Canine Psychologist Ranks The World’s Dog Breeds

There’s a reason why dogs are often referred to as “man’s best friend.” Frequently kept as companions, many dogs are renowned for their abilities to learn and adapt quickly. Many people choose to adopt a dog to add as a member of the family.

It’s important to know ahead of time that pretty much any dog will require obedience training, especially when they join a family that has small children. Difficulty of training ranges and largely depends on how much time is invested in practicing, as well as the dog’s overall intelligence.

Canine psychologist Stanley Coren, who wrote the book The Intelligence of Dogs, defined dogs’ intelligence according to their obedience along with their ability to learn and internalize new commands. Per his assessment, the smartest dog breeds are able to learn new commands and obey these roughly 95% of the times they are given the command.

This is a list of the most intelligent dog breeds out there, in no particular order. did your dog’s breed make the list?

Maltese Terrier

The Maltese Terrier is part of the toy group of small dog breeds. It is considered to be in the “fifth tier” when it comes to breed intelligence and training ability, which means they have the ability learn a new trick within about 40 to 80 repetitions.

Its name derives from the fact that the breed most likely originates from Malta, an island found in the Mediterranean. These dogs are known to be affectionate, sweet-tempered, playful, but also gentle. Both the males and females tend to weigh between 6-8 pounds.

Brussels Griffon

Brussels Griffon is generally considered to be a smart dog breed, which means that these doggies are rather receptive to training. As tends to be the case many times with small dogs, they tend to be a bit feisty and stubborn.

However, with consistent and firm training, these dogs can become attentive and obedient pets. As is hinted by its name, the breed originated in Brussels, Belgium. These dogs tend to be inquisitive, alert, and also sensitive, so make sure you have plenty of time to meet its emotional needs.

French Bulldog

French Bulldogs’ intelligence is manifested in a variety of ways. For example, many French Bulldogs are used on-screen (and can be seen in films such as Garden State, Bringing Down the House, and Titanic), as they are quite easy to work with.

Another trait that indicates the French Bulldog’s intelligence is its ability to alert its owner in times of danger. French Bulldogs are known for being easygoing and affectionate but also alert, athletic, and playful. They’re an excellent choice for pets.

Pug

The pug is also known as the dog with the “smushy” face. While pugs are not instinctively smart (since they were not bred for this purpose), they are quick to adapt and learn from their mistakes, making them easy to train.

Pugs also have high obedience intelligence, which, along with their gentle nature, makes them perfect companion dogs. Although they are a charming and sociable breed, they also have a tendency to be a bit stubborn, however training can easily counter this.

Akita Inu

The Akita Inu breed is known for being quite stubborn at times. In fact, some people compare life with them as trying to reason with a toddler. They have a tendency to want to assert their dominance. Sometimes, they’ll even grumble under their breath while being told off.

This level of emotional intelligence makes them smart but will need more consistent training than other breeds. People tend to confuse the two varieties: Akita Inu and Akita. The difference between the two is that the American strain of the breed is the Akita, while the Japanese strain is the Akita Inu.

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are known for being immaculately strong and powerful dogs, so much so that they once were used for lion hunting. How crazy is that? These strong dogs love being outside and running around, but have also adapted to home life.

These dogs are fairly intelligent but need to be trained with positive reinforcement and gentleness in order to learn new commands. Their temperament tends to be mischievous, strong-willed, and dignified, but also loyal and sensitive lending to a good mix of traits for a pet.

Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes are strong dogs that love pulling sleds and their high endurance allows them to accompany backpackers for hours on end. These breeds tend to to very well with active families, since a lack of stimulation can lead to aggressive behavior.

These intelligent dogs need mental stimulation as well, otherwise they become quite the handful. However, despite this, Alaskan Malamutes are known for being loyal and devoted, friendly, playful, and quite affectionate. This makes them a great choice for a pet dog, especially for those experienced with dogs and have a lot of time to care for them.

Shiba Inu

Shibu Inus, as a breed, are often compared to cats as they share similar traits. Shiba Inus tend to be fiercely independent who can sometimes be headstrong and value their alone time. However, as they are an emotionally intelligent breed, these fluffy pups tend to be quite easy to train.

