Oct. 25/2023

 

18 of the Smartest Dog Breeds Part 2

By April Saylor

4/4/2023

petmd.com

10. Australian Cattle Dog

Another member of the herding group, Australian Cattle Dogs are known for their intelligence & ability to learn new cues quickly. These energetic dogs have a strong desire to please their pet parents, & they make good companions for families who have lots of time to spend with their pooch outdoors, playing & engaging their natural instinct to herd and chase.

11. Miniature Schnauzer

The scruffy-faced Miniature Schnauzer is a smart dog breed due to their alert, playful nature. Originally bred to work on farms in Germany, these pups still love having a job to do & require quite a bit of exercise & mental stimulation to be their happiest selves. Agility & obedience training are great ways to engage your Miniature Schnauzer, as they are perceptive & quick to learn new skills.

12. English Springer Spaniel

English Springer Spaniels are another highly intelligent sporting dog known for their trainable, friendly nature. These smart dogs excel in hunting & retrieving skills, & they’re wonderful family pets that just want to be near their people. Their active nature & desire to please make them an excellent breed for active families who enjoy hunting & hiking.

13. Belgian Tervuren

Like other members of the herding group, Belgian Tervuren are a hard-working dog who loves having a job to do. These super-smart pups are very energetic, so they need lots of mental & physical challenges to keep them engaged. Consistent training & socialization is a must for Tervs, & tasks like herding, agility, & obedience will help them flex their muscles as well as their brains. As natural athletes, Tervs are well-suited for active families who enjoy being outside.

14. Schipperke

They may be small in stature, but the ever-alert Schipperke was originally bred to work. They would hunt rats & protect Belgian boats, so present-day Schipperkes still love having a job to do. These independent dogs do well when they have enough room to play & exercise, so a home with a fenced yard is a good fit. Puzzle toys & ongoing obedience training can also help keep their minds stimulated.

15. Collie

Perhaps no dog in history has a reputation for being as intelligent as Lassie! The perceptive, protective hero we know from the popular show is not far from Collies’ true nature. These herding dogs are alert & friendly—they’re problem-solvers as much as they are family pets.

While known for their trainability, super-smart Collies appreciate a little extra mental stimulation to keep them challenged. Collies can excel in herding, agility, & obedience competitions.

16. Bloodhound

No dog’s nose is quite as notable as the Bloodhound’s, & their keen sense of smell has been used to track animals & humans for centuries. These determined dogs are frequently used in search & rescue missions. When not working the trail, Bloodhounds are loyal pups that can be excellent companions for families.

Their instinctual ability to follow a trail with dogged determination does come at a price. These pups are independent by nature & have been known to follow a scent for 130 miles—meaning nothing can get in the way of their nose if they’re on the scent! Lots of playtime & a fenced yard can help your Bloodhound explore & exercise safely.

17. German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointers are excellent hunting dogs that have a strong desire to please their parents. This means they’re relatively easy to train, but they still require lots of exercise & activity to be their best selves. Loyal & affectionate, GSP dogs are great family pets & well-suited for active, outdoorsy families.

18. Briard

Briards are another type of herding dog known for their smarts. These big, wavy-haired pups aren’t as well-known as some of their counterparts, but Briard parents will tell you these smart dogs are wonderful family pets who love having a job to do. Briards are excellent companions for active families—running & hiking can be good ways to burn off their herding energy. Once they’ve stretched their legs, Briards are happy to hang out at home with family members of all ages.

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