What was the first time your dog shocked you by understanding a cue or following exactly what you said? First time you felt hurt, and surprisingly, your pup cuddled you to provide comfort? Or that time when it made you proud by winning an agility and obedience competition?
Dogs aren’t as dumb as we think they are; even calling them dumb is extremely unfair. To your shock, these pooches are as intelligent and perceptive as your 2-year-olds. These pups are smarter and clever little scientists whose intelligence can be determined and evaluated in different forms and ways.
Did you know? Canine intelligence comes in four different types, namely instinctive, adaptive, working, and obedience intelligence. As most breeds are born for a purpose, this reflects on how they understand things.
Hence, today we’ll learn together how many superpowers these furry newtons and smart einsteins have for problem solving, observation, retaining information, obedience, memory, and social training.
Clever Dog Breeds That Are Smarter Than You Think
1. Golden Retriever
Height: 21.5-24 inches | Weight: 55-75 lbs.
EQ quotient: Profound Emotional Intelligence
Lifespan: 10-12 years
Temperament: Exuberant, devoted, smart, serious workers, competitive, endearing, outgoing, trustworthy, and always eager to please
Golden retrievers not only take their notoriously affectionate and gentle nature to another level. But they are also these happy-faced, quick learners who behave like a pocket full of sunshine and energy. Give them any task to perform, like hunting and retrieving, and they’ll instinctively excel at it.
Purina says obedience competitions, service, and therapy work these Goldens can do in their sleep. Moreover, learning commands and responding to cues feels like a cakewalk to them. But wait for the real mind-boggling fact: these exceptionally devoted companions have a keen sense of what’s going on in your heart and mind.
Hence, beware, these innocent-looking puppy-ish pooches with their food-motivated minds have a bulk load of dog intelligence. They are great rescue dogs and one of the smartest dog breeds you can find.
2. Labrador Retriever
Height: 21.5-24.5 inches | Weight: 55-80 lbs.
EQ quotient: High levels of Social Intelligence
Lifespan: 11-13 years
Temperament: Outgoing, Amiable, Eager-to-please, Active, And the Symbol of Unparalleled Loyalty
If we were to give the Labrador Retriever a title for its versatility and high intelligence, it would be “Super Smart All-Rounder Champion”. People who think Labs are only good family dogs and a common sporting breed are in for a huge surprise.
VCA Animal Hospitals states these dogs hold the 7th position in canine intelligence according to a Psychology Professor, Stanley Coren of the University of British Columbia. Labs aren’t just highly active; they are like the meticulous and overachieving A graders that are great at everything they do.
From adaptive problem solving to instinctive hunting and retrieving to mind-boggling emotional perception and excellence in therapy work. These dogs are not only a great addition to any family. These athletes will make you proud with their quick learning flair and incredible contributions as service dogs.
These sleek and popular pups learn new commands in fewer than 5 repetitions and obey known commands with a 95% success rate in the first attempt.
3. Miniature Schnauzer
Height: 12-14 inches | Weight: 11-20 lbs
EQ quotient: Decent level of emotional intelligence
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Temperament: Outgoing, smart, charming, tough, fearless, tireless, bright, friendly, and trainable.
These pups don’t just look like wise humans with bushy beards; they are tiny packages of intellect and wisdom. Hence, don’t underestimate these tiny farm dogs turned professors, and don’t dare to play oversmart with them. Because these robust puppies will leave you in the dust.
According to Omlet, these German-born pooches stay the happiest when they are challenged with mental stimulation and vigorous play. They are highly perceptive and can sniff out the bag of treats you hid away in the kitchen cabinets.
But not only are they fearless, muscular, and tireless pups who can learn a new command effortlessly, but also sneaky escape artists. Hence, keep them busy with enrichment toys and physical exercise, and instruct all family members to keep an eye on these scruffy dogs.
4. Papillon
Height: 8-11 inches | Weight: 5-10 lbs.
EQ quotient: Highly Sensitive and responsive to their owners’ emotions
Lifespan: 14-16 years
Temperament: Upbeat, Athletic, Happy, Agile, Alert, and Friendly.
These dogs know the importance of socialization, hence you’ll find them being everybody’s friend. But that’s not just it; they have received accolades in agility and obedience competitions.
PetMD says these dainty dogs are a perfect combination of beauty with brains, and can be trained to do almost anything. These pups are not only the depiction of sensible glamour, but they are also excellent performers and excel in the show ring.
They are also known for learning from every experience, whether good or bad, hence positive and consistent training is a must for all this brainpower. These affectionate lap dogs are included in the top ten smartest dog breeds and like to show off their incredible mental prowess.
5. German Shepherd
Height: 22-26 inches | Weight: 50-90 lbs.
