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0 / 86 Fotos
Top 70-79
- The following dogs are classified as "above average working dogs." They require from 100 to 500 repetitions to learn new commands and obey a first command 20% of the time or better.
© Shutterstock
1 / 86 Fotos
79. Afghan hound
- Origin: Afghanistan Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. This ancient dog breed has a high prey drive, which means training it requires a lot of patience and perseverance.
© Shutterstock
2 / 86 Fotos
78. Basenji
- Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Playful and energetic, the breed's independent nature makes it hard to train, though they learn quickly.
© Shutterstock
3 / 86 Fotos
77. Bulldog
- Origin: England Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Jovial and sociable, bulldogs can also be incredibly stubborn.
© Shutterstock
4 / 86 Fotos
76. Chow chow
- Origin: China Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Aloof and independent, chow chows learn quickly but they are also not exactly known for being obedient.
© Shutterstock
5 / 86 Fotos
75. Borzoi
- Origin: Russia/Belarus Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Independent and quiet, borzois aren't the easiest to train as they become bored quickly with repetitive tasks.
© Shutterstock
6 / 86 Fotos
74. Bloodhound
- Origin: Belgium, France, England, or Scotland Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Gentle but stubborn, bloodhounds can be pretty reluctant to learn new tricks, but they absolutely can.
© Shutterstock
7 / 86 Fotos
73. Pekingese
- Origin: China Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Pekingese dogs are their own boss and they often see themselves as the king of the home, so training is best accomplished when owners set boundaries.
© Shutterstock
8 / 86 Fotos
72. Beagle (tied)
- Origin: England Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars Tied with: Mastiff. Beagles are intelligent but independent, which makes training somewhat challenging. Once trained, they're highly obedient.
© Shutterstock
9 / 86 Fotos
71. Basset hound
- Origin: Great Britain/France Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Devoted and tenacious, they need activities to be engaging to keep their interest.
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10 / 86 Fotos
70. Shih tzu
- Origin: China Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Shih tzus are obstinate, but when trained properly, they pick up on commands easily.
© Shutterstock
11 / 86 Fotos
Top 55-69 - The following dogs require from 40 to 80 repetitions to learn new commands and obey a first command 30% of the time or better.
© Shutterstock
12 / 86 Fotos
69. Bullmastiff
- Origin: United Kingdom Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Bullmastiffs need an authoritative voice and consistency during training as they tend to be stubborn.
© Shutterstock
13 / 86 Fotos
68. Lhasa apso
- Origin: China (Tibet) Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Obedient and alert, lhasa apso dogs need positive reinforcement as they tend to be obstinate.
© Shutterstock
14 / 86 Fotos
67. Chihuahua
- Origin: Mexico Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Chihuahuas are lively, devoted, and eager to learn.
© Shutterstock
15 / 86 Fotos
66. Bull Terrier
- Origin: England Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Active and protective, these dogs need to be trained from a young age as they tend to be stubborn.
© Shutterstock
16 / 86 Fotos
65. Saint Bernard (tied)
- Origin: Italy/Switzerland Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars Tied with: Scottish terrier. These gentle giants can also be stubborn and must be trained when young.
© Shutterstock
17 / 86 Fotos
64. Great Pyrenees
- Origin: France/Spain Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Confident and fearless, this breed needs to be trained in a calm, consistent, and patient manner.
© Shutterstock
18 / 86 Fotos
63. Old English sheepdog
- Origin: England Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Old English sheepdogs are competitive dogs and learn quickly.
© Shutterstock
19 / 86 Fotos
62. Lakeland terrier (tied)
- Origin: England Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Tied with: Japanese Chin, Tibetan terrier, Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, and Dandie Dinmont terrier. Lakeland terriers need engaging activities, but they learn easily.
© Shutterstock
20 / 86 Fotos
61. Chinese crested dog
- Origin: China/Africa Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. This breed is intelligence and easy to train, though they need a gentle approach.
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21 / 86 Fotos
60. Italian Greyhound
- Origin: Italy Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Italian greyhounds learn easily, though they might become stubborn without consistency.
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22 / 86 Fotos
59. Griffon Bruxellois
- Origin: Belgium Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars Tied with: Maltese. Alert but inquisitive, these dogs can be relatively difficult to train as they can be quite self-important.
