12 Smartest Dog Breeds — our top picks
German Shepherd Dog
German Shepherd Dog: very high trainability, high energy and very high athleticism — quick to learn — which cuts both ways if you cannot keep it occupied. Versatile working dog breed known for intelligence, loyalty, and courage. Excels in police work, military service, and as family companions. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the German Shepherd Dog needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointer: very high trainability, very high energy and very high athleticism — quick to learn — which cuts both ways if you cannot keep it occupied. Versatile, athletic hunting dog that excels at pointing, retrieving, and tracking. Known for boundless energy and strong work ethic. Worth knowing before you commit: the German Shorthaired Pointer needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinscher: very high trainability, high energy and very high athleticism — quick to learn — which cuts both ways if you cannot keep it occupied. Elegant German guardian with athletic build. Intelligent, loyal, and fearless protector when properly trained. Worth knowing before you commit: the Doberman Pinscher needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherd: very high trainability, very high energy and very high athleticism. Versatile herding dog with striking coat patterns. Intelligent and energetic working companion. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Australian Shepherd needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Border Collie
Border Collie: very high trainability, very high energy and very high athleticism. Supreme herding dog with intense work drive and intelligence. Often considered the most intelligent dog breed. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Border Collie needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Vizsla
Vizsla: very high trainability, very high energy and very high athleticism. Elegant Hungarian pointer known as the "Velcro dog" for their close bond with owners. Athletic and affectionate. Worth knowing before you commit: the Vizsla needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois: very high trainability, very high energy and very high athleticism. Elite working dog with intense drive and athleticism. Preferred breed for military and police special operations. Worth knowing before you commit: the Belgian Malinois needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Brittany
Brittany: very high trainability, very high energy and very high athleticism. Compact, athletic gundog with boundless energy. Eager to please and excellent family companion when properly exercised. Worth knowing before you commit: the Brittany needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
English Springer Spaniel
English Springer Spaniel: very high trainability, very high energy and very high athleticism. Athletic, medium-sized spaniel with excellent flushing ability. Energetic and devoted family companion. Worth knowing before you commit: the English Springer Spaniel needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Belgian Tervuren
Belgian Tervuren: very high trainability, very high energy and very high athleticism. Elegant Belgian Shepherd with long coat. Intelligent and energetic herding dog with strong work ethic. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Belgian Tervuren needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Aussiedoodle
Aussiedoodle: very high trainability, very high energy and very high athleticism. Australian Shepherd and Poodle cross combining herding instincts with intelligence. Active and trainable. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Aussiedoodle needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Miniature American Shepherd
Miniature American Shepherd: very high trainability, very high energy and very high athleticism. Smaller version of Australian Shepherd with same intelligence and drive. Compact herding dog. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Miniature American Shepherd needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 321 breeds is scored on the traits that decide this particular question — the same trait ratings shown on each breed's own guide page, so you can check the reasoning rather than take a ranking on faith. Read more about our methodology, or take the free quiz for a ranking based on your own answers.
Popular breeds that are a poor fit for owners who want a quick learner
Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is a popular choice, but low trainability and low energy put it at odds with owners who want a quick learner. On top of that, the Basset Hound is stubborn enough that first-time owners often struggle.
English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is a popular choice, but low trainability and low energy put it at odds with owners who want a quick learner. On top of that, the English Bulldog is stubborn enough that first-time owners often struggle.
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a popular choice, but low athleticism put it at odds with owners who want a quick learner. On top of that, the coat is real work — the Shih Tzu needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Not sure which breed is right for you?
Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.
Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- What is the smartest dog breed?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the German Shepherd Dog ranks as the top choice for owners who want a quick learner, followed by the German Shorthaired Pointer and Doberman Pinscher.
- How was this list of dogs for owners who want a quick learner chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for owners who want a quick learner — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. For a recommendation tailored to your exact situation, take the free quiz.
- Which popular breeds are a poor fit for owners who want a quick learner?
- The Basset Hound, The English Bulldog, The Shih Tzu all rank near the bottom for owners who want a quick learner despite being widely chosen — usually because the traits that make them appealing elsewhere work against them here.