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You are here ~~> Canines Corner~~> Topics ~~> Intelligence by Breed Name


Ranking of Dogs for Obedience/Working Intelligence by Dog Breed Name
(based upon dog trainer surveys)
 

Rank

Characteristics

1-10

Brightest Dogs

11-26

Excellent Working Dogs

27-39

Above Average Working Dogs

40-54

Average Working/Obedience Intelligence

55-69

Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence

70-79

Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence

Rank

Breed

 

37a

Affenpinscher

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

79

Afghan Hound

Ranks 70 to 79: Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more
Obey First Command: 25% of the time or worse

29a

Airedale Terrier

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

54b

Akita

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

50

Alaskan Malamute

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

45d

American Foxhound

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

34a

American Staffordshire Terrier

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

44a

American Water Spaniel

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

10

Australian Cattle Dog

Ranks 1 to 10 - Brightest Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: Less than 5 repetitions
Obey First Command: 95% of the time or better

42a

Australian Shepherd

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

34b

Australian Terrier

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

78

Basenji

Ranks 70 to 79: Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more
Obey First Command: 25% of the time or worse

71

Basset Hound

Ranks 70 to 79: Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more
Obey First Command: 25% of the time or worse

72a

Beagle

Ranks 70 to 79: Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more
Obey First Command: 25% of the time or worse

34c

Bearded Collie

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

40a

Bedlington Terrier

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

22a

Belgian Malinois

Ranks 11 to 26: Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better

15a

Belgian Sheepdog

Ranks 11 to 26: Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better

14

Belgian Tervuren

Ranks 11 to 26: Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better

22b

Bernese Mountain Dog

Ranks 11 to 26: Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better

45a

Bichon Frise

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

44b

Black & Tan Coonhound

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

74

Bloodhound

Ranks 70 to 79: Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more
Obey First Command: 25% of the time or worse

1

Border Collie

Ranks 1 to 10 - Brightest Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: Less than 5 repetitions
Obey First Command: 95% of the time or better

30a

Border Terrier

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

75

Borzoi

Ranks 70 to 79: Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more
Obey First Command: 25% of the time or worse

54a

Boston Terrier

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

29b

Bouvier Des Flandres

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

48a

Boxer

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

30b

Briard

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

19

Brittany

Ranks 11 to 26: Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better

59a

Brussels Griffon

Ranks 55 to 69: Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 40 to 80 repetitions
Obey First Command: 30% of the time or better

66

Bull Terrier

Ranks 55 to 69: Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 40 to 80 repetitions
Obey First Command: 30% of the time or better

77

Bulldog

Ranks 70 to 79: Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more
Obey First Command: 25% of the time or worse

69

Bullmastiff

Ranks 55 to 69: Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 40 to 80 repetitions
Obey First Command: 30% of the time or better

35a

Cairn Terrier

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

26

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Ranks 11 to 26: Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better

44c

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

27a

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

67

Chihuahua

Ranks 55 to 69: Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 40 to 80 repetitions
Obey First Command: 30% of the time or better

61

Chinese Crested

Ranks 55 to 69: Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 40 to 80 repetitions
Obey First Command: 30% of the time or better

51a

Chinese Shar-Pei

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

76

Chow Chow

Ranks 70 to 79: Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 80 to 100 repetitions or more
Obey First Command: 25% of the time or worse

37b

Clumber Spaniel

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

20

Cocker Spaniel

Ranks 11 to 26: Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better

16a

Collie

Ranks 11 to 26: Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better

41a

Curly-Coated Retriever

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

49a

Dachshund

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

39

Dalmatian

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

62a

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Ranks 55 to 69: Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 40 to 80 repetitions
Obey First Command: 30% of the time or better

5

Doberman Pinscher

Ranks 1 to 10 - Brightest Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: Less than 5 repetitions
Obey First Command: 95% of the time or better

18a

English Cocker Spaniel

Ranks 11 to 26: Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better

45e

English Foxhound

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

37c

English Setter

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

13

English Springer Spaniel

Ranks 11 to 26: Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better

45b

English Toy Spaniel

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

34d

Field Spaniel

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

43a

Finnish Spitz

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

18b

Flat-Coated Retriever

Ranks 11 to 26: Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better

58

French Bulldog

Ranks 55 to 69: Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 40 to 80 repetitions
Obey First Command: 30% of the time or better

3

German Shepherd

Ranks 1 to 10 - Brightest Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: Less than 5 repetitions
Obey First Command: 95% of the time or better

17

German Shorthaired Pointer

Ranks 11 to 26: Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better

44d

German Wirehaired Pointer

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

28

Giant Schnauzer

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

4

Golden Retriever

Ranks 1 to 10 - Brightest Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: Less than 5 repetitions
Obey First Command: 95% of the time or better

34e

Gordon Setter

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

48b

Great Dane

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

64

Great Pyrenees

Ranks 55 to 69: Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 40 to 80 repetitions
Obey First Command: 30% of the time or better

46a

Greyhound

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

53a

Ibizan Hound

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

35b

Irish Setter

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

53b

Irish Terrier

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

24

Irish Water Spaniel

Ranks 11 to 26: Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better

41b

Irish Wolfhound

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

60

Italian Greyhound

Ranks 55 to 69: Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 40 to 80 repetitions
Obey First Command: 30% of the time or better

62b

Japanese Chin

Ranks 55 to 69: Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 40 to 80 repetitions
Obey First Command: 30% of the time or better

16b

Keeshond

Ranks 11 to 26: Excellent Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 5 to 15 repetitions
Obey First Command: 85% of the time or better

35c

Kerry Blue Terrier

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetitions
Obey First Command: 70% of the time or better

42b

Kuvasz

Ranks 40 to 54: Average Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 25 to 40 repetitions
Obey First Command: 50% of the time or better

7

Labrador Retriever

Ranks 1 to 10 - Brightest Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: Less than 5 repetitions
Obey First Command: 95% of the time or better

62c

Lakeland Terrier

Ranks 55 to 69: Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 40 to 80 repetitions
Obey First Command: 30% of the time or better

68

Lhasa Apso

Ranks 55 to 69: Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 40 to 80 repetitions
Obey First Command: 30% of the time or better

59b

Maltese

Ranks 55 to 69: Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence
Understanding of New Commands: 40 to 80 repetitions
Obey First Command: 30% of the time or better

32

Manchester Terrier

Ranks 27 to 39: Above Average Working Dogs
Understanding of New Commands: 15 to 25 repetit