© Getty Images
23 / 86 Fotos
58. French bulldog
- Origin: France Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Keen and patient, French bulldogs are quick to learn simple tasks.
© iStock
24 / 86 Fotos
57. Pug
- Origin: China Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Intelligent and friendly, pugs can be stubborn at times but generally do well obedience training.
© Shutterstock
25 / 86 Fotos
56. Sealyham terrier (tied)
- Origin: Wales Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Norfolk terrier. Fearless and even-tempered, these dogs can be quite reluctant, making training challenging.
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26 / 86 Fotos
55. Skye terrier
- Origin: Scotland Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Training these fearless dogs requires patience and perseverance.
© Shutterstock
27 / 86 Fotos
Top 40-54 - The following dogs require from 25 to 40 repetitions to learn new commands and obey a first command 50% of the time or better.
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28 / 86 Fotos
54. Akita dog (tied)
- Origin: Japan Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Boston terrier. Alert and responsive, Akita dogs learn tricks easily.
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29 / 86 Fotos
53. Ibizan hound (tied)
- Origin: Spain Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Welsh terrier and Irish terrier. Ibizan hounds learn quickly and eagerly, but they can be stubborn at times, so they do best with firm commands.
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30 / 86 Fotos
52. Rhodesian ridgeback
- Origin: Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Loyal and intelligent, these dogs are also strong-willed and stubborn.
© Shutterstock
31 / 86 Fotos
51. Chinese shar-pei (tied)
- Origin: China Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Tied with: wire fox terrier and whippet. Shar-Peis become bored easily, so they need diverse and interesting activities.
© Shutterstock
32 / 86 Fotos
50. Alaskan malamute
- Origin: United States Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Friendly and devoted, Alaskan malamutes are eager to learn and please.
© Shutterstock
33 / 86 Fotos
49. Dachshund (tied)
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Staffordshire bull terrier. Clever but stubborn, dachshunds learn quickly but need a firm voice.
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34 / 86 Fotos
48. Boxer (tied)
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Great Dane. Boxers are trained easily as they learn very quickly.
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35 / 86 Fotos
47. West Highland white terrier (tied)
- Origin: Scotland Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Scottish deerhound. Westies are friendly but independent and learn quickly if properly instructed.
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36 / 86 Fotos
46. Wirehaired pointing griffon (tied)
- Origin: Netherlands/Germany Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: greyhound, American foxhound, otterhound, English foxhound, and Tibetan spaniel. Its intelligence and eager-to-please nature means this breed learns very quickly.
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37 / 86 Fotos
45. Siberian husky (tied)
- Origin: Russia Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: King Charles spaniel and bichon frise. Independent and stubborn, huskies tend to only follow obeys that make sense to them in the moment.
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38 / 86 Fotos
44. Cavalier King Charles spaniel (tied)
- Origin: United Kingdom Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: American water spaniel, black-and-tan coonhound, and German wirehaired pointer. Social and gentle, these dogs learn quickly and can be trained easily if done properly.
© Shutterstock
39 / 86 Fotos
43. Saluki (tied)
- Origin: Iran/Egypt Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Finnish Spitz and pointer. Aloof and reserved, salukis are hard to train but can be taught to be obedient.
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40 / 86 Fotos
42. Australian shepherd (tied)
- Origin: United States Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Kuvasz. Aussies learn easily and quickly as they are eager to please.
© Shutterstock
41 / 86 Fotos
41. Irish wolfhound (tied)
- Origin: Ireland Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: curly-coated retriever. Patient and thoughtful, these dogs learn easily.
© Shutterstock
42 / 86 Fotos
40. Bedlington terrier (tied)
- Origin: England Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: soft-coated wheaten terrier and smooth fox terrier. These intelligent dogs learn quickly but they can be stubborn at times.
© Shutterstock
43 / 86 Fotos
Top 27-39 - The following dogs require from 15 to 25 repetitions to learn new commands and obey a first command 70% of the time or better.
© Shutterstock
44 / 86 Fotos
39. Dalmatian
- Origin: Croatia Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Dalmatians love to be praised, thus learn easily. But they need discipline.
© Shutterstock
45 / 86 Fotos
38. Norwich terrier
- Origin: England Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Energetic and sensitive, these intelligent dogs learn easily.
