Rating of the smartest dog breeds for 2024

The dog has long been considered an intelligent and quick-witted pet. She is brought in not only to guard the house or as a partner in games for the child. The intellectual inclinations of the animal, combined with innate hunting instincts, human orientation and good learning ability, allow you to develop impeccable execution of commands, simple mathematical calculations and memorization of up to two hundred words. We offer a ranking of the smartest dog breeds for 2024.

How to choose a smart pet

The acquisition of a puppy is always accompanied by the expectation that the pet will grow up intelligent and obedient. And here it is not only proper education and training that is important. Much depends on the natural inclinations of the animal, which are revealed when buying.

Criterias of choice

Consider what are the criteria for choosing a four-legged friend with the highest intelligence, according to scientists (professors from Canada - Stanley Koren):

• instincts - genetically inherent abilities, unique innate skills;
• adaptation - the ability to adapt to non-standard situations in everyday life and find ways to solve them;
• learnability - the ability to clearly understand words and gestures, distinguish, immediately execute and even predict commands, learn with pleasure.

Recommendations

• In order not to be mistaken when choosing a puppy, the first thing you should pay attention to when buying is mobility, interest in toys and games. If the baby is not active, lethargic, shy or aggressive, according to buyers, it is unlikely that an intelligent dog will grow out of him.
• Get complete information about the animal from the breeder. Concealment of information, refusal or ignorance of the answers to questions indicate the incompetence of the seller, who may turn out to be a reseller or a fraudster. The best breeders are happy to talk about the peculiarities of the breed characteristics of the dog, answer all questions of concern to the buyer, give advice on the maintenance, care and training of the animal.
• Examine the documentation - pedigree and veterinary passport. It is advisable to verify the authenticity of the documents in the kennel club where the parents are registered. The papers should contain notes about vaccinations, a description of the character, type of temperament, behavior, degree of mobility. Also, the documentation contains information about the rules of care and prevention of diseases typical for the breed.
• Visit the forums of dog owners in order to find out real reviews about the breed of the future pet.
• It is preferable to see the puppy in person, and not be guided only by the photo. Even better is to look at the parents, to observe the level of their training and obedience.

Rating of the smartest dog breeds

The popularity of intelligent dog breeds is determined by the typical mental abilities of its representatives.It is important that the pet uses natural ingenuity and ingenuity not only for its own purposes, but when executing the owner's commands. We offer the TOP of the smartest dog breeds in the world, according to dog breeders, in 2024.

The smartest of the small breeds

Papillon

Height: 20-28 cm.
Weight: 2.5-5 kg.
Life span: 12-15 years.
Average price: 17,000 rubles.

A funny miniature dog with ears similar to butterfly wings has received the status of the most intelligent breed for a reason. Her intellectual abilities and intuition allow her to capture a person's mood and build her behavior on this basis. The dog understands a large number of words, accompanying commands and speech addressed to it. Training is not difficult, new information is given to the papillon easily, tasks are performed playfully and with pleasure. It is often cunning, can learn to manipulate the owner, especially with the wrong upbringing. In dealing with other dogs, he tries to dominate, is jealous of a person, and can become aggressive.

She is friendly to cats, gets along easily and loves joint games. The baby is very vulnerable: even a slight increase in voice to her can lead to depression and the development of mistrust in the owner. Cannot stand loneliness, bored, can get sick. She loves long walks, outdoor games, physical exercises, and various commands. The downside of the breed is pickiness in food. The main thing is to compose an ideal diet for your pet, tasty and healthy. The content of the papillon is simple. Ears require special care: they should be regularly cleaned and combed.

• inexpensive;
• quick-witted;
• performs commands well;
• understands words by intonation;
• adjusts to the mood of the person;
• is friendly with other animals;
• decorative appearance.

• hates loneliness;
• whimsical to food.

Welsh corgi

Height: 25-30 cm.
Weight: 12-14 kg.
Life span: 12-15 years.
Average price: 42,000 rubles.

