Do you ever look back at your fondest memories with your woofer and wonder if it can remember those, too? Dogs have amazing minds and good memories, but how does their ability to remember work?
While your pooch might not remember an exact event, it has a great capability to associate certain things with it. Like when you put up leash on it, your dog will know it’s time to go out hiking.
Some dog breeds have intelligence and memory superior to others. Memory games are not only a great way to train your pup, they’re also an amazing activity to help you bond with it.
Here are 7 dog breeds that are great at learning memory games.
7 Dog Breeds that Excel at Memory Games
1. Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are loving and intelligent dogs that bring a confident, furry presence into your household. This herding breed is often trained as police dogs, search and rescue, and therapy dogs; so their ability to learn and remember instructions is beyond any doubt.
Aussies are medium to large dogs with a height up to 23 inches and a weight of 65 pounds. They’re highly trainable, energetic dogs that need a lot of regular exercise and mental stimulation.
Herding sheep is a job that demands being able to learn complex commands, and according to the AKC, Australian Shepherds don’t fall behind in this regard.
So whether it’s cozying up in your lounge, enjoying memory games and puzzle toys with your Pup, or training it for some competition, your Aussie, one of the best service dogs, is always up for it.
2. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds, known for their gentle nature and impressive level of canine intelligence. From learning complex commands to mastering new tricks, Labs can surely make their pet parents proud.
For a retrieving dog like our Lab, learning cues, remembering locations, and commands is non-negotiable. They’re also often picked as service dogs and guide dogs for the visually impaired. These roles require them to channel their ability to remember routes and associate certain things with each other.
These medium to big dogs (21.5-24.5 inches and 55-80 pounds) love to spend time with their owners outdoors. While they’re amazing for activities like agility training and playing fetch, you can try some memory games like finding a toy to keep them sharp.
3. Poodle
While the first thing we notice about Poodles is how cute they look with their curly and thick coats, they’re also one of the smartest dog breeds.
Poodle’s energy and playfulness match with its surplus of doggo intelligence and sharp memory. They make excellent companions for owners who enjoy engaging with their woofers and don’t ignore them. They love human interaction and are great at learning to imitate human actions.
Poodles come in three sizes:
Standard: Up to or more than 15 inches.
Miniature: 15 inches or shorter.
Toy: no taller than 10 inches.
So, while you can always find the right size of Poodle for the kind of living space you have, you can also count on getting a smart companion. An interesting memory game you can try with your Poodle is “treats in a bottle”, according to AKC.
Take three plastic bottles and put treats in two of them, put the bottles through plastic rods, and place them on a wooden base. Make your dog try to get those treats, but make sure it doesn’t chew the plastic bottles.
4. Border Collie
Life will never be dull with a Border Collie; they’re not just a joyful company on picnics and hikes, but will also surprise you with their love for mental games. They were originally bred to herd livestock, but being brainy and energetic has also earned them their place as police, therapy, and guide dogs.
Border Collies have a reputation as the smartest dog breed, and they have a spectacular memory. They’re always up for a mental challenge, whether it’s learning a new game or engaging in a problem-solving activity.
These gorgeous, fluffy pups can be up to 22 inches tall with a weight going up to 55 pounds. They’re great at obedience training if they started off as puppies.
They pick up memory games easily due to their trainability and awesome memory. Giving them puzzle toys will keep them razor sharp and help enhance their ability to remember.
5. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is an intelligent dog breed with an enchanting golden, insta-worthy coat and an affectionate nature. They’re amazing companion dogs and family pets, especially for active owners who have the time to engage with their pups.
As retrieving dogs, Goldens have to use their memory skills and ability to recognize routes and the game they have to retrieve. They move with confidence and grace as they pursue their target, and their spectacular memory helps them accomplish the task.
These elegant medium to large dogs (23-24 inches, up to 75 pounds) help their blind human companions with confidence and prowess through their paths. You can not only teach them to play hide-and-seek, but agility courses, and puzzles are also activities they can excel.
6. German Shepherd
German Shepherds aren’t just sturdy in appearance with their impressive build, they’re also smart dogs, great at learning memory games. They are one of the most intelligent dog breeds.
Their protective nature matches up greatly with their ability to remember patterns and follow instructions.
These big dogs can grow up to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 90 pounds. Their gorgeous coat colors, including black, sable, cream, liver, and bi-color, give them a royal look. Few dogs command authority and confidence as our beloved German Shepherds do, as per Britannica.
They are badass at police work and great at busting drugs and ammunition at airports and customs. Their amazing instincts and memories also make them great candidates for events that involve memory games and problem-solving skills.
7. Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are pretty pooches with their silky, wavy coats that shine magically under the sun. They make amazing family pets with their sweet and bouncy nature, and can melt hearts with their dreamy eyes.
These dogs never forget the one favorite person they bond deeply with. They love to please their owners and are also hugely motivated by food as a reward during training. Their ability to recall helps them learn new commands as well as excel in memory games and puzzles.
These adorable pups can be 13.5-15.5 inches tall and weigh from 20-30 pounds. They were originally bred as hunting dogs, but also make amiable companions for indoor fun and chilling on the sofa. You can try all kinds of indoor memory games and introduce puzzle toys into their mental stimulation routine.
Conclusion
No matter how smart your pup is, helping them enhance their ability to recall and solve problems is important in helping them survive. While physical exercise helps them stay healthy, mental training helps them react appropriately in different situations and makes them better companions.
The above dog breeds are the smartest dog breeds in the world. This is the reason they are also a part of police search and rescue missions. The ability of these smart companions to learn quickly makes their training easier for the dog owners.
