To find out, we got the goods on these brainiac barkers from pdogguru Billy Rafferty, author of "Happy Dog: Caring for Your Dog's Body, Mind and Spirit," who will be at next month's Meet the Breeds event in New York City. (He's also Oprah's dog groomer!) While most smart dogs have certain traits in common -- loyalty, vigilance, perceptiveness, a caring nature -- "there are many different kinds of intelligence," says Rafferty. "Canine intelligence is more nuanced than people think."
Which also means that just because a dog is intelligent, doesn't automatically make them the perfect pet for you, your home or your family. In fact, smart dogs can wind up being some of the most frustrating dogs if you don't handle them well.
Check out our list to learn more about what makes these dogs tick. Don't worry, there's no math on this exam.
The name says it all -- this breed literally lives to herd.
Pros: Protective of its owners and its owner's property. Even when it comes to his own toys, the Australian Cattle Dog likes things handled in orderly fashion. (Many will put them in a pile when they're finished playing!)
Cons: With herding in their genes, nipping at the ankles -- of humans, including children -- might be how these dogs think they're helping to keep things in line.
Smartest Dog Breeds
#10 Australian Cattle Dog
The name says it all -- this breed literally lives to herd.
Pros: Protective of its owners and its owner's property. Even when it comes to his own toys, the Australian Cattle Dog likes things handled in orderly fashion. (Many will put them in a pile when they're finished playing!)
Cons: With herding in their genes, nipping at the ankles -- of humans, including children -- might be how these dogs think they're helping to keep things in line.
Duncan Smith, Getty Images
#9 Rottweiler
Plagued by a bad rep, the Rottweiler moreoften uses its courage, intelligence and fierce loyalty for good rather than bad.
Pros: Raised right, they are great with children. (Rafferty's three-year-old great-niece and her family's Rottweiler sleep in the same bed!)
Cons: Unfortunately, Rottweilers are often mistrained. Make sure you know a Rottweiler's history before adopting one.
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#8 Papillon
Named after the French term for "butterfly" -- check out those ears!
Pros: Its big, open ears catch sound with utmost efficiency, allowing this dog to process and react to its environment more quickly.
Cons: None, really. Those folks who may be turned off by typical toy dogs should note that the Papillon's got bravura, athleticism and stamina of a dog ten times its size.
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#7 Labrador Retriever
America's top dog, literally. It's a member of more U.S. households than any other breed.
Pros: Loving, obedient, patient, focused, kid-friendly. As if that's not enough, Labradors have been known to "self train" by observing the behaviors of its owners or fellow pets.
Cons: Doesn't come with a built-in guarding instinct (although that's a pro when it comes to exposing the dog to public settings).
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#6 Shetland Sheepdog
Like the Australian Cattle Dog, they're herders by nature. With the right owner, they're big-time lovebugs by nurture.
Pros: Small and agile enough to do duty as a garden guarder. (Squirrels and rabbits, beware!)
Cons: Sometimes wary of strangers, including children.
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#5 Doberman Pinscher
Providing companionship to esteemed gentleman since 1801
Pros: Known for their fearlessness and stamina, Dobermans are everything you can want in a guard dog -- including a gentle regard for their owners.
Cons: Much like the Rottweiler, this breed's temperament depends on its upbringing.
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#4 Golden Retriever
A companion who lives to hunt, catch and fetch.
Pros: Inherent patience makes this breed easy to train -- and it's been said the Golden Retriever can learn more than 200 commands!
Cons: Besides the long coat, not much.
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#3 German Shepherd
A brainiac and a workaholic like none other.
Pros: When it comes to command training, gets it right the first time; a very fast learner. Can be trained to do most anything. Some German Shepherds go on parachute jumps for the military.
Cons: Needs to be kept occupied, or its unhappiness will show.
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#2 Poodle
Nothing standard about the standard Poodle. It's smart as a whip and loves people.
Pros: Perfect for active, quirky types: Loves the water, loves learning out-of-the-ordinary tricks and commands. (That's what makes them such great circus performers.)
Cons: Notorious for causing destruction when bored. Hates to be left alone. Can be too sensitive for the owner who likes playing rough.
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#1 Border Collie
Winner of the teacher's pet award for its exhaustive smarts, drive and devotion.
Pros: A shoo-in for any sort of dog-sport competition. Loves nothing more than working side by side with its owner.
