A dog can master over a thousand words, and as its learning ability improves, it can even deduce a new word. This is truly amazing! Don't think it's a legend; it's real. I certainly haven't mastered that many words. Dogs are our best friends not only because of their loyalty, but also because of their intelligence and spirituality, bringing us countless conveniences. So, which are the smartest dog breeds in the world?
15. Skipjack Spitz – The most intelligent Pomeranian
Height: 25-35 cm
Weight: 4.5-7.5 kg
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
The Skipjack Dog is known as the "Little Captain" because it was specifically bred for rat control on Flemish canal boats. It possesses a curious, intelligent, and confident nature, and its courage is surprisingly large for its size. It also uniquely blends enthusiasm and playfulness. Although the Skipjack Dog has been bred with a delicate, fox-like face, its muscular body is entirely designed for work, despite its small size.
They can adapt to almost any family, provided they get enough exercise. However, their independence can be a bit challenging for new pet owners. If trained patiently and with a good sense of humor, and given regular physical activity, they will be an excellent family dog and a happy, loving family member in return.
14. Tervuren – An intelligent and rare breed
Height: 55-65 cm
Weight: 20-35 kg
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
The Belgian Tervuren, with its "intelligent nature and affinity for agility, tracking, herding and sledding," has undoubtedly earned a place among the most intelligent dog breeds.
The Belgian Tervuren not only possesses the skills to assist and perform tasks for many important Belgian farm owners, but it is also a very attentive companion with a strong protective instinct, exceptional loyalty, and skillful maneuvering. As a relatively rare breed, the Belgian Tervuren is more sought after abroad than some other Belgian Shepherds (such as the Malinois and Räikkönen).
13. Springer Spaniel – The most intelligent Spanish hunting dog
Height: 45-50 cm
Weight: 15-22 kg
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
With an excellent memory and beautiful green eyes, the Springer Spaniel is traditionally used for charging and retrieving game, but due to its exceptional sense of smell, they are also used as sniffer dogs or detection dogs. Besides detecting explosives, a Springer Spaniel's nose can also smell beehives and blood. A typical Spanish Spaniel is eager to please, friendly, well-trained, and obedient to its owner.
They are incredibly affectionate, earning them the nickname "Velcro dogs." The Spanish Springer Spaniel's exceptional stamina and working will make them an excellent choice for search and rescue operations. Today, the Springer Spaniel is a distinctive breed—exceptionally intelligent, alert, and eager to please. If there is any drawback to this breed, it is its tendency to be so attached to humans.
12. Miniature Schnauzer – The smartest bearded dog
Height: 25-35 cm
Weight: 4-7 kg
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Miniature Schnauzers are known for their strong desire to please and their intelligent behavior. Friendly, intelligent, and obedient, these puppies possess the confidence of large dogs despite their small size. They were bred from the standard Schnauzer and worked on farms as a four-legged pest control unit, sniffing out and eliminating rodents. Due to their size, adaptability, and general fondness for children and other small animals (excluding mice, of course), these bearded little cuties also make excellent urban companions.
Miniature Schnauzers are known for their excellent tracking skills. In 2015, a Miniature Schnauzer named Sisi ran away from home and trekked 20 blocks to a nearby hospital where her owner was receiving chemotherapy. No one knows how Sisi found her way to the hospital; she had never taken that route before.
11. Corgi – The most intelligent short-legged dog
Height: 25-30 cm
Weight: 10-20 kg
Life expectancy: 12-13 years
Since 1933, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, known for its affection, intelligence, and alertness, has been the preferred breed of the British Royal Family. At that time, the Duke of York (later crowned King George VI) brought home two corgis, Dookie and Jane, as pets to Elizabeth and her sister Margaret. It is estimated that Queen Elizabeth owned more than 30 corgis during her 70-year reign.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi may have been appealing to royalty, as the breed is renowned for its high obedience, excellent tracking ability, and exceptional athleticism. Despite its short legs, it possesses powerful muscles. With its fearless attitude, it makes a highly effective watchdog, and this cheerful, short-legged breed thrives when there's work to be done.
10. Cattle Dog – The most intelligent Australian dog
Height: 40-50 cm
Weight: 15-25 kg
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
These small but powerful dogs are bred in Australia for cattle herding and are generally considered to have played a vital role in the country's beef industry. They are characterized by their solid, powerful, well-proportioned, and muscular build, giving an impression of remarkable agility, strength, and resilience.
This Australian breed is "very intelligent and organized," and these dogs will put things back where they belong after using them. Australian Cattle Dogs are very eager to learn and make excellent companions for human recreational activities such as fishing.
9. Rottweiler – The most intelligent large dog breed
Height: 55-70 cm
Weight: 40-60 kg
Life expectancy: 9-11 years
The Rottweiler's history dates back to the Roman Empire, when it was used for herding livestock. Today, it is considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds due to its keen senses, unwavering loyalty, and sharp awareness. This is why they are frequently used as search and rescue dogs, guard dogs, and police dogs.
The powerful, rugged, and robust Rottweiler is also known for its affection and loyalty. They are not only excellent police dogs, but also outstanding obedience show dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, and everyday pets.