Undersized smiling dogs with a face resembling a fox, personifying cheerfulness and optimism, are becoming more and more popular. The character is friendly and non-spiteful, it is easy to get acquainted with larger dogs. They are devoted to every family member, willingly run and play with small children, never showing aggression. The inborn instinct of a shepherd allows the animal to anticipate human actions, and well-developed intuition, as well as natural ingenuity, turn training and mental stress into a positive game, helping to quickly respond to a changing situation.

The dog learns easily and quickly, understands more than 100 human words, many gestures, often understands the owner's mood by the intonation of his voice. Many people love this breed for its silence: the Welsh Corgi will bark in exceptional cases, for example, when the owner is busy with his own business and does not pay attention to his four-legged friend. Twice a year, the "biscuits" molt. At this time, the main item in the house becomes a vacuum cleaner due to the abundance of falling hair. The rest of the time, there are no special requirements for maintenance and care.

• intuition, anticipation of people's actions;
• easy to train;
• positive and cheerful;
• loves children;
• no tendency to bark;
• ease of care.

• molting;
• demanding attention and occupation.

Miniature schnauzer

Height: 30-35 cm.
Weight: 4-8 kg.
Life span: 12-15 years.
Average price: 35,000 rubles.

Despite its small size, it possesses exceptional service qualities, perfectly guards, catches rats, and can defend its owner when necessary. Combines a chunky square shape and a special grace in movement. They can be excellent watchmen, nannies, search engines, companions for children. Hard wool does not fall out, there is no shedding, which does not cause inconvenience in the apartment. There is no smell from the animal either, which is important for people prone to allergies.But there is a need to trim the pet twice a year so that the coat changes. Perfectly amenable to training, because they always try to please the owner. Only a few individuals can show stubbornness, which can be overcome by affection and rewards for a correctly completed task.

Until old age, the miniature schnauzer has a playful disposition, can play with pleasure with his favorite toys, come up with interesting fun and pranks. Loves to be the center of attention, great entertainment for family members and guests. To strangers, he is condescending and gentle. He is shrewd and smart, can understand the words and mood of the owners by intonation, predicts commands and immediately executes them. The breed is distinguished by a stable psyche: it does not run after cars and bicycles, is not afraid of harsh sounds and strangers, does not growl at strangers. A sociable positive dog is very artistic and funny, it will make you laugh and will have fun until you get bored. Unpretentious in food and care, maintenance is not difficult.

• shrewd;
• quick-witted;
• stable psyche;
• good learning ability;
• active, energetic;
• hypoallergenic;
• get along with people and animals;
• good companions for children in games;
• exterminate rats;
• simplicity of content;
• guards and protectors.

• obligatory trimming.

The smartest medium-sized dogs

Border Collie

Height: 50-55 cm.
Weight: 13-20 kg.
Life expectancy: 10-14 years.
Average price: 45,000 rubles.

A rare breed in Russia. It is a type of Australian Shepherd, only endowed with a long fluffy tail. Active, agile, with an incredibly high level of working qualities and obedience. It requires constant physical and mental stress, so it will never just lie in the sun, always in motion and interesting activities. Reacts instantly to commands, understands the meaning of many words.

She is friendly by nature, loves children. It gets along well with other animals, but does not tolerate superiority, therefore, it seeks to dominate in communication and games. It was originally used as a herding dog. The instinct to protect her territory and family is excellently developed, so she is often given birth as a watchman, guard, nanny for children. They make excellent guides. Due to their fast learning ability and high level of intelligence, they are often used in the police for rescue and search operations, search for explosives and drugs. Belongs to long-haired breeds, but sheds moderately enough. Does not require special care, the main thing is to monitor the condition of the coat, which requires combing out about 1 time per week. Requires enough attention from the owner, loves joint activities, active walks.

• very easy to train;
• does not dig;
• low tendency to salivate;
• friendly;
• loves children;
• always finds something to do;
• learns commands very quickly;
• understands the owner's gestures and words.

• barks often and loudly;
• irritable with strangers.

