Here Are the Smartest Dog Breeds on Earth

Known by many simply as the "Aussie," the Australian Shepherd isn't exactly Australian these days. Despite being given such a name, this dog has a richer history in the US, dating back to the 19th century. Loosely related to the Border Collie, the Aussie is a dog that is easy to train and is very obedient. While they are very hard-working, it is important to keep Aussies busy with a variety of activities in order to make the most of their abilities.

The French Poodle is one of the most easily recognizable dog breeds around and their unique features and high levels of intelligence won them the honor of being called the national dog of France! Poodles are known for being calm, patient and intelligent dogs that are easy to train and simply loved to be groomed. They're not only considered to be highly loyal companions but also have a daring sense of style about them when groomed which really makes them stand out in the best of ways.

The Schipperke was a breed of dog that was only formally recognized in the late 19th century and is native to Belgium. Over the years, many have debated as to whether this dog is actually a spitz (a small breed of dog) or a shepherd dog. Formally though, they are generally regarded as being small sheepdogs because they are fast, clever and highly responsive. In the 19th and 20th century, they were often seen on boats earning the nickname 'little boatmen', but the term 'schipperke' directly means shepherd in Flemish.

A Keeshond and a Schipperke are not that far apart from one another, although they tend to have slightly different temperaments and a different type of coat. This breed was also popular as a boat dog due to their ability to hunt rats but had a lot less shepherding experience than the Schipperke. As a result, they're a lot calmer in general and are known for being clever, quick to react and are great around children. This makes them the ideal small house dog if you don't have a large yard or home.

The Brittany Spaniel was also originally bred to be a hunting dog and was popular among French Aristocrats in the early 18th and 19th century. They were originally considered to be good 'pointer' dogs because of their speed, agility and keen sense smell, which meant they could flush out the game for hunters to shoot. Spaniels are incredibly responsive dogs and are considered to be calm and sociable in general. They tend to do well when domesticated so long as they get enough exercise, food and loving attention!