While looking for a dog to adopt, intelligence should be one of the most important criteria. Believe it or not, becoming a pet parent can require patience and understanding. Even in the best situations, training your dog can be quite a tiring process. Choosing intelligent dogs can save you a lot of time!
Giant dogs with strong cognitive abilities are more likely to exhibit problem-solving skills like unlocking a gate or picking snacks from the counter. They make excellent guard dogs, companion dogs, and even family dogs. To discover more about the smartest dog breeds, keep reading.
Smart XL Dog Breeds With A Mind Of Their Own
Big dogs don’t just have muscular builds; they also have sharp brains. Some large breeds are clever in ways that make them feel more like strategists rather than pets. They can be stubborn, but that just adds to their charm and proves how well they think for themselves.
Our smart gadgets aren’t the only assets that can help us navigate our lives. These giant breeds also play a major role in guiding us and allowing us to stay alert in threatening situations. Let’s learn more about how these dogs use their smartness to handle different scenarios.
1. Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhounds are not just famous for their massive size and gentle nature. They’re known widely in history for their intelligence, too. This large dog is generally observant and alert, making them an excellent watchdog. Whether you’re in your home or at any other place, they’ll always protect you.
When it comes to problem-solving, the Irish Wolfhounds assess different situations and come up with creative solutions to overcome difficulties. Their sharp minds and curiosity make them excellent problem-solvers. Obedience training is easy for these dogs as they are quick learners.
The reason why Irish Wolfhounds are excellent companions for family members is that they understand emotions and act according to the situation. If someone is enthusiastic and happy, they wag their tails with joy, but if someone is disturbed or distressed, they show empathy.
2. Great Dane
Since Great Danes are known for their calm and gentle demeanor, people often think they’re not intelligent. However, that’s not the case.
Their ability to adjust to different environments exemplifies their smartness. As for their social intelligence, they are quite friendly with other people and other pets, as per the AKC.
Frequent mental stimulation is important for this gentle giant, as too much stored energy can cause them to become anxious, bored, or even destructive. Plenty of puzzles and toys should be enough to keep the Great Danes entertained. Avoid excessive exercise as it can make the Great Danes tired due to joint strain.
Great Danes stand out among other dogs because of their emotional intelligence. Their desire to connect with their owners makes them sensitive to their emotions. Their playful nature makes them great playmates for children. Early socialization can help them co-exist in multi-pet households.
3. Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are highly intelligent and ideal for active families, as they enjoy listening to people. Newfoundlands have great protective instincts and will stay by your side whenever they sense danger. According to this Reddit thread, owning a Newfoundland can be a delightful experience.
Thanks to their water-repellent coats and webbed feet, this dog is known in history for its excellent swimming skills. Since they are trained as water-rescue dogs, they go on missions with their handlers to save people from drowning. They can pull entire boats and rescue unconscious people, too.
While it’s more suitable to keep Newfoundlands indoors, they need half an hour of moderate exercise daily to keep them healthy. Common health concerns include elbow and hip dysplasia, cystinuria, which can cause stones in the urinary system, or even cardiac disease.
4. Bernese Mountain Dog
In the dog world, the Bernese Mountain Dog ranks as one of the smartest dogs to exist in the world. They were used for transporting heavy loads. These dogs were so good at their jobs that they didn’t need their owners to accompany them.
Originally bred for herding, these dogs slowly transformed into excellent family pets, as they can even knock down strangers if they appear sketchy. This dog breed has an eager-to-please attitude, which makes training sessions easier. Use gentle commands as they grow with positive reinforcement.
The Bernese Mountain Dog uses its experience to learn. It can be a current or a past experience. For instance, they will master an action that makes their owner laugh, and will keep on repeating the action to capture your attention. Once they become a part of your family, you’ll find them incredibly loyal.
5. Saint Bernard
The Saint Bernard shares similar traits with those of a working dog — they love to impress their owners. This breed is a quick learner, but they are also famous for being quite stubborn. They are fond of treats and will follow your commands as long as you offer a good treat to them.
Their instinctive intelligence is quite high, as they can assess situations and decide whether it’s necessary to fight back. With consistent training, you can manage their stubborn nature. By creating a schedule with proper class time and training sessions, these dogs thrive. They are also quite loyal.
While they drool a lot, the Saint Bernard can be a perfect companion for you if you require an affectionate partner. In the past, their strong sense of smell and great sense of direction helped them rescue injured travelers in the mountains. They can participate in agility and obedience competitions.
6. Leonberger
Leonbergers make great pets as they perform bouncy and wiggly dances of joy every time you come. These small moments of happiness can easily turn your frown into a smile. What more can a person truly need, right?
They are emotionally intelligent, which makes them sensitive to emotions like stress, sadness, or joy. Due to this emotional intelligence, they also serve as therapy and rescue dogs. Including dog activities in your already active lifestyle can sharpen their mental capabilities.
When you give them commands, they don’t simply follow them. Instead, they listen, think through situations, and make decisions based on their own judgment. This quality makes them suitable for scenarios where water rescuing or guarding work is needed.
7. Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff exhibits independent problem-solving skills due to their history as a livestock guardian in remote Himalayan regions. They evaluate situations before obeying commands, and can work without human guidance too.
Orvis mentions that it’s important to socialize a Tibetan Mastiff puppy early so they don’t grow up viewing every new person or animal as a threat to their family.
Common health concerns for them include elbow and hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, entropion, and ectropion.
Obedience training can sometimes be a problem for this dog, as they don’t like repetition. They are highly intelligent dogs and quick to learn. They prefer work-related activities, such as guarding their grounds, rather than structured play.
Conclusion
Smart XL dogs combine size with sharp instincts, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills. How they assess situations, show great adaptability in different scenarios, and act on their own judgment is proof that canine intelligence comes in many forms.
One of the oldest breeds, the Irish Wolfhound is quick to pick up on danger, even before you notice. The Great Danes tend to read human emotions in a surprisingly accurate manner. Newfoundlands are excellent lifesavers in water, often ready to help in emergencies, whereas the Tibetan Mastiffs make confident decisions.
Under the guidance of the right owner, these dogs thrive, and their mental capabilities improve even more. These fur buddies are not just pets but amazing partners with unique personalities and strong minds. Count on them to leave an everlasting impression on your hearts!
