The top ten brightest dog breeds understand a command after it is repeated between one and five times.  Plus, you can expect them to obey you 95% of the time.

1. Border Collie

Coming in first as the smartest of all dog breeds is the Border Collie.  With a history of herding, these champions have a “herding eye” and have no problem staring folks down with their madly intense gaze.

Border Collies are high energy and require lots of exercise.  They are naturally athletic and intensely driven.  Border Collies have a deep love for learning and thrive when being taught new tricks and commands.  Action isn’t everything for the Border Collie, though.  These gems love to be affectionate and are fantastic companions.  Whether it’s on the field or in your lap, these pals are true overachievers.

Border Collie

2. Poodle

Prepare for a high dose of energy when saying hello to the Poodle.  You can find these pals in small, medium or large sizes but no matter their outward stature, their heart is always one big giant size.  Poodles are a fantastic find for so many reasons.

Their coat is considered hypoallergenic and presents a curly texture.  The result?  They are a fantastic match for dog lovers who struggle with pet allergies.

Thanks to their extreme smarts, Poodles are also easy to train.  Dog sports they are known to thrive in include hunting, retrieving, track, and obedience.  Poodles were first designed as a hunting dog and are hard-working through and through.  They simply won’t stop until a job is done.

Standard Poodle

3. German Shepherd

Handsome, fearless and bold.  German Shepherds are a hardworking breed that exude confidence wherever they go.  Thanks to their smart minds and keen instincts, many German Shepherds have assisted the police, K9 medical units, and the military.

German Shepherds are fiercely loyal to their people and fabulous around children.  They are protective by nature and will guard with their lives.  Take note, though: German Shepherds do need stimulation to keep their minds occupied and out of harm.

German Shepherd

4. Golden Retriever

True to their name, Golden Retrievers love a good game of fetch.  Exercise is a favorite for the Golden Retriever and you can be sure she’ll always be up for a jaunt through the park or a game in your backyard.

Golden Retrievers are considered a sporting breed and in recent years have served as excellent service dogs.  They are friendly and carry an excellent memory.

Golden Retriever

5. Doberman Pinscher

Quick to learn, the Doberman Pinscher is a sight to behold.  They are natural speed creatures and dash through life with seemingly little effort.

Doberman Pinschers are strong, fearless, and deeply devoted.  They have served as excellent police dogs and are fiercely loyal to their master.

Doberman Pinscher

6. Shetland Sheepdog

Affectionately referred to as “Sheltie”, the Shetland Sheepdog is a working breed who loves to romp and play.  Shetland Sheepdogs carry a beautiful, longhaired coat and perfectly encapsulate elegance and grace.  Not to mention Shelties love to learn and are highly driven.  Give them a job to do and they won’t stop until it’s complete.

In addition, Shetland Sheepdogs are quick to respond and very alert to their surroundings.  If you are hoping for an energetic watchdog, you’ve just met your match.  Among the top ten brightest dog breeds, Shelties are exceptional at learning routines as well as following directions.  For these reasons and more, the Shetland Sheepdog is for many a dream come true.

Shetland Sheepdog

7. Labrador Retriever

Say hello to your favorite companion when meeting a Labrador Retriever.  These beauties are members of the sporting group and are fantastic family additions.  They love children and have no problem making friends smile.

It’s no surprise then that the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed across the United States.  These dogs love to please, they thrive on bringing people smiles, and many have made terrific rescue dogs.  Labrador Retrievers are kind, clever, and so much fun to have around.

Labrador Retriever

8. Papillon

Papillons are fast, fearless, and tiny.  Think big dog in a little dog’s body when meeting the Papillon.  These dogs are small in stature but have no problem hanging out with the big guys when it comes to smarts.  Papillons are quick to learn new tricks, they are alert to their surroundings, and they are active through and through.  However, exercise is a must when sharing your home with the tiny Papillon.

Never mind their small size, Papillons hold a steady spot among the smartest of all dog breeds.  Plus, their friendly demeanor makes them a favorite with many dog lovers.

Papillon

9. Rottweiler

When it comes to occupation, the Rottweilers know how to wear a host of different hats.  From police dogs to service dogs, guard dogs, therapy dogs, and beyond, Rottweilers have proven themselves skilled in a variety of roles.

Rottweilers are a sturdy breed who are fiercely loyal to their people.  They are generally happy and love to learn.  Thanks to their exceptional smarts, they are known to excel in obedience competitions.  Not to mention they are champions at reading people and bonding deeply with anyone considered family.

Rottweiler

10. Australian Cattle Dog 

Cue the action when adding an Australian Cattle Dog to your home.  These pals love a good dose of action and thrive on attention.  They are also loyal to their people, perceptive of their surroundings, and deeply driven.