Shiba Inus have become quite popular in Internet culture. A popular meme featuring a Shiba Inu along with comical multi-colored text (usually written in broken English) began appearing on the internet in 2013, and has stayed popular until now. We understand why Shiba Inus were chosen, look how cute they are!

Great Dane

Great Danes are massive dogs that are very gentle and loving. Due to their huge size, they have a tendency to be clumsy as times. Their obedience intelligence is pretty decent, considering it takes about 25 to 40 repetitions for them to grasp a new command.

They’re smart enough to be trained, but patience will be necessary. A trained Great Dane will exhibit their natural temperament, which tends to be devoted, loving, gentle, friendly and also confident. The tallest dog record-holder is a Great Dane that measured about 3 ft from paw to shoulder!

Parson Russell Terrier

The Terrier breeds are known for their hunting abilities, and the Parson Russell Terrier is no exception from that. Their intelligence leads to strong hunting instincts. They have lots of energy that can be expelled while out in the fields for a hunt.

While they are quite energetic, they can still be easily trained and be kept at family pets as well. The breed’s name comes from the man who is credited with creating the breed in the first place, Reverend John “Jack Russell.”

Greyhound

The Greyhound is known for its racing abilities. Due to a rise in adoption of retired racing Greyhounds, they are now considered to be popular family dogs. They have long and agile legs and can run up to 40 miles per hour!

Despite their athletic abilities, they are very gentle dogs. These athletic dogs are also highly intelligent, and can outsmart their owners to get their way. Unlike many other breeds, these dogs tend to be aloof around strangers. However, they’re highly affectionate around their families.

American Foxhound

The American Foxhound dog is aptly named, as it was developed from dogs that were brought to the US Colonies back in 1650. Even George Washington had a group of American Foxhounds. These sweet and loyal dogs are also quite intelligent and relatively easy to train.

This is due to the fact that the breed was historically trained to hunt foxes by scent. This characteristic is so strong that Foxhounds who pick up on a scent will follow it, completely disregarding any commands, which is why training to break this habit is so crucial.

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise may look like an adorable little ball of fluff, but it should not be underestimated. These highly intelligent dogs often use their wits to get out of trouble with their owners. They love to play and need a lot of exercise to curb their high energy.

These little toy dogs are known for being feisty and playful, but those characteristics are balanced out by their tendency for being affectionate, gentle, cheerful, and sensitive. There’s a reason why so many people choose these dogs as pets.

Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is a highly intelligent dog breed that requires a strict master that can control its intelligence. These dogs are smart enough to learn how to jump over or dig under backyard fences in order to escape, especially if they are on to a scent that interests them.

They sometimes have a tendency to ignore commands even though they understand them. For this reason, obviously training is one of the top priorities when adopting a Siberian Husky. It’s crucial to dedicate time to this, so know that ahead of time when considering one as a pet.

Pointer

Pointers are highly energetic dogs that are always searching for ways to burn and expel their energy. Pointer dogs have a strong level of adaptive intelligence and can easily solve problems on their own. Due to their extremely high level of energy and running ability, Pointer dogs tend to be used as hunting dogs that are easy to train.

The reason this breed is called the Pointer is because that’s exactly what they do! They’re skilled at pointing, which means they locate and then point at birds or any other prey they find. These dogs have a life expectancy of around 12 years.

Finnish Spitz

The Finnish Spitz is a breed that is known for its hunting abilities. In particular, it is known for being a “bark pointer,” which means they bark in the position of the game being hunted. Despite this, the Finnish Spitz is also a very friendly dog.

They’re also intelligent dogs that can easily discern what is a threat from what is not. Even though they’re often used as hunting dogs, they are known for interacting well with humans and with children in particular, making them a great choice for a pet.

Australian Shepherd

The Australian Sherpherd dog is known for being a very smart dog breed. Their intelligence is even often sometimes compared to human intelligence. Australian Shepherds thrive when given tasks, particularly with herding or helping around a home. They also learn new skills very quickly.

