Top 20 Smartest Dog Breeds To Ever Exist
What are the factors that are considered when ranking intelligence in domesticated canines? And does everyone hold these factors to the same degree of importance when assessing intelligence? The answer to these questions is 1. many and 2. not at all. One owner might think canine intelligence is strictly the ability to be trained to do a job such as herd cattle, while another may consider canine intelligence to lie solely in their perception of their human owner’s feelings, while another still might think it has to do with not barking like a maniac, not eating everything in sight, and not chewing up your favorite couch.
Roughly speaking, dog’s intelligence should be characterized by their ability to make and retain memories and directly retrieve, combine, and apply them to various situations to solve problems. This includes the ability to adapt to various environments and socially stressful situations. With these characteristics, dogs will be easier to train, will be more in tune with your feelings, and will likely not display behavioral problems.
These characteristics, however, are largely impacted by their environment and stimulation. Individual dogs can have varied levels of cognitive function within the same breed. Not all dogs within a breed will be exactly the same, hello genetics and environmental factors. A German Shepherd that lacked stimulation being raised will likely not have as much independent cognitive function as a Miniature Schnauzer that was constantly stimulated and trained to use his mind. In terms of breed reputation alone, the opposite would be true for these breeds.
Needless to say, a lot goes into ranking canine breeds in terms of intelligence. Don’t worry, we’ve done the work for you. The following is a solid guide for the intelligence of breeds as a whole and is ranked lowest to highest, #1 being thought to be the most intelligent dog breed. Bare in mind that these top 37 breeds are, however, the top 37 out of 340 breeds that exist so that says a lot even about #37. Again, always remember that each individual dog is different and to not solely base an adoption or puppy purchase based on any findings that you come across on the interwebs.
So, let’s get to it. We were shocked by many of the top 20 smartest dog breeds, especially number 8! Scroll all the way through to find out which dog breed resides in the #1 smartest breed position!
Bouvier Des Flanders
Temperament: Strong-willed, powerful, courageous, affectionate, obedient
Average Weight: 60-110 lbs
Average Price: $1500
Average Life Expectancy: 11 years
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Temperament: willful, dominant, trainable, affectionate, willing to please
Average Weight: 55-80 lbs
Average Price: $800
Average Life Expectancy: 12 years
Giant Schnauzer
Temperament: Brave, loyal, requires mental/physical exercise, dominant, trainable
Average Weight: 60-75 lbs
Average Price: $850
Average Life Expectancy: 11 years
Puli
Temperament: Energetic, cheerful, affectionate, easy to train
Average Weight: 25-30 lbs
Average Price: $800
Average Life Expectancy: 14 years
Yorkshire Terrier
Temperament: Lively, clever, adventurous, affectionate
Average Weight: 7 lbs
Average Price: $600
Average Life Expectancy: 13 years
Belgian Malinois
Temperament: Strong, obedient, observant, territorial, loyal, must be socialized
Average Weight: 55-65 lbs
Average Price: $600
Average Life Expectancy: 11 years
Belgian Sheepdog
Temperament: Bright, trainable, protective, determined, loyal, must be socialized early
Average Weight: 60-75 lbs
Average Price: $1,100
Average Life Expectancy: 11 years
Belgian Tervuren
Temperament: Alert, protective, attentive, loyal, must be socialized early
Average Weight: 60-75 lbs
Average Price: $1250
Average Life Expectancy: 11 years
Bernese Mountain Dog
Temperament: Cheerful, watchful, loves children, good natured, gentle, sensitive, puppy-like behavior in adulthood, fairly intelligent
Average Weight: 80-110
Average Price: $900
Average Life Expectancy: 8 years
Brittany Spaniel
Temperament: Bright, trainable, bred for hunting, happy, obedient, alert, must have mental/physical stimulation
Average Weight: 30-40 lbs
Average Price: $750
Average Life Expectancy: 13 years
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Temperament: Loving, protective, eager to please, sweet
Average Weight: 25-30 lbs
Average Price: $1,050
Average Life Expectancy: 11 years
Cocker Spaniel
Temperament: Respectful, sweet, energetic, devout, must be socialized young
Average Weight: 15-30 lbs
Average Price: $700
Average Life Expectancy: 14 years
Collie
Temperament: Polite, intelligent, good-natured, energetic, playful, good with kids, protective
Average Weight: 50-75 lbs
Average Price: $500
Average Life Expectancy: 10 years
English Cocker Spaniel
Temperament: Gentle, playful, intelligent, good with children and strangers, sociable, affectionate
