Dog intelligence is the process of acquiring information or skills and storing them in memory. An average dog can learn up to 165 words, whereas some smart ones can memorize up to 200, explains PetMD. There are three types of dog intelligence: instinctive, adaptive, and working intelligence.
Smart dogs can pick up new tricks and commands very quickly, making training easier and more enjoyable. They also know how to use cues to their benefit, showing just how clever and observant they are.
These breeds are skilled at reading human body language and often respond in ways that show deep understanding. They can also solve puzzle toys with ease, using their sharp spatial perception to figure out the best route to reach what they want.
Perhaps most impressively, intelligent dogs are highly sensitive to human emotions. They can sense joy, fear, jealousy, empathy, and even anger, forming a strong emotional bond with their owners.
Here are 7 ultimate smart dog breeds you’ll adore.
Ultimate Smart Dog Breeds You’ll Adore
1. Border Collie
Border Collie is the smartest breed on this planet. While an average dog has an IQ of a two-year-old human, Borders’ intelligence level is close to that of a four-year-old child. A Border Collie named Rico was able to memorize the names of up to 200 objects.
The BBC mentions another Border Collie named Chaser that was trained by his owner, Dr. John Pilley, to understand more than one thousand nouns. Pilley spent five hours every day teaching his pup. Border Collies are very energetic and are known for their high prey drive.
They are perfect for many dog sports like agility, obedience training, frisbee, canicross, and disc dog. Border Collies require lots of physical exercise and mental stimulation daily. These quick learners thrive when they are given new challenges every day.
2. Poodle
The Poodle is a gundog that specializes in retrieving game from water. Don’t get fooled by their beautiful coats, which make them look merely like a show dog meant for the elite class. According to Petplan, they are one of the most intelligent breeds in the world.
Poodles of all three types, Standard, Miniature, and Toy, are highly trainable. They have a long history of working in circuses and have been serving as therapy dogs for several decades. Poodles‘ brains make them capable of understanding as many as 300 or 400 words.
Poodle Fan Club mentions an 18-month-old Poodle named Mademoiselle Coco Chanel can predict its owner’s future actions by merely watching her. These highly trainable agility pros enjoy activities like tracking, hunting, and obedience. They require lots of physical and mental stimulation to prevent boredom.
Do You Know? Poodle’s name originated from a German word “Pudelhund” which means “splash dog.” Apart from being avid swimmers, Poodles have a keen sense of smell which comes in handy for mushroom hunters.
They can be trained to smell truffle mushrooms from an early age. Having a soft bite, Poodles can retrieve the fungus without damaging it.
3. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are famous for their role as police dogs, but they also have a rich history of herding sheep and protecting them against predators. They rank third on the American Kennel Club‘s list of the most intelligent breeds.
Their high level of focus, obedience, and strong work ethic make training a breeze. GSDs are highly protective of their territory and their “pack” members. Due to this, they are the perfect candidates for the role of a guard dog.
One of the breed’s strengths is their capability to analyze tricky situations wisely and then decide the best course of action. These canine brainiacs have been working in law enforcement and search and rescue teams. They have also been serving as service dogs.
4. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are not only intelligent and easy to train, but they also make excellent family dogs. Thanks to their friendliness and high emotional intelligence, Goldens have been used for therapy work and search and rescue operations.
The ability to learn quickly, combined with their active nature, creates a breed that is capable of taking on the challenge to learn hundreds of commands. Goldens also rank high in working intelligence. Their amazing problem-solving skills and eagerness to please their owners make them brilliant companions.
The brain-to-body ratio of these goofy and affable doggos is similar to humans. Their brain makes up a higher percentage of their mass, indicating they are one of the smartest dog breeds. PDSA recommends a minimum of two hours of regular exercise for these fluffy pets.
5. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are the hardy pooches who might act silly at home. One of the most intelligent dog breeds, Labs have the potential for self-learning. It can learn from its humans, not by training but by watching and imitating.
Labradors are known for their excellent problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to a variety of new situations. It makes them well-suited for search and rescue missions, as service dogs, and emotional support animals.
Labradors are so smart that they can memorize up to 250 words and need fewer than five repetitions to learn a new command. It’s also been discussed on Reddit.
Apart from this, Labs have a high playful potential. They need lots of physical exercise and mental enrichment to stay happy and content.
Do You Know? Labradors come in three colors: black, chocolate, and yellow. Some people believe that yellow Labs are smarter than their black and chocolate counterparts, according to a study, but it is widely believed that there is no connection between coat color and intelligence.
6. Papillon
Papillons are perhaps the smallest dogs on the list. They are petite yet intelligent and charming pooches recognized by their butterfly-like ears. Papillons excel at canine sports like agility and obedience training.
Papillons are one of the most trainable dogs out there. They are known for their remarkable athleticism, high energy, and eagerness to please their owners, explains Britannica. Paps also possess the social intelligence required to interact nicely with other dogs, pets, and people of all ages.
Paps love nothing more than showing off, which is why they make excellent competitors at dog shows. These lively little mutts love cuddling their owners as much as they like bouncing around. Papillons require plenty of playtime. You can also take them on two to three walks daily of 20 to 30 minutes each.
7. Shetland Sheepdog
Shetland Sheepdogs are pretty smart mutts that were originally bred to herd cattle. They helped farmers with all sorts of tasks around the farm, including guarding the property and keeping the birds out of the field.
These graceful fellas are the outclass problem solvers. Their enthusiasm and quick comprehension enable them to shine at agility and obedience competitions. Medium mentions that Shelties learn a new command after a few repetitions only; they love learning new commands, tricks, words, and tasks. You can see the excitement in their eyes when it’s time to learn something new.
Shelties are loving companions and form unbreakable bonds with their owners. Their natural protective instincts make them excellent guard dogs. These playful doggos are quite sensitive to their owner’s emotions and behaviors and can get attuned to them.
Their loyalty, affection, and eagerness to please nature make them wonderful family pets. According to Purina, Shelties require around one hour of daily exercise for physical and mental enrichment.
Conclusion
On average, a dog can learn more than 160 words, but some ultimate geniuses surpass other breeds in intelligence. Their intelligence level is equivalent to a human toddler, and they can learn more than 200 words.
These canine Einsteins, such as Border Collies, Poodles, Labradors, and German Shepherds, excel at obedience and agility. They are usually eager to please, highly trainable, and make excellent family pets. Lastly, regular exercise, proper training, and lots of love ensure a happy dog.