The Australian Cattle Dog’s first purpose was to herd cattle.  Today they continue to live active whether it’s a run through the park or a stroll downtown.  Plus, Aussies are quick to observe what is going on and they have no problem bringing smiles to faces.

Australian Cattle Dog

Excellent Working Dog Breeds

Following the top ten brightest dog breeds is a variety of excellent working dog breeds.  Each of these breeds will typically learn a new command after hearing it between five and fifteen times and obey a command 85% of the time.

11. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Strength meets athleticism in the stunning Pembroke Welsh Corgi.  These beauties first originated as a herding breed and today love a good dose of action.  They live life low to the ground and are eager to learn new things.  As a result, training is relatively easy with a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.  To top it off, Pembrokes are quick to show affection and love towards anyone considered family.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

12. Miniature Schnauzer

The smallest of all Schnauzer breeds is the miniature Schnauzer.  These little guys love to do life right by your side and simply despise long periods of alone time.  They sport a big personality in a little dog body and are one large bundle of energy.

Miniature Schnauzers first originated in Germany.  Today they are a sturdy, terrier breed with robust tenacity.

Miniature Schnauzers are also low-shedding, making them a perfect match for people who suffer from dog allergies.

Miniature Schnauzer

13. English Springer Spaniel

If you are looking for a stunning athlete, meet the English Springer Spaniel.  These stunning canines are born gun dogs and originally were experts in flushing and retrieving woodcock.  They present a compact build with an amiable disposition.

English Springer Spaniel

14. Belgian Shepherd Dog

True to their name, the Belgian Shepherd dog thrives on acting as a shepherd while herding anyone considered part of his herd.  Belgian Shepherds first originated in Belgium as a medium-large breed.  Thanks to their smarts, this breed is easy to train and highly versatile.

Plus, to amp up their herding instincts, you can expect Belgian Shepherds to be highly alert and gracefully agile.

Belgian Shepherd

15. Collie

Majestic, loyal, and active.  These are but a few words that encapsulate the well-loved Collie.  Making their first debut in Scotland, Collies are a long-haired herding breed.

Collies present the epitome of speed coupled with elegance.  They are strong, they are resourceful, and they are a dog-lovers best friend.

Collie

16. German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointers are versatile hunters with a love for the water.  They are known to excel in agility.  Plus, they are a stunning picture of canine strength and endurance.  If you are looking for a favorite swim buddy, don’t miss this breed.

German Shorthaired Pointer

17. Flat-coated Retriever

A bundle of mischief and happiness is what you can expect from the Flat-coated Retriever.  These pals are a confident breed who thrive when given mental and physical stimulation.

In the ring, Flat-coated Retrievers are champions in obedience, rally, and agility.  Additionally, as their name implies, Flat-coated Retrievers are skilled at retrieving game both on land as well as in water.

Flat-Coated Retriever

18. Brittany Spaniel

Brittany Spaniels are an active gundog with a fondness for bird hunting.  They carry a medium build with high levels of energy.  So be warned: if you let a Brittany Spaniel grow bored, he will soon prove restless and mischevious.  Yet give this breed a job to do and they will absolutely thrive.

These beauts are loyal to their people and quick to love deeply.

Brittany

19.  Cocker Spaniel

Greeting you with a winsome gaze is the Cocker Spaniel.  The smallest of all sporting breeds, Cocker Spaniels are compact in size and upbeat in spirit.  They are a sturdy pal with a working breed background.  On any given day you can expect a Cocker Spaniel to carry a happy face and an endearing disposition.

Cocker Spaniel

20. Weimaraner

Originating first in Germany is the swift ‘Gray ghost’.  Weimaraners love to shadow their owner and when socialized well, are quick to make new friends.  Thanks to their exceptional smarts, this breed presents a host of skilled hunters.  Not to mention they are a bundle of energy running tandem with an obedient will.

Weimaraner

21. Bernese Mountain Dog

Smart and quick to learn accurately describes today’s Bernese Mountain Dog.  This breed is easy to train and quick to perceive how friends are feeling.  They love to herd and are often slightly sensitive.  So avoid quick changes and loud, raised voices when a Bernese is in the house.

Bernese Mountain Dog

22. Pomeranian

Not to be outdone is the happy and compact Pomeranian.  What these gems lack in size they more than fully compensate for in affection.  You can count on these little gems for a good doggy hug and a slobbery kiss on the check.  Pomeranians also thrive on training and love an exciting exercise routine.

Pomeranian

23. Irish Water Spaniel

Last but not least is the curly-coated Irish Water Spaniel.  This breed is the clown of today’s spaniel family and has no problem bringing countless smiles into the world.  In addition, Irish Water Spaniels are a hunting breed who are alert and inquisitive by nature.  They are agile, quick, and sport a water repellent coat.

Irish Water Spaniel