You may know that the Australian cattle dog, border collie, Doberman pinscher, German shepherd, golden retriever, and Labrador retriever are some of the brainiest dog breeds. However, there are many more canine categories that rank quite high in intelligence.
Read on to learn about six lesser-known intelligent dog breeds.
What dog intelligence means
First, let’s revisit how dog intelligence is typically determined. There are four distinct ways to measure how a breed ranks in comparison to others. Adaptive intelligence tells us how well a dog can solve problems. Instinctive intelligence assesses a pooch’s natural intuition. Obedience intelligence is all about a canine’s capacity to obey commands and follow instructions. Finally, work intelligence shows a dog’s ability to quickly absorb new skills and execute them accurately.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), breeds known for their brain power typically demonstrate a strong aptitude in each of the four areas. In short, they are naturally inclined to learn, integrate new skill sets quickly, solve problems, and follow commands. Smart dogs also have a high degree of emotional intelligence. If your pet can tell if you’re feeling happy or sad, that’s this ability in action.
With that, here are six more of the most intelligent breeds—and several that are close behind.
- Papillon
This happy, outgoing pooch is a lover, never a fighter. Standing at only 8-10 inches in
height, they fall into the toy or small dog category. Like many miniature breeds, their life expectancy is 14 to 16 years, so you’ll be able to benefit from their natural affection, playfulness, and loyal demeanor for a long time.
The papillon is a very active and attentive animal that does well in agility and obedience training. Their energy and confidence make them an ideal pet for any home, especially one with children. Predisposed toward protecting their owners and premises, they can be good watchdogs too.
- Poodle
It may be no surprise that poodles make the list. These people-pleasing pooches were first bred to be hunters and have continued to work closely in concert with humans. Having such a strong bond with their owners, in addition to being highly intelligent, makes them one of the easiest breeds to train.
The first poodles were hunting dogs. Later, they were employed in wartime to transport much needed supplies to soldiers on the front lines. Today, the descendants of these beautiful animals can be found doing well in agility events or as faithful companions for their owners. Poodles have a typical life span of 10 to 18 years and can be medium or small in stature.
- Rottweiler
Rottweilers are a strong breed, large in size, with a solid, sturdy body. They live for about 9 or 10 years. Jobwise, rotties, as they’re also known, make great herders, police dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs. They are endlessly devoted to their owners and are affectionate, gentle, and protective by nature.
Since they love being active and are quite athletic, they require a fair amount of physical exercise. Additionally, they do best with the proper amount of mental stimulation. Making sure they have toys, puzzles, and enrichment games at their disposal and enough human interaction keeps them behaving at their best. Due to a tendency to be a bit territorial, early socialization is recommended.
- Shetland sheepdog
Here’s another favorite smart dog with a cool nickname. Shelties, as they’re known by lovers of this breed, are petite dogs with a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. They exhibit excellent trainability, quick learning abilities, exceptional problem-solving skills, and a renowned responsiveness to commands. With a background as a herding animal, they are equally suited to working as guard dogs or therapy dogs. Because this friendly breed is most content being busy, life with an active family who likes the outdoors will serve them well.
- Miniature schnauzer
This small but mighty terrier is a playful pooch that doesn’t miss anything. They’re reputed to be always on alert to their surroundings and exceedingly perceptive about what is happening around them. Miniature schnauzers hail from Germany where they were originally working farm dogs. The breed has a usual lifespan of 12 to 15 years, lots of time for their owners to take pleasure in this scruffy-faced creature and their active nature.
- English springer spaniel
English springer spaniels are a breed that excels in sports, from retrieving and hunting to hiking the trails. These canines are personable, highly responsive, and motivated to please. These traits and their superior brain power translate into a pooch that can accomplish a range of tricks and will make an amazing family member.
Finally
Our lists of smart dogs would be incomplete without reference to some other truly wonderful animals high in intelligence. If you want a bright canine companion, consider the Belgian Tervuren, schipperke, collie, bloodhound, German shorthaired pointer, and Briard.