Some dogs learn quickly, for some it takes a little longer to master the basic commands.
Some are “geniuses” and soak up every trick like a sponge, some are slow learners. Whatever dog you decide upon, keep in mind that every dog is trainable (to a certain degree) and eager to please you. While it takes less effort to train some breeds, with praise, consistency and love, every dog can become a great companion and a beloved and loving member of a family.

Be patient with your dog if he does not learn the commands very quickly, he may have other, very valuable talents. It’s up to you, to the owner, to make him shine! Some dogs that are bred specifically as working breeds are not as easily trained as the Poodle for example. These dogs have a different mentality. They are not that concentrated on pleasing the owner, rather develop a pack mentality with other dogs. These dogs are bred to think for themselves and less to learn your commands quickly.

Below are listings of dogs that learn easy (also called “more intelligent”), and others that take more time to learn commands. If you are a first-time dog owner, maybe you should consider to get one of the easier trainable dogs, unless you are a willing and have the time to be very patient. That also applies if you intend to get your animal involved in agility training. If these things are not important to you, keep in mind that every dog is a wonderful creature. And - BTW - many of the mixed breeds that can be found in shelters are the most intelligent, wonderful dogs of all. A little mutt could have inherited the best part of both (or several) breeds!

Border Collie
Poodle
German Shepherd
Doberman Pincher
Labrador Retriever
Papillon
Rottweiler
Welsh Corgi
Shetland Sheep Dog

Miniature Schnauzer
Springer Spaniel
Schipperke
Belgian Sheep Dog
Collie
German Shorthaired Pointer
Flat-Coated Retriever
English Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel
Standard Schnauzer
Weimaraner
Pomeranian
Bernese Mountain Dog
Brittany

Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Terriers (most)
Giant Schnauzer
Puli
Beared Collie
Irish, English and Gordon Setter
Miniature Pincher
Dalmatian
Clumber Spaniel

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
Bedlington Terrier
Fox Terrier (Smooth)
Curly Coated Retriever
Irish Wolfhound
Kuvasz
Australian Shepherd
Saluki
Finnish Spitz
Pointer
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
German Wirehaired Pointer
Black and Tan Coonhound
American Water Spaniel
Siberian Husky
Bichon Frise
English Toy Spaniel
Tibetan Spaniel
English Foxhound
Otterhound
American Foxhound
Greyhound
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
West Highland White Terrier
Scottish Deerhound
Boxer
Great Dane
Dachshund
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Alaskan Malamute
Whippet
Chinese Shar Pei
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Ibizan Hound
Akita Inu

Pug
French Bulldog
Brussels Griffon
Maltese
Italian Greyhound
Chinese Crested Dog
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Tibetan Terrier
Japanese Chin
Lakeland Terrier
Old English Sheepdog
Great Pyrenees
Scottish Terrier
Saint Bernard
Bull Terrier
Chihuahua
Lhasa Apso
Bullmastiff

Shih Tzu
Basset Hound
Mastiff
Beagle
Pekingese
Bloodhound
Borzoi
Chow Chow
Bulldog
Basenji
Afghan Hound

The list is partially a part of the book “Intelligence of Dogs” by Stanley Coren. If you are interested in reading more details, we recommend the three books below as a great source for more detailed information.