Top 20 Smartest Dog Breeds [Ranked & Updated 2025]
Who’s a clever boy, then? It turns out some four-legged friends are more than just a pretty face. Okay, not ALL dogs are geniuses — seriously, the number of times I have seen my sister’s Pomeranian mix miss the sofa because he miscalculated his jump 🤦♀️, he’s a real numpty!
That said, certain breeds are the brainiacs of the dog world! Stanley Coren, PhD Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia (Canada), who is also a renowned dog researcher, tested 120 breeds in the early 1990s and in 2006. In this blog post, we will have a look at how Dr Coren ranks the 20 smartest dog breeds.
Table of Contents
Understanding Dog Intelligence
Before we jump into the list, let’s have a quick look at how Dr Coren defines the 3 ways to measure a dog’s intelligence:
- Instinct: many breeds have several specific tasks that are part of their breed, such as herding, retrieving, or guarding. The dog usually performs these tasks, at least to a degree, without any training.
- Adaptive problem-solving: these are tasks that a dog has learned to do themselves if they need to solve a problem. A good example is an escape artist! Some dogs will find a way to Houdini themselves out of, let’s say, a crate or backyard.
- School learning: these are all tasks a dog has learned through training with a human.
Did you know that dogs are estimated to have the intelligence of a 2-year-old tiny human?!
So, without further ado, let’s look at the 20 smartest dog breeds of 2025, according to Dr Coren, all ranked based on the measures mentioned above.
1. Border Collie
You might call the Border Collie the “Einstein of dogs.” Renowned for their sharpened wits and unmatchable energy, these monochrome beauties are the champions of agility and obedience.
Their unparalleled ability to interpret commands makes them superbly unique. Imagine a dog that almost reads your mind — that’s your Border Collie.
In the early 2000s, Border Collie Chase became famous for learning the meaning of over 1,000 proper nouns! Now that’s impressive!
2. Poodle
Don’t be deceived by their fancy fur and posh look; Poodles are brains wrapped in curly tresses. Whether standard, miniature, or toy, these versatile canines shine in service and show rings alike.
Their remarkable ability to switch roles — from fetching game birds to performing tricks — makes the Poodle truly extraordinary. It helps that they love to show off and are absolute people-pleasers.
3. German Shepherd
With a hearty dose of courage, loyalty, and brains, German Shepherds are the ultimate multitaskers of the military and police forces. They are also perfect as assistance dogs (service dogs, for my US readers).
The GSD is incredibly intelligent and they love to learn! They also love bonding with you, making them excellent partners. When you need a confidante with sharp problem-solving skills, look no further than this steadfast breed.
As someone who has owned German Shepherds, I can attest to their intelligence. A few years ago, I took 2 GSDs from a local shelter (see pictures above).
They were brothers who lived in an outside kennel for the first 4 years and didn’t know anything! No commands, treats, toys, nothing (Sad, I know!). After their initial ‘settling down period’, it took me less than 2 weeks to teach them several simple basic commands such as sit and stay.
4. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is the golden (see what I did there 😜) standard for friendly and smart canines. Their amiable disposition combined with incredible intelligence makes them stars in service work.
Whether comforting hospital patients, being a guide dog, or aiding search and rescue missions, these four-legged sunshine machines bring light and logic wherever they go.
When it comes to obedience training, they easily outperform other retrievers. The Golden’s intelligence and the fact they are easy to train is a plus, but their sensibility gives them an edge over many other breeds, making them stable and reliable.
5. Dobermann
Driven by instinct and quick on the uptake, the Dobermann is a natural guard dog deluxe — looking intimidating surely helps! But don’t let that look fool you because they have a sweet demeanour and are eager to please.
They’re swift, perceptive, and unmistakably loyal. Their capacity to learn a wide range of tasks underlines their illustrious reputation as not just protectors but also companions armed with intellect.
6. Shetland Sheepdog
This breed, fondly called the ‘Sheltie', exemplifies brainpower on four paws but in a smaller package. Born from a lineage of herding necessity, their expertise in obedience and learning ability is deeply engraved.
For those who love a dog that thrives on challenges, the Shetland Sheepdog brilliantly lights up any stage they command. They are incredibly smart and eager, making them easy to train.
They are also instinctual with people as they are sensitive and empathetic.
While the Sheltie looks like a miniature version of the Rough Collie (see #17), it is actually a completely separate breed.
7. Labrador Retriever
A household favourite, the Labrador Retriever is as brilliant as they are loving. Known initially for their fishing expertise, these adaptable dogs have morphed into treasured companions, excelling in hunting and family life.
Their innate ability to please makes them trusty companions through thick and thin. Labs are extremely intelligent, making them easy to train. However, they have this ability to self-train by observing their surroundings and imitating their owners, so be cautious.
They also have an uncanny ability to make excellent judgement calls based on their incredible sense of smell.
8. Papillon
Named after their distinctively butterfly-shaped ears, Papillons (Papillon means ‘butterfly’ in French) are tiny dynamos eager to soak up knowledge.
Passionate performers, these little entertainers excel in mastering new tricks, captivating hearts and minds alike with their bubbly energy.
Their bright, curious nature and eagerness to please make them easy to train. In fact, they are often easier to house train compared to other small breeds!
9. Rottweiler
The Rottweiler, or Rottie for short, might surprise you with its intelligence. Not merely brawn, these loyal guardians possess a keen ability to learn and adapt.
From a youthful pup to an experienced adult, Rottweilers wow you with their steadfast commitment to mastering tasks throughout life.
They are a highly adaptable working breed used by the police, as protection dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and even, believe it or not, guide dogs!
Rotties are a quick study and generally eager to please, but be aware they can be quite stubborn!
10. Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog is a dynamic trailblazer, handling vast terrains with a canny intelligence. As agile workhorses of the dog world, they are independent thinkers, ready to shepherd flocks or take on agility sports with boisterous enthusiasm and intelligence.
The ACD is highly skilled and a quick study with boundless energy and a strong work drive, meaning they are a handful and not suitable for everyone.
They are close relatives of the wild dingo, which means they have a natural and intuitive smart streak. In fact, they often outsmart you as the owner — ouch 😅!
Did you know that the Australian Cattle Dog is also known as a Blue or Red Heeler, depending on the main colour of their coat.
11. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Don’t let this shorty fool you because those little legs are what make them keep up with the cattle they need to herd!
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is highly driven and will be most content when given a constructive job that helps him release all the boundless energy.
These dogs are sensitive, playful, and bright, which, combined with their love of learning from their human, makes them easy to train. See, you don’t have to be big to be bold!
Did you know that the word ‘Corgi’ is derived from the Welsh cor gi meaning ‘dwarf dog’.
12. Miniature Schnauzer
Meet the problem-solving prodigy in the guise of a Miniature Schnauzer, a breed that came to be by combining the Standard Schnauzer, Affenpinscher, and Poodle.
With their curious gazes and adaptable nature, these dogs possess a sharp learning ability, perfectly equipped to become cherished members of your household.
The Miniature Schnauzer is bright and alert. They are a breeze to train because they are fast learners and love to please their humans.
13. English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel is a true marvel in the field — gifted, agile, and innately intelligent.
This Spaniel was specifically bred to find game birds, flush them out when in hiding, and retrieve them or point them out to their owner. This takes incredible instinctual intelligence! It is this instinct, along with his people-pleasing skills, that makes him easy to train.
14. Belgian Tervuren
Regal and razor-sharp, the Belgian Tervuren makes its mark with intuitive intelligence. A brilliant herding breed with a mind as keen as its athletic build, this dog balances elegance with practicality in every stride.
Belgian Tervurens, which are closely related to the Belgian Malinois, revel in mastering any task. This, combined with his cleverness and working mentality, means he has no problem outsmarting you!
The Belgian Tervuren is also known as a Belgian Shepherd Dog or the Belgian Sheepdog. The BSD actually has 4 distinct varieties, based on the coat type and colour. The other 3 are: Groenendael, Malinois, and Laekenois. The AKC (American Kennel Club) considers all the varieties to be separate breeds.
15. Schipperke
Small but formidable, the Schipperke, meaning ‘little captain’ in Flemish, shows marvellous mental acuity. Blessed with quickness and agility, these dogs excel at picking up routines and delight in exploring new challenges.
They are incredibly intelligent and can easily handle just about any task you throw at them. However, they are quite independent and mischievous, which means that training can be challenging.
16. Groenendael
The Groenendael, also known as a Belgian Sheepdog or Belgian Shepherd Dog, is part of the Herding Group. According to the AKC, they are absolute workaholics!
They are extremely intelligent and are people-pleasers. He is sensitive and craves human companionship, contributing to his easy trainability. A well-trained BSD is versatile and loves a lot of hard work.
The Groenendael can be distinguished from the other Belgian Sheep Dogs/Shepherds because they only come in a complete solid black colour.
17. Rough Collie
Aaaah, the Collie, I mean, who does not remember Lassie! Wait, does that make me sound old?! 😅. Aaaaanyway, the Rough Collie’s intelligence is comparable to that of the Border Collie, but in a toned-down package of gentility and intuition.
Known for their loyalty and flair for learning, they’re the quintessential heroes of both farm and family.
They are quick learners, and because they want to be with you, training is easy. And boy, do they love putting their newly learned skills to good use!
18. Keeshond
So, you want a smart dog but in a small package? Look no further! The Keeshond is an incredibly intelligent breed with a clever wit.
They are easy to train because they are quick studies and are highly motivated to please their owner. They absolutely excel at obedience and thrive in agility.
Did you know that the breed names ‘Keeshond’ and ‘Pomeranian’ are often used interchangeably? Spoiler alert: They are 2 separate breeds!
The Keeshond’s breed-standard colours are all greyish/wolf-like, similar to the image above. The Pomeranian can come in a host of colours, with the most recognisable one being orange/orange sable.
19. German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer combines hunting with intellect, darting into the countryside efficiently and easily.
Their natural grace on the field reflects their impressive capacity for understanding and carrying out commands.
Since the GSP was bred to be the jack-of-all-trades of hunting dogs, he already has instinctual intelligence, which makes him easy to train.
20. Flat-Coated Retriever
This happy-go-lucky, self-assured Sporting breed is very energetic and works really well with his owner. They are intelligent, very responsive, and super eager to please, all contributing to an easy-to-train breed.
Implications of Choosing a Smart Dog Breed
Choosing an intelligent dog breed can be as rewarding as it is challenging. Imagine having a furry companion who’s always one step ahead, catching your cues faster than you’d expect.
While intelligence in dogs can make training sessions a delight, highly intelligent breeds are not the best dogs for everyone! You must remember that intelligent breeds need a lot of physical and mental stimulation, much more than your average companion dog!
If you cannot or will not provide that, your dog will find other, shall we say, less desirable, ways to keep him or herself occupied. Say bye-bye to your shoes or furniture, have a neighbour complain about excessive barking, or worse, your dog escapes!
Taking a highly intelligent breed comes with an added set of responsibilities. Be a responsible dog owner.
So, have you guessed correctly which breeds were on this list? Let me know in the comments which breed you were surprised to see!
As a bonus, if you made it to the end, here is a picture of my sister’s Pomeranian-mix:
Remember to pin an image to your favourite pet board!
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