The List
Stanely Coren is a psychology professor who has become best known for a series of books regarding the intelligence, mental abilities and history of dogs. On his famous list, Coren used “understanding of new commands” and “obey first command” as his standards of intelligence for dogs. While this method of ordering dog intelligence is acceptable for training and working with dogs, it does not apply to the intelligence measured by ingenuity and understanding of common situations. The drawback of this rating scale is that it is heavily weighted towards obedience related behavioral traits (working or guard dogs), rather than understanding or creativity (hunting dogs).
As a result, some breeds may appear lower on the list due to their stubborn or independent nature, but this nature does not make them unintelligent or impossible to train. But rankings were provided only for working intelligence, and are listed below.
Dogs that are not breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club or Canadian Kennel Club (such as the Jack Russell Terrier) were not included in Coren's rankings.
As a result, some breeds may appear lower on the list due to their stubborn or independent nature, but this nature does not make them unintelligent or impossible to train. But rankings were provided only for working intelligence, and are listed below.
Dogs that are not breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club or Canadian Kennel Club (such as the Jack Russell Terrier) were not included in Coren's rankings.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Each breed is unique however some are very intelligent. Once they learn the task, they will respond happily perform the task over and over again which is why they make wonderful service dogs. But others may become stubborn, more than anything it depends on the owner/trainer. No dog is easy to train if the human half of the equation is not doing their part, with love and patience. Some breeds take to training better than others. If you're looking for a dog that will train easily, stick to these:
Brightest Dog Breeds
Understanding of New Commands: Less than 5 repetitions.
Obey First Command: 95% of the time or better.
Intelligent Dog Breeds
These dogs are smart, but not necessarily easy to train. Dobermans are smart but get frustrated easily, German Shepherds are smart but hard to break them off a bad habit, Border Collies are smart but get tired of doing the same thing over and over again. So its all how you look at "intelligent". Also, they may be great to train but you have to keep them stimulated or else, they can be destructive!
Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions.
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better.
11. Pembroke Welsh Corgi14. Belgian Tervuren
16. a.) Collie18. a.) Flat-Coated Retriever
19. Brittany22. a.) Belgian Malinois25. Irish Water Spaniel |
12. Miniature Schnauzer
15. a.) Schipperke
16. b.) Keeshond18. b.) English Cocker Spaniel
20. Cocker Spaniel23. b.) Bernese Mountain Dog
26. Vizsla
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13. English Springer Spaniel15. b.) Belgian Sheepdog17. German Short-haired Pointer18. c.) Standard Schnauzer
21. Weimaraner24. Pomeranian27. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
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Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions.
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better.
27. a.) Chesapeake Bay Retriever28. Giant Schnauzer30. a.) Border Terrier32. Manchester Terrier34. b.) Newfoundland
34. e.) Gordon Setter
36. b.) Kerry Blue Terrier37. a.) Affenpinscher37. d.) English Setter38. Norwich Terrier |
27. b.) Puli29. a.) Airedale Terrier30. b.) Briard33. Samoyed34. c.) Australian Terrier
34. f.) Bearded Collie
36. c.) Irish Setter
37. b.) Silky Terrier37. e.) Pharaoh Hound39. Dalmation |
27. c.) Yorkshire Terrier29. b.) Bouvier des Flandres31. Welsh Springer Spaniel34. a.) Field Spaniel34. d.) American Staffordshire Terrier
35. a.) Cairn Terrier37. Norwegian Elkhound37. c.) Miniature Pinscher37. f.) Clumber Spaniel |