Although it may be more difficult to measure intelligence in a dog than it is in a human, a rough indicator of a dog breed’s intelligence can be determined by how quickly he’s able to master a new command. On the basis of this, the Canadian and U.S. Kennel Clubs composed a list of the most intelligent and least intelligent dog breeds. Did your dog make the list?
Most Intelligent Dog Breeds
The Border Collie
The intelligence of the Border Collie is legendary. Even though they learn new commands very quickly, they can be difficult to train because their intelligence causes them to overanalyze simple commands. The same intelligence that allows them to learn new commands so effectively also enables them to learn the secrets of escaping from the yard, stealing food, and a variety of other less acceptable behaviors. Owning this intelligent dog breed can be a challenge.
The Poodle
Poodle owners say the best thing about this dog breed are its superior intelligence and great sense of humor. Poodles were used historically by gypsies to perform in traveling shows where they demonstrated their keen ability to carry out complex commands and do difficult tricks to the delight of their audience. This breed’s intelligence is still appreciated today by thousands of Poodle dog owners worldwide.
The German Shepherd
People who own this particular breed of dog say they’re almost human in their intelligence. Maybe this is why this breed has adapted so well to working with humans in such jobs as search and rescue, police work, guide dog work, and bomb sniffing. Easy to train and eager to please, this breed is a natural for engaging in challenging work. In fact, a German Shepherd can become bored and depressed if not constantly occupied and challenged.
The Golden Retriever
This breed of dog is easy to train and quite obedient. Golden Retrievers are often trained as guide dogs due to their ability to follow complex commands and their strong desire to please. The first three winners of the AKC Obedience Championships were all Golden Retriever dogs.
The Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher is another dog breed that has been extensively used in human work due to the breed’s keen intelligence. It’s quite common to see the Doberman Pinscher performing tasks for the police and military as well as serving as private protection dogs.
Least Intelligent Dog Breeds
The Afghan Hound
This particular breed to dog is known to be quite sensitive and loving which may make up for some of their perceived lack of intelligence. They are tend to be rather difficult to train and have a propensity to be “disobedient” according to the trainers and breeders who work with them. With such a nice disposition, who’s worried about their lack of brains?
The Basenji
This dog breed is distinctive in its personality even if not known for its keen intelligence. Commonly known as the “barkless dog”, this dog breed makes a distinctive noise to alert its owner of impending trouble. It’s described as being almost like the sound a human makes when crying. They tend to be a challenge to train in some cases.
The Bulldog
Bulldogs are known to be both affectionate and fiercely protective of their family which makes them popular pets despite their reported lack of intelligence. They are trainable and most owners report their Bulldogs can carry out commands and perform simple tricks.
The Chow Dog
This dog is extremely loyal to its family, almost to a fault. Leary of strangers they will leap into action if they sense any ill intention on the part of visitors. Many Chow owners report their Chow dog is quite intelligent but a bit stubborn. It’s possible their stubborn tendency is mistaken for stupidity.
The Borzoi
This breed tends to be rather independent and aloof which may be misinterpreted as a lack of intelligence on the part of their owners. Dog intelligence tends to be rated on the basis of their ability to perform people pleasing behavior. The Borzoi is not as eager to please as most dog breeds.
There are many intelligent dogs of all breeds and much of a dog’s apparent intelligence is dependent upon how he is trained and treated by his owner. Hopefully this list will serve as a general guide to help you better interact with the dog breed you choose.
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User Comments
Janice
On November 8, 2007 at 4:28 am
My poodle is really smart. He always manages to train people rather than the more common of people training dogs.
-Janice
nullValues
On November 8, 2007 at 8:17 am
I would be careful to equate the ability to train with intelligence – this assumes every dog should be measured as a working dog. One of the smartest dogs I’ve ever owned was a Great Pyrenees, and there’s no way on God’s Green Earth you could train that dog to fetch a stick. He was simply above such a silly game. But he would return an escaped lamb to the edge of a pen with a few gentle suggestions, and would lay with it “captive” until we came for it. He also knew to shut an open gate, and taught himself open the few that had levers he could use.
smartdogs
On February 11, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Great Pyrenees are overall not that smart.
waaahhh!!!!
On April 3, 2008 at 11:54 am
i don’t think thats true i think it depends on how you train the dog…
any dog can be smart as long as you train it well…
waaahhh!!!!
