When searching for the “smartest dog breeds,” you’ll typically find Border Collies at the top, followed by Poodles, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers. However, a 2023 study on canine cognition conducted by the University of Helsinki reveals a surprising new leader: the Belgian Malinois.
Often recognized for its work as a police or security dog, the Belgian Malinois is a shepherd breed closely resembling the German Shepherd. The two breeds share similar height and coloring, but the Malinois is generally lighter and has more triangular-shaped ears, according to the American Kennel Club.
So, what sets the Belgian Malinois apart as the smartest dog breed?
The study, published in Scientific Reports, examined 1,002 dogs from 13 different breeds using a series of cognitive tests called smartDOG. These tests assessed various traits, including memory, problem-solving, impulse control, reading human gestures, copying human actions, and logical reasoning. Although many studies have explored canine intelligence, this one stands out because it focused on individual breed cognition, particularly nonsocial cognitive traits like memory, spatial problem-solving, and logical reasoning.
The researchers used several key tests to measure intelligence:
- V-detour test – Dogs were tasked with finding a food reward by detouring around a V-shaped transparent fence, testing problem-solving ability.
- Human gesture reading test – Dogs were observed in response to five different gestures, such as pointing or following a human’s gaze, to assess their ability to read human body language.
- Unsolvable task test – Dogs tried to access food from a box that couldn’t be opened, measuring how quickly they would ask for help from a human.
The Belgian Malinois excelled in these tasks, scoring 35 out of 39 points overall—making it the highest-scoring breed for intelligence. In comparison, Border Collies scored 26 points, and Hovawarts came in third with 25 points.
However, the study also highlighted that no breed is perfect across all tests. While the Belgian Malinois performed exceptionally well in most categories, it struggled with the cylinder test, which measures inhibition. In this test, a dog must figure out how to retrieve food from an opaque cylinder, and then adapt when the cylinder is replaced by a transparent one. The Malinois scored poorly on this task, but the breed’s low inhibition can be beneficial in work environments where fast, responsive action is necessary.
“The Belgian Shepherd Malinois stood out in many of the cognitive tasks, showing very good results in the majority of the tests,” said Dr. Katriina Tiira, study author and CEO of smartDOG. She added that Border Collies also performed well but didn't surpass the Malinois in overall results.
This research highlights the Belgian Malinois’s impressive intelligence, which, combined with its high energy and low inhibition, makes it an ideal choice for high-stakes work like security and police tasks.