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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.

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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.

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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.

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77. Bulldog -

Origin: England

Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars.

Jovial and sociable, bulldogs can also be incredibly stubborn.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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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70. Shih tzu -

Origin: China

Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars.

Shih tzus are obstinate, but when trained properly, they pick up on commands easily.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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67. Chihuahua -

Origin: Mexico

Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars.

Chihuahuas are lively, devoted, and eager to learn.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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63. Old English sheepdog -

Origin: England

Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars.

Old English sheepdogs are competitive dogs and learn quickly.

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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.

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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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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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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.

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58. French bulldog -

Origin: France

Intelligence: 3 of 5 stars.

Keen and patient, French bulldogs are quick to learn simple tasks. 

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57. Pug -

Origin: China

Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars.

Intelligent and friendly, pugs can be stubborn at times but generally do well obedience training.

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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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55. Skye terrier -

Origin: Scotland

Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars.

Training these fearless dogs requires patience and perseverance. 

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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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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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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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52. Rhodesian ridgeback -

Origin: Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia)

Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars.

Loyal and intelligent, these dogs are also strong-willed and stubborn.

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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.

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50. Alaskan malamute -

Origin: United States

Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars.

Friendly and devoted, Alaskan malamutes are eager to learn and please. 

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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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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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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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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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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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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.

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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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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.

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41. Irish wolfhound (tied) -

Origin: Ireland

Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars

Tied with: curly-coated retriever.

Patient and thoughtful, these dogs learn easily.

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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.

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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.

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39. Dalmatian -

Origin: Croatia

Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars.

Dalmatians love to be praised, thus learn easily. But they need discipline.

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38. Norwich terrier -

Origin: England

Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars.

Energetic and sensitive, these intelligent dogs learn easily.

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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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36. Norwegian elkhound -

Origin: Norway

Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars.

While very intelligent, the Norwegian elkhound is also very independent.

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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.

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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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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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32. Manchester terrier -

Origin: England

Intelligence: 4 of 5 stars.

The Manchester terrier is discerning, loyal, and learns easily.

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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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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: Paws and play: The magic of a childhood with pets

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