© Shutterstock
46 / 86 Fotos
37. Pharaoh hound (tied)
- Origin: Malta/Egypt Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: clumber spaniel, English setter, miniature pinscher, Australian silky terrier, and affenpinscher. These dogs are intelligent, playful, and sociable, making them easy to train.
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47 / 86 Fotos
36. Norwegian elkhound
- Origin: Norway Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. While very intelligent, the Norwegian elkhound is also very independent.
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48 / 86 Fotos
35. Irish setter
- Origin: Ireland Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Kerry blue terrier and cairn terrier. Energetic and independent, these dogs learn quickly but need adequate amount of space to thrive.
© Shutterstock
49 / 86 Fotos
34. Gordon setter (tied)
- Origin: Scotland Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: bearded collie, American Staffordshire terrier, Australian terrier, Newfoundland, and field spaniel. Alert and confident, the Gordon setter needs an affectionate approach to training.
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50 / 86 Fotos
33. Samoyed
- Origin: Russia Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Samoyed dogs get bored easily, so they need varied and engaging activities.
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51 / 86 Fotos
32. Manchester terrier
- Origin: England Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. The Manchester terrier is discerning, loyal, and learns easily.
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52 / 86 Fotos
31. Welsh springer spaniel
- Origin: Wales Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Intelligent but stubborn, this breed needs a firm approach to training.
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53 / 86 Fotos
30. Briard (tied)
- Origin: France Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars Tied with: border terrier. Obedient and loyal, the briard is intelligent and eager to please.
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54 / 86 Fotos
29. Airedale terrier (tied)
- Origin: United Kingdom Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars Tied with: Bouvier des Flandres. These terriers learn quickly as they understand commands easily.
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55 / 86 Fotos
28. Giant schnauzer
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. They learn fast, but they are strong-willed and stubborn at times.
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56 / 86 Fotos
27. Yorkshire terrier (tied)
- Origin: England Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars Tied with: puli and Chesapeake Bay retriever. As a terrier, Yorkies tend to be stubborn and independent despite being intelligent.
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57 / 86 Fotos
Top 11-26 - The following dogs require from 5 to 15 repetitions to learn new commands and obey a first command 85% of the time or better.
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58 / 86 Fotos
26. Cardigan Welsh corgi
- Origin: Wales Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Companionable and devoted, corgis learn easily and are eager to learn new commands.
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59 / 86 Fotos
25. Vizsla
- Origin: Hungary Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. The Vizsla is happy to learn and eager to please, but it can be stubborn.
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60 / 86 Fotos
24. Irish water spaniel
- Origin: Ireland Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Inquisitive and intelligent, the Irish water spaniel learns very quickly, but it only responds to its handler.
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61 / 86 Fotos
23. Pomeranian
- Origin: Germany/Poland Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. These extroverted dogs are fairly easy to train as they are eager to please.
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62 / 86 Fotos
22. Bernese mountain dog (tied)
- Origin: Switzerland Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars Tied with: Malinois. These faithful dogs are also eager learners.
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63 / 86 Fotos
21. Weimaraner
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Energetic and powerful, the Weimaraner learns quickly but can be quite stubborn.
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64 / 86 Fotos
20. American cocker spaniel
- Origin: US/UK Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. These dogs are eager to learn as well as sociable and trusting.
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65 / 86 Fotos
19. Brittany
- Origin: France Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Intelligence and obedient, the Brittany is easy to train and well-behaved.
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66 / 86 Fotos
18. Standard schnauzer (tied)
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars Tied with: English cocker spaniel and flat-coated retriever. These dogs learn fast and are eager to learn, but the can have stubborn tendencies.
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67 / 86 Fotos
17. German shorthaired pointer
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. This highly trainable breed is intelligent, obedient, and cooperative.
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68 / 86 Fotos
16. Keeshond (tied)
- Origin: Netherlands/Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars Tied with: rough collie. Agile and obedient, this breed is known for listening to new commands and learning quickly.
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69 / 86 Fotos
15. Schipperke (tied)
- Origin: Belgium Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars Tied with: Groenendael. Independent and curious, the schipperke is intelligent, albeit stubborn.
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70 / 86 Fotos
14. Belgian Tervuren
- Origin: Belgium Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Attentive and protective, these dogs learn very quickly.