On April 3, 2008 at 11:57 am
i have 2 chinese shar peis,a basset hound,and a great dane who gave birth to 14 pups… it was challenging but i was able to train the puppies to sit,stay, and to lie down when told at the age of 1 1/2 months…alot of dogs are also smart but there are alot more dos that are or can be smarter like a belgian malinois…
Francis
On July 9, 2008 at 4:47 am
Having had an AFGHAN i have to agree withthe analysis, but they are great dogs. We now have a Dalmation and am suprised that you do not list it in your five most intelligent breeds. We chose a Dalmation on the basis of what everyone told us about intelligence, and boy they were not wrong. He only has to see you do something once and he can copy. They need a llot of love and attention though.
poodlegirl
On August 31, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I own three poodles,and I am constantly amazed at their ability to understand language that hasn’t been repeated or taught. If you have a problem teaching them a trick, it’s because they don’t want to do the trick.
akshay
On October 17, 2008 at 9:40 am
i own a german shepard which turned 5 yesterday…it is very useful.whenever i say”sht yaur door”,itcoses its eyes … its too good
DogOwner
On October 17, 2008 at 12:39 pm
We have a basset and a basset/yellow lab mix. Both of them are smart in their own ways. Our bassett understands sit, lay down, roll over, and stay very good. He also knows “get your nails done”, “Get the mail”, and ‘bye bye in the car” he gets to go outside the fence and gets excited. He know to go into his crate when he sees us getting our shoes or coats on, self taught very quickly. Also at night when we tell them they are going out for the last time he goes straight to his bed when coming back in. He will not play fetch, he just stands beside you and barks. When my wife was pregnant he would lay on the couch with her and rest his head on her stomach and is very protective of all of us. He doesn’t like it when we have our son on the floor tickling him or when our other dog tries to jump on him and lick him. These do not seem like traits of an unintelligent dog, that is why these tests are so bogus. The “smart” dogs are the ones who have to be told everything and can’t figure anything out on their own?
Our lab/basset mix has yet to learn “sit” much less lay down, roll over, etc. She does know “shake” sometimes. She pees on the sidewalk or deck rather than the grass (have had her for over a year). She is also starting to learn to go straight to bed at night or when we get our shoes on, but our basset had to teach her as he would kind of chase her into her bed. They both get treats every time they go in their bed, except when they go in on their own to take a nap. He also barks at her when she doesn’t pee in the grass. She also has yet to learn “down” when jumping on everybody, including our 4 yr old son when he is on the steps. My wife says it is the lab in her, that is why she doesn’t figure much out on her own. I think it could also be the mix breed in her. Looking in their eyes, she always has a “deer in the headlight” look while his you can see the gears going inside.
Culo
On October 21, 2008 at 10:46 pm
My Pug (Frank) is the most intelligent dog in the whole world,his IQ is 165,the same as Einstein. He can play piano,read Shakespeare,and talk for hours and hours teaching me about his old friends Plato,Socrates,Da Vinci,etc… and he can bring me the newspaper too! Lovely dog…
Kari-Anne
On November 21, 2008 at 2:34 pm
I’m so tired of that “intelligence” and “easily trained” in many of these so called “tests” are synonymous!
-A human being wouldn’t be regarded particualrly intelligent if obeying any order, or??
Just some trivial fact: A good share of aghan owners (who tend to be VERY well trained by their affie) have to have locking mechanisms on the fridge, to prevent afghan invasion… Seriously, that is quite common!
R.S.
On December 24, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I own a border collie, she’s only 8 weeks old and already is housetrained, I have an older jack russel mix as well and that may have helped but I find myself not having to repeat myself to my Border Collie about anything, and that’s wonderful! I love her to death, she’s the sweetest thing ever and never fails to remind me of how smart she is!
K
On February 4, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Saying a dog is stupid based on breed is like saying a human is stupid based on their race.
ALL dogs have the capacity for being intelligent or stupid– some breeds are just more stubborn than others, and stubbornness should NOT be mistaken for lack of intelligence! This site and others even admits such… so curiously, why do they insist on labeling sad dogs as being “lease intelligent”?
Quite arrogant… :/
Michael and Roxy
On February 12, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I would have to completely disagree with your above article.
We own a bulldog whos 9 months old and let me tell you hes a very smart dog but very stubborn at the same time, which makes it to be that he learns when he wants.
I have seen plenty of videos with very well trained bulldogs doing things that many other well trained dogs wouldnt ever do, and why is that ?? becuase they are very smart.
You should be very careful on saying that a dogs intelligence is measured by how fast they get trained, as they are both different things.
I just wonder what dog you own, wouldnt be surprised if you own one of the breeds from your most intelligent dogs list.
Oh hang on im gonna go and put my bulldog on the top of of a list as well for being the smartest, cutest and most lovable breed there is. See you there, leaving a comment!!!!
Scott
On February 25, 2009 at 8:32 pm
The article was as a sensitive as possible to not offend anyone who owns the “less intelligent” breeds. You all just need to calm down. They clearly stated that the only way we have to measure “intelligence” in dogs is how fast they learn commands. This may not be the most accurate test in the world, but it’s all we have for dogs.