The Australian Shepherd has a similar appearance to both the Border Collie and English Shepherd dogs. However, the Aussies are most closely related to Border Collies. These dogs were also quite popular around Western riding culture after WWII and were even featured in Disney movies like Run Appaloosa Run.

Dalmatian

The Dalmatian breed is famous for its spotted coat. Its name comes from the fact that its roots can be traced back to the Dalmatia region of Croatia. They have been used as carriage dogs due to their high affinity for horses. The Dalmatians guarded and kept the horses calm.

They can often be found in popular culture from the many versions of the 101 Dalmatians films to Anheuser-Busch beer commercials. Dalmatians are frequently associated with firefighters, and is many times used as a mascot for many fire service departments.

Pharaoh Hound

The Pharaoh Hound is not only an elegant and beautiful dog breed, but they are also very active and highly alert dogs. Since they are so highly intelligent, this makes them quite easy to train. Pharaoh Hounds have large ears which give them a heightened sense of sound, allowing them to be the perfect protectors.

This breed is the national dog of the country of Malta, where it is called “Kelb tal-Fenek,” which translates to “dog of the rabbit.” This is because these dogs were traditionally trained to hunt rabbits found in the rocky terrain of Malta.

English Setter

The English Setter dog breed is a great addition to the family as they love being social and being around people. They are wonderful watchdogs and can protect the home. They have a lot of energy and benefit from daily exercise and running around.

These smart dogs almost never forget what they learn, but need consistent and gentle training with positive reinforcement. The breed’s temperament tends to be mischievous but also affectionate. That combination makes for a great pet dog that is loving and also playful.

Norwegian Elkhound

Norwegian Elkhounds are beautiful, intelligent, and quite headstrong! They boast a gorgeous thick coat of fur and quite the regal stance. However, along with the regal look comes the royal attitude: sometimes they can be a bit stubborn! However, they make up for this by being courageous and bold dogs.

As its name suggests, the Norwegian Elkhound is the National Dog of Norway, and has been used to track and hunt elk and moose. These dogs become quite attached to their owners and will display fierce loyalty to them as well.

Irish Setter

The Irish Setter breed has many different and wonderful qualities that make it a great breed. Irish Setters have playful and fun personalities and are known for having fun-loving behavior. They are also quite talented with obedience training, making these smart dogs a pleasure to train.

Irish Setters love being outdoors and enjoy playing. For those who have watched Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, you might remember that Sherlock Holmes has a dog called Redbeard. This dog is actually an Irish Setter, who may be the most famous Irish Setter in the world.

Kerry Blue Terrier

The Kerry Blue Terrier breed is known for its signature fluffy beard that gives it a distinctive look and also for being an intelligent working dog. They are also known for being strong willed but still maintaining a high level of warmth and affection.

The breed is very loyal but is also very gentle and also loves to be playful, which makes them the perfect family dog. They were originally bred to control “pests” such as rabbits, rats, otters, foxes, and hares, but eventually the dogs job branched out to also heard cattle.

Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie is a breed that requires a lot of attention in order for them to stay happy, despite what their sweetly innocent gaze may suggest! They have a tendency to become destructive if they are not given enough attention. They have the intelligence of a hunting breed and are very active dogs.

This means that they require a lot of exercise in order to stay happy, so make sure you’re ready for their high levels of energy! Once used in Scotland as a herding breed, the Bearded Collie is now quite a popular family dog.

Gordon Setter

Gordon Setters are beloved for their loving and cuddly nature. Gordon Setters do require quite a bit of mental and physical stimulation in order to expel their energy. If not, they tend to become a bit destructive if they become bored.

They have excellent memory and boast an above-average intelligence, with the ability to answer a first command about 70% of the time. These dogs are fiercely loyal to their families and are also very affectionate. They thrive in loving environments.

Australian Terrier

Australian Terriers may be small, but they certainly pack a punch of energy! Their small stature does not make them any less energetic and lively. Australian Terriers have a higher than average level of obedience and working intelligence, which may surprise some who underestimate the small pups.

These dogs are the perfect companion dogs, as they were specifically bred for it. They are friendly and open towards humans and love interacting with babies and young children. They also usually get along with other dogs, but won’t shy away from an aggressor.