Poodle

Height: from 28 (toy) to 45 cm (small).
Weight: from 2.5 (toy) to 30 kg (royal).
Life expectancy: 10-18 years.
Average price: from 19,000 (toy) to 50,000 rubles (royal).

An amazingly beautiful dog with a glamorous haircut and a flirty tassel on the tail combines good looks and a sharp mind. Poodles of any kind (toy, dwarf, small, royal) lend themselves well to training, quickly learn to follow commands, absorb information like a sponge. This explains the large number of representatives of this breed among circus artists. Poodles have 2 types of coat:

1. Curly, in the form of curls.
2. Cord, like long laces.

A large number of colors, including fawn, apricot, red. The natural intelligence of animals of this breed allows them to easily master and instantly, accurately execute up to 50 commands, catch the intonation and mood of the owner, understand words and gestures.

Despite their cute appearance and seeming frivolity, dogs of this breed are proud, balanced and hardy. A poodle is perfect for an apartment, provided that it is regularly taken out for at least half an hour of walks with physical exercise and command execution. In the cold season, he needs clothes only when a haircut is done with partially bald spots on the body. The poodle never sheds, so it won't be uncomfortable with hair left on the floor and sofas. However, this is the reason for careful care of the coat, because when it falls out, it remains near the skin and can provoke the appearance of tangles.

Care consists in carrying out hygienic measures such as bathing, combing, cutting. The obligatory grooming procedure allows you to create many interesting looks. The training of this dog is a simple exercise, enjoyable for both the dog and the owner. For one and a half to two hours, the dog is able to accurately and willingly carry out any learned commands, as well as learn new ones. To prevent the tricks of the cunning dog to avoid completing tasks, using all your ingenuity, you should use the method of encouragement, praise and getting a treat for doing the right thing.

• playfulness;
• curiosity;
• quick wits;
• cunning;
• ease of training;
• friendliness to people and animals;
• lack of molting;
• attractive appearance.

• the need for careful care.

Scottish Shepherd (Sheltie)

Height: 34-38 cm.
Weight: 5-10 kg.
Life span: 12-15 years.
Average price: 20,000 rubles.

A small shepherd dog with a kind heart and inexhaustible energy will be an excellent companion for children in outdoor games and pranks. A great desire to learn and learn new things turn the process of training into an exciting, simple activity that even a teenager can handle. A persistent and demanding person makes this breed exceptionally smart. In order to avoid manifestations of natural timidity, it is advisable to teach a puppy from a young age to people, other animals, travel in transport, the sounds of the world around him. She does not feel aggression towards strangers, but vigilance and alertness.

Ideal for keeping in a family, friendly and peaceful, energetic and mobile. Likes to bring all family members together, including pets. When kept in a country house, it copes well with grazing poultry and goats. The downside of the breed is its talkativeness, while the Sheltie emits not only barking, but also squeaks, grunts, panting, whining. A chic fur coat of an animal requires careful care, which consists in combing out and bathing.

• ease of training;
• good memory;
• kindness and friendliness;
• non-aggressive;
• inexpensive;
• suitable for home and apartment.

• too talkative.

The smartest large breeds

German Shepherd

Height: 60-65 cm.
Weight: 25-30 kg.
Life Expectancy: 9-13 years.
Average price: 60,000 rubles.

The most demanded breed in the world. Popularity is due to nobility, masculinity, restrained, balanced character and sharp mind. They celebrate boundless dedication and willingness to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the owner. The Germans appreciate the clarity of the command in the owner. The main thing for them is to understand the person and his requirements. Loyal to the change of owner, which is the reason for the choice of this breed for service in the army and internal organs. In general, non-conflicting, animals can analyze negative situations and independently make decisions to protect the owner.

A fearless dog can rush into battle with an enemy, regardless of the strength and size of the second. Cynologists distinguish the easy learning ability of these shepherd dogs, which is formed not only from character traits, but also from the ability to analyze an event and act depending on the needs of a person. Constant walking, training and exercise are mandatory for the German Shepherd.In addition, this dog is unlikely to be suitable for an apartment due to its large size, activity and mobility. This is a great option for a family living in a country house. Excellent sentries. Service qualities allow the animal to be used in the police, army, rescue services.

