed that can learn new commands in less than five repetitions and obey known commands on the first try.
These cousins of the Belgian Malinois share common traits with other agile dogs and need professional and consistent training, but excel in many roles due to their adaptive intelligence.
German shepherds have won hearts all over the world and have been showcased in cinematic representations because they excel in a lot of things compared to their fellow pack members. Hence, never take this highly intelligent dog breed lightly, or it will plan a secret mission with your kids to change your mind.
Conclusion
Now, whether you are interested in getting these standard, miniature, and toy dogs, make sure to learn every quirk about these exceptionally intelligent fur babies before opening the door of your heart and home to let them parade in.
Because having high intelligence can both be good and bad, these tiny dogs and the smartest breeds are not an easy feat to manage. Hence, before they place a paw ahead and take over your home, think again before letting these brainiacs occupy your turf.
Moreover, if you are looking for more options, then a blue heeler or Australian cattle dog, Doberman pinscher, and Belgian malinois are also great options among the smartest dog breeds with whom you plan for world dominion.