Newfoundland

Despite their massive size, the Newfoundland breed is surprisingly gentle and are quite good dogs to have around children. These dogs are known for their ability to learn new skills quickly and have a tendency to watch over kids, particularly when their parents are not around, making them the perfect fluffy babysitters!

As the breed’s name implies, these dogs originated from the Canadian province of Newfoundland. These dogs are natural swimmers, due to their webbed feet, double coat, and muscular build. Therefore, they’re often used for water rescue purposes in addition to being family dogs.

Field Spaniel

Of the many Spaniel breed varieties, the Field Spaniels can be found out in the hunting fields. Despite this, Field Spaniels tend to be more relaxed and laid back compared with their cousins. Due to their high intelligence and docility, training this breed tends to be rather easy.

Training these dogs isn’t as challenging as other breeds since Field Spaniels absolutely love pleasing their owners. However, it’s important to keep them busy and challenged, as a bored and unoccupied Field Spaniel has a tendency to turn to destructiveness.

Samoyed

The Samoyed is not only a gorgeous breed that boasts a thick and luxurious white coat, but is also a highly playful and lively breed. These dogs are not only highly energetic, they can sometimes be a bit headstrong and even stubborn. However, despite this independent tendency, they are still intelligent.

Samoyed dogs can learn new commands after about 15-25 repetitions. Its name derives from the fact that the breed originated in Siberia, and is named after the Samoyedic people native to the country, who used the dogs to help herd reindeer.

Manchester Terrier

Of the many Terrier dog breed varieties, the Manchester Terriers are known for having great personalities as family dogs. This breed is very loving, happy, and very fun to have around. Manchester Terrier are very smart, which can make them a little headstrong at times, and can get a bit challenging while training them.

The Manchester Terrier was originally bred in order to control rampant rats in the 19th century. The breed can either have erect ears that stand up or button ears that fold downwards. This dog breed is eager to please and is a perfect companion dog.

Welsh Springer Spaniel

The Welsh Spring Spanish tends to be small in stature from its other Spaniel cousins, but don’t be fooled, this does not mean that their level of energy is any lower than other Spaniels. As they are also known for being intelligent dogs, they have a tendency to become stubborn.

Early training will help avoid this, since their intelligence also means they are very trainable. As Walsh Springer Spaniels tend to be fiercely loyal, they become quit attached to their owners. This means that at times they can be a bit weary of strangers, but socializing them often will help prevent that.

Briard

The Briard dog breed is a wonderful addition to any family home. These long haired dogs are known for their fierce loyalty and tendency to be people pleasers. This means that they are quite easy to train in a shot period of time.

The fact that they are so easy to train is great news, as this is just what families tend to look for when searching for a family dog! Interestingly, during WWI, Briard dogs were used as both sentry and messenger in order to help look for wounded soldiers. Nowadays, they’re still used by police, the military, and search-and-rescue forces.

Bouvier Des Flandres

The Bouvier Des Flandres breed has several personality traits that it is known for. The first is its loyalty and protective nature to its family. However, they are still quite gentle dogs. They are also known for being very intelligent, and are quick to adapt to different types of situations.

These dogs originated in Flanders, Belgium, which is the Dutch-speaking region of the country. They had many purposes including guard dogs, police dogs, and farm work like cart pulling, cattle droving, and sheep herding. Nowadays, they’re mostly kept as family dogs.

Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier, often referred to as just “Airedale,” is a breed that has many times been used to hunt large birds and game. It is the largest terrier of the British variety. These dogs are known for being friendly, social, and outgoing.

However, as they are highly independent and intelligent, they have been used for hunting independently. This Terrier’s name derives from the fact that it originated in the River Aire valley in Yorkshire, England. Since it is the largest of the terrier breed, it has been nicknamed the “King of Terriers.”

Yorkshire Terrier

Despite its very small stature, the Yorkshire Terrier breed should not be underestimated! These are very smart and energetic dogs that learn very quickly (they can be house trained in just a few weeks!) and retain knowledge gained for their entire lives.

