Have you ever wondered which are the smartest dogs in the world? If you’re an animal lover, you’ve probably been impressed by the skills and intelligence of some dogs you’ve met or seen on the internet.
But how to measure canine intelligence? What are the criteria that define an intelligent dog? And which breeds stand out in this regard?
In this article, we will try to answer these questions and present a list of the most intelligent dogs in the world, based on research and scientific studies.
You will discover that each of them has different types of intelligence, such as instinctive, adaptive, and work and obedience intelligence. The characteristics of each breed may surprise you!
Get ready to be enchanted by the most intelligent dogs in the world and find out if your four-legged friend is among them.
Good reading!
What is the dog intelligence classification based on?
Stanley Coren, renowned doctor in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, professor and writer of the book “The Intelligence of Dogs”, spent a good part of his life studying canine intelligence.
For the teacher, “there are three types of intelligence”, which are instinctive, adaptive and work and obedience.
For him, what allows dogs to develop a specific type of intelligence is the desire to communicate effectively with humans.
Dogs can communicate through understanding signals, actions and commands, as well as expressing barks, body movements and actions.
According to the professor, a dog can understand up to 160 words, while others can understand 250 or more.
What is fundamental about communicating with dogs is that they really care .
In an interview with the American Kennel Club (AKC), the head of the canine cognition laboratory at Barnard College at Columbia University, Alexandra Horowitz, explains that “dogs are very attentive and receptive to us”.
While this is true for all dogs, some breeds have certain characteristics that put them a cut above others.
See which are the most intelligent dog breeds in the world on our list.
Smartest dogs in the world: Border Collie
The breed ranks first in Stanley Coren’s intelligence rankings, meaning they can learn commands in less than five repetitions and follow them more frequently.
The Border Collie was bred to be cunning and athletic enough to survive the treacherous landscape of England, Scotland and Wales.
According to the AKC, the breed is “intelligent, affectionate and energetic,” but is also a true “brilliant workaholic.”
In fact, a Border Collie recently won a Palm Dog at Cannes for his performance in a film. Meet Messi !
General features
- Height : 45cm to 56cm
- Peso: 13kg a 25kg
- Life expectancy : 12 to 15 years
Poodle
It is not difficult to find owners who love this breed. One of the great advantages of having them is that their fur is hypoallergenic.
When it comes to behavior, the Poodle gets high marks for its emotional and cognitive intelligence.
They are easily trainable dogs and love activities that allow them to be mentally challenged, such as hunting, tracking and agility sports.
General features
- Height : 39cm or more
- Peso: 22kg a 32kg
- Life expectancy : 10 to 18 years
German Shepherd
You have already seen here that it was a German shepherd who won Freud’s heart .
And it was probably not for nothing: the breed is considered one of the most faithful, as well as being intelligent, active, protective, affectionate, obedient and courageous.
According to Jill Cline, director of the Royal Canin Pet Health and Nutrition Center in Lewisburg, German Shepherds have a unique ability to assess complex situations and decide on the best response.
Due to this characteristic, this breed is one of the most requested to work in search and rescue teams, even as service dogs for people with disabilities.
General features
- Height : 55cm to 66cm
- Peso: 22kg a 41kg
- Life expectancy : 7 to 10 years
Golden Retriever
One of the most beloved pets in the world also scored top marks in the intelligence survey.
Although the Golden Retriever was initially intended for hunting, they love to play with their owners!
Their intelligence is noticed when tutors ask them to perform certain tasks or when they are able to carry out certain commands.
This response is believed to be a need to please the guardians.
They are currently employed in search and rescue operations, and are faithful and reliable companions.
They can learn up to 200 commands, most of which are learned on the first try.
In fact, puppies of this breed are perfect companions for the elderly.
General features
- Height : 55cm to 60cm
- Peso: 25kg a 34kg
- Life expectancy : 10 to 12 years
Dobermann Pinscher
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The breed emerged at the end of the 19th century. Louis Dobermann, a German tax collector, wanted a medium-sized pet to act as a guard and companion dog.
This is how the Dobermann Pinscher was born.
It is a breed of great resistance and its appearance is quite elegant, as well as athletic. They are perfect to have as guard dogs, points out Stanley Coren.