And for all of you arguing that your breed is also smart……… they may be, but you’d better believe that the dogs at the top of this list can also do the things you love about your preferred breed. Border Collies, GSD’s, Poodles, Golden Retrievers, and Doberman’s take a back seat to no dog in the intelligence department.
joe
On March 12, 2009 at 12:58 pm
this article has been bantered all over the place. basically they judge intelligence on if the dog is willing to listen. so all the hounds are considered dumb by their study, and all the herding dogs are smart.
if you really want to judge intelligence you would base it on how smart a dog is when it comes to figuring out things.. such as if he knows how to open doors and unlock things.. if he can find a treat under a cup easily etc.
and finally each dog is different.. there are smart labs, dumb labs.. smart border collies, dumb ones.. just cause a dog is a certain breed doesn’t mean it follows every breed trait.
this article is absolute ignorance.
nate
On March 17, 2009 at 5:23 pm
cool
nate
On March 17, 2009 at 5:26 pm
maby all people should get this test im just tellin ta this is real cool isnt it i just bought it IT IS AWESOME FOR MY DOG BOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nate
On March 17, 2009 at 5:29 pm
woops i thought i was talking about the dog test on triond tv sorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Craig
On May 16, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I showed this list to my mom’s poodle and he circled all the grammatical errors. Hahaha, just kidding.
Suzie
On June 2, 2009 at 9:59 am
I am very surprised that the Dalmatian did not make the most intelligent list. Being an owner of two pure-bred Dalmatians, I have had experience in training these lovely dogs. I think it is a joke that the golden retriever made the list. They are very stupid and have no expression whatsoever. They just seem to have a dumb-happy look on their face at all times; like they don’t know whats going on. I have many friends that have goldens and i have come to notice that none of the dogs are trained AT ALL. Dalmatians are quite the opposite. They might not be friendly to strangers; however, they do whatever they can to please their owners. My 2 year old can learn 1 command in about 30 minutes flat. If this list was truely judged on the abilities to perform commands, then the Dalmatian would most certainly be included; and not the golden retriever or border collie. Honestly, I think this list was created considering the popularity if the dog breed and not its intelligence; otherwise, the Dalmatian would be somewhere in that list.
kristina
On June 28, 2009 at 10:15 am
I am very suprised at how ridiculously sensitive all if these comments are. Good god, they’re dogs. No one is insulting your intelligence. The science of breeding at training has taught us that different breeds exhibit different levels of intelligence. The border collie is not even close to one of the most popular breeds, as the person above concluded in her comments. They are by far the most capable breed in every intelligence idicator out there. And dalmations are very cute and have unsurmountable energy, but they are not an intelligent breed. They tend to get into things because they have so much energy. Dogs have been bred and developed through out time to do certain tasks and that is part of the reason some breeds exhibit more intelligence. There is no dalmation out there that can herd 1000 cattle at a time, using 180,000 hand commands that he has memorized in a few short weeks. But then again, dalmations are extremely loving and beautiful animals and their existance is no less honorable because of it’s intelligence level. Those people who responded with such sensitivity to a web site that was compiled to demonstrate the intelligence of standard breeds (as researched through out time by EXPERTS) are absolutely ridiculous. No one is insulting your intelligence and there is nothing wrong with owning a breed that is considered of lesser intelligence. And there is a PROFOUND difference between human races and dog breeds. People are not dogs. We have manipulated dog breeds through out history based on their unique instincts. Do the research; it’s all there and it is not subjective no matter how intelligent you think your dog is. I own a bull dog and a border collie and they are both equally as prized in my home and my heart. But honestly, there is no dog out there that can come close to touching the ability and intelligence of the border collie. But at the same time, the bull dog is a much much better house hold animal and I would recommend him over the border collie as a pet, anyday. The bottom line is, they are dogs and no one should take offense to their differing intelligence levels. They are not children and perhaps if your so offended by the research there is an insecurity occuring in you else where.
Criz ♥
On July 9, 2009 at 10:33 am
I agree! Border Collies is the most intelligent dog breed and yeah next is the Poodle and the German sheperd! But Border Collies is Top 10 of the most easiest to train! Even though they are smart, they have a different way i trainings! Oh and Katrina this Most Intelligent and Least Intelligent breed! So why dont you go to the Most Popular dog Page! No hard feelings! =)
Sarah!
On August 14, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I have a border collie, and most of the times she’s as dumb as dirt, while other times she’s as smart as can be. It all just depends on her mood. She’s an awesome dog, though.
Melanie
On October 1, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I do not understand why obedience is equated with intelligence. I suppose the same individuals believe that if a 10 year old refused to fetch or roll over readilly- then he is “dumb”. People pleasing easilly trained dogs are not synonomous with intelligent dogs.
Think the planet of the Apes movies. The sudden atttept of the Apes to take over and to no longer allow humans to rule was not due to their LACK of intelligence. So if a dog does not roll over, fetch or beg readilly it is not because he is not bright enough to, or doesn’t get it. He may not have decided that you are worthy to command him to do anything. In time this mentality changes, and he learns to trust you. Adopted children are like this….
Goodselfme
On October 30, 2009 at 3:20 am
THank you for this summary on each of these dog breeds. You stated some good info on each too. Glad I finally found you here.
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