Rottweiler “Today, rotties are revered as one of the smartest dogs for their sharp perception, unwavering loyalty, and acute awareness; it's why they're often employed as search-and-rescue dogs, guard dogs, and police dogs,” says holistic pet therapist and author Sally Morgan.
1. Border Collie: A workaholic, this breed is the world's premier sheep herder, prized for its intelligence, extraordinary instinct, and working ability.
1. Golden Retriever. It's safe to say that this breed is one of the most personable around. Golden Retrievers are always eager to please and have a calm temperament, which means they will be happy to socialise with everyone – even with other pets!
Aussies are active yet easy-going dogs that love to romp with children. They tend to get along well with other pets. The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train. Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners.
The list of the world's smartest dog breeds, according to a survey of 122 veterinary professionals conducted by Vetstreet, probably comes as no surprise. Border collies, German shepherds, poodles, Australian shepherds and golden retrievers all have a reputation for being intelligent dogs.
The Tibetan mastiff is considered the most expensive dog, as it has sold for thousands and even millions.
Despite being one of the most expensive dogs in the world, the Afghan hound has the lowest IQ of all dog breeds, per Coren's research. But since these hounds are known as independent and strong willed, perhaps they just can't be bothered to learn commands; what's in it for them, after all?
The Afghan Hound has particularly low 'obedience intelligence', a term that refers to the ability to learn from humans. According to Professor Coren, the breed needed more than 80 repetitions from a trainer to understand a new command. The breed also obeyed on the first command less than 25 per cent of the time.
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.
German Shepherds
These loyal and protective dogs love to work, defend their families, and please their owners. They are intelligent and affectionate around adults and children, alike, but will stand up to threats from strangers.
The Boston Terrier is among the most stubborn dog breeds, but they become loyal pets with early and consistent training. They are an active and fun breed. However, their independence and stubbornness can make them difficult to train, requiring extra patience.
According to Coren's standards, the Australian Shepherd ranked (drumroll, please) 42nd among 138 breeds. This ranking may feel lower than expected if you know Australian Shepherds well. However, their intelligence remains above average for dog breeds as a whole.
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian cattle dogs are one of the smartest dog breeds. They are a true working dog, bred to herd cattle on outback farms. Their hard work has led to the growth of the Australian livestock industries. Pet Australian cattle dogs are eager to please their owners and do well at agility.
Border collie
“It's not a surprise that this hard-working, herding breed comes in first on our list,” say Caitie Steffen, veterinarian and geneticist Dr Angela Hughes. Border Collies are always eager to learn and please their owners, which earns them the top spot in this smartest dogs ranking.
Your Aussie will bond to his family and be protective of and loyal to them. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that even though Aussies have strong guarding and herding instincts, they are sweet and cuddly indoor dogs that can even be kept in apartments.
With proper training, good socialization and adequate regular exercise, Australian Shepherds can be very well-behaved dogs. They are also very loyal and attentive to their owners, so it's not uncommon for them to become a shadow and follow their pet parents around as much as possible.
Due to their generally placid and easy-going nature, they are a great family dog. They can get along well with kids due to their active and energetic lifestyle and can make for a really great companion. This makes them a great companion for a family with kids.
#1 Vizsla. Known as the ultimate Velcro dog, this Hungarian breed is literally attached to their owner, and is happiest when right by your side. They were bred for falconry, and still have tons of energy, so this pup is best for people who enjoy active lifestyles.
Just as people tend to choose friends who match their personality and energy levels, dogs often choose their favorite person based on the same criteria. “A mellow dog will bond more closely with the low-key family member than the person running around the house,” says Ellis.