Dogs never fail to surprise us with how intelligent they can be. While your pup might not be able to help you with your taxes, it shows its brain power with its ability to recall, learn new tasks and tricks, and its amazing instincts.
Dogs have the intelligence of a 2-year-old human, and there are different ways to measure their IQ. The American Kennel Club mentions that Stanley Coren, a Professor at the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, has outlined three ways to do it:
Instincts: How good a dog breed is at certain tasks like herding, guarding, and retrieving game, etc.
Adaptive problem solving: If they can learn certain things by themselves, and learn to solve problems like opening a box, etc.
School Learning: How well they can learn what humans train them for.
Let us walk through the world of 9 of the most intelligent dog breeds.
Dog Breeds with Top IQ Rankings
1. Border Collie
Border Collies aren’t just sturdy working dogs that love to get a job done. They also consistently rank among the top smartest dog breeds and thrive on mental stimulation.
Quick facts:
Border Collies were originally bred as herding dogs.
They’re 18-22 inches tall and weigh between 30-55 pounds.
Border Collies are known to be highly intelligent dog breeds for their keen herding sense, which they express through their bright almond-shaped eyes. It’s hard for any other breed to match their impressive IQ; they learn new commands and tricks with very little repetition.
Their herding intelligence is so strong that they’ll try to herd small animals and children even if they haven’t grown up around livestock.
As Border Collies are also one of the most playful and loving pets, spending time indoors doing puzzles with them or exploring new tricks outdoors, both are great ways to bond with your Collies.
2. Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinscher can surely blow off competition when it comes to looking fierce and athletic. They’re also one of the most intelligent dog breeds with a high IQ. These canines are great at obedience training and getting their jobs done as military and police dogs.
Quick facts:
Doberman Pinschers are highly capable guard dogs as they were bred for this purpose by a German tax collector, Louis Doberman.
They are medium to large dogs standing 24-28 inches tall, and weighing from 60-100 pounds.
With their gorgeous dark coat and alert ears, Dobies look like the reliable protectors that they are. As brainy dogs, they not only learn new instructions fast, but are also great at following commands. No wonder they’re seen as an ideal breed for military and police work.
Dogs need a lot of physical exercise and mental activity to stay their best selves. They are a good fit for active owners who can spend time training and engaging them.
3. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are beautiful pups that can brighten your day with their affectionate smile. They’re also one of the smartest dogs, great at learning new stuff, and do great and obedience competitions.
Quick facts:
Golden Retrievers belong to the sporting dog group and were originally bred to retrieve game.
They are 21.5-24 inches tall and have a weight range of 55-75 pounds.
Golden Retrievers are highly energetic dogs that respond amazingly to training, especially if you involve their favorite treats in the process. These golden beauties have proven their fantastic instincts by helping hunters retrieve game through dry lands and in water.
These gentle and loyal pups are very adaptable and great problem solvers. They’re a joy to have around and won’t bother you with frequent barking, but if they lack stimulation, they might start digging. PetMD also warns that your Golden can start chewing socks or furniture if they’re bored.
4. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are one of the most highly intelligent dogs with a love for pleasing their humans. They’re great canine companions for pet owners with active lifestyles who also know how to keep a dog mentally stimulated.
Quick facts:
Labs can be 21.5-24.5 inches tall and weigh between 55-80 pounds.
Their origins can be traced to the northwest of Newfoundland Island and were used to retrieve waterfowl.
Labs make wonderful companions due to their playful nature and their love for bonding with their owners. Their perceptive nature helps them learn quickly, whether it’s solving puzzle toys, performing in canine sports, or following more complex commands.
With early socialization training, they get along amazingly with kids and other dogs in the house.
5. Papillon
Papillons have butterfly-like, fluffy ears, which make them look like something straight out of a fairy world. These little bouncy and playful dogs are quite gifted in canine intelligence as well.
Quick facts:
Papillon is the word for “butterfly” in French. These pups are also called the Continental Toy Spaniels.
They’re a toy breed with a height range of 8-11 inches and a weight range of 5-10 pounds.
With their gorgeous wing-shaped ears, thick coats, and fluffy tails, these little pooches will trot around your house, boasting a diva personality. According to Britannica, they’re one of the most easily trainable toy breeds.
Due to their intelligence, Papillons can be taught agility and obedience with ease. They make amiable companions and coexist joyfully with other pets and family members of all ages.
6. Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdog or Sheltie isn’t just an upbeat and cheerful family dog; it also possesses impressive dog intelligence. As a capable herding dog known for its loyalty and ability to get the job done, Shelties’ IQ made it an amazing companion to farmers.
Quick facts:
These pups were developed on the Shetland Islands to work on farms.
They’re 13-16 inches tall with a weight range of 15-25 pounds.
These beautiful dogs come in a long and coarse coat with white markings and colors like black, blue merle, and sable.
These dogs learn with eagerness and are easy to train, making them great participants in agility competitions and other dog sports.
7. Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Cattle Dogs are famous for their super herding instincts and their ability to learn new commands and cues with ease. This woofer adapts to new situations and uses its problem-solving skills like a boss.
Quick facts:
Australian Cattle Dogs descended from the famous Australian “Dingo”.
They’re also called “blue heelers” or “red heelers” due to their gorgeous blue or red speckled varieties.
They stand from 17-20 inches tall and weigh between 35-50 pounds.
These agile dogs give out a wild dog vibe with their coarse coat and ferocious look. You can see their herding brains at work when they nip at the heels of livestock to keep them in one place.
They make amazing companions for outgoing families as they love to stretch their legs out in nature.
8. Belgian Tervuren
Belgian Tervuren is a regal and confident breed with a spectacular long-haired coat, which makes them look grand despite their medium size. They have a strong working instinct and will never say no to a challenge.
Quick facts:
These dogs stand 22-26 inches tall and weigh from 45-75 pounds.
Tervuren originated in Belgium during the late 1800s and belongs to the herding group.
Tervs have a sharp and observant mind, which makes them a herder worth relying on. These smart dogs don’t fall into aggression, though; they make loving and protective companions to their families. They need a pro when it comes to training due to their self-assured nature.
9. English Springer Spaniel
English Springer Spaniels are sweet-natured bird dogs with a lot of energy and brain power. These hard-working dogs help their humans in the field all day long and love to please them.
Quick facts:
These pups stand 19-20 inches tall and weigh between 40 and 50 pounds.
Other than their beautiful coat that often comes with tan markings, their most distinct features are their fluffy, hairy ears.
English Springer Spaniel gets 100 out of 100 when it comes to their marvelous instincts as gun dogs. In our times, they’re one of the highest IQ pets and will learn puzzles, games, and cues with ease.
Conclusion
Intelligent dogs are fun to be around, with their ability to be super-cooperative by following cues and commands. They can also be a handful if you let them get bored and don’t give them enough mental stimulation. Learning about your dog’s temperament is key to keeping them happy.
The dog breeds mentioned in the above article are those with the smartest brains. They learn to follow their owner’s commands quickly. They can be trained into obedient dog breeds by giving them proper training and through early socialization.