Average Weight: 26-34 lbs
Average Price: $906
Average Life Expectancy: 13 years
English Springer Spaniel
Temperament: Affectionate, skillful, obedient, good with kids, well-mannered
Average Weight: 40-55 lbs
Average Price: $600
Average Life Expectancy: 12 years
Flat Coated Retriever
Temperament: Reliable, friendly, high-spirited, sociable
Average Weight: 60-70 lbs
Average Price: $906
Average Life Expectancy: 13 years
German Short Haired Pointer
Temperament: Energetic, loves exercise and stimulation, devoted to the family, protective, clever, hunting dog
Average Weight: 45-70
Average Price: $550
Average Life Expectancy: 13 years
Irish Water Spaniel
Temperament: Curious, alert, trainable, clever, good-natured, sweet
Average Weight: 45-65 lbs
Average Price: $950
Average Life Expectancy: 11 years
Keeshond
Temperament: Agile, quick, obedient, bright, keen, sociable, must be stimulated with exercise and duties
Average Weight: 55-66 lbs : Some sources suggest 25-45 lbs
Average Price: $1,000
Average Life Expectancy: 13 years
Miniature Schnauzer
Temperament: Active, playful, intelligent, does well with children, loving, well-mannered, must be socialized early, excellent for companionship
Average Weight: 10-15 lbs
Average Price: $750
Average Life Expectancy: 13 years
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Temperament: Sturdy, loyal companions, willingness to please, obedient
Average Weight: 24-31 lbs
Average Price: $550
Average Life Expectancy: 12 years
Pomeranian
Temperament: Proud, energetic, intelligent, eager to learn, high-spirited, a great companion, affectionate, loyal
Average Weight: 3-7 lbs
Average Price: $700
Average Life Expectancy: 14 years
Airedale Terrier
Temperament: Courageous, pleasant, loyal, protective, needs socialization with dogs and children early, obedient
Average Weight: 40-65 lbs
Average Price: $675
Average Life Expectancy: 12 years
Vizsla
Temperament: Gentle, loving, highly trainable, great with children, must be mentally and physically stimulated
Average Weight: 40-60 lbs
Average Price: $950
Average Life Expectancy: 12 years
Weimaraner
Temperament: Intelligent, friendly, loving, good with kids, needs early training to prevent behavioral issues
Average Weight: 50-70 lbs
Average Price: $700
Average Life Expectancy: 11 years
Australian Cattle Dog
Temperament: Loyal, brave, obedient, smart, energetic, must have a job and daily activity, excellent at herding, highly trainable, work-a-holic so to speak
Average Weight: 30-62 lbs
Average Price: $550
Average Life Expectancy: 12 years
Australian Shepherd
Temperament: Protective, energetic, loyal companions, must be stimulated, great with children, adventurous, easy-going, smart, easy to train
Average Weight: 40-65 lbs
Average Price: $700
Average Life Expectancy: 14 years
Rottweiler
Temperament: Good-natured, calm, alert, brave, confident, fearless, protective
Average Weight: 85-130
Average Price: $1600.00
Average Life Expectancy: 10 years
Bloodhound
Temperament: Patient, gentle, loving, can be stubborn, requires effort to train, calm, shy around strangers
Average Weight: 80-110
Average Price: $700
Average Life Expectancy: 11 years
Papillon
Temperament: Friendly, adventurous, smart, affectionate, patient, gentle
Average Weight: 7-10 lbs
Average Price: $400
Average Life Expectancy: 14 years
Laborador Retriver
Temperament: Loyal, good-natured, courageous, affectionate, eager to please
Average Weight: 55-75 lbs
Average Price: $750
Average Life Expectancy: 11 years
Shetland Sheepdog
Temperament: Docile, friendly, sweet-natured, intelligent, trainable, must be socialized young, loves to chase things
Average Weight: 14-27 lbs
Average Price: $906
Average Life Expectancy: 13 years
Doberman Pinscher
Temperament: Loyal, determined, affectionate, love human interaction, highly skilled, bold, protective, easily trainable, loving
Average Weight: 66-88 lbs
Average Price: $800.00
Average Life Expectancy: 11 years
Golden Retriever
Temperament: Confident, gentle, patient, loyal, good with kids, kind, charming
Average Weight: 60-80 lbs
Average Price: $1,500
Average Life Expectancy: 12 years
German Shepherd
Temperament: Fearless, courageous, alert, intelligent, intuitive, calm, stern, clever, must be socialized young
Average Weight: 77-85 lbs
Average Price: $1,150
Average Life Expectancy: 11 years
Poodle
Temperament: Proud, elegant, clever, noble, cheerful, highly trainable, highly intelligent, friendly, loyal
Average Weight: 45-70 lbs
Average Price: $1,250
Average Life Expectancy: 12 years
Border Collie
Temperament: Tenacious, responsive, considered by many the most intelligent breed of dog, watchful, energetic, highly trainable, obedient, desire for praise, job-oriented, requires extensive daily stimulation, must be socialized young
Average Weight: 27-45 lbs
Average Price: $525
Average Life Expectancy: 12 years