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71 / 86 Fotos
13. English springer spaniel
- Origin: England Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Playful but alert, these spaniels are always ready to please.
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72 / 86 Fotos
12. Miniature schnauzer
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Fearless and obedient, these schnauzers are fast learners.
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73 / 86 Fotos
11. Pembroke Welsh corgi
- Origin: Wales Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. These corgis require few repetitions to learn new commands.
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74 / 86 Fotos
Top 1-10 - The following dogs require fewer than five repetitions to learn new commands and obey a first command 95% of the time or better.
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75 / 86 Fotos
10. Australian cattle dog
- Origin: Australia Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Responsive and alert, the Australian cattle dog is willing and able to learn a wide variety of tricks.
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76 / 86 Fotos
9. Rottweiler
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Independent and fearless, rottweilers are highly intelligent but also dominant, so handlers have have a firm voice.
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77 / 86 Fotos
8. Papillon
- Origin: France Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. These little dogs are intelligent, obedient, and eager to learn.
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78 / 86 Fotos
7. Labrador retriever
- Origin: Canada Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Labs consistently ranks at the top of most popular breeds thanks to their nature that combines intelligence, sweetness, and sociability.
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79 / 86 Fotos
6. Shetland sheepdog
- Origin: Scotland Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Gentle and responsive, these dogs are good listeners and fast learners.
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80 / 86 Fotos
5. Doberman pinscher
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Fierce and obedient, these dogs need few repetitions to learn a new command.
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81 / 86 Fotos
4. Golden retriever
- Origin: Scotland Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Confident, kind, and reliable, golden retrievers learn very quickly and are extremely adaptable.
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82 / 86 Fotos
3. German shepherd
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Watchful and obedient, these dogs are famous for their workaholic personalities.
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83 / 86 Fotos
2. Poodle
- Origin: Germany/France Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. These incredibly smart dogs quickly understand what is expected of them and can learn a wide variety of tricks and games.
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84 / 86 Fotos
1. Border collie
- Origin: United Kingdom/Ireland Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. These famously intelligent dogs owe their learning capabilities to their tenacious and responsive nature. See also: Fur-tastic hacks: time-saving tricks for pet parents
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85 / 86 Fotos
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0 / 86 Fotos
Top 70-79
- The following dogs are classified as "above average working dogs." They require from 100 to 500 repetitions to learn new commands and obey a first command 20% of the time or better.
© Shutterstock
1 / 86 Fotos
79. Afghan hound
- Origin: Afghanistan Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. This ancient dog breed has a high prey drive, which means training it requires a lot of patience and perseverance.
© Shutterstock
2 / 86 Fotos
78. Basenji
- Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Playful and energetic, the breed's independent nature makes it hard to train, though they learn quickly.
© Shutterstock
3 / 86 Fotos
77. Bulldog
- Origin: England Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Jovial and sociable, bulldogs can also be incredibly stubborn.
© Shutterstock
4 / 86 Fotos
76. Chow chow
- Origin: China Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Aloof and independent, chow chows learn quickly but they are also not exactly known for being obedient.
© Shutterstock
5 / 86 Fotos
75. Borzoi
- Origin: Russia/Belarus Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Independent and quiet, borzois aren't the easiest to train as they become bored quickly with repetitive tasks.
© Shutterstock
6 / 86 Fotos
74. Bloodhound
- Origin: Belgium, France, England, or Scotland Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Gentle but stubborn, bloodhounds can be pretty reluctant to learn new tricks, but they absolutely can.
© Shutterstock
7 / 86 Fotos
73. Pekingese
- Origin: China Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Pekingese dogs are their own boss and they often see themselves as the king of the home, so training is best accomplished when owners set boundaries.
© Shutterstock
8 / 86 Fotos
72. Beagle (tied)
- Origin: England Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars Tied with: Mastiff. Beagles are intelligent but independent, which makes training somewhat challenging. Once trained, they're highly obedient.
© Shutterstock
9 / 86 Fotos
71. Basset hound
- Origin: Great Britain/France Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Devoted and tenacious, they need activities to be engaging to keep their interest.
© Shutterstock
10 / 86 Fotos
70. Shih tzu
- Origin: China Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Shih tzus are obstinate, but when trained properly, they pick up on commands easily.