EQ quotient: Emotionally sophisticated, often in-tune with their owners’ feelings
Lifespan: 12-14 years
Temperament: Agile, Noble, Loyal, Brave, Confident, Gentle, Smart, and Steadfast
Continental Kennel Club quotes that this intelligent dog breed is a maestro at picking up skills and learning commands, and does it flawlessly in less than five repetitions. They were originally bred to protect sheep, make exceptional guide dogs, service dogs, and K-9 detection dogs in police and military units.
The German Shepherd is a highly intelligent breed that is adaptable, versatile, hard-working, focused, and perceptive pooch who might even make a great detective like Sherlock Holmes or a secret agent like Bond 007.
6. German Shorthaired Pointer
Height: 21-25 inches | Weight: 45-70 lbs
EQ quotient: Excellent at reading human emotions
Lifespan: 10-12 years
Temperament: Versatile, enthusiastic, friendly, agile, noble, and aristocratic.
Who would’ve thought? An affectionate hunting dog breed will make an appearance on the smartest dog breeds list. These pets are so easy to train that you won’t even feel like it’s a task. These dogs have a noble and aristocratic gait but aren’t snobbish.
Orvis quotes that these intelligent dogs love exploring the great outdoors and are curious pooches who love to learn all the time. Their play and activity time should include mental stimulation games.
They have a penchant for chasing ducks in the water, are excellent swimmers, and are wonderful at agility and obedience trials.
7. Australian Cattle Dog
Height: 17-20 inches | Weight: 35-50 lbs
EQ quotient: Incredibly intuitive and empathetic, ideal as therapy dogs
Lifespan: 12-16 years
Temperament: Tenacious, resilient, famously intelligent, alert, mischievous, versatile, and a true loyal with boundless energy.
The Australian Cattle Dogs have an instinct to herd and chase after cattle and sheep. They belong to the herding group, but what is shocking is that they are extremely smart animals who are great with children and make wonderful house pets.
PDSA says early socialization is a must for these strong watchdogs, who can be a bit aloof and reserved around strangers and other unfamiliar animals. These dogs are big nature enthusiasts who love spending time outdoors.
They are pros at learning and memorizing commands, and will master a new command in less than 5 repetitions, which is massively impressive. Just make sure to channel the strength and energy of these problem solvers towards obedience, herding, and agility competitions to keep them engaged and happy.
8. Border Collie
Height: 18-22 inches | Weight: 30-55 lbs
EQ quotient: Remarkably understanding and responsive to human emotions
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Temperament: Energetic, cuddle bug, athletic, nimble, agile, balanced, reliable, amiable, and obedient
If you are a genius and are looking for an equally intelligent dog, then the Border Collie will knock your socks off with its high energy and smart attitude. You can judge the Border Collie’s intelligence by a dog named Chaser, who could understand more than 1,000 words, and Rico, who can respond to more than 200 words, as per the AKC.
Petplan says these pooches aren’t just smart, they are destructively smart, clever, and mischievous pups who’ll always roll their eyes at your efforts to provide them with mentally engaging energy outlets. Hence, beware, it is quite difficult to impress this black and white pooch, who happens to be the smartest breeds on the entire planet.
These highly trainable superstars are part of the herding group and have boundless energy for working and learning. Hence, make sure to keep a stash of puzzle toys and plan engaging activities for your Collie.
9. English Springer Spaniel
Height: 19-20 inches | Weight: 40-50 lbs
EQ quotient: Sensitive and in-tune with the emotions of their human companions
Lifespan: 12-14 years
Temperament: Sweet, lovable, energetic, brainy, kindly, trusting, highly trainable, people-pleasers, and polite
These exceptionally bright dogs are trailblazers in learning, obedience, and hunting. They can learn commands 8 times faster than an average dog breed, with only 5 to 15 repetitions, and have an 85% or better success rate at obeying a known command, according to the AKC. Hence stands as one of the most intelligent dog breeds out there.
This sporting dog excels at hunting, retrieving, hiking, and problem-solving. The English springer spaniels are pros at springing game, but are also high graders who fly through at competitive dog sports and obedience trials.
Owners should utilize their intelligence with patience and consistency, and encourage these pooches to explore and learn more. Training is also essential for these high-IQ maestros because where there is such incredible potential, discipline is needed more than ever.
Conclusion
Do you wanna know something bizarre? Interestingly, dogs respond better to a human verbal message if it is given in a high-pitched (baby talk, informative) tone rather than a deep (mama voice, imperative) tone! These dogs keep surprising us every day.
Dogs can communicate efficiently with humans, learn from others, and understand and assess their physical surroundings with flair. But not only that, they can also show teamwork and solve a problem by taking the help of other dogs and humans.
It’s true that these pooches think, understand, learn, and remember differently from us. But they are undoubtedly little geniuses with high emotional perception. That excel in therapy work, agility competitions, adaptive problem solving, search and rescue missions, obedience training, service jobs, and much more.
