Do you know? Dogs can learn more than a hundred new words and gestures. Some breeds can learn more than 200 words and have the same IQ as a two-year-old human child. A dog’s intelligence is described by its obedience, instincts, and adaptability.
If a dog is bred to hunt or retrieve, it is more likely to have an eagerness to work, move, and please. Therefore, it tends to learn faster. On the contrary, a scent hound or a guard dog may get easily distracted and can be a bit challenging to train.
However, even the stubborn dogs can be taught basic commands like sitting or staying. It might just take a little longer to catch on. Some dogs are so smart that they do not need words to communicate with their owners. They can understand and get attuned to human emotions.
Have a look at ten intelligent dog breeds that are just too clever for words.
Intelligent Dog Breeds That Are Just Too Clever For Words
1. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are the big, slobbery dogs known for their loyalty and intelligence. It is a clever herding dog that combines different kinds of intelligence in one package. While they may not possess the agility similar to other intelligent breeds, they make up for it with their imposing size and brain.
Instinctive Intelligence: Rottweilers possess strong herding, guarding, and protective instincts due to their history as a working dog.
Obedience: They excel at obedience competitions and make wonderful service dogs. They can learn a new command in less than five repetitions.
Adaptive Intelligence: Rottweilers are known for their exceptional problem-solving skills and are able to learn from their past experiences.
Rotties are well-suited for active owners who can provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to their dog. According to PetMD, these athletic canines need around an hour of regular exercise every day. Puzzle toys are a great way to provide mental enrichment.
2. Border Collie
Border Collies are one of the smartest dog breeds out there. They possess the intelligence and enthusiasm to work. The BBC mentions a Border Collie named Chaser who knows the names of her 1,000 new toys. These herding dogs are the happiest when they have a task to do.
Instinctive Intelligence: These clever dogs were originally bred for herding sheep, so herding instincts are ingrained in their DNA. They possess boundless energy to work tirelessly throughout the day.
Obedience: Border Collies are the superstars at obedience and agility competitions. These uber-trainable canines can learn a new command in less than five repetitions and follow it 95% of the time.
Adaptive Intelligence: They possess extraordinary problem-solving skills.
Due to their high intelligence, they need proper training and early socialization with people and animals. While adopting a Border Collie as a pet, you have to work to keep their herding instincts under control; otherwise, it will turn into an obsession.
3. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are versatile canines who have been working as therapy dogs. They have also been assisting in search and rescue missions and police and military work.
Instinctive Intelligence: Labradors were originally bred to assist fishermen, so they possess powerful retrieving and swimming abilities. They have a strong desire to work closely with their humans.
Obedience: Labs are highly intelligent dogs who are naturally perceptive and quick to learn. With adequate training, they can become champions at obedience training.
Adaptive Intelligence: They don’t necessarily need to learn a new trick. If they see you latch a gate or open a door, they won’t take too long to learn.
Labradors are the literal sweethearts with ever-wagging tails. These easy-to-train canines need ample exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
4. English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel is a friendly and outgoing dog breed that is always busy exploring its surroundings. These fluffballs are extremely smart, natural athletes. Their high intellect makes training a breeze.
Instinctive Intelligence: Due to their history as gun dogs, ESS are quite hardworking and possess strong hunting instincts. Always make sure to keep your ESS on a leash outside, because they might set out on a mission to chase every bird or rodent they encounter.
Obedience: ESS are lively and people-oriented pets who enjoy learning new tricks. This Spaniel breed excels at obedience competitions.
Adaptive Intelligence: These quick learners possess high adaptive intelligence.
ESS are high-energy dogs with a desire to please, making them ideal for active families who like hiking and hunting.
5. Golden Retriever
One of America’s most loved dogs, the Golden Retriever excels in various tasks, including retrieving, hunting, service, and therapy work.
Instinctive Intelligence: Goldens excel at swimming and retrieving, and have a strong desire to please their humans, which makes training a piece of cake.
Obedience: Goldens are the obedience champions and have won medals at many agility and obedience competitions.
