When we think of smart dogs, we usually come up with breeds who excel at learning commands and tricks. They usually possess excellent problem solving skills, high emotional quotient, and exceptional adaptive intelligence.
Intelligent dogs stand out from other breeds due to their amazing learning abilities, quick thinking, and keen senses. Their sharp minds combined with their eager to please nature make them highly trainable dogs.
These canines are usually very athletic and full of energy. They have strong work ethic and thrive on having a job to do. These pooches require plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy and are a great choice for active owners.
Here are the smartest dog breeds that are also easy to train.
Smartest Dog Breeds That Are Also Easy to Train
1. German Shepherd
Ranking third on the American Kennel Club’s list of the smartest dog breeds, German Shepherds have the mental capability of a 2.5-year-old human child. GSDs are highly intelligent and versatile working dogs who bond closely to their people.
Their brainpower, combined with their eagerness to please nature, makes them highly trainable. Early socialization and puppy training sessions are a good way to train them. GSDs excel at various dog sports like agility training, obedience trials, and herding competitions.
German Shepherds bond closely to their people and are very much in tune with their feelings and moods. Thanks to their high emotional intelligence, they are a good choice for therapy work. Originally bred as herding dogs, GSDs make excellent guard dogs.
Their high instinctive intelligence and protective nature make them effective guardians. Having keen senses, GSDs have been serving as military and police dogs and search-and-rescue pups for several decades.
2. Border Collie
Border Collie is the most intelligent breed on Earth. These loyal herding dogs have an affectionate nature and tend to bond closely with their owners. Border Collies possess boundless energy and thrive on having a task to do.
Having a sharp mind and a strong desire to please their owners, Border Collies are easy to train. They learn new commands and tricks very quickly. Their athleticism means they require vigorous physical activity and lots of mental stimulation to stay happy and content.
These exceptionally smart dogs excel in various training activities, such as obedience training, agility competitions, and herding trials. Border Collies enjoy outdoor activities and sports like flyball and flying disc.
A Border Collie named Chaser holds the world record for knowing the names of more than 1000 of her toys. They make loving family pets but are somewhat reserved towards strangers.
3. Poodle (Standard)
Poodle is an extremely intelligent breed with a hypoallergenic coat. These agile dogs have an eager-to-please nature and are capable of learning quickly. These traits make Poodles quite easy to train. They enjoy and excel in a variety of dog sports, including obedience training.
Originally bred for retrieving waterfowl, Poodles are still excellent water retrievers. So, they compete in dock diving and retriever hunt tests. Poodles are people-oriented dogs, and they are quick to please you if you keep training sessions positive and fun.
Loaded with energy, Poodles are active athletes who require an ample amount of exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation. They enjoy activities like fetching toys, sticks, balls, and Frisbees. Poodles also like having a long walk with their favorite human.
Having thick double coats and webbed feet, Poodles have excellent swimming skills. They love all sorts of entertainment that keeps them busy.
4. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retriever is a friendly and outgoing dog that stays incredibly loyal to its owner. Labradors are quite active and energetic dogs known for their athleticism, explains PetMD. Labradors require fewer than five repetitions to learn a new command.
Their eagerness to please their owners, high intelligence, and urge to always have a job to do make them quite easy to train. Labradors may not be smart enough to do your Math homework, but are capable of understanding simple digits.
They can be easily trained to serve as service dogs and therapy dogs. Labradors are also working as guide dogs for the blind. These exceptionally smart dogs love fetching things and swimming.
Their high social intelligence means they get along nicely with everyone, including kids, other pets, and even strangers. Labradors need at least an hour of daily exercise every day for stimulation. Lack of adequate mental and physical enrichment can lead to destructive behaviors like excessive barking and chewing.
5. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are one of the friendliest dogs on Earth. These gentle, kind, and affectionate dogs are like a ray of sunshine in your home. Golden Retrievers are exceptionally intelligent and eager to please. They are sporting dogs who love spending time with their owners.
According to PDSA, Golden Retrievers are high-energy and easy-to-train dogs, well-suited for active families. These active dogs need at least two hours of exercise every day. They enjoy swimming, playing games of fetch, and hiking with their owners.
These smart dogs can be easily trained to fetch your precious belongings. Goldens have a bright and social nature. Like Labradors, they get along nicely with everyone, including other pets and strangers. These traits make Goldens the most popular and loved breed.
6. Havanese
Havanese are outgoing and intelligent dogs who bond quickly with their humans and do not like being left alone. Their sharp minds and eager-to-please nature make them easy to train. These quick learners excel at activities like obedience tasks, agility training, and different tricks.
Having a playful and gentle nature, Havanese make wonderful family pets and therapy dogs. They respond best to positive reinforcement techniques. Havanese are prone to separation anxiety, but proper training can help overcome this problem.
The American Kennel Club describes Havanese as “smart and trainable extroverts with comic instincts of a clown.” Apart from having high social intelligence, Havanese also possess excellent watchdog skills.
7. Border Terrier
Border Terriers are small and intelligent dogs known for their happy and affectionate nature. One of the most trainable breeds in the world, Border Terriers are eager to please and love learning complex tasks. Border Terriers possess excellent hunting instincts.
They were bred to think for themselves, which can be the most endearing and most frustrating quality. Because of their brainpower, Border Terriers require lots of mental stimulation. They are a perfect example of a small dog capable of doing many things that larger breeds can do.
Border Terriers possess impressive concentration skills. Take these active dogs for half an hour of brisk walk every day. They also benefit from play sessions, including flying disc. Border Terriers enjoy participating in tracking, lure coursing, and agility.
Conclusion
Smart dog breeds possess excellent problem-solving skills, adaptive intelligence, a high emotional quotient, and the ability to learn new commands quickly. These traits, combined with eager to please nature, make a dog highly trainable.
Intelligent dog breeds thrive on mental challenges and love performing physical tasks. They require plenty of exercise for physical and mental stimulation. These smart canines make the best companions with proper socialization and training.
