Smart dog breeds
A dog's intelligence isn't measured with an exam; the closest thing we have is how fast it learns and how much of a mental challenge it needs. These 18 breeds score 4 or 5 on both.
The rule
What they have in common
- Trainability ≥ 5/5
- Mental stimulation it needs ≥ 4/5
18 of 78 directory breeds qualify · 60 don't · 0 have no data for a field in the rule (left out, named below)
The numbers come from each breed's page. Sources (in Spanish)
A dog that learns on the fly also learns to open the pantry. If its head isn't busy, it will find something to do — and you won't like it.
With their bars
The 18 breeds that qualify
German Shepherd Dog Pastor Alemán
- Energymarathoner
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Poodle Caniche (French Poodle)
- Energymarathoner
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Rottweiler
- Energymiddle of the road
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Border Collie
- Energymarathoner
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Weimaraner
- Energymarathoner
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Australian Shepherd Pastor Australiano
- Energymarathoner
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Papillon Papillón
- Energymarathoner
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
German Shorthaired Pointer Braco Alemán de Pelo Corto
- Energymarathoner
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Vizsla
- Energymarathoner
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Labrador Retriever
- Energymarathoner
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Golden Retriever
- Energymiddle of the road
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Miniature Schnauzer Schnauzer Miniatura
- Energymiddle of the road
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Doberman Pinscher Dóberman
- Energymarathoner
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Belgian Malinois Pastor Belga Malinois
- Energymarathoner
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Dogo Argentino
- Energymarathoner
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Energymarathoner
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Leonberger
- Energymiddle of the road
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
Shetland Sheepdog Pastor de Shetland
- Energymarathoner
- Trainabilitylearns on the fly
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
And for your life, which one?
A list narrows things down; the recommender crosses your home, your energy, your kids and your neighbors with these same data, in seven questions.
Other collections
More breeds for…
- Small 28
- Medium 18
- Large 35
- Fluffy 19
- Herding 9
- Giant 9
- for kids 39
- Hunting 18
- Calm 27
- Flat-faced (brachycephalic) 10
- Affectionate 53
- for apartments 12
- that (almost) don't shed 24
- Guard 29
- Large calm 15
- The most common in Mexico 11
- that bark little 18
- Small calm 9
- Easy-to-train 47
- for first-time owners 28
- for older people 7
- for running 16
- that get along with cats 11
- for a house with a yard 31
- for hot climates 28
- All collections →