Additionally, their emotional intelligence is very high and they bond with their humans very quickly. As its name implies, the breed originated in Yorkshire, England during the 19th century. This terrier is typically meant for companionship and weighs up to 7 pounds, making it very easy to care for and transport.

Puli

Puli dogs are absolutely known for their look, which is undisputedly unique. While some people describe them as looking like a mop, their signature look most definitely set them apart. Say what you want about their look, these dogs are very intelligent.

Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan owns a Puli dog, so you know they must be smart! Puli dogs originated in Hungary and were originally used for guarding livestock and also herding. Fun fact: the proper term for multiple Puli dogs is “Pulik.” Now you know!

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are commonly referred to as “Chessies.” Their ability to learn new skills quickly have made them known to be some of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world. They tend to be used as hunting dogs in order to take advantage of their smart instincts.

Developed in the 19th century in the Chesapeake Bay area of the United States, this breed excelled at hunting and retrieving waterfowl. They were also used for pulling fishing nets, as well as recusing fishermen in trouble. What talented, multi-tasking pups!

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is known for its short little legs and large upright ears. Similar to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, it is one of the oldest breeds originating from the British Isles. The breed is ranked in the “second tier” of dog intelligence.

This means that they require only between 5 to 10 repetitions to learn new commands and respond to them about 85% of the time. The dogs tend to be fiercely loyal to their owners. They also can live in a large variety of environments, making them very versatile.

Vizsla

The Vizsla breed is highly energetic, agile, and very intelligent dog breed. They are commonly referred to as “velcro” dogs, since they are very loyal and always attached to their owners. These dogs require a lot of exercise in order to avoid stubborn behavior that can arise due to boredom.

Vizslas have a very high emotional intelligence and will be able to feel their owners emotions easily. The Vizsla originated in Hungary and is known for being a sporting dog as well as a hunting dog, but due to its loving nature is also a loyal companion dog.

Irish Water Spaniel

The Irish Water Spaniel is a curly haired breed that is known for being silly, goofy, and quite fun to be around, they’re even known to be the “clowns” of the spaniel breed! However, don’t let the laid back and friendly personality fool you, these dogs are still highly intelligent.

Irish Water Spaniels are also very easy to train due to its natural instinct to want to please its owner. They’re also wonderful with children as they are loving and gentle, but they still make great guard dogs if trained for this purpose.

Pomeranian

The Pomeranian breed is often seen in popular culture as an accessory piece and is sometimes portrayed as an annoying yap dog. Despite this portrayal, the Pomeranian is quite an intelligent dog breed. The world’s most famous Pomeranian, a social media star named Boo, has gained a following of over 12 million people.

The Pomeranian comes from the Spitz breed type and originated from the Pomerania region in Central Europe. It is a descendent of the German Spitz dog. The Pomeranian is among the top 50 most popular dog breeds in the United States.

Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain dog has the reputation for being one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. In addition to their high intelligence, these dogs are also great with tracking, carting, herding, and are quick to pick up obedience training.

The Bernese Mountain Dog originated in the canton of Bern, which is located in Switzerland. The large mountain dog was originally used as a farm dog and for pulling carts. These dogs are naturally good-natured, self-assured, and also quite docile.

Belgian Malinois

Often confused with the German Shepherd, the Belgian Malinois does share some personality traits with the German Shepherd. The Belgian Malinois is known for being highly intelligent and easily trainable, and therefore can often be found being utilized in special forces or as police dogs.

Additionally, they are known for sometimes being a bit hyper! Its name comes from the word Malines, which is the French version of the name of the city of this breed’s origin, Mechelen, which is located Flemish Belgium. The Secret Service employs Belgian Malinois in order to protect the White House.

Weimaraner

Weimaraners are also sometimes referred to as the “Silver Ghost.” They were historically used to hunt bears and deer while out. Nowadays, they have mostly adapted to live home lives. They require a great deal of exercise in order to keep their high energy in check.

Their high intelligence can sometimes make it tricky to train them, so a firm but gentle approach is best. Weimaraner dogs were originally bred during the early 19th century in Germany and were used by royal families in order to hunt game.

Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel are a smaller version of the breed that were originally used as gun dogs, which helped retrieve game for hunters. While people still tend to use them to help out with hunts, nowadays Cocker Spaniels are more likely to be found being kept as family pets instead.

Cocker Spaniels are known for their excellent obedience intelligence in addition to their great working intelligence. There are two types of cockers: “show” cockers and “field/working” cockers. They were originally bred in early 19th century England to aid in hunting game.

Brittany Spaniel

The Brittany Spaniel dog breed is wonderful around families. However, they require a great deal of exercise in order to avoid their destructive tendencies. They have a natural instinct for hunting, which sometimes may be difficult to get them out of.

Since they are very smart dogs, they thrive when they are given tasks, or will even find them on their own. The Brittany Spaniel was originally bred for hunting birds.  Though it is called a spaniel, its characteristics are actually more similar to setter and pointer dogs.

Standard Schnauzer

The Standard Schnauzer can be recognized by its signature mustache and beard combination. This breed is famous for being intelligent, sweet, playful, kind, and gentle, and also for being good natured. Due to this, unsurprisingly, they are quite easy to train and make a perfect addition to any family.

These dogs were originally bred in Germany, most likely around the 14th or 15th century. The name Schnauzer literally translates to “snouter,” which comes from the German word for “snout.” This colloquially means “whiskered snout” which most likely references the breed’s mustache.

Flat Coated Retriever

The Flat Coated Retriever is unique in that it was developed to be a retriever for both in the water and also on land. This hunting dog is known for being a people pleaser, being highly confident, and also very outgoing.

They are great dogs to have around kids, however adult supervision is advised, since they can get a bit enthusiastic, which can confuse a child. This dog breed originated in the United Kingdom during the 19th century and was often found as the sidekick of gamekeepers.

German Short-Haired Pointer

The German Short-Haired Pointer is a multitalented and smart dog breed. Due to its many talents, the German Short-Haired Pointer is commonly the preferred dog used for hunting. However, despite its superior hunting abilities, it is also a very affectionate and loving dog which is great to have children and families.

The German Short-Haired Pointer was originally bred in the 19th Century in Germany no surprise there) and was intended for hunting purposes. They are also natural swimmers, as they have webbed feet, which meant they were great for hunting waterfowl.

Keeshond

The Keeshond dog breed is a small ball of adorable fluff, however, once again, don’t let its small stature fool you into thinking they are not a handful. These highly energetic dogs quire a lot of exercise to tire them out.

However, as they are highly intelligent, they can be trained quickly into obedient dogs. The Keeshond breed originated in Holland, but it is closely related to German Spitz breeds such as the Pomeranian, Kleinspitz, and Zwegspitz. Keeshond dogs are known for being playful, agile, and playful.

Collie

The Collie breed’s popularity peaked in 1943 after the release of the film Lassie. The movie showcased the breed’s high level of intelligence. Additionally, these dogs have a high level of emotional sophistication and can sense when their owners are in need.

This ability to tune in to an owners needs means that these dogs are a popular choice for assistance or therapy dogs. Collie dogs originated from Northern England and Scotland and are known for being very trainable, loyal, and gentle. No wonder they make amazing family dogs!

Schipperke

The Schipperke is a Belgian dog breed that is considered to be a small shepherd dog. It is known for its double coat, which includes a soft undercoat that is covered with an outer coat that is longer and a bit harsher to the touch.

They’re not only known for being very intelligent, but can sometimes tend to be a bit mischievous and stubborn. These dogs are originally from Belgium, where they are considered to be small shepherd dogs. However, there is much debate about whether they are truly shepherd dogs or spitz dogs.

English Springer Spaniel

The English Springer Spaniels are known for being some of the bigger dogs of the Spaniel breeds. Due to their stature, they are often used as hunting dogs. These dogs are also highly skilled at catching, perfect for kids who love playing catch with their pets.

The English Springer Spaniel is smart and easily trained and loves playing fetch and spending time with people. This breed originated in England, as is suggested by its name, and is known for being affectionate and cheerful. It also tends to be quite active and attentive.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is known to often have a stubborn temperament, and that may be due to its high level of intelligence. This breed is known for being a part of the Royal Family for many years throughout history.

