Do you love really smart dogs? Check out these 29 breeds

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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

  • Characteristics: Loyal, smart, vigilant 

  • Weight: 6-25 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 13-16 years

Image Credit: goldenKB / iStock.

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

Image Credit: Laures / iStock.

4. Appenzeller Sennenhund

  • Characteristics: Agile, lively, adaptable

  • Weight: 48-70 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 12-15 years

Image Credit: michaklootwijk / iStock.

5. Australian Cattle Dog

  • Characteristics: Alert, curious, agreeable

  • Weight: 35-50 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 12-16 years

Image Credit: Fischer S. / iStock.

6. Australian Kelpie

  • Characteristics: Loyal, watchful, smart

  • Weight: 31-46 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 10-13 years

Image Credit: Luke Yates / iStock.

7. Australian Shepherd

  • Characteristics: Bright, task-orientated, cheerful

  • Weight: 50-65 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 12-15 years

Image Credit: chris-mueller/ istockphoto.

8. Azawakh

  • Characteristics: Devoted, independent, affectionate

  • Weight: 44-55 pounds 

  • Average lifespan: 12-15 years

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9. Barbado da Terceira

  • Characteristics: Good-hearted, loyal, happy

  • Weight: 55-60 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 12-14 years

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10. Barbet

  • Characteristics: Nice, fun-loving, sharp

  • Weight: 35-65 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 12-14 years

Image Credit: WilleeCole / iStock.

11. Belgian Malinois

  • Characteristics: Confident, bright, hard-worker

  • Weight: 60-80 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 14-16 years

Image Credit: Anton Minin/ istockphoto.

12. Belgian Sheepdog

  • Characteristics: Smart, serious, watchdog

  • Weight: 55-75 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 12-14 years

Image Credit: Kurt Pas/ iStock.

13. Belgian Tervuren

  • Characteristics: Brave, alert, bright

  • Weight: 55-75 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 12-14 years

Image Credit: AvanHeertum / iStock.

14. Berger Picard

  • Characteristics: Loyal, observant, friendly

  • Weight: 50-70 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 12-13 years

Image Credit: ernstboese / iStock.

15. Bloodhound

  • Characteristics: Amiable, curious, independent

  • Weight: 80-110 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 10-12 years

Image Credit: Elena Yurchenko / iStock.

16. Border Collie

  • Characteristics: Caring, smart, energetic 

  • Weight: 30-55 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 12-15 years

Image Credit: Iuliia Zavalishina/ istockphoto.

17. Briard

  • Characteristics: Self-assured, bright, faithful

  • Weight: 55-100 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 12 years

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18. Chinook

  • Characteristics: Intelligent, patient, loyal

  • Weight: 55-90 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 12-15 years

Image Credit: EnginKorkmaz / Deposit Photos.

19. Doberman Pinscher

  • Characteristics: Loyal, alert, brave

  • Weight: 75-100 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 10-12 years

Image Credit: eAlisa/ istockphoto.

20. German Shepherd

  • Characteristics: Confident, brave, intelligent

  • Weight: 65-90 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 12-14 year

Image Credit: Barb/ istockphoto.

21. Golden Retriever

  • Characteristics: Friendly, smart, faithful

  • Weight: 65-75 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 10-12 years

Image Credit: Bicho_raro/ istockphoto.

22. Labrador Retriever

  • Characteristics: Happy-go-lucky, energetic, extroverted

  • Weight: 65-80 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 10-12 years

Image Credit: Eva Blanco/ istockphoto.

23. Papillon

  • Characteristics: Vigilant, happy, friendly

  • Weight: 5-10 pounds

  • 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

Image Credit: disqis/ iStock.

25. Standard Poodle

  • Characteristics: Agile, proud, intelligent

  • Weight: 60-70 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 10-18 years

Image Credit: xyom / iStock.

26. Toy Poodle

  • Characteristics: Sporty, smart, confident

  • Weight: 4-6 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 10-18 years

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27. Rottweiler

  • Characteristics: Guardian, loving, devoted

  • Weight: 96-135 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 9-10 years

Image Credit: docksnflipflops/ istockphoto.

28. Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka

  • Characteristics: Perky, charming, curious

  • Weight: 4.5-11 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 12-16 years

Image Credit: SVM / iStock.

29. Shetland Sheepdog

  • Characteristics: Spirited, energetic, smart

  • Weight: 15-25 pounds

  • Average lifespan: 12-14 years

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Kaitlyn is MediaFeed’s senior editor. She is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, specializing in social justice and investigative reporting. She has worked at various radio stations and newsrooms, covering higher-education, local politics, natural disasters and investigative and watchdog stories related to Title IX and transparency issues.