Despite its fierce appearance, it is a very affectionate, gentle breed and adapts easily to training.
General features
- Height : 60cm to 71cm
- Peso: 28kg a 45kg
- Life expectancy : 10 to 12 years
Shetland sheepdog
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Do you remember dear Lassie ? Despite being “compact”, it does everything a large one does. Farmers on the Shetland Islands in the United Kingdom used this breed to carry out herding tasks for sheep, ponies and even birds.
They have a very calm and peaceful personality, and because of this, they are highly recommended for families with children.
Their cute and beloved appearance goes aside when they perceive a threat, making them excellent guard dogs.
General features
- Height : 33cm to 40cm
- Peso: 7kg a 12kg
- Life expectancy : 12 to 14 years
Labrador Retriever
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The breed was developed in the 16th century on the Canadian island of Newfoundland.
Descended from the St. John Dog, which became extinct, the Labrador Retriever only received its name in the 19th century, when English nobles traveled to Canada.
Once on English soil, its characteristics were improved to make it a duck hunter.
For Coren, this breed’s sense of smell is impressive. They can also make good judgments based on this sense, which is quite accurate.
It is currently one of the most popular breeds in the United States and is chosen as an emotional support dog or as a guide for people with disabilities.
General features
- Height : 53cm to 60cm
- Peso: 25kg a 37kg
- Life expectancy : 10 to 12 years
Papillon
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With roots dating back more than 700 years, the Papillon has had much more time than others to evolve and become one of the most intelligent dogs in the world.
Of French origin, this dog got its name from the shape of its ears, which resemble butterfly wings.
Initially, the breed became the companion of senior members of the French nobility. They are very cheerful and outgoing, as well as obedient.
General features
- Height : 20cm to 28cm
- Weight : 2kg a 7kg
- Life expectancy : 14 to 16 years
Rottweiler
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It is believed that their origins date back to the times of the Roman Empire, when the breed was used to herd cattle.
Over the years, these dogs have acquired a keener sense of perception, as well as being incredibly loyal to their owners.
They are often employed as search and rescue dogs, as well as guard dogs and police dogs. Many owners enter them in obedience competitions.
General features
- Height : 22 to 27 inches
- Weight : 13kg to 61kg
- Life expectancy : 9 to 10 years
Australian cattle dog
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Bred to herd livestock, they are highly motivated to get the job done.
This trait can be a real challenge for guardians who live in cities or for anyone who doesn’t have the resources to keep them properly occupied.
According to Coren, they are intelligent and organized, eager to learn and great walking partners.
General features
- Height : 43cm to 50cm
- Peso: 14kg a 25kg
- Life expectancy : 12 to 16 years
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
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Affectionate, alert and intelligent, the breed has been a favorite of English royalty since 1933.
The then Duke of York, who would later become King George VI, brought two corgis to his home: Dookie and Jane, who were given to little Elizabeth and Margaret.
During her reign, Queen Elizabeth is believed to have bred more than 30 corgis.
There is a possible explanation for why this breed enchanted English royalty: they are highly obedient and skilled at tracking and have an athletic body structure.
Even though your legs are short, your muscles are powerful.
General features
- Altura: 25cm a 30cm
- Weight : Up to 15kg
- Life expectancy : 12 to 13 years
Miniature Schnauzer
Among the Schnauzer breed dogs, he is one of the smallest, but one of the most intelligent. They have a strong desire to please their owners, as well as being very friendly and obedient.
They adapt easily to big cities and can be incredible companions.
They are also quite affectionate with children and other animals, except rats, as in the past they have acted as pest control, sniffing out and dispatching unwanted rodents.
General features
- Height : 27cm to 35cm
- Peso: 5kg a 10kg
- Life expectancy : 12 to 15 years
Mixed breed dogs
Just because they are last on our list does not mean they are less intelligent than the previous ones.
Without a doubt, our beloved “mutts” are very smart and have a lot to teach us.
Unfortunately, the vast majority live on the streets and this means they need to develop certain characteristics and even certain intelligence for their own survival.
The assessment of canine intelligence is influenced by several factors, which prevents the categorical statement of a specific intelligence for mutts.
When adopted by families, they may end up acquiring other cognitive experiences that will form other intelligences.
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