The 10 Smartest Dog Breeds, According to Canine Experts

Anyone who owns a dog already knows that man’s best friend is an animal of high intelligence, but some breeds are known to be smarter than others. According to the experts at the American Kennel Club, here are the 10 most intelligent canine breeds.

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10. Rottweiler

A Rottweiler is likely to be reserved with strangers but highly affectionate and fiercely loyal to its family, notes the American Kennel Club. Protective and powerful, a Rottweiler's willingness to work and high intelligence makes this breed ideal to be trained as a police dog, livestock herder, service dog or therapy dog.

Although they make amazing companions, they do come at a price. Rottweilers were named one of the most expensive dog breeds to own.

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9. Bloodhound

A curious and inquisitive breed, Bloodhounds were bred for hunting, and are friendly and easygoing — unless they're working on a task, in which case a Bloodhound will tend to become intense and focused, even fiercely stubborn when sniffing out prey, so you'll want to be careful that your beloved dog doesn't run away.

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8. Papillon

Small and elegant, these fluffy toy dogs are smarter than they look, known to be clever and alert, with a friendly demeanour that makes them ideal companions and excellent with children.

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7. Labrador Retriever

Labs are social creatures who play well with other dogs, and their high intelligence and eagerness to please has made this breed popular with families, as well as in use as guide dogs for the blind, as part of search-and-rescue teams and also used by law enforcement agencies to detect drugs.

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6. Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog was bred to herd livestock, and has been known to herd its owners from time to time. Shelties are easy to train, playful and keenly intelligent, loving nothing more than being taught a new trick.

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5. Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher is renowned for its high energy and rapid running speed, and the Doberman's high intelligence has made the breed ideal to be trained as police dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, this breed is also "alert, fearless, loyal and highly trainable."

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4. Golden Retriever

It shouldn't be surprising to learn that Golden Retrievers are one of the world's most popular breeds, beloved for their friendly temperament, high intelligence and boundless loyalty, making them easy to train pets that are ideal for families with children.

Get even more aww-worthy moments with 30 more photos of the cutest dogs of all time.

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3. German Shepherd

There's a reason why German Shepherds have long been trained as police dogs, and this breed is known to be smart, courageous and confident, described by the American Kennel Club as "a true dog-lover's dog."

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2. Poodle

Thanks to those frou-frou poodle 'dos, the poodle is often thought to be all beauty and no brains, which could not be farther from the truth. In fact, this breed is known to be highly active and exceptionally clever, and a poodle will always enjoy being kept busy.

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1. Border Collie

According to the American Kennel Club, the Border Collie is the smartest of all dogs, describing the breed as "remarkably smart workaholics." Border Collies are also known to be highly affectionate, said to be "not averse to a good cuddle."