The Border Collie is widely considered the smartest dog breed, known for exceptional trainability, problem-solving, and herding instincts, followed closely by the Poodle, German Shepherd, and Golden Retriever, all ranking high for intelligence, adaptability, and eagerness to please, but requiring significant mental stimulation and exercise.
The #1 smartest dog breed, consistently ranked by experts like Dr. Stanley Coren, is the Border Collie, known for its exceptional ability to learn commands quickly (sometimes in under five repetitions) and obey them consistently, excelling in problem-solving and demanding mental stimulation. Other top contenders for intelligence often include the Poodle, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, and Shetland Sheepdog, recognized for their trainability and eagerness to please.
The Border Collie is widely recognized as the dog breed with the highest "IQ," consistently ranking first in intelligence studies for their exceptional ability to learn commands quickly (under 5 repetitions) and obey them (95%+ of the time). Other top breeds include the Poodle, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, and Doberman Pinscher, all known for their trainability and problem-solving skills.
Australian Cobberdogs are loving and highly intelligent dogs that descend from the original Labradoodles. They work as therapy and assistance dogs.
The Top 10 Hardest Dogs to Train
Top 24 Least Obedient Dog Breeds
The "heartbreak breed" refers primarily to the Great Dane, nicknamed this due to their affectionate nature combined with a relatively short lifespan (around 7-10 years) and susceptibility to serious heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), making losing them particularly difficult for their devoted owners. Other giant breeds like Irish Wolfhounds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Saint Bernards also face significant health challenges, including cancer and heart disease, often earning them similar sentiments from owners.
For example, Afghan Hounds have the lowest adaptive intelligence, which makes them the least intelligent dog.
While there's no single "number one," the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever consistently rank as top friendly dogs due to their gentle, outgoing, and loyal temperaments, making them excellent family pets good with kids and other animals, though they need plenty of exercise. Other top contenders for friendliness include Cocker Spaniels, Beagles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Pugs, known for their playful, affectionate, and people-loving natures.
Australia's most popular dog breed is consistently the Cavoodle (a Poodle-Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cross), often followed by the beloved Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever, though French Bulldogs are also extremely popular, with "oodle" (Poodle-mix) breeds dominating recent lists alongside traditional family favorites.
Most loyal dog breeds are good family dogs, though some might be better suited for older children.
Though this data might seem to suggest that dogs are twice as intelligent as cats, a direct correlation between larger brain size and increased intelligence has not been conclusively proven. Regardless, dogs' higher neuron count is often viewed as a gauge of their superior intelligence.
Popular Dog Breeds That Get Along Well with Kids
The calmest dog breeds often include large, gentle giants like the Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, and Great Dane, along with smaller, easygoing companions such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Basset Hound, Pug, and English Bulldog, all known for their relaxed, affectionate, and laid-back temperaments, though individual dogs vary. Sighthounds like the Greyhound are also surprisingly calm indoors, needing short bursts of energy but otherwise content to lounge.
True, dogs aren't exactly a fertile market for self-help manuals. But a new study finds that the brains of male and female canines are not the same -- and in at least one task, the females have an edge.
The 15 Most Trainable Dog Breeds
5 Dog Breeds That Can Be Challenging for New Pet Owners
Irish Setter
Irish Setters thrive on companionship rather than solitude. If you're looking for a safe and trainable breed for your active family, an Irish Setter is an excellent choice. It loves to exercise in the backyard, out on the trail or at the dog park.
There's no single "number 1" laziest dog, but the English Bulldog is consistently ranked at or near the top for its low energy, love of naps, and tendency to be a couch potato, followed closely by breeds like the Basset Hound, Great Dane, and Shih Tzu, all known for being relaxed companions. These breeds prefer lounging and short strolls over strenuous activity, making them ideal for laid-back owners.
Least Friendly Dog Breeds Ever
Read through each lazy dog breed to learn about their personalities, energy levels, and common health risks to help better inform your decision.
The Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds That Learn Remarkably Fast
Dog Breeds Most Likely to Bite
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
According to Svartberg's data (PDF), a pinscher, a Bernese mountain dog, or an English springer spaniel might be the most disloyal since each ranks very low on playfulness, with moderate sociability.