As is the case with many other intelligent breeds, they require a lot of exercise in order to not become destructive. Along with the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, this breed is originally descended from northern spitz dog types. It is known for being bold and tenacious but also outgoing, playful, and friendly.

Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog breed is one of the most intelligent dog breeds, but it is also one of the toughest dog breeds to train. They are more responsive to firm commands, and benefit from being busy with tasks around the home or outdoors.

However, with consistency, they can certainly be trained. The Australian Cattle dog was originally bred in 19th century New South Wales, Australia, and is known for being obedient, protective, and loyal, but is also known for being brave and energetic.

Rottweiler

Rottweilers are a sharply intelligent dog breed. As opposed to other types of breeds, they do not require so much physical exercise to stay happy, but rather need problem solving challenges to keep them from getting restless and also under stimulated.

Otherwise, they do have a tendency to become destructive out of sheer boredom. These dogs originated in Germany, where they are known as Rottweiler Metzgerhund. This translates to “Rottweil butchers’ dogs,” referring to the fact that they were used to pull carts containing butchered meat to the local market.

Papillon

The Papillon dog breed may be small, but don’t be fooled. These dogs still require a lot of physical exercise due to their high level of energy that needs to be burned throughout the day, otherwise they can become quite restless.

Despite their size, they don’t tend to do well as lapdogs since their intelligence makes them curious and they prefer exploring new smells and sights or learning new commands. Its name derives from the French word for butterfly, referring to its ears which resemble the wings of a butterfly.

Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are known for being good and hard workers, especially since they are very easy to train. This breed enjoys learning and pleasing their masters, which make them a great choice for family dogs, especially those with young children.

They are also often used as substance-detecting dogs, assistance or therapy dogs, and also can be found in rescue missions. This dog is the most popular breed as a pet in many places such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and also Canada.

Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog breed is known for being a herding dog and was once counted on for keeping farmers’ crops free of birds. These dogs are very fast and agile, and are known for being quite intelligent and easy to train.

In fact, they are known for being able to learn a new command within just five tries. The Shetland Sheepdog originated in Scotland. It is also known for being fiercely loyal, very affectionate, and quite strong yet still very gentle.

Dobermann Pinscher

The Dobermann Pinscher dog breed is known for its intelligence, so much so that these dogs can sometimes outsmart their owners. Despite this, they are fiercely loyal dogs that will do anything to protect their homes and make sure no harm comes to their owners.

However, it is important to ensure that they are given enough exercise throughout the day so they do not become destructive. These dogs originated in Germany and were bred in 1890 by a man named Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann who worked as a tax collector.

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds when families are looking to add a dog member of the family. However, many are used as working dogs as well. They take their work seriously and work thoroughly but are also known for the gentleness.

In fact, they are so gentle that they will not damage anything they grasp in their mouths. When they were used during hunts, they were known for retrieving game completely undamaged because of their gentle mouths. This breed is very well known for its friendliness, kindness, and trustworthiness.

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is most commonly known as a police or military dog breed. These dogs have an incredibly strong bite and pick up new commands as the drop of a hat. Additionally, they have an incredible endurance and are able to stay focused for hours.

They are often considered to be one of the top most intelligent dog breeds in the world. The breed is the second most registered type by the American Kennel Club. These dogs are known for being courageous, alert, watchful, and loyal.

Poodle

Poodle dogs come in many different size and shape variations, but what they all have in common is their high level of intelligence. They are often ranked in the top most intelligent dog breeds and are very easy to train.

Despite this, at times, Poodles do struggle to solve problems that other similarly intelligent dog breeds are able to solve more easily. In addition to its intelligence, the Poodle dog breed is also characterized by its faithfulness, alertness, and trainability.

Border Collie

The Border Collie is often considered by experts to be the most intelligent of all dog breeds. They are very skilled at herding sheep, even considered to be the best of all dogs to do so. Their intelligence is often compared to human intelligence.

This means that training them can sometimes actually be a bit tricky, as they sometimes they pick everything up within a few moments. Other defining characteristics of the Border Collie breed include responsiveness, keenness, alertness, and high levels of energy.