Reader's Choice: What Dog Breed Is the Smartest?

September 10, 2008

Remember when we shared our opinions on the funniest looking dogs? Just like I don't think any pup is truly ugly, I also don't necessarily believe any breed to be exceptionally smart . . . or dumb. On the other hand, I can recall particular dogs – like Casa's amazing Ozzie – that lead me to draw a conclusion about a breed's IQ. I'd like to open it up to all of you: Which dog breed do you think is the smartest? Share in your comments below and I'll do a recap next week with your picks!

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34 Comments

Mypolishgirl 4 years 9 weeks

COTON DE TULEAR! VERY SMART BUT VERY SENSITIVE!

californiagirlx7 4 years 36 weeks

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned miniature schnauzers, I always though they were one of the smartest dogs. When we brought our miniature schnauzer home, he was only six weeks old but he was was potty-trained almost immediately and he learned several commands right away: sit, lay down, shake, high-five, etc. I swear, he acts like a human sometimes with his facial reactions and he seems like he understands everything we say. My chihuahua, on the other hand...she isn't that bright, but we love her anyway. My cat is smarter than my chihuahua, I have to say....she (my cat) even comes over to you when you call her name. "The Official Standard of the Miniature Schnauzer describes temperament as "Alert and spirited, yet obedient to command. Friendly, intelligent and willing to please. The breed is generally good with children, recognizing that they need gentle play. Miniature Schnauzers are generally highly intelligent and easy to train." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniature_schnauzer

deanMartin 4 years 36 weeks

personality is always a factor the avg little dog can reach the intelligence of approx a 3 yr old human. that's pretty much the bottom of the spectrum of dogs the top is the german shepard who can reach a human intelligence of a 7 or 8 yr old human, pretty impressive eh? remember that next time you are talking to one. usually by 3 years of age any shepard, retreiver or collie has a vocabulary (understanding what you say) of around 300 words. thats a lot. these capabilities will not compensate for any dogs personality. which is why the german shepard wins and is used to assist polce, retrievers are used a lot to assist the handi capped etc.

nanatree 4 years 36 weeks

pit bulls are super smart and egar to please. except when they don't wanna! my family had a cocker spaniel long ago, boy it was slowwwww but very sweet.

CaterpillarGirl 4 years 36 weeks

Border collies and standard poodles, i have owned both and they are both superwierd smart. The collie was more of the "mad genius" though, the poodle a quiet professor.

kiwitwist 4 years 36 weeks

The Rough Collie, Border Collie & Australian Shepherds... they are all relative anyways, at least they should be since they all have the same colorings and eye problems.

Dixie Sugar 4 years 36 weeks

I own 6 German Shepherds, a Shiloh Shepherd and a Lab. Shepherds are incredibly intelligent, understanding us more perfectly than we do them, but all in all, Border Collies, as a breed, are the most intelligent. All dogs are as individual as humans, even in the same litters, there are vast differences in abilities and personalities, so it is not across the board. But in general, working dogs of any breed, are going to be more intelligent than do-nothing dogs. If they are trained as pups or young dogs, their intelligence increases with that knowledge. So sorry, small breed lovers, but that GSD or Malinois police dog, Border Collie or Australian Shepherd herder, Golden Retriever or Labrador SAR dog, of Poodle or Newfoundland Therapy dog is going to be more intelliegent than your Chihuahua, Pom or Malti.

alba 4 years 36 weeks

German Shepherds n huskies!

Michelann 4 years 36 weeks

I do really love pit bulls, and I have met a few very intelligent pits. They're more eager to please but border collies are sharper.

baltimoregal 4 years 36 weeks

Pit Bulls are extremely smart and focused on pleasing their people.

cddlykoala 4 years 36 weeks

I've only had Border Collies all my life, and they were always waaaaay too smart. Their instincts are amazingly sharp too. They are independent thinkers, and probably wont just be a lap dog, but it only gave me more respect for animals as a whole.

melizzle 4 years 36 weeks

My pittie wins the intelligence contest. But then again, she also wins the stubbornness and sneakiness contests.

HeidiMD 4 years 36 weeks

I had a collie growing up, and he was VERY smart. I wish I could say my dog (he's a dalmatian) was smart, but... he's just cute and lovable!

Michelann 4 years 36 weeks

The scientific answer is border collie, and I happen to agree with that answer because I have my own border collie :) He's ridiculously smart. He's only three months old and a few days ago he taught himself to open doors. I didn't even know it was possible for a dog to turn a door knob, but I've seen it with my own eyes now.

lilprisci 4 years 36 weeks

Poodles and I don't own any! I have friends with some toy poodles and those little pups are too bright for their own good!

Katydid620 4 years 36 weeks

We have two dachshunds (mother and daughter) who are REALLY intelligent! You can tell them to go into a specific room and they do. Or to go give a specific person a kiss and they run right over to that person and kiss them. I'll ask them if they want to go out and they'll run to the front door but I'll say no, let's go out the back and they go flying to the back door. I really believe because I talk to them so much (my Mom thinks I'm nuts) that they really understand so much that I say.

wakeupandora 4 years 36 weeks

I think you need to base it on: ~The level ability to learn. ~Willingness to comply/obedience. ~Ability to problem solve or have independent thought. ~Ability to mimic human tasks. clearly, shiba inus (of which I have 3) are out on point 2 of my argument but they are incredibly INTELLIGENT dogs. Sometimes I think they are expertly trying to figure things out in their head without needing me there at all. They amaze me sometimes. But in lieu of my own above points, I'd say a well bred poodle or any working breed fit the descriptions. Livestock Guardian Dogs are some of the smartest I've come across.

beram1220 4 years 36 weeks

My pitbull is super smart. He can catch on to a new trick in about a minute.

Lovely_1 4 years 36 weeks

I had a Rottweiler as well and he was VERY intelligent. Very quiet and polite, but if someone was in the house when we weren't (like my poor bf)...look out!

j4everlasting 4 years 36 weeks

MUTTS! Haha! I really don't think you can say one specific breed is smarter than another.

flyingroo 4 years 36 weeks

Oops, sticky fingers, clicked twice! :-P

flyingroo 4 years 36 weeks

Criteria for the above classification: Understanding of New Commands: Less than 5 repetitions. Obey First Command: 95% of the time or better.

flyingroo 4 years 36 weeks

Criteria for the above classification: Understanding of New Commands: Less than 5 repetitions. Obey First Command: 95% of the time or better.

flyingroo 4 years 36 weeks

Rank Breed 1 Border Collie 2 Poodle 3 German Shepherd 4 Golden Retriever 5 Doberman Pinscher 6 Shetland Sheepdog 7 Labrador Retriever 8 Papillon 9 Rottweiler 10 Australian Cattle Dog

pennellie 4 years 36 weeks

Aussies!

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