Do you ever wonder how smart your furry friend is? Researchers have suggested that a dog may be as smart as a two-year-old human toddler. Canine intelligence has various aspects, including instincts, adaptive problem-solving abilities, and understanding human language.
Intelligent dog breeds learn new tricks and cues quickly. Interestingly, they can learn how to use cues for their own benefit. For instance, they may try to convince you that they have not received their dinner yet, even though somebody has already fed them.
Do you know? An average dog can learn around 165 words. Dogs can figure out spatial problems and learn the position of valued objects like a toy or treat. Their brain structure and hormones resemble humans, which is why they can feel human emotions.
Here are the smartest dog breeds you should know about.
Smartest Dog Breeds You Should Know About
1. Border Collie
Border Collie is one of the smartest breeds, extremely loyal and affectionate to their owners. One of the most talented pups out there, they can learn new commands and tricks quickly. A Border Collie named Rico was able to learn the names of around 200 objects.
This record was broken by another member of this breed, Chaser, who could recognize more than 1000 toys by name. Originally bred as herding dogs, Border Collies are known for their keen focus and sharp instincts.
Their excellent problem-solving abilities and boundless energy levels mean they need lots of physical and mental stimulation to stay healthy and content. Having high trainability and eagerness to please their owners, Border Collies also excel at obedience and agility competitions.
2. Poodle
Originally bred as hunting dogs, Poodles have a long history of working alongside humans. They are known for their smartness and hypoallergenic coats. Poodles are active and athletic; you will often see them at the top of the winner’s podium in agility and obedience competitions.
These energetic dogs require plenty of exercise for physical and mental stimulation. They establish a deep bond with their pet parents. Their high intelligence enables them to connect with you on an emotional level and make excellent emotional support animals.
Poodles can understand as many as 400 words. They have excellent problem-solving abilities and are capable of comprehending unknown situations and responding accordingly. Poodles have a strong desire to please their humans, which makes them highly trainable.
3. German Shepherd
Ranking third on the American Kennel Club’s list of the smartest dog breeds, German Shepherds are versatile dogs known for their exceptional intelligence and high trainability. Their keen senses and excellent problem-solving skills enable them to serve as military and police dogs.
German Shepherds are highly adaptable and can understand what is going on around them. Having strong protective instincts and the ability to comprehend human emotions enable GSDs to excel in their role as guard dogs and therapy dogs.
German Shepherd dogs possess high working intelligence and an incredible sense of smell. They are immensely loyal to their owners. Their agility, endurance, and excellent cognitive abilities make them one of the most popular dog breeds.
4. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are happy-go-lucky dogs having a sunny disposition. They are known for their extra-friendly nature and high sociability. Goldens have a joyous and playful approach towards life, explains the American Kennel Club.
Golden Retrievers were originally bred to retrieve game, so they have excellent retrieving abilities. They are easy to train and make wonderful service dogs. Goldens are one of the commonly selected dogs for assisting visually impaired individuals.
Having bundles of energy, Golden Retrievers are sturdy and athletic dogs, always up for an outdoor play session. Their keen senses enable them to serve as search and rescue dogs who help seek out missing and injured people on the trail.
5. Doberman Pinscher
Powerful, vigilant, athletic, and agile, Doberman Pinschers were developed as guard dogs by a German tax collector. Dobermans are immensely loyal to their family members and possess strong problem-solving skills. They make vigilant guardians.
Doberman Pinschers are fearless canines that have keen focus. Thanks to their high intelligence and muscular build, Dobies have been serving in the police and military for several decades. They have earned a reputation as aggressive dogs, but that is totally unfair.
Dobermans are highly intelligent and thrive on obedience training. They respond well to positive reinforcement methods. Dobies excel in canine sports like agility, tracking, and nose work, explains PetMD. They are very active and require regular exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
6. Shetland Sheepdog
One of the most intelligent dog breeds, the Shetland Sheepdog was bred on the Shetland Islands as a herding dog. Shelties are very smart dogs and are excellent at almost everything they attempt, from agility to service work.
Shelties are very playful with their family, but tend to be a bit standoffish towards strangers. They are very energetic and active dogs who thrive on physical exercise and mental challenges. Shelties excel in herding, agility, and obedience.
Thanks to their high emotional intelligence, Shelties have been working as therapy dogs. These affectionate and loyal dogs do well in active families who enjoy spending time with their family members.
7. Labrador Retriever
America’s most popular dog breed, the Labrador Retriever, is known for its friendliness and infectious enthusiasm. Originally bred to assist fishermen in Newfoundland, Labradors are the retrieving champions.
They make excellent swimmers and are versatile enough to work on land as well as in water. Labradors have been working alongside humans for a long time, so they are perceptive and understand human emotions. They make excellent guide and service dogs.
One of the intelligent dog breeds, Labradors learn new commands in fewer than a few repetitions and obey first-time commands 95% of the time. Labs are quick learners, having an eager-to-please nature, which makes them easy to train.
8. Papillon
Papillon is a smart dog in a small package, recognized by its butterfly ears. Despite their small size, Paps rank high in canine intelligence and are quite energetic. They are eager to please their humans and learn new commands very easily.
Papillons can be trained to participate in dog sports like agility and obedience competitions alongside many big dogs. Their affectionate and playful nature makes them a good choice as family pets. More active than your typical lap dog, Paps love exploring.
They like interaction and mental stimulation and love spending time with their family. If left alone for extended periods, they can develop separation anxiety and behavioral issues. They are sociable with children and strangers, but may be reserved around new people.
9. Rottweiler
Having a muscular build and intimidating appearance, Rottweilers are one of the intelligent dog breeds. Their willing to please nature, and their quick learning skills make them easily trainable. They form strong bonds with their owners and are protective of their people and home, explains WebMD.
Rottweilers have natural guard dog instincts and need early socialization. Their confident personality and imposing physique have earned them a reputation as aggressive dogs. But that is not true, as they make the most gentle pets with their loved ones.
These strong pooches are well-suited for active families who can keep up with their exercise needs and provide them adequate mental stimulation. Puzzle toys are a great way to keep them entertained. Rotties are quiet dogs and usually bark as a warning sign.
10. Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Cattle Dog, also known as Blue Heeler, is a herding dog breed known for its intelligence and ability to learn new tricks quite easily. Bred to herd livestock across rough terrain, Australian Cattle Dogs are hardy and alert dogs.
They have a reputation for outsmarting their owners. If you do not put enough effort into training and exercising these dogs, they can easily get mischievous. Having a strong desire to please their humans, they make good companions with active families.
Australian Cattle Dogs are bonded strongly with their owners and can pick up on subtle changes in their mood. However, they are wary of strangers and may be a bit strong-willed. Lack of proper stimulation or attention can lead to separation anxiety and destructive behaviors.
Conclusion
All dogs are smart, but some outshine others in terms of intelligence. Smart dogs possess exceptional problem-solving abilities and are capable of understanding changes in their owners’ moods. These canines are also alert to their surroundings.
They make excellent therapy dogs and service dogs. Their instincts, keen senses, and athleticism enable them to perform well in dog sports like agility, obedience, and tracking. They are easy to train and learn new tricks easily.
