Top 10 Smartest Dogs

By PetMD

We’ve gathered a wide sample of dog breeds, sharpened their No. 2 pencils (you know, no opposable thumbs), and asked them to fill out a simple intelligence questionnaire. OK, maybe not. But PetMD did come up with a list of the top 10 smartest canine breeds in the world. See if your dog’s breed makes the grade.

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10. Australian Cattle Dog

Yes, that Australian Cattle Dog from Down Under. A working dog that is traditionally occupied with controlling and herding cattle, its qualities are exceptional intelligence, alertness, resourcefulness and a fiercely protective loyalty over its property and people. They are agile, strong, active dogs, both physically and mentally, which revel in new experiences. The flip side is that they bore easily and will unintentionally find trouble while looking for activities to occupy themselves with. The Cattle Dog is very organized; many are known for putting their own toys away after playing.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Elena B.

6:56AM PDT on Apr 15, 2013

Thanks for sharing.

April 15
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Ana N.

3:14AM PDT on Apr 15, 2013

what about the weimeraner?

Penny A.

11:47AM PDT on Mar 24, 2013

Thank you.

March 24
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Kathy N.

I adore my rescue toy poodle, somewhere between 17 and 20 years of age and still going strong. I found out today i am "expecting": my husband told me a neighbor will be saving a Border Collie pup from their next litter. We live on a farm with sheep and cows and I know the dog, whom I have already named Neo, will be a great asset to my husband. The added benefit is that when my husband is walking around the farm as he does every day, he can appear to be talking to the dog rather than to himself as he always does!

Kara C.

10:06PM PST on Dec 2, 2012

I have cared for all these breeds at some point and have no idea how dobermans and papilons got on this list. Their brains combined are about level to a maltese.
Corgis and Beagles should definetly be on the list, while they are not the most trainable they learn for themselves insanely fast, then usetheir higher intelligence to cause chaos and control their guardians :D

December 2
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Nadine H.

7:36AM PST on Nov 30, 2012

the dog is as smart as it's trainer. I use to say owner. ;)

November 30
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Arlene M. B.

9:15AM PDT on Jun 3, 2012

I was owned by a blue Australian Cattle Dog named Boomerang, who was THE best dog on the planet! He was so smart, and naturally funny that none of my neighbors could believe it. Everyone in town knew him and loved him - the librarian used to run out of the back of the library when she saw him coming so she could say hello! He jumped into the back of a police car and also the Mayor's car, he was quite a guy.

June 3
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Thomas J.

5:48AM PDT on Apr 12, 2012

That's not a Cattle Dog!!!!

April 12
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Carrie-Anne B.

4:41AM PDT on Apr 6, 2012

interesting thanks for sharing :)

April 6
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Past Member .

6:58PM PDT on Mar 30, 2012

Border Collies are amazing pets! Our dog Shadow has NEVER been anything but amazing, and contrary to the article, we've never come home to a destroyed house. We do not play "dog sports", we are not high energy, and Shadow never had issues with children of any age!