© Shutterstock
11 / 86 Fotos
Top 55-69 - The following dogs require from 40 to 80 repetitions to learn new commands and obey a first command 30% of the time or better.
© Shutterstock
12 / 86 Fotos
69. Bullmastiff
- Origin: United Kingdom Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Bullmastiffs need an authoritative voice and consistency during training as they tend to be stubborn.
© Shutterstock
13 / 86 Fotos
68. Lhasa apso
- Origin: China (Tibet) Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Obedient and alert, lhasa apso dogs need positive reinforcement as they tend to be obstinate.
© Shutterstock
14 / 86 Fotos
67. Chihuahua
- Origin: Mexico Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Chihuahuas are lively, devoted, and eager to learn.
© Shutterstock
15 / 86 Fotos
66. Bull Terrier
- Origin: England Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Active and protective, these dogs need to be trained from a young age as they tend to be stubborn.
© Shutterstock
16 / 86 Fotos
65. Saint Bernard (tied)
- Origin: Italy/Switzerland Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars Tied with: Scottish terrier. These gentle giants can also be stubborn and must be trained when young.
© Shutterstock
17 / 86 Fotos
64. Great Pyrenees
- Origin: France/Spain Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Confident and fearless, this breed needs to be trained in a calm, consistent, and patient manner.
© Shutterstock
18 / 86 Fotos
63. Old English sheepdog
- Origin: England Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Old English sheepdogs are competitive dogs and learn quickly.
© Shutterstock
19 / 86 Fotos
62. Lakeland terrier (tied)
- Origin: England Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Tied with: Japanese Chin, Tibetan terrier, Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, and Dandie Dinmont terrier. Lakeland terriers need engaging activities, but they learn easily.
© Shutterstock
20 / 86 Fotos
61. Chinese crested dog
- Origin: China/Africa Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. This breed is intelligence and easy to train, though they need a gentle approach.
© Shutterstock
21 / 86 Fotos
60. Italian Greyhound
- Origin: Italy Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Italian greyhounds learn easily, though they might become stubborn without consistency.
© Shutterstock
22 / 86 Fotos
59. Griffon Bruxellois
- Origin: Belgium Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars Tied with: Maltese. Alert but inquisitive, these dogs can be relatively difficult to train as they can be quite self-important.
© Getty Images
23 / 86 Fotos
58. French bulldog
- Origin: France Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars. Keen and patient, French bulldogs are quick to learn simple tasks.
© iStock
24 / 86 Fotos
57. Pug
- Origin: China Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Intelligent and friendly, pugs can be stubborn at times but generally do well obedience training.
© Shutterstock
25 / 86 Fotos
56. Sealyham terrier (tied)
- Origin: Wales Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Norfolk terrier. Fearless and even-tempered, these dogs can be quite reluctant, making training challenging.
© Shutterstock
26 / 86 Fotos
55. Skye terrier
- Origin: Scotland Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Training these fearless dogs requires patience and perseverance.
© Shutterstock
27 / 86 Fotos
Top 40-54 - The following dogs require from 25 to 40 repetitions to learn new commands and obey a first command 50% of the time or better.
© Shutterstock
28 / 86 Fotos
54. Akita dog (tied)
- Origin: Japan Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Boston terrier. Alert and responsive, Akita dogs learn tricks easily.
© Shutterstock
29 / 86 Fotos
53. Ibizan hound (tied)
- Origin: Spain Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Welsh terrier and Irish terrier. Ibizan hounds learn quickly and eagerly, but they can be stubborn at times, so they do best with firm commands.
© Shutterstock
30 / 86 Fotos
52. Rhodesian ridgeback
- Origin: Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Loyal and intelligent, these dogs are also strong-willed and stubborn.
© Shutterstock
31 / 86 Fotos
51. Chinese shar-pei (tied)
- Origin: China Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Tied with: wire fox terrier and whippet. Shar-Peis become bored easily, so they need diverse and interesting activities.
© Shutterstock
32 / 86 Fotos
50. Alaskan malamute
- Origin: United States Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Friendly and devoted, Alaskan malamutes are eager to learn and please.
© Shutterstock
33 / 86 Fotos
49. Dachshund (tied)
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Staffordshire bull terrier. Clever but stubborn, dachshunds learn quickly but need a firm voice.
© Shutterstock
34 / 86 Fotos
48. Boxer (tied)
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Great Dane. Boxers are trained easily as they learn very quickly.
