When looking into the smartest dog breeds in the world, there's so much more to it than just trainability and obedience – instincts, adaptability and social cues all come into play too.
In fact, scientists at the University of Helsinki tested 1,000 dogs by setting them seven cognitive and three behavioural tasks, including their ability to read human gestures, how dependent they are, whether they were able to access food in a sealed box, and if they could detour around a transparent V-shaped fence to locate a reward.
And their findings revealed some of the most intelligent breeds...
What are the smartest dog breeds?
According to their findings, the Belgian Malinois is the smartest canine, with 35 points out of 39.
In second place came Border Collies with 26 points, followed closely by the German breed Hovawart, with 25 points. Other clever dogs include Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies and Golden Retrievers.
"Most breeds had their own strengths and weaknesses. For example, the Labrador retriever was very good at reading human gestures, but not so good at spatial problem-solving," Saara Junttila, the study co-author and a PhD researcher in canine cognition at the University of Helsinki, previously told MailOnline. "Some breeds, such as the Shetland sheepdog, scored quite evenly in almost all tests."
Wondering if your furry friend made the list? Take a look at the full findings below:
- Belgian Malinois
- Australian Kelpie
- Labrador Retriever
- Border Collie
- Golden Retriever
- Hovawart
- Spanish Water Dog
- Shetland Sheepdog
- English Cocker Spaniel
- Australian Shepherd
- Mixed Breed
- German Shepherd
- Finnish Lapphund
Which dog has the highest IQ?
In terms of IQ, while there's no definitive answer to which dog comes out on top, renowned canine researcher and professor Stanley Coren breaks a dog's intelligence down into three categories in his book The Intelligence of Dogs.
There's instinctive intelligence – which is what the dog has been bred by humans to do – adaptive intelligence (or how well the dog can learn from its environment to solve problems) and working and obedience, which can be measured by how hard the dog is willing to work to please its people and complete any jobs.
According to Stanley, his ranking would be as follows and many dog behaviourists and experts agree with his findings:
- Border Collie
- Poodle
- German Shepherd
- Golden Retriever
- Doberman Pinscher
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Labrador Retriever
- Papillon
- Rottweiler
- Australian Cattle Dog
In the number one spot is the Border Collie. "Prized for its instincts and working ability, the Border Collie is thought to be the most intelligent and easy to train dog," says a spokesperson for The Kennel Club. They also "thrive at canine activities like obedience and agility."
The versatile Poodle comes in second. "Poodles are highly intelligent and obedient, so as a result they are typically easy to train," The Kennel Club explained exclusively to Country Living. While the loyal and courageous German Shepherd rounds out the top three.
24 indestructible dog toys for aggressive chewers
KONG Tires Durable Rubber Chew Toy and Treat Dispenser for Power Chewers
This tyre-shaped chew toy has been made from durable rubber, so it's perfect for determined chewers. It also gives owners the chance to fill the inside with tasty treats, too. Available in two sizes for you to choose the best for your breed.
READ MORE: 6 dog games great for training and bonding
Built for durability, this bright red dog toy will offer your four-legged friend mental and physical stimulation. Starting from £9, it's a real steal buy.
Made from hemp and recycled cotton, this rope ring's tough fibres work to clean your pup's teeth while also being a whole lot of fun to play with.
Soft yet durable, this cute grey bear has minimal stuffing and an internal knotted rope skeleton.
One of the toughest dog balls on the market, this sweet 'planet' design has been made with award-winning Orbee Tuff material. Certain to provide hours of fun...
Ideal for dogs who love to swim, this floating fabric toy has a handle and is designed with abrasion-resistant materials for increased durability. Make sure not to forget it on your next beach trip.
This durable rubber mango toy — which can be filled with dog treats — is sure to provide hours of chewing fun. Perfect for small and medium dog breeds.
Keep your dog entertained for hours with this purse-friendly squeaky toy shaped like a carrot. Plus, we love that you can pick this up at the supermarket as you do your weekly food shop or even have it delivered with your groceries.
Give your dog one of their five a day with this sweetcorn chew toy. It has been designed especially for aggressive chewers and is suitable to small, medium, and large dogs in any breeds. We think dogs will love its small sound function.
If your pup is a fiend for peanut butter, you might want to introduce this peanut butter flavour chew toy into their playtime routine. The T-shape allows them to grip it easily with their paws while the raised nubs on it can help keep their teeth clean.
If they prefer the taste of bacon, why not try this double-bend bone toy. It's available in a range of sizes to ensure that your dog doesn't miss out on this tasty treat.
Let the fun commence with this long-lasting squeaker football dog toy. Perfect for keeping your dog entertained in the garden.
This durable wooden stick is great for dogs who love to chew regularly. While keeping your dog occupied for hours, it's also great for their dental hygiene.
Built to last, this fun donut dog toy has been made from high-quality material and will not wear down dogs' teeth.
This bright fetch toy is ideal for interactive fun. It has a squeaker and a practical handle for throwing at your pup. We're certain they'll love this!
Made from three strands of heavy duty tightly woven rope, this traditional rope toy is perfect for medium or larger breeds and can withstand some serious pulling and tugging.
This chew toy encourages healthy, non-destructive chewing habits with dogs. And it also has a tasty flavour to it too.
Great for young puppies, this gentle bone will help teething pups who have not yet formed any adult teeth.
We love this unique toy, which is great for chew sessions and endless fun. Top tip: fill with peanut butter to extend playtime and satisfy chewing instincts.
In a blush pink, this large onion toy is surprisingly durable. Best of all, it's currently on sale for less than £3.50.
Another great option if your dog loves to play fetch, this durable fetch stick toy not only makes it easier for them to spot where their stick has landed when you're out on a walk or a trip to the park. But it also works for all dogs of all sizes.
Looking for a durable rubber frisbee? Well, look no further, as this red style from KONG is perfect for keeping your four-legged friends fit and healthy.
Another great frisbee option is this XL one. It might even be easier for your four legged friend to grip and it's also currently on sale.
Made by Arm & Hammer, this gorilla-shaped toy is infused with baking soda to safely help with bad breath. Add in the fact that it is extremely durable and has a built-in treats dispenser and we can see why so many shoppers have given it five-star reviews.
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
Ellis Cochrane is a Freelance Contributor for House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, covering everything from expert tips and tricks, to gardening advice, product roundups and the newest properties to hit the market. Ellis has been writing about homes, interiors and gardens for four years now, and her work has also been published on Ideal Home, Prima and Elle Japan. Over the years, Ellis has also written at a number of publications such as Cosmopolitan, Tyla, Daily Express, Expert Reviews UK, Stylist and IndyBest, covering beauty and style, TV and films, books and celebrity news. Ellis studied at the University of Strathclyde, where she completed a Joint BA Hons Degree in English and Politics. Follow Ellis on Instagram at @ellistuesday.
