Every dog parent wants to believe their precious furry baby is the smartest dog on the block. Their love for these little (and sometimes not so little) companions can blind them to the many times their dog ran into walls, barked at themselves in the mirror or got stumped at a simple command.
No matter if you’re looking to determine if your dog really is smart or if you’re looking for a furry friend who will be easy to train, The American Kennel Club can help. Their list of the smartest dog breeds can help you determine just how intelligent these common breeds are.
AKC doesn’t rank dogs from most to least smart; however, the list can still give you an idea of which dog breeds tend to be the most intelligent and few characteristics that make them so.
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1. Alaskan Klee Kai
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Characteristics: Loyal, smart, vigilant
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Weight: 6-25 pounds
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Average lifespan: 13-16 years
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2. American Leopard Hound
- Characteristics: Social, energetic, smart
- Weight: 45-70 pounds
- Average lifespan: 12-15 years
Image Credit: Eudyptula / iStock.
3. American Staffordshire Terrier
- Characteristics: Confident, good-natured, intelligent
- Weight: 55-70 pounds
- Average lifespan: 12-16 years
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4. Appenzeller Sennenhund
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Characteristics: Agile, lively, adaptable
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Weight: 48-70 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12-15 years
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5. Australian Cattle Dog
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Characteristics: Alert, curious, agreeable
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Weight: 35-50 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12-16 years
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6. Australian Kelpie
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Characteristics: Loyal, watchful, smart
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Weight: 31-46 pounds
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Average lifespan: 10-13 years
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7. Australian Shepherd
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Characteristics: Bright, task-orientated, cheerful
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Weight: 50-65 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12-15 years
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8. Azawakh
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Characteristics: Devoted, independent, affectionate
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Weight: 44-55 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12-15 years
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9. Barbado da Terceira
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Characteristics: Good-hearted, loyal, happy
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Weight: 55-60 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12-14 years
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10. Barbet
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Characteristics: Nice, fun-loving, sharp
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Weight: 35-65 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12-14 years
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11. Belgian Malinois
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Characteristics: Confident, bright, hard-worker
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Weight: 60-80 pounds
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Average lifespan: 14-16 years
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12. Belgian Sheepdog
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Characteristics: Smart, serious, watchdog
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Weight: 55-75 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12-14 years
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13. Belgian Tervuren
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Characteristics: Brave, alert, bright
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Weight: 55-75 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12-14 years
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14. Berger Picard
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Characteristics: Loyal, observant, friendly
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Weight: 50-70 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12-13 years
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15. Bloodhound
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Characteristics: Amiable, curious, independent
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Weight: 80-110 pounds
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Average lifespan: 10-12 years
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16. Border Collie
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Characteristics: Caring, smart, energetic
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Weight: 30-55 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12-15 years
Image Credit: Iuliia Zavalishina/ istockphoto.
17. Briard
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Characteristics: Self-assured, bright, faithful
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Weight: 55-100 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12 years
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18. Chinook
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Characteristics: Intelligent, patient, loyal
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Weight: 55-90 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12-15 years
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19. Doberman Pinscher
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Characteristics: Loyal, alert, brave
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Weight: 75-100 pounds
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Average lifespan: 10-12 years
Image Credit: eAlisa/ istockphoto.
20. German Shepherd
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Characteristics: Confident, brave, intelligent
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Weight: 65-90 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12-14 year
Image Credit: Barb/ istockphoto.
21. Golden Retriever
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Characteristics: Friendly, smart, faithful
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Weight: 65-75 pounds
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Average lifespan: 10-12 years
Image Credit: Bicho_raro/ istockphoto.
22. Labrador Retriever
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Characteristics: Happy-go-lucky, energetic, extroverted
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Weight: 65-80 pounds
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Average lifespan: 10-12 years
Image Credit: Eva Blanco/ istockphoto.
23. Papillon
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Characteristics: Vigilant, happy, friendly
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Weight: 5-10 pounds
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Average lifespan: 14-16 years
Image Credit: Akifyeva Svetlana / iStock.
24. Mini Poodle
- Characteristics: Proud, intelligent, active
- Weight: 10-15 pounds
- Average lifespan: 10-18 years
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25. Standard Poodle
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Characteristics: Agile, proud, intelligent
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Weight: 60-70 pounds
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Average lifespan: 10-18 years
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26. Toy Poodle
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Characteristics: Sporty, smart, confident
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Weight: 4-6 pounds
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Average lifespan: 10-18 years
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27. Rottweiler
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Characteristics: Guardian, loving, devoted
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Weight: 96-135 pounds
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Average lifespan: 9-10 years
Image Credit: docksnflipflops/ istockphoto.
28. Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
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Characteristics: Perky, charming, curious
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Weight: 4.5-11 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12-16 years
Image Credit: SVM / iStock.
29. Shetland Sheepdog
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Characteristics: Spirited, energetic, smart
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Weight: 15-25 pounds
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Average lifespan: 12-14 years
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