Did you know that dogs can recall the names of objects years after not seeing them? We know dogs are smart, but how quick-witted and sharp they can really be is something researchers keep studying. In a study published in Biology Letters, an experiment was reported that tested the memories of doggos.
In this experiment, dogs were taught the names of toys within 1 week, and later, after placing the toys out of their sight for two years, were tested for how well they could remember the labels. After many such tests, a 44% average group performance was observed.
Canine intelligence has many criteria, including their instincts, how quickly they learn, and adaptive problem-solving. Different dog breeds can be gifted with different types of smartness, but one thing’s for sure, we love to show off how quirky our pup is.
If you want to bring home a smart pet, here are 8 breeds that might interest you.
Most Quick-Witted & Smart Dog Breeds
1. Border Collie
Border Collie is the world’s smartest dog breed; the study mentioned above was also conducted on these canines. These beautiful dogs were originally bred to herd cattle and other livestock, which is why they have sharp herding and protective instincts.
But that’s not it! The world’s smartest dog, “Chaser,” was a Collie that was famous for being able to identify over 1000 words, as mentioned by The New York Times.
The standard size for a Border Collie is 30-55 pounds and 18-22 inches. They come in a gorgeous, thick, medium coat that’s somewhat wavy (and sometimes short), with the most common colors being black and white.
Border Collie isn’t just a furry companion full of fun and games and lots of love for you; it also masters obedience training, puzzle toys, and new tricks with ease.
2. Poodle
We know Poodles come in three size varieties: Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle, and Toy Poodle. One thing that’s common in all three types is that they are a really intelligent dog breed that adores playing with interactive toys and can master complex tasks.
Standard Poodle: 18-24 inches and 40-70 pounds.
Miniature Poodle: 10-15 inches and 10-15 pounds.
Toy Poodle: Under 10 inches and 4-6 pounds, as per PetMD.
Poodles are strong-willed water dogs that make amazing companions for active families who love fun activities like swimming. They’re spunky and smart pups that need regular play sessions, as well as some mental stimulation.
Poodles are desired by dog lovers due to their amazing traits, including their thick, curly hypoallergenic coats that make them perfect pets for allergy sufferers. No wonder you’ll see so many Poodle crossbreeds like Goldendoodles and Cavapoo, etc.
3. German Shepherd
German Shepherds aren’t just herding dogs with a lot of resilience and a desire to protect; they’re also quick-witted when it comes to remembering their training and learning tricks.
These athletic mutts aren’t just masters of learning basic commands; as popular search and rescue and police, and military dogs, they’re highly trainable when it comes to complex commands as well. They make amazing companion dogs, especially to active owners who love activities like hiking.
These woofers have a gorgeous and somewhat harsh double coat with a soft undercoat. Their athletic body can grow up to 26 inches in height and 90 pounds in weight.
4. Golden Retriever
With a silky, beautiful golden coat and loving face that steals hearts, Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular family dogs. These high-energy canines were used in the 19th century as gun dogs and have worked closely with hunters as retrievers.
Nowadays, these beautiful pups are also used as service dogs, guide dogs, and therapy dogs. Their intelligence is multidimensional; from understanding their humans’ moods as emotional support animals to acing obedience training.
These highly intelligent canines need pet owners who can spend time engaging their physical and mental abilities in games and activities.
These pups can grow to be 21.5-24 inches tall and weigh between 55-75 pounds. According to Britannica, this dog enjoys swimming, but better not to let it swim to the point of exhaustion.
5. Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinschers are the best dogs for people who want a smart and brave guard dog to protect their home and property. They were bred to be protection dogs by a German tax collector and still carry the sharp instincts to watch over their families.
The Doberman Pinscher is a regal-looking dog with its glossy, smooth black coat that comes with breathtaking rust markings. It can grow up to 28 inches tall and weigh up to 100 pounds. Dobie is a fearless and loyal working dog that means business and doesn’t back away when it comes to tackling a threat.
Grooming your Dobie is going to be a cake walk, but shouldn’t be completely ignored. They’re famous as intelligent dogs and fast learners, which makes training them a pleasure. They’re also quite strong pups and need early obedience training to keep off destructive and stubborn tendencies.
6. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are graceful pups that deserve to be our forever furry friends due to their loyalty and loving nature. They’re beauty with brains; with their smooth coat, sweet faces, and an ability to learn commands fast, they’re everybody’s favorite companion dogs.
Labs can be 21.5-24.5 inches tall and weigh between 55-80 pounds. They’re muscular and energetic pups and make amazing partners for runners and people who cherish daily walks.
Labs are often employed as drug detection and search and rescue dogs due to their sharp instincts and ability to remember their training.
A bonus point of their companionship is their love for water, as Labs have famously worked with fishermen; their water rescue dog career is also proof of this talent.
7. Papillon
It’s not a fluffy butterfly you just saw running after a cat; it’s a Papillon, known for its butterfly-like ears and cute and quizzical faces. They were called the “dwarf Spaniels” in the 16th century and were cherished by aristocratic figures like Madame de Pompadour.
Paps come in long coats and a fluffy tail, and have a size range of 8-11 inches and 4-10 pounds. They’re vibrant and energetic; a great choice for people who can fill their home with smiles. Despite being active dogs, they can thrive in small living spaces and are happy to play indoors.
A mind-blowing fact about Papillon’s smartness is that they’re the 8th smartest dogs (out of 100, according to Stanley Coren’s ranking), as mentioned by Business Insider. Awesome, right? Believe it or not, these pooches can learn new tricks and commands in less than five repetitions.
8. Rottweiler
Rottweilers might look like they’re all muscle, but they’re not without brains. With a height range up to 27 inches and a weight of up to 135 pounds, Rotties are strong dogs that come in a short, smooth coat. They’re great at obedience training and herding and are often used as police and tracking dogs, as per Purina.
Rottweilers are dogs that love to keep their homes and families safe, making them one of the best watchdogs. As the 9th smartest dogs in Stanley Coren’s ranking, they’re great at reading the intentions of people and tend to be wary of strangers.
Rotties are awesome at learning new commands and following them, compared to dogs with average intelligence.
Conclusion
While all dogs are lovable companions despite their intelligence levels, the smart dogs are a pleasure to have around, as they also tend to be good at following instructions. Individual temperament is always a factor to consider when determining how clever a pup is.
However, early socialization and proper training with positive reinforcement methods are highly crucial for all dog breeds to make them loving and peaceful companions for your home and family.
