10 Smartest Dog Breeds That Are Easiest to Train

Some dogs pick up commands effortlessly, while others… well, let’s just say they have their agenda. If you’re looking for a dog that’s highly intelligent and easy to train, these 15 breeds are the best of the best. Look at them and see which one you want to bring home.

Border Collie – The Einstein of Dogs

Border Collies are the smarties of the dog world. They can get new commands in just a few repetitions because of their intelligence. Give them a job—agility training, advanced tricks, or even herding kids—and they’ll excel. Without stimulation, though, they might outsmart you and create their own entertainment (like opening doors or rearranging furniture!).

Poodle – The Stylish Brainiac

Poodles aren’t just about looks; they’re incredibly smart too! Available in standard, miniature, and toy sizes, poodles are quick learners who are very eager to please. They also excel as therapy dogs, thanks to their ability to pick up on human emotions. A Poodle will quickly figure out routines—and might even learn how to get extra treats by playing cute!

German Shepherd – The Loyal Scholar

German Shepherds are pretty famous for their intelligence, loyalty, and work ethic. That’s why they dominate police and military roles worldwide. They pick up commands quickly as family pets, and they also love having a purpose. Just be consistent in training—if you slack off, a German Shepherd might start training you instead of the other way around.

Golden Retriever – The Obedient Optimist

Golden Retrievers have both brains and an amazing personality. They’re friendly, gentle, and incredibly eager to please others, which is why they make one of the easiest breeds to train. Their only downside is they love people so much that they might get distracted when greeting everyone before remembering what they are doing.

Doberman Pinscher – The Fast Learner

Dobermans learn commands quickly and respond best to firm yet positive training. They were originally bred for protection work, which means they’re always alert and quick to assess different kinds of situations. They become excellent guard dogs and incredibly affectionate family members with proper training. Just don’t let their intelligence go to waste—an untrained Doberman can outthink its owner and become stubborn.

Papillon – The Tiny Brainiac

Papillons may be small, but they have the intelligence and trainability of a much larger breed (like German Shepherds). Despite their delicate appearance, they are very energetic and always up for a challenge. A bored Papillon might invent its own games, so keep them engaged unless you want them to figure out how to climb onto the highest shelves.

Australian Cattle Dog – The Independent Thinker

Australian Cattle Dogs are problem-solvers who love a challenge. These pups were bred to herd cattle over long distances, which means they’re highly intelligent and also excellent at learning the commands you give. And if you make training sessions fun and engaging for them, they’ll pick up commands in very little time. But be careful—these dogs are clever enough to test your authority.

Rottweiler – The Powerful Pupil

When you give proper training, these pups become obedient, well-mannered friends who excel in protection work (you might have already seen them in movies working as guard dogs). However, Rotties are known for their strong personalities, so early socialization and training are key. They respond best to confident leadership. If they respect you, they’ll learn commands faster than you can teach them.

Shetland Sheepdog – The Mini Genius

Don’t let their fluffy appearance fool you—Shetland Sheepdogs (aka Shelties) are incredibly sharp. These small herding dogs are natural problem-solvers, and they thrive on learning new tricks. Shelties pick up commands almost instantly, but beware: they’re also great escape artists if they decide something more interesting is happening outside the fence.

Labrador Retriever – The Food-Motivated Scholar

Labs are famous for their love of food (they’ll munch on everything you give). These dogs will do just about anything for a treat, which makes training them a breeze. Their intelligence and affectionate nature make them excellent family pets, service dogs, and search-and-rescue workers. Just be mindful of their appetite—Labs are so clever that they might figure out how to open cabinets in search of extra snacks.