Do you think your dog is brilliant? You are probably right! Acts like retrieving your things or running to the door when you pick up their leash reflect intelligence. Research shows that dogs are as bright as a two-year-old human toddler.
Canine intelligence is the process of thinking, acquiring information, and storing it in memory. Just like humans, dogs also have different types of intelligence. Instinctive intelligence is the instinct of a dog to perform various tasks.
Intelligent dog breeds excel at solving problems such as opening a box or finding a way through a barrier. They have an eagerness to please and excel at understanding human instructions and learning new tricks and commands.
Here are the top 7 intelligent dog breeds respected globally.
Intelligent Dog Breeds Respected Globally
1. Border Collie
Border Collie is one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world. They were initially bred to herd sheep in the pastures between England and Scotland. The rugged terrain required a canine who was easy to train and a workaholic.
While average dogs are as intelligent as a two-year-old human, Border Collies have an IQ of a four-year-old human child. They rank high in instinctive, adaptive, and working intelligence. Their eager-to-please temperament and thirst for learning enable them to perform complex tasks.
According to NPR, a Border Collie named Chaser was able to learn more than one thousand words, breaking the record of Rico, who was able to understand the names of around 200 items.
Border Collies have good social cognition as well. They form strong bonds with their people and do not have negative encounters with other dogs. Borders excel in obedience competitions and possess lots of stamina and endurance.
2. Golden Retriever
These exceptionally smart pooches are not only easy to train but also make fantastic family pets. Golden Retrievers were originally bred as gun dogs, but their striking coat and high emotional intelligence make them ideal candidates for service dogs.
The Golden Retriever is a commonly selected breed for visually impaired individuals. These smart fellas also serve as search and rescue dogs due to their keen senses and high energy levels. They can help seek out missing and injured people.
The body-to-brain ratio of these friendliest and sometimes goofy canines is akin to that of humans. They are capable of thinking independently and making quick decisions when required. Golden Retrievers are athletic and muscular dogs who need plenty of daily exercise.
Goldens excel at various canine sports like agility competitions, obedience training, retrieving games, and swimming. They love having a task to do.
In a Quora thread “How intelligent and trainable is the Golden Retriever compared to other breeds of dogs?” a Golden Retriever owner explains how her pup is a natural born “thief” who loves to steal things and carry them around.
3. German Shepherd
Ranked among the most intelligent dog breeds, the German Shepherd is an agile and muscular dog. Originally bred as a tireless herding dog, GSDs offer unwavering loyalty and make excellent companions.
The American Kennel Club describes German Shepherd dogs as confident, smart, and courageous. Their agility and muscular build reflect their high working intelligence. GSDs have a noble character and instincts to protect their people and territory.
German Shepherds possess amazing problem-solving abilities and are highly trainable. They are the best contestants for obedience competitions and are quite athletic. Their highly energetic nature means they require plenty of regular exercise for physical and mental enrichment.
4. Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher is a compact, sleek, and muscular pooch. Known for their sharp minds and keen senses, Dobermans have been serving as guard dogs for centuries. Their curiosity and active lifestyle mean they require lots of physical exercise and mental stimulation.
Being highly trainable and eager to please, Dobermans learn new commands very quickly. In a Quora thread, a Doberman owner explained that their Doberman learned the word “flamingo” for her new toy in less than 30 seconds.
Dobermans are loyal and energetic canines who make excellent companions. With impeccable focus and attention, Dobies tend to be very protective of their loved ones. These sensitive souls have high emotional intelligence and form strong bonds with one person in the house.
5. Labrador Retriever
One of the most popular dog breeds in the world, Labrador Retrievers are versatile gun dogs. Their high intelligence translates to their ability to learn new commands in less than five repetitions. Labs also tend to obey the first command 95% of the time, or better.
Labrador Retrievers are adored for their loving personality and desire to become friends with everyone. It means Labs have high social cognition. These highly trainable and eager to please pups are so smart that they can learn up to 250 words, explains a Reddit thread.
Labradors make the best guide dogs and search and rescue pups. They possess a strong work ethic and playful nature. These enthusiastic athletes have an unmatchable energy that needs to be channeled properly. PDSA recommends at least two hours of daily exercise for Labradors.
6. Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogs, also known as Shelties, hail from the Shetland Islands in Scotland. Farmers need them as multi-purpose pets who could flush birds out of the fields, herd cattle, and let the family know about intruders.
Shelties are smart dogs with a strong desire to please. Their high trainability stems from their ability to learn quickly. They are responsive to positive reinforcement-based training methods. Shelties are loyal, affectionate, and devoted to their human family.
They bear a close resemblance to their larger cousins, “Collies,” and are hence referred to as “Miniature Collies.” Shelties are obedience champs and excel at herding trials and agility. They tend to bark and are leery of strangers, making them excellent watchdogs.
7. Papillon
Papillon is a small dog breed with an active, alert, and friendly nature. These hardy pooches are recognized by their butterfly ears. Despite being a toy dog, Paps have the intelligence, charm, and drive of a bigger dog.
Papillons have inherited some of the brainpower from their Spaniel ancestors. Agility courses and obedience classes are a piece of cake for them. These dainty and elegant fur balls are quite self-assured and have an easy time learning new tricks.
Papillons are great with kids and adults. They are very perceptive and get attuned to their owner’s emotions very quickly. For this reason, Paps make excellent therapy dogs. According to PetMD, Papillons are one of the breeds with the longest lifespan.
Conclusion
Dogs have helped humans with tasks that are sometimes humanly impossible. From catching small underground animals to herding sheep, we have heavily relied on our canine companions. Some dog breeds outshine others in smartness.
Intelligent dogs have a desire to please and high trainability. They learn new skills and commands very quickly and excel at obedience and agility courses. Having bundles of energy, these pooches require regular physical activity and mental stimulation to stay healthy.
If you are planning to adopt a smart dog, make sure to provide them with regular exercise and lots of love.