Cons: Not a city dog! Can be a true terror if left unoccupied. Might get frustrated with small children who don't "fall in line."
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Learn more about your favorite breeds at the upcoming Meet the Breeds event in New York City on October 17th - 18th. For more information, visit MeetTheBreeds.com.
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Ok so.... where the sam heck does the Australian Shepherd fit into all of this? Looks like someone didn't do all their homework, because these dogs fit into the top 3, easily. You even bother to mention breeds like the Rottweiler or the Papillon, but no Australian Shepherd? Sorry Charlie, but no cigar. Try again please.
I agree. My mini aussie puppy learned to sit and down within two or three times of giving the command and was house broken by week 12 (I had her for 3.5 wks by then). It took less than a week to get her to play bite correctly as well.
Love my two german shepherds.. Would not have any other breed... They are loyal and protective, and oh so beautiful!!!
Dobermans, Poodles, Rotts, GSD, Border Collies yes I'd put goldens down as very "trainable" labs also think someone confused trainability with intelligence ??
My Aussie speaks French and German... what's with these foolish people?
My Queensland healer..thanks Australia..
What about Pit Bulls? I find them to be very, very smart.
Blue Heelers or Queensland Heeler if you prefer, is one of the smartest dogs on the planet! They are a joy to share life with.
I agree that all those breeds are among the most intelligent, but every dog is different, no matter what breed it may be. Its like saying people of Swedish descent are the most intelligent, while people of German descent are #7 on the list. Of course, anyone that owns a certain breed is going to believe their dog is the most intelligent breed. I have a Pit Bull, a Black lab, and a Rottweiler. I myself would say my pit and rott are much more intelligent than the black lab. training for my pit and rott was cake compared to trying to train the lab.. she's 9 years old and still doesnt understand the concept of "sit". She may be dumb, but she's my princess and I love her no less.
:)
We have a rescued Pit Bull..She is the smartest dog I have ever had..you would not believe it !!
The long lost breed of Irish Setters.Not near as stupid as people think. Especially when mixed with goldens. I had one that found his way home (20 some miles) in 2 days.
Did anyone else notice that the top 3 dogs (German Shepherd, Poodle, and Border Collie) are also the ONLY 3 dogs listed that mention as a con that they will DESTROY YOUR STUFF if you leave them alone/unoccupied >.<
Also, don't mistake a Border Collie's trainability for genuine intelligence, this breed is dumber than a box of rocks. My sister's 7-month-old female border collie puppy gives herself nosebleeds biting at her own reflection in our glass patio door >.
I think whoever said a Border Collie was dumb is not a bright light himself. I would put my BC's intelligence against this person anyday of the week. And the reason the poor BC is getting a bloody nose--not enough activity and they will go bonkers without the work that they live to do. My BC knows more words than many people I have met LOL!
Just lost my 15 yr old blue healer and miss her terriblely. She was the sweetest and most loving dog we have ever had. At the time I got her I also had a australian shep .Talk about smart, she wanted the toy gibson had so she ran to the front door barking like crazy. Of course gibson ran after her, but she doubled back and got the toy. When gib realised no one was at the door he came back looking all around for the toy. We laughed until we cried! Now I have a border collie and he is as you say dumb as a box of rocks. His favorite thing to do is go into a small plastic pool and scatch at the fake fish design on the filled pool!
You people need to stop confusing intelligence with behavior problems. As a breeder of the GSD I place my dogs very carefully with people that can provide the environment that the German Shepherd needs. I see too many people get the wrong breed of dog for their lifestyle. There are dogs that should not be left alone, there are those that need constant attention, and there are those that need to be working. If you put them in the wrong environment these animals will still seek out what they were bred to do, not adjust to the environment. So what seems like quirky unintelligent behavior is really boredom.
I am looking for a mixed breed very small dog for my sister. I want a mixed because most small breeds are medically weak. I want a christmas present for my sister who has lost her daughter and needs a pet badly. she will pamper it and treat it like a child. please help me. I am willing to pay for the right animal. I want a female.
Border Collies are so smart! My friend had a Border Collie and it was the smartest dog I've ever met!
There is a difference with having a dog that is easy to train and having a intelligent dog. We have a cattle dog and didn't have to do a single thing to train her. Any command that we give her she does. We have a collie mix don't get me wrong he's a very smart dog, but we still had to train him to get that way.