The Border Collie is number one on almost every list if you’re looking for the most intelligent dog breeds.
They’re brilliant, alert, thoughtful, great problem solvers, quick learners, eager/joyful students, and love to apply their knowledge.
Different breeds have different traits.
The Afghan Hound is not an intelligent dog breed. A study in contradictions shows that the Afghan Hounds are highly courageous and fearful but sometimes quiet and lazy, dignified but clownish.
Three Top Intelligent Dog Breeds
Intelligent Dog Breeds – The Border Collie
The Border Collie is the most popular intelligent dog breed in the world. This dog was initially bred in England and Scotland as a herding dog, and the breed herded various livestock, particularly sheep.
The Border Collie is still commonly used as a herding dog in England and Scotland and is often found on agricultural properties.
Border Collie As A Pet
A family unprepared for a highly active and demanding dog find caring for a Border Collie as a pet difficult. Border Collies require a lot of mental and physical activity; without it, they can quickly develop neurotic behavior.
Nobody wants to interact with a bored Border Collie. When people are bored, they frequently engage in highly damaging actions like gnawing and digging.
The Border Collie is particularly well suited to a household where extracurricular activities such as agility, herding, obedience training, or flyball competitions are offered.
Although they can expend their energy in appropriate ways, Border Collies are herding dogs by nature; this often leads to an automatic herding instinct that they act out on anything and everything, including young children.
They require an attentive family that will stimulate them mentally and physically and
Intelligent Dog Breeds – The Poodle
One of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world is the Poodle. The Miniature Poodle, Toy Poodle, and Standard Poodle are the three sizes of Poodles.
Initially, this dog breed was bred as a water dog; however, over the years, it has adapted to different sports and tasks. Today, the Poodle is commonly used in agility, tracking, obedience, and herding.
Poodle As A Pet
Poodles are intelligent dog breeds and can learn quickly, making them great pets for those willing to work with them.
Because these dogs are intelligent breeds, they learn quickly, and many think they make the perfect pet; however, without guidance and instruction, Poodles can be challenging and stubborn.
Of all the poodle types, the Standard Poodle is the breed with the lowest energy level, but all poodle types can become very demanding and unruly if not treated with proper care.
Poodles are needy dogs, and as a breed, they require an attentive family that will stimulate them mentally and physically and make them feel like part of the pack.
Intelligent Dog Breeds – The German Shepherd
These dog breeds are intelligent and suitable for guarding sheep flocks not only because of their strength but also because they are easy to train.
However, because German Shepherds’ dog breed is intelligent, they use them for various other work tasks.
German Shepherd As A Pet
German Shepherds are similar to Labrador Retrievers, requiring constant stimulation to thrive. A German Shepherd without adequate mental or physical activity will use that energy elsewhere.
German Shepherds almost always thrive in rewarding occupations, such as police, drug, and therapy dogs, or physically satisfying professions, such as agility work.
Dumbest Dog Breeds – Top 3
The Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound tops the list of dumbest dog breeds according to The Intelligence of Dogs, but Afghan lovers beg to differ. Afghans are greyhounds, which means they were bred to hunt with exceptional speed and eyesight.
Like many sighthounds, Afghans can be aloof, which means they can be a bit standoffish and reserved, especially with strangers.
They can also be stubborn and independent. Because of these traits, Afghans are not easy to train, but that doesn’t mean they are stupid. They prefer to think independently and do things their way.
You may have to be a little more creative when training an Afghan, but its elegance, regal charisma, and attachment to its people make it a special companion.
The Basenji
The Basenji is another greyhound on the list of not-intelligent dog breeds because of its independence and aloofness. Some people describe this breed as cat-like; many Basenjis groom themselves like cats.
The species is “untrainable,” but easy trainability is not always an accurate indicator of intelligence.
On the contrary, Basenjis are intelligent, curious, and playful. Like curious toddlers, they are smart enough to get into trouble if not supervised.
Raising a Basenji can sometimes feel like taming a wild animal. They are wary and suspicious, and although most of them bond with their owners, they may or may not like your friends.
Bottom line: Basenjis are stubborn and not consistently obedient, but they can be trained. Positive methods are best.
The Bulldog
Another breed known for its stubbornness on the list of dumbest dog breeds is the bulldog. The term “stubborn” applies to the bulldog strictly.
For this reason, bulldogs can be challenging to train, but stupid? You only have to look at one of the famous skateboarding or surfing bulldogs to see that they can learn.
Bulldogs are also lazy, but some enjoy more active activities than lying on the couch.
