Is Your Dog Among the Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds?

All dogs are good and pure and brilliant. But some are, well, slightly smarter than others. Certain breeds, such as Collies and Labrador Retrievers, are known for their intelligence and for their ability to serve as guides and help with police and military work.

The American Kennel Club rounded up 10 of the smartest dog breeds, based on general intelligence and also how they perform certain tasks such as search and rescue, detective work, and other jobs requiring a high level of concentration.

Golden Retrievers, for example, are some of the smartest pups around, thanks to the fact that they “are serious workers at hunting and field work, as guides for the blind, and in search-and-rescue, enjoy obedience and other competitive events, and have an endearing love of life when not at work,” according to the AKC.

Border Collies also score high for intelligence, thanks to their agility and their ability to focus intently while herding. But which dog breeds fill out the top 10? Here's a look at the smartest dog breeds.

10 Smartest Dog Breeds

Collie

Collies in general are known for their intelligence, and the Border Collie in particular is prized for its agility and willingness to commit to a task.

German Shepherd

German Shepherds are extremely loyal, and they’re one of the best canine breeds for police and military work.

Bloodhound

Bloodhounds are experts at trailing, and according to Yahoo! Shine, “their scenting abilities are so exceptional that a Bloodhound’s mantrailing results are permissible in court."

Beagle

Beagles also have amazing noses and are often used for hunting and trailing scents.

Labrador Retriever

Labradors are the most popular family dog, according to the AKC, and they are also the most intelligent guide dogs.

Newfoundland

Newfoundlands excel at water rescue and long-distance swimming due to their large lung capacity. They are also extremely intelligent.

Related: 300 Unique Dog Names

Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois may not be the most well-known household pet, but they are confident, strong, and highly intelligent, making them well-suited to military work.

Siberian Husky

Siberian Huskies are renowned for their sled-pulling skill, which requires strength, endurance, and the ability to focus on a task.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers make highly intelligent and loyal guide dogs, and they also score high on the cuteness scale.

Australian Shepherd

Australian herders are exceptional herders and they’re also very lively and intelligent.

Next up, enjoy these funny dog puns!