Dogs are known for their loyalty and companionship, but many dog breeds are smarter than you can think. They can not only learn human language but can also get attuned to your mood and emotions.
Do you know? Bloodhounds are so smart that they can follow a scent over 100 miles.
According to the American Kennel Club, a dog’s intelligence depends on three factors:
Natural Instinct: The natural instinct to perform specific tasks, such as hunting or retrieving, without any training at a young age.
Adaptive Problem Solving: How dogs learn to solve problems on their own—for instance, how to get a treat out of the tube.
School Learning: What dogs can learn with human training, such as learning new tricks or understanding human emotions.
Here are the smartest dog breeds known for their intelligence and friendly nature.
Genius Dog Breeds
1. Golden Retriever
Breed Profile
Height: 21.5 to 24 inches
Weight: 55 to 75 pounds
Coat: Dense double coat
Temperament: Friendly
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
Golden Retrievers have a keen sense to understand human emotions and communicate with people. They are ranked as the 4th most intelligent dog breed for “obedience and working training.” Goldies are capable of learning a new command in fewer than 5 repetitions.
Since Goldies can attune themselves to human emotions, they make wonderful therapy dogs that provide emotional support in various settings. Their ability to learn quickly, adapt to different situations, and work with humans highlights their cognitive abilities.
Golden Retrievers’ adaptive intelligence makes them highly trainable. They are eager to please their owner and respond to positive reinforcement methods. They perform well in problem-solving tests as well. A Goldie solves a puzzle faster than many other dog breeds.
2. German Shorthaired Pointer
Breed Profile
Height: 21 to 25 inches
Weight: 45 to 70 pounds
Coat: Thick short coat
Temperament: Friendly
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
German Shorthaired Pointers are “hunt, point, retrieve” dogs that were originally bred as all-around gundogs in the 19th century. GSP is one of the smartest dog breeds with a strong desire to learn. These versatile hunting dogs make it to our list due to their adaptability on the field and sharp bird-tracking instinct.
These dogs can learn a new command in 5 to 15 repetitions. After learning the command, GSPs are capable of obeying it on the first attempt. Apart from learning new tricks and commands, German Shorthaired Pointers are excellent at reading the emotions of their human companions.
German Shorthaired Pointers are high-energy dogs. They need plenty of physical and mental stimulation. If they don’t get enough exercise, they are likely to become destructive. Therefore, you should consider your lifestyle before adopting a GSP. They are best suited for active families.
3. English Springer Spaniel
Breed Profile
Height: 20 inches
Weight: 40 to 55 pounds
Coat: Waterproof, soft, and wavy coat
Temperament: Gentle
Lifespan: 12 to 14 years
The next breed on our list is the English Springer Spaniel. One of the smartest breeds, English Springer Spaniels are capable of learning from their past experiences or mistakes. Based on obedience training trials, some trainers say that these versatile hunting dogs can learn a new command in 30 minutes to one hour.
The ability to learn with just 5 to 15 repetitions makes these dogs highly trainable and responsive spaniel breed. They are highly energetic dogs. If you have an English Springer Spaniel, keep your home stocked with the best toys to help your pup channel some of their energy.
English Springer spaniels have strong work ethics, and they do equally well as working dogs and pets. They are well-suited for various tasks, including agility, swimming, chasing a ball, playing with kids, or accompanying you on a walk.
4. Doberman Pinscher
Breed Profile
Height: 24 to 28 inches
Weight: 60 to 100 pounds
Coat: Smooth short coat
Temperament: Loyal
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
Doberman Pinscher is a loyal and highly intelligent dog breed, having an innate ability to gauge potential threats in different environments. Just like Golden Retrievers, Dobermans can also learn a new task in less than 5 repetitions. It means you can teach them a new command in a few minutes.
Dobermans were originally bred to protect livestock. So, herding is their instinctive IQ. These dogs are very protective of their humans and their territory. That is why they make excellent guard dogs and are often used for police and military work.
Dobermans are great with children and do well in different social situations. They make great therapy dogs and provide emotional support to many individuals. Dobermans are large dogs that can be a bit intimidating for strangers, but they are gentle and docile with the people they love.
5. Collie
Breed Profile
Height: 22 to 26 inches
Weight: 50 to 75 pounds
Coat: Long double coat
Temperament: Loyal and affectionate
Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
Collies are highly energetic and family-oriented dogs, known for their intelligence. Originally bred as herding dogs, Collies have a remarkable ability to learn new things and understand words and commands.
They are quick learners and are eager to please their owners. These traits make them ideal candidates for obedience training and activities that require mental stimulation. Collies have an excellent memory. They remember things even after prolonged intervals.
Collies have excellent problem-solving skills due to which they can figure out solutions to new tasks. Their adaptive intelligence allows them to adjust to new situations and environments quickly. They excel at obedience competitions as well.
6. Border Collie
Breed Profile
Height: 18 to 22 inches
Weight: 30 to 55 pounds
Coat: Double coat
Temperament: Friendly
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Border Collies were originally bred to protect livestock in England and Scotland. Breeders wanted to create an intelligent dog that could be trained easily, navigate rugged terrains, and work for long hours. According to The Travel, they have an IQ of a typical four-year-old human.
Border Collies have strong social cognitive abilities—they can interact with humans and each other through their body language. They also have a strong memory. An average dog can learn up to 150 words, but a Border Collie can learn up to 250 words.
This dog breed is easy to train if they receive adequate stimulation from the trainer. Their intelligence, stamina, and work ethic contribute to their obedience. They are high-energy dogs and can exhibit destructive behaviors if not trained properly.
7. Belgian Tervuren
Breed Profile
Height: 22 to 26 inches
Weight: 45 to 75 pounds
Coat: Silky double coat
Temperament: Lively
Lifespan: 12 to 14 years
Belgian Tervuren, also known as Terv, is a medium-sized herding dog, hailing from Belgium. Terv is known for its keen intelligence and elegant build. The dogs of this breed have strong work ethics and are versatile.
Tervs do really well at obedience, agility, and various search and rescue missions. They are loyal and protective towards their human companions. They form strong bonds with their owners and are well-suited for homes where they are given a job or purpose.
They are excellent guard dogs. PetMD suggests that they need proper training and early socialization to develop a well-balanced temperament. These high-energy dogs need a lot of exercise to stay healthy. Dog owners love them due to their strength, stamina, and great problem-solving skills.
Conclusion
The intelligence of dogs can be measured in terms of their natural instinct, adaptive intelligence, and obedience competitions. Based on these factors, the smartest dogs include German Shepherd, Australian Cattle Dog, Miniature Schnauzer, and other breeds mentioned in the article.
If you are a dog owner planning to adopt a highly intelligent breed, train and socialize them properly. It allows dogs to channel their energy in a positive way. Fulfill their exercise needs and give them love and care!