© Shutterstock
35 / 86 Fotos
47. West Highland white terrier (tied)
- Origin: Scotland Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Scottish deerhound. Westies are friendly but independent and learn quickly if properly instructed.
© Shutterstock
36 / 86 Fotos
46. Wirehaired pointing griffon (tied)
- Origin: Netherlands/Germany Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: greyhound, American foxhound, otterhound, English foxhound, and Tibetan spaniel. Its intelligence and eager-to-please nature means this breed learns very quickly.
© Shutterstock
37 / 86 Fotos
45. Siberian husky (tied)
- Origin: Russia Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: King Charles spaniel and bichon frise. Independent and stubborn, huskies tend to only follow obeys that make sense to them in the moment.
© Shutterstock
38 / 86 Fotos
44. Cavalier King Charles spaniel (tied)
- Origin: United Kingdom Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: American water spaniel, black-and-tan coonhound, and German wirehaired pointer. Social and gentle, these dogs learn quickly and can be trained easily if done properly.
© Shutterstock
39 / 86 Fotos
43. Saluki (tied)
- Origin: Iran/Egypt Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Finnish Spitz and pointer. Aloof and reserved, salukis are hard to train but can be taught to be obedient.
© Shutterstock
40 / 86 Fotos
42. Australian shepherd (tied)
- Origin: United States Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Kuvasz. Aussies learn easily and quickly as they are eager to please.
© Shutterstock
41 / 86 Fotos
41. Irish wolfhound (tied)
- Origin: Ireland Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: curly-coated retriever. Patient and thoughtful, these dogs learn easily.
© Shutterstock
42 / 86 Fotos
40. Bedlington terrier (tied)
- Origin: England Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: soft-coated wheaten terrier and smooth fox terrier. These intelligent dogs learn quickly but they can be stubborn at times.
© Shutterstock
43 / 86 Fotos
Top 27-39 - The following dogs require from 15 to 25 repetitions to learn new commands and obey a first command 70% of the time or better.
© Shutterstock
44 / 86 Fotos
39. Dalmatian
- Origin: Croatia Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Dalmatians love to be praised, thus learn easily. But they need discipline.
© Shutterstock
45 / 86 Fotos
38. Norwich terrier
- Origin: England Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Energetic and sensitive, these intelligent dogs learn easily.
© Shutterstock
46 / 86 Fotos
37. Pharaoh hound (tied)
- Origin: Malta/Egypt Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: clumber spaniel, English setter, miniature pinscher, Australian silky terrier, and affenpinscher. These dogs are intelligent, playful, and sociable, making them easy to train.
© Shutterstock
47 / 86 Fotos
36. Norwegian elkhound
- Origin: Norway Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. While very intelligent, the Norwegian elkhound is also very independent.
© Shutterstock
48 / 86 Fotos
35. Irish setter
- Origin: Ireland Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: Kerry blue terrier and cairn terrier. Energetic and independent, these dogs learn quickly but need adequate amount of space to thrive.
© Shutterstock
49 / 86 Fotos
34. Gordon setter (tied)
- Origin: Scotland Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars Tied with: bearded collie, American Staffordshire terrier, Australian terrier, Newfoundland, and field spaniel. Alert and confident, the Gordon setter needs an affectionate approach to training.
© Shutterstock
50 / 86 Fotos
33. Samoyed
- Origin: Russia Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Samoyed dogs get bored easily, so they need varied and engaging activities.
© Shutterstock
51 / 86 Fotos
32. Manchester terrier
- Origin: England Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. The Manchester terrier is discerning, loyal, and learns easily.
© Shutterstock
52 / 86 Fotos
31. Welsh springer spaniel
- Origin: Wales Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars. Intelligent but stubborn, this breed needs a firm approach to training.
© Shutterstock
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30. Briard (tied)
- Origin: France Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars Tied with: border terrier. Obedient and loyal, the briard is intelligent and eager to please.
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29. Airedale terrier (tied)
- Origin: United Kingdom Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars Tied with: Bouvier des Flandres. These terriers learn quickly as they understand commands easily.
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28. Giant schnauzer
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. They learn fast, but they are strong-willed and stubborn at times.
