We all like to think our dog is the smartest dog in the world and I suppose someone does own the single most intelligent dog on Earth, so maybe it is you. But I doubt it! What are the chances of that? Haha, just kidding, I’m sure your dog is very smart.
Anyway, there are certain dog breeds that are generally more intelligent than others. In this post we will look at the top ten smartest dog breeds from the 10th most intelligent to the 1st.
Don’t worry if your breed of dog isn’t on this list, it’s usually not all that important to have a really smart dog. As long as you train your dog well he will seem smarter than most dogs anyway.
Alright, let’s take a look at the most intelligent dog breeds starting with number ten and working our way to number one. The top 10 smartest dogs are…
#10 – Australian Cattle Dog
As its name suggests, the Australian Cattle Dog was originally bred for herding cattle and they are very intelligent. They need to be stimulated to be happy, as one would expect from an intelligent dog with a working background. These dogs are most happy when they are working so they need regular exercise and lots of mental stimulation.
#9 – Rottweiler
Although you may have heard differently, the Rottweiler is actually a great family dog, and this breed is not nearly as fierce as many people believe. They are very good with kids and are extremely loyal and loving to their family members. They are very smart dogs and are easy to train. Rottweiler’s are also renowned for their guarding ability and are known as the best guard dog in the world.
#8 – Papillon
The Papillon is a lovable and intelligent dog that is very protective of its owner. As with most intelligent dogs they are usually quite easy to train.
#7 – Labrador Retriever
These are one of the most popular dog breeds because of their good nature, love of children, intelligence, and ability to easily socialize with other dogs. Labradors need a lot of exercise and have a tendency to develop weight problems.
#6 – Shetland Sheepdog
This is a dog breed that was bred for herding sheep and other livestock. To do their job well they obviously need to be intelligent and that is why they come in at number six on the smartest dogs list. They’re not quite as good as some of the other breeds on this list at socializing with other people or children, but they are excellent pets with their own family.
#5 – Doberman Pinscher
Despite their reputation, Dobermans can be great family dogs and really good with children if they are trained properly. It is important that the Doberman be trained early on in its life or they can be temperamental. They are very smart, and like many intelligent dogs are very protective of their home and family.
#4 – Golden Retriever
These are one of the most popular breeds of dog in the world and they are great with children, and are a very loyal and loving dog. It’s quite common to see Golden Retrievers winning dog competitions where intelligence is important.
#3 – German Shepherd
This is a dog breed that is often associated with police, military, and service dog work. It’s chosen for these jobs because it is intelligent and very capable in most situations. German Shepherds make great family and guard dogs, and are good with children. They need to be trained and know who their master is from a young age to ensure both they and the family get the most out of their relationship.
#2 – Standard Poodle
The second smartest dog might surprise a lot of people because they aren’t usually associated with being so intelligent. They are one of the easiest dogs to train and don’t like to be left alone because they love people so much. However, they are very protective and can be quite vicious if an intruder comes on their property.
#1 – Border Collie
The smartest dog in the world is the Border Collie. This is another dog breed that is often seen winning competitions where intelligence is important. Because they are so intelligent, they need to be stimulated regularly and are most happy when they’re working or performing in competitions or dog trials.
There you go, the top 10 smartest dog breeds. If you own one of these breeds and you have trained your dog properly, you can be confident that you have one of the most intelligent dogs in the world.
Finally, let me end by saying that the breeds above are overall the smartest dogs in the order given. It’s a generalization of most dogs of each particular breed. There are always exceptions to any rule so it’s possible that the single smartest dog in the world isn’t from a breed listed above. It’s also possible that the single dumbest dog in the world is from a breed on this list. However, in general the above dog breeds are the top 10 most intelligent dogs.