The 10 Smartest Dogs Breeds Are Some of the Most Popular

2. Poodle

Easily trainable, steadfast and sharp-minded, poodles flourish in human company. Even with the froufrou hairdos, poodles are made to endure and can be quite effective as guard dogs, especially the standard-size poodles. In fact, the “poodle clip” was created specifically for the working poodle, so it could swim more effectively while still having fur to protect its organs as it went about the business of hunting and retrieving.

The poodle excels at training and obedience and also loves creative playtime. This is what made them so popular as circus performers. But this can be a drawback as well. If left alone to boredom, poodles can be creative about finding ways to amuse themselves, sometimes finding trouble along the way.

They come in a variety of sizes, from toy to standard, so there’s sure to be a version of these fluffy-haired Poindexters for any size house.

And the No. 1 smartest dog breed in the world is…

Next: Border collie