8. Papillon – The most intelligent small dog breed
Height: 20-25 cm
Weight: 2-5 kg
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
As one of many adorable big-eared puppies, the breed's history dates back nearly 700 years—which has played a significant role in its intelligence. The Papillon evolved into one of the world's most intelligent dog breeds in a shorter period than many others, and its breeders have also played a major role in this process.
The Papillon, named for its winged ears, originated as a companion to members of the nobility. They are descended from Spanish hounds of European descent but were bred alongside toy dogs to achieve a smaller size. Their cheerful, outgoing nature, coupled with their eagerness to please and their high capacity for learning and obedience, makes these little guys natural companions.
7. Labrador Retriever – The most intelligent self-training dog
Height: 50-60 cm
Weight: 25-35 kg
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
The Labrador Retriever was developed by 16th-century settlers on the island of Newfoundland. A descendant of the now-extinct St. John's Dog and a close relative of the Newfoundland, the breed was named in the 19th century. The Labrador Retriever's breed characteristics were further refined, enabling it to skillfully retrieve game during hunts. Its remarkable sense of smell and ability to make accurate judgments are exceptional.
Labrador Retrievers are known for their self-training ability—they can and want to learn from humans, not through instruction but through observation and imitation. For these reasons, this adorable, self-taught dog is one of the most popular breeds, a favorite among people with disabilities, and one of the best emotional support dogs.
6. Shetland Sheepdog – The most intelligent small sheepdog
Height: 30-40 cm
Weight: 6-12 kg
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
Compact Shetland Sheepdogs can do everything large sheepdogs can do, but require far less food. This is why they are kept as "little cousins" of sheepdogs. Shetland farmers use them for herding tasks, not just herding sheep.
Shetland Sheepdogs are beloved for their intelligence and temperament; they are highly intelligent, obedient, and agile, making them one of the best breeds for families with children. However, despite their small size, these fluffy little balls of fur also make excellent watchdogs due to their keen sense of danger. That's instinctive intelligence.
5. Doberman Pinscher – The most intelligent family dog
Height: 60-70 cm
Weight: 30-45 kg
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Fearless, loyal, and alert, the highly intelligent and easily trained Doberman Pinscher was bred by a German tax collector who had some extra time during the off-season and a great deal of motivation to train and perfect this canine bodyguard.
Known for their fearless nature, speed, and deep stamina, these tough yet elegant and robust athletic animals make ideal watchdogs. Despite their fierce appearance and intimidating looks, this breed is actually known for being very gentle.
4. Golden Retriever – The most intelligent and individualistic dog breed
Height: 50-60 cm
Weight: 25-35 kg
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Canine intelligence isn't just about brainpower; when it comes to Golden Retrievers, they are willing to obey commands or tasks asked of them by their owners. Because of their pleasing human nature, these dogs can act consistently in a wide range of situations. Bred in Scotland as hunting partners and hounds, they are often employed in search and rescue operations, thanks to their relatively agile and powerful gait.
Golden Retrievers are very hardworking and are loved worldwide as reliable and obedient companions. Their cheerful temperament and ability to learn commands (up to 200 commands, most of which are learned on the first try) make them a preferred pet for people with disabilities.
3. German Shepherd – The most intelligent working dog
Height: 55-65 cm
Weight: 25-40 kg
Life expectancy: 10-12 years
This breed was developed for its high intelligence, high focus, eagerness, and obedience (which makes it easy to train), as well as its protective instincts. German Shepherds are large, loyal, and versatile working dogs, and these intelligent dogs are commonly found in the military and police forces.
Due to their exceptional working intelligence and drive, incredible sense of smell, and courageous temperament, they were quickly selected for military and police forces around the world. German Shepherds make excellent guard dogs. They are great friends to those they consider family, but they may be suspicious and wary of strangers.
2. Poodle – The most intelligent and elegant dog
Height: 35 cm or above
Weight: 20-30 kg
Life expectancy: 10-18 years
Poodles are among the most elegant dog breeds and are often considered high-end. But don't mistake this for low intelligence. The breed scores highly for its emotional and cognitive intelligence. These dogs may look somewhat luxurious, but they were also used in wartime to transport supplies for soldiers on the battlefield. This job required obedience, unwavering focus, and clear decision-making, making the quick-learning poodle an obvious choice.
Poodles are very trainable and enjoy activities that challenge them, such as hunting, tracking, agility exercises, and obedience work. Most importantly, the breed has a cheerful sense of humor, a performing talent, and a tendency to deliberately act cute. It's not that humans need more reasons to love them. Regardless of size—from teacup to standard—poodles are fun and incredibly adorable.
1. Border Collie – The world's most intelligent dog
Height: 45-60 cm
Weight: 15-30 kg
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Border Collies are among the most intelligent dog breeds known to humankind, and Chaser, a South Carolina Border Collie with a remarkable talent for language, can recognize over 1,000 words. But it's not just a matter of "training." Descended from European sheepdogs that lived along the rocky borders of England, Scotland, and Wales, Border Collies were bred to be intelligent and athletic enough to survive in harsh environments.
Border Collie owners should be prepared to provide their dogs with plenty of mental and physical stimulation. The breed is incredibly intelligent and adept at communicating with humans, so it's easy to imagine they are very good at getting what they want from their owners. While natural talent is important, training is equally crucial. Through continuous training and mental development across generations, Border Collies have earned the reputation of being one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world.
