Intelligent Dog Breeds
Gauging intelligence between the dog breeds is not always straightforward. Some dogs may learn commands more slowly than others but this can sometimes be down to stubborness rather than having lesser levels of intelligence. And dogs that take more time to train don't necessarily have less intelligence than any others, they could simply be less eager and willing to learn. Here is a list of what we consider to be the most intelligent dog breeds:
Australian Cattle DogThis good all rounder was bred to withstand the harsh conditions of Queensland in Australia.
Australian Shepherd DogThis dog's name is misleading as it was actually developed in America by ranchers for herding purposes!
Belgian GroenendaelBeing named after the Belgian village of its origin helps distinguish this dog from the three other Belgian sheepdogs to follow.
Belgian MalinoisA Belgian Sheepdog, this time named after the village of Malines.
Belgian TervurenAnother Belgian Sheepdog, this one being named after the village of Tervuren.
Border CollieDeveloped on the borders between England and Scotland, this highly trainable dog is used extensively by sheep farmers for herding.
Britanny SpanielThis French former pointer retains the high energy levels it was orignally bred with.
Cardigan Welsh CorgiThis welsh dog needs firm leadership to prevent heel-nipping, as it still retains its herding instincts. Also good for repelling stray cats!
Doberman PinscherThis dog is named after its original German breeder, Louis Dobermann, who developed it for his own personal protection.
English Cocker SpanielThis well known pendulous-eared dog originates from Spain, despite the name.
English Springer SpanielThis forerunner of the English hunting Spaniels can become a little over depepndant if not handled correctly.
Flat Coated RetrieverA british water retreiving dog, whose popularity was overshadowed by the Labrador and Golden Retriever.
German ShepherdAlso known as the Alsatian, this imposing looking dog was originally bred as a herder before being used as a police dog in many countries.
German Short Haired PointerA dog developed for the purpose of tracking and pointing out targets.
Golden RetrieverA fairly modern British breed, this is a very popular dog used in various roles including guide dogs.
Irish Water SpanielA natural clown from Ireland, this spaniel tends to be a one-person creature by habit.
KeeshondHolland's National Dog, this dog is also know as the "Smiling Dutchman" due to the way it grins.
Labrador RetrieverA popular dog in the UK that actually originates in Canada, where it was used by fishermen.
Miniature SchnauzerWith a characteristic beard covering his "schnauze" or muzzle, this vermin hunter from Germany can be a bit of a barker.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling RetrieverThis Canadian breed has a long and silky coat, and it can tend to be a chewer and a whiner if not properly raised.
PapillonThis dainty lap dog from France has characteristic large feathered ears.
Pembroke Welsh CorgiA seperate breed to the Cardiagn Corgi, this dog has a history stretching back to the 1100s.
PomeranianSmall and short bodied but large in character, this breed is named after Pomerania in Germany.
PoodleDespite being known for its French origins, this water dog was actually standardised in Germany, where it is known as the Pudelhund, with Pudel relating to puddle.
RottweilerNamed aftert the town of Rottweil in Germany, this can be something of an aggressive dog.
SchipperkeThis brave and playful dog from Belgium is not to be trusted around smaller pets, especially those normally kept in cages.
Shetland SheepdogA herder from the Shetland Isles, this is a charming and loyal dog.
Standard SchnauzerThis is the oldest of the German Schnauzer breeds (Miniature and Giant being the others), and can be prone to barking if not attended to correctly.
VizslaAnother ancient breed, this dog is from Hungary. It likes to chew, so have plenty of toys at hand!
WeimaranerA pointer from Germany, this dog may treat smaller pets as prey.