Let’s just agree, from the start, that there’s no such thing as a dog that’s not smart. And even though there are some dogs that are smarter than others, and even some breeds where smarts run in the genes, that doesn’t mean the other breeds are any worse. In fact, it’s highly unlikely that the intelligence of a dog will have an affect on how much you bond with your pet, or how good of a companion your dog can be to you. And with that disclaimer out of the way, here’s a list of five dog breeds that are commonly cited as the most intelligent ones.
Border Collie
If there’s one adjective commonly used to describe border collies, it’s “workaholic”. It might be a cliche to call border collies workaholics, but like many other cliches, it’s annoyingly true. Border Collies are sheep herders, they have good instincts, and they are very trainable. The downside is that if they get bored, which is something that’s likely to happen if they have nothing to do, they can be hard to handle.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are most commonly used dogs in law enforcement and military, and that says a lot. They can be taught anything, they are great guard dogs, they are loyal, they listen to command, and they are family friendly. German shepherds are as smart as a dog can get.
Poodle
Yup, you’ve read it right. The dog that’s most likely to have a ridiculous fur-cut is also one of the smartest dogs around. Initially bred as water dogs, over the years poodles have cemented their reputation as a very trainable, agile, and obedient breed. Plus, they can be very fun to be around, as they can sometime be quite silly.
Golden Retriever
There are certain things only intelligent dogs can do. A good example is being a guide dog, a role golden retrievers often play. This well behaved breed is also often seen with families, even those who live in apartment buildings, which is a great testament to its gentle temperament.
Doberman Pinscher
The scariest dog on the list, the Doberman was initially bred and used as a personal guard dog. Although he is still employed in the same way today, and as a police and army dog as well, the aggressiveness has been all but bred out of the breed, and the best qualities of the dog, which include intelligence, responsiveness, and loyalty, are really shining through.
Having a pet is a great experience anyone should afford themselves at least once during their lifetime, and dogs make great pets. But for the pet owner who wants a dog that will learn tricks easily, or do a specific job like herding, it might be a good idea to look for a breed that’s easily trainable. This list contains dog breeds that are just like that – great friends, but also capable of learning to perform tasks, which is why they are cited as the most intelligent dog breeds.