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27. Yorkshire terrier (tied)
- Origin: England Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars Tied with: puli and Chesapeake Bay retriever. As a terrier, Yorkies tend to be stubborn and independent despite being intelligent.
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Top 11-26 - The following dogs require from 5 to 15 repetitions to learn new commands and obey a first command 85% of the time or better.
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26. Cardigan Welsh corgi
- Origin: Wales Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Companionable and devoted, corgis learn easily and are eager to learn new commands.
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25. Vizsla
- Origin: Hungary Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. The Vizsla is happy to learn and eager to please, but it can be stubborn.
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24. Irish water spaniel
- Origin: Ireland Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Inquisitive and intelligent, the Irish water spaniel learns very quickly, but it only responds to its handler.
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23. Pomeranian
- Origin: Germany/Poland Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. These extroverted dogs are fairly easy to train as they are eager to please.
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22. Bernese mountain dog (tied)
- Origin: Switzerland Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars Tied with: Malinois. These faithful dogs are also eager learners.
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21. Weimaraner
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Energetic and powerful, the Weimaraner learns quickly but can be quite stubborn.
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20. American cocker spaniel
- Origin: US/UK Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. These dogs are eager to learn as well as sociable and trusting.
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19. Brittany
- Origin: France Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Intelligence and obedient, the Brittany is easy to train and well-behaved.
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18. Standard schnauzer (tied)
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars Tied with: English cocker spaniel and flat-coated retriever. These dogs learn fast and are eager to learn, but the can have stubborn tendencies.
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17. German shorthaired pointer
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. This highly trainable breed is intelligent, obedient, and cooperative.
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16. Keeshond (tied)
- Origin: Netherlands/Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars Tied with: rough collie. Agile and obedient, this breed is known for listening to new commands and learning quickly.
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15. Schipperke (tied)
- Origin: Belgium Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars Tied with: Groenendael. Independent and curious, the schipperke is intelligent, albeit stubborn.
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14. Belgian Tervuren
- Origin: Belgium Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Attentive and protective, these dogs learn very quickly.
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13. English springer spaniel
- Origin: England Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Playful but alert, these spaniels are always ready to please.
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12. Miniature schnauzer
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Fearless and obedient, these schnauzers are fast learners.
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11. Pembroke Welsh corgi
- Origin: Wales Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. These corgis require few repetitions to learn new commands.
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Top 1-10 - The following dogs require fewer than five repetitions to learn new commands and obey a first command 95% of the time or better.
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10. Australian cattle dog
- Origin: Australia Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Responsive and alert, the Australian cattle dog is willing and able to learn a wide variety of tricks.
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9. Rottweiler
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Independent and fearless, rottweilers are highly intelligent but also dominant, so handlers have have a firm voice.
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8. Papillon
- Origin: France Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. These little dogs are intelligent, obedient, and eager to learn.
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7. Labrador retriever
- Origin: Canada Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Labs consistently ranks at the top of most popular breeds thanks to their nature that combines intelligence, sweetness, and sociability.
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6. Shetland sheepdog
- Origin: Scotland Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Gentle and responsive, these dogs are good listeners and fast learners.
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5. Doberman pinscher
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Fierce and obedient, these dogs need few repetitions to learn a new command.
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4. Golden retriever
- Origin: Scotland Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Confident, kind, and reliable, golden retrievers learn very quickly and are extremely adaptable.
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3. German shepherd
- Origin: Germany Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. Watchful and obedient, these dogs are famous for their workaholic personalities.
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2. Poodle
- Origin: Germany/France Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. These incredibly smart dogs quickly understand what is expected of them and can learn a wide variety of tricks and games.
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1. Border collie
- Origin: United Kingdom/Ireland Intelligence: 5 of 5 stars. These famously intelligent dogs owe their learning capabilities to their tenacious and responsive nature. See also: Fur-tastic hacks: time-saving tricks for pet parents
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A guide to the most intelligent dog breeds
How clever is your furry friend?
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Dog breeds are broken down into all kinds of categories to help owners understand the ones that make the best fit for them. One of those categories is intelligence, which can be helpful when you're looking for a working dog, among other reasons. The website Dog Breeds List ranks breeds according to the animals' ability to understand and obey first commands. For example, those in the top 10 need fewer than five repetitions and obey on first command 95% of the time.
Click through the gallery and find out how your best friend ranks.
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