Natural intelligence combined with natural unbridled energy can lead to the transformation of a puppy into an uncontrollable ferocious dog, unresponsive to human words. To prevent this from happening, it is advisable to start education and proper training from the age of two months. This can be done even at home, because dogs of this breed are mentally stable and flexible. The only thing that absolutely must not be done during training is to punish and humiliate the puppy. This will lead to a blockage of contact between the person and the dog, making further communication impossible. The thick hair of the animal sheds heavily, and a specific smell emanates from an adult, so the pet should be regularly combed and bathed.

• sharp mind;
• endurance;
• unpretentiousness;
• a tendency to analyze the situation;
• devotion;
• nobility;
• excellent performance.

• specific smell;
• strong molt.

Golden retriever

Height: 55-60 cm.
Weight: 28-40 kg.
Life expectancy: 10-12 years.
Average price: 55,000 rubles.

A dog that uniquely combines intelligence and boundless kindness. Without exception, all dog breeders note a high level of intelligence, obedience and poise. With the timely start of training, the puppy easily and quickly begins to learn to obey the person, instantly executing commands and with pleasure learning new ones. With the wrong behavior of the owner, the baby will just as quickly begin to manipulate him for his own purposes, because he knows how to cheat and evade. They cannot stand screams and cruelty, they can grow up embittered and cowardly.

Recommended for breeding families with small children: this dog will never growl and will not get angry at a child, having amazing patience and endurance. They can work in the police, rescue services, as a guide, search engine, security guard. Heavy shedding is the reason for careful grooming, which will have to be combed out every laziness. Another disadvantage is an inordinate appetite and a tendency to glean food from the ground. It is appropriate to monitor the diet and to prevent eating the selected food while walking.

• quick-witted;
• easy to train;
• do not seek to dominate;
• reserved and patient;
• good nanny for children.

• a tendency to overeat;
• complex hair care.

Labrador retriever

Height: 56-60 cm.
Weight: 27-40 kg.
Life expectancy: 13-14 years.
Average price: 30,000 rubles.

Representatives of the breed are stocky, densely built with drooping ears and short waterproof coat. Initially, it was bred as a hunting game for getting game out of the water. The skin between the toes is elongated, webbed, helping to swim. Physical maturation ends by a year, body weight gain continues up to 2 years.

The main types of color:

• yellow;
• chocolate;
• the black.

Energetic and strong. With a lack of attention, improper upbringing and lack of training, they can exhibit destructive behavioral features: drag the owner along for a walk, bark loudly and angrily, dig the ground, gnaw and tear household items. It is necessary to teach the puppy to obedience from an early age. The tendency to chew is due to the natural inclinations to bring game in the teeth. Playing with toys and special exercises can wean you from this unhealthy habit at home. Due to the anatomical features of the body, Labradors can quickly gain excess weight, so it is advisable to feed them in metered portions and carry out systematic exercise. They are sociable, easily make contact, they love all family members, getting along with everyone thanks to their kind and docile nature.

The short, coarse coat has a waterproof undercoat, therefore, during the shedding period, special daily care is required, consisting in combing out in order to avoid leaving scraps of it on carpets, upholstered furniture and floors. The animal is contact, but does not tend to bark a lot. In addition to intellectual abilities, the desire to work in partnership is well developed, so the range of use of the Labrador Retriever is wide and versatile:

• search engines;
• hunting;
• rescuers;
• guide;
• circus artists;
• firefighters;
• Pets.

• barks little;
• cheerful;
• mobile;
• swims well;
• gets along with children;
• wide range of uses.

• prone to obesity;
• strong molt.

Which breed is better for mental characteristics, everyone has the right to decide for himself. This review will help you make your choice by showing the advantages and disadvantages of the smartest popular dog breeds. However, no matter how smart the pet may be, for the owner, first of all, he will always be a devoted friend with a loving heart of a dog.