Do you secretly believe your dog is smarter than your neighbor’s Maggie or Charlie? You might be right, but it’s better to keep it to yourself. We know that dogs are smart; why some pups are more intelligent than others can depend on the breed or early training.
From excelling at obedience training to learning to solve puzzles, a smart dog impresses everyone with its tactics. There are different ways to measure how brainy a dog is.
A Professor at the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, Stanley Coren, mentions three criteria: instincts, adaptive problem solving, and the ability to learn.
If you want a furry friend that can impress your human friends with its smartness, here are 9 dog breeds to consider.
Smart Dog Breeds That Impress Everyone
1. Border Collie
We know that Border Collies are the perfect picture of canine intelligence. They were originally bred as herding dogs, which means they’re bound to have sharp instincts that helped them do their job. They not only master agility and obedience training, but are also superb at learning to solve puzzles.
Border Collies were developed to have sharp and nimble-footed movement so they could herd sheep with ease. They’re beauty with brains; their sweet faces, thick speckled coat, and affectionate eyes make them one of the most loved pets.
Collies are 18-22 inches tall and weigh between 30-55 pounds, as per PetMD. They are hyper energetic dogs and need a lot of daily exercise as well as mental stimulation.
2. Poodle
Poodles are curly-coated dogs with an adorable and bouncy personality and look like they’re built to be eye candies. They are one of the smartest dog breeds, great at learning complex commands quickly.
These hypoallergenic dogs are great family pets, especially for allergy sufferers. These dogs are all about fun and games and love to receive attention from their humans. If you want a dog that loves to learn new tricks, a Poodle is the best choice.
Poodles come in three size categories:
Standard Poodle: 18-24 inches and 40-70 pounds.
Miniature Poodle: 10-15 inches and 10-15 pounds.
Toy Poodle: Under 10 inches and 4-6 pounds.
In all their sizes, Poodles are quick learners despite their big personalities and will enchant everyone around you with their talents.
3. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are strong and sturdy canines that are efficient as police and military dogs, service dogs, and guide dogs for the visually impaired. Originally bred to herd livestock, they also make awesome guard dogs.
These multipurpose dogs are not only gifted in instincts but also learn fast and react amazingly to positive reinforcement. As working dogs, they need to be given a job and to get it done. From mastering protection training to acing doggo sports, this breed is the “master of all”.
German Shepherds can grow 22-26 inches tall and weigh between 50-90 pounds. These canines need active owners who can dedicate their time to giving them enough exercise daily.
4. Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinschers were bred to be watchdogs and don’t just have a keen sense of detecting threats, but also master obedience and agility as fast learners.
Dobies are alert dogs with an athletic build enhanced by their short, smooth coats. They can be trained to follow human cues spectacularly. No wonder they’re often used as military and police dogs, and guide dogs for the blind.
Doberman Pinschers are 24-28 inches tall and 60-100 pounds heavy. Dobies enjoy dog sports like agility, lure coursing, and tracking, and also need vigorous daily exercise. According to Britannica, they get along well with the pets in the home but can be aloof towards stranger animals.
5. Papillon
Don’t let Papillon’s fluttery butterfly-like ears distract you from their sharp brains. These beautiful dogs aren’t just very eye-catching with their lush fur, but also leave everyone in awe with their high intelligence.
These small dogs have clownish faces and round, dark eyes that paint the portrait of a clever dog. Their compact size makes them ideal pets for apartment and dormitory dwellers. They can be taught new commands with consistent training, especially when there are treats involved.
These pups can be 8-11 inches tall and weigh between 5-10 pounds. Despite being small, they’re very robust and adapt to different kinds of climates.
6. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are brains and brawn with their muscled-up physique and high intelligence level. They’re gentle to their family members but pose with confidence as guardians of their territory.
If you want to bring home an alert, furry best friend, a Rottweiler is the dog for you. They don’t just protect; Rotties can be quite playful with their pet parents once they’ve bonded with them. Their serious appearance can drive away intruders, but they’re softies when they’re around you and will try to cuddle into your lap.
Rotties can grow to be 22-27 inches tall and weigh between 80-135 pounds.
7. Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Cattle Dogs were bred to help with cattle herding in Australia. They’re resilient dogs with high stamina and stayed tireless, walking through harsh terrains while herding their livestock. They’re quick thinkers due to their background and have a gift for making quick decisions.
This dog will first impress your pals with its gorgeous speckled coat. It comes in different coat colors and speckled varieties like blue, red, blue mottled, red mottled, blue speckled, and red speckled, etc., as mentioned by WebMD.
These dogs can grow to be 17-20 inches tall and weigh between 35-50 pounds. They tend to bond deeply with one person and can suffer from separation anxiety. As working dogs, they have a strong desire to please their humans and learn to follow cues and complex commands with proper training.
8. Briard
Briards are dogs with a very distinct look due to their long, wavy coats that cover their bodies. They’re too gorgeous and bring the farm living whimsy with their appearance. These affectionate dogs are also called “heart wrapped in fur”, according to the American Kennel Club.
Briards are also called Chien Berger de Brie, named after the French region famous for producing Brie cheese. While their rugged appearance points to their herding background, these gorgeous dogs have also been used as guard dogs.
Briads can grow to be 22-27 inches tall with a weight range of 55-100 pounds. These high-spirited dogs have the instincts of a wise old man and can take the initiative quickly. While they love human company, they were bred to be able to make independent decisions when their owner isn’t home.
9. Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog is a small dog with a smiley face that can brighten up your day. Its fluffy and furry coat comes in beautiful patterns that seem to have been imagined by an artist.
Shelties can get mistaken for a shrunken version of a Collie, but they’re a distinct breed. They’re incredibly smart dogs as well as eager to please, which makes training this breed a joy. They’re famously good at agility and obedience training and can learn problem-solving skills as well.
Shelties can grow to be 13-16 inches tall and weigh between 15-25 pounds. These herding dogs have a sensitive but joyful nature and love to entertain their humans.
Conclusion
Intelligent dogs make their owners proud and fill their lives with joy with their ability to follow commands and learn tricks. Make sure you are giving your dogs enough mental stimulation to keep them occupied; otherwise, some smart breeds are prone to undesirable behaviors if their needs aren’t being met.