Adaptive Intelligence: Their high adaptive intelligence enables them to interpret facial expressions and hidden threats. They are capable of learning from their mistakes and have exceptional problem-solving skills.
Apart from being one of the most intelligent dog breeds, Golden Retrievers are friendly and affectionate family pets.
6. Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Cattle Dog is a herding dog whose routine includes agility training in the morning, a herding competition in the afternoon, and non-stop games of fetch in the evening. They are known for their alert, curious, and pleasant nature.
Instinctive Intelligence: Australian Cattle Dogs are a hardy canine with strong working instincts and stamina. Their strong herding instincts make them natural livestock guardians.
Obedience: These energetic dogs are eager to please their owners, which makes them highly trainable. You only need to use clear and simple commands that your Australian Cattle Dogs can easily understand.
Adaptive Intelligence: They are highly adaptive and known for their excellent problem-solving skills.
WebMD claims them to be loyal, friendly, and sweet pooches. Australian Cattle Dogs are suitable for families who have lots of time to spend with their pets outdoors.
7. Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog, affectionately known as a Sheltie, is a loyal and affectionate dog that shines in various realms from agility to herding, obedience, and therapy work.
Instinctive Intelligence: Herding instincts are deeply ingrained in their personality. Shelties also have strong protective instincts.
Obedience: Shelties are one of the smartest dog breeds, which excel at obedience and agility competitions. These devoted pets can learn a new command in less than five repetitions.
Adaptive Intelligence: Their ability to learn quickly and eagerness to please make them highly adaptable. Shelties are skilled problem solvers.
Shelties have a bad habit of nipping at the heels, so they are not a good choice for homes with small children.
8. Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzers are the smallest of the Schnauzer breeds. Hailing from Germany, these affectionate dogs are known for their alert and playful nature.
Instinctive Intelligence: These small dogs possess strong protective instincts and are territorial, making them very effective guard dogs. These former ratting dogs may assist in flushing birds, too.
Obedience: Miniature Schnauzers are capable of understanding complex commands by following their owner’s visual and verbal cues. These eager-to-please dogs quickly learn new tricks.
Adaptive Intelligence: Despite their small size, these bearded dogs have amazing cognitive abilities and advanced problem-solving skills.
Mini Schnauzers love having a job to do and require regular physical exercise and mental enrichment to stay healthy and content.
9. Papillon
Papillons are dogs with cute butterfly-shaped ears. These tiny fluffballs are quite active and highly trainable.
Instinctive Intelligence: Papillons were bred as ratters, and they have retained their hunting instincts. They have a high prey drive and strong protective instincts, due to which they make effective watchdogs.
Obedience: These quick learners excel at obedience and agility. They excel in numerous canine sports, making them suitable for outdoor training.
Adaptive Intelligence: They are so attuned to human emotions that pet parents are convinced that their Papillon dog can read minds. Papillons are the careful observers of everything.
Their affectionate and playful nature makes them ideal pets for households with children.
10. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are one of the cleverest dog breeds with strong work ethics. They possess exceptional intelligence, trainability, and versatility.
Instinctive Intelligence: They have been protecting flocks for centuries, so they have strong protective instincts. Due to their working instincts, they have been serving as service dogs, military and police dogs, and search and rescue dogs for several decades. They are the super-sniffers.
Obedience: German Shepherds are very obedient and agile dogs.
Adaptive Intelligence: They are highly adaptive and are a pro at solving problems.
These courageous, confident, and loyal dogs are gentle around their family, but a bit reserved towards strangers. GSDs are truly a dog lover’s delight.
Conclusion
The article sheds light on some of the most intelligent dog breeds that are just too clever for words. Such breeds excel at all three areas of canine intelligence, including instincts, obedience, and adaptive intelligence.
Adopting one of the cleverest dog breeds means you have to take care of their energy levels and exercise needs. Providing adequate mental enrichment is enough to keep a dog happy. However, these most clever dogs are best-suited for active households and are not a good choice for people with laid